Paul McCartney - Carl Perkins 1993

A reconstruction of the 1993 jam session. Two alternate camera angles.

[@jamiecoyne]

How lucky are we that 30 years later we can watch this. Seems like yesterday.

[@rogerwilliams7791]

Love the way Paul shows his appreciation for Carl. You see the love and respect. Two great musians, singers and friends.

[@DlmlZ]

Nothing left to add! That's the way it is!! Fully agree!

[@bradenzo5386]

You also see that respect right back from Carl. The Beatles kind of modeled themselves from Carl. Carl can here his influence in their songs. But is totally impressed about the way they made it their own. Kind of the ultimate flattery for Carl.

[@northnsouth6813]

Carl told Paul and his wife Linda he wanted to play for them, as a kind of “Thank you” for their time together. The song, “My Old Friend,” started off as a sweet ode to friendship but then took a melancholy turn; Carl Perkins sang about what might happen if two friends never saw one another again on this side of life. The verse ended with a plaintive request to the old friend, to “think about me every now and then.” As he sang those words, tears streamed down Paul’s face and he abruptly left the room. Not sure what had just happened, Carl stopped playing, and Linda hugged him. She thanked him for helping Paul grieve - and said that John Lennon had spoken the same words to Paul the last time the two spoke before he was killed.

[@bobbybrooks4826]

MURDERED

[@fougee1]

@@bobbybrooks4826 Yes cut down by a madman POS!~

[@bobbybrooks4826]

@@fougee1 who ABSOLUTELY , AND GO LOOK,,, DID NOT ACT ALONE!!!

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Where/when was that? They must've cut that part out here..

[@robertwoodward9231]

Really cool stuff!

[@safercyclinguk]

My word, this is emotional. What a sweet man Carl Perkins was. My old friend what a tune.

[@followthesun2115]

Can't stop smiling! Thank you for posting this piece of music history.

[@raypeters4525]

I BOUGHT MY FIRST PAIR OF BLUE SUADE SHOES IN 1955 BECAUSE OF CARL'S SONG ! I WAS A SOPHOMORE IN HI SCHOOL ! I STILL HAVE A PAIR OF BLUE SUADES IN MY CLOSET, I'M NOW 83 YRS..

[@pgroove163]

Carl Perkins is an amazing musician..

[@jayham____fromgeorgia]

totally underrated as not only a guitar player/songwriter.. but, just the rawness and amazing sound of the SUN stuff alone.. he's my favorite of the million dollar quartet.. revolutionary.. even 60+ years later, that stuff just moves me unlike much else musically

[@Ojb_1959]

Paul’s pretty good too 😂

[@JeffreyBue_imtxsmoke]

Paul always amazes me with his musical abilities. Truly gifted in so many ways.

[@liminal27]

Never knew Paul was a such a good lead guitar player in his own right.

[@robbsclassics]

Wait until you hear him at bass. But yeah, that's just him on Yesterday and Blackbird.

[@ewest14]

He played many lead guitar parts in the Beatles and especially his solo career/Wings

[@campbellarmstrong2134]

Paul can play something like 12 instruments.

[@gregoirearmaos7944]

Paul was always great at crafting & conceiving music. But he's not a great lead guitar improvisor though, and thats all alright.

[@philiparnold3179]

Pure magic - two great musicians showing mutual love and respect for each other and their music. I am a Beatles Freak but I hadn't heard about the song, "My Old Friend" - I definitely shed a tear as well. Thanks for the memories!

[@buddyslowhand7647]

This is one of the best KZbin-videos. It deserves more attention as Carl Perkins did. I think of him every now and then....

[@VoxMax-dl3yx]

Paul is so cute here.. Great video. Carl is true legend! Love his rock-'n'-roll!!

[@matthewfarmer6830]

I met Carl Perkins in 1996 to get his biography book to sign, he first told a story on a microphone for an hour that was a wow didn't expect that. Only 50 people show up I was like ONLY 50 I thought it would be more. I was sitting in the front my dad was there as well he's a huge fan. The memories I will never forget. After this video of him and Paul together about 3 years later he came to Louisville Kentucky to do his book, I have it signed and dated I told a book dealer about the book he said you better keep it and don't let anyone take it to read, it will be a rare sign biography book to have. That's it.

[@tuffgonggbUNCTION]

Thank you ,Beatle Bob.

[@JoanneJaworski]

I had a smile on my face while listening to this! So sweet to see them jamming with such joy and mutual respect for each other!

[@georgianwindow]

There is so much respect for Carl Perkins ... Paul and George both understand his talent and history .. He did have a song in the UK charts when I left school 1967 ????

[@MarioRodriguez-fs1kk]

This song is so beautiful to me. I hear Carl's heart towards Paul of their friendship. That was a special moment for the both of them. Paul. Thank you for being my old friend and hero of music. ✌️ n 💙

[@eioDesign]

This appears to have been recorded on the day of Paul’s show in Memphis at the Liberty Bowl - the first time I’d seen him live, which was thrilling.

[@JeffreyBue_imtxsmoke]

what a gem this video is... thanks for sharing

[@pickersgrip]

George adored Carl Perkins playing. There s a great video of them playing together, I think George was beside himself.

[@RedDirtRules]

Carl Perkins...the real King of Rock and Roll. McCartney playing some mean guitar on this too. The mutual respect is evident here

[@bradenzo5386]

Totally mutual resect.

[@countryjames-h2k]

no he is not elvis was on the chart almost a year before carl

[@jono3598]

amazing to watch two legends - each as influential as the other

[@gailg2327]

Paul made another musician, the great Carl Perkins a very happy man. Thank you Paul. Great sweet genius musicians! Oh my goodness, beautiful, My Old Friend!

[@LEEFORDJAGG]

Thanks Beatle Bob. This feature really pulls at heartstrings. The Dance Album by Carl Perkins was a big album for aspiring teenagers of the day. Great stories about catching three buses to borrow the album. Sure To Fall ,I believe Ringo sang that at a BBC session. Paul getting the low down on ‘Movie Magg’ .. priceless stuff for fans of The Beatles and Carl Perkins.

[@craigiefconcert6493]

This is amazing that they’re just pulling up songs they haven’t played in years and Paul is nailing all the lyrics-you can see Carl is following Paul sometimes on the lyrics on his own songs.

[@Sandro2367]

This is so beautiful... I can't even describe.

[@gcarlson]

There is a Mike Judge series (King of the Hill) called "Tales from the tour bus" that has much to offer us music fans. One episode featuring Jerry Lee Lewis highlighted a certain gig where the band had noticed a group of "hippies" smoking dope up in the balcony. After the show there was a knock on Jerry's dressing room door, and John Lennon was standing outside. Then, without saying a word, he walked over to Jerry, got down on his knees, and literally kissed his feet. I'm sure Paul held Carl Perkins in the same light. What a great little get together you have here!

[@enzomaidana5369]

I watched every king of the hill episode. Never seen that.

[@noblemann4898]

Jerry Lee criticised The Beatles, didn't like their style 'and what kind of hairstyle is that?' Enter John Lennon who physically turns Jerry Lee around and Lennon kissed Jerry Lee's backside. Jerry Lee... 'The Beatles are actually pretty good.'

[@lindaclaudine3029]

If this doesn’t bring tears-so beautiful!

[@jimmyz2098]

Two amazing musicians doing their thing. I am only recently finding Carl Perkins, and loving him! Just got a record player again (had one as a teen).... and going to grab a few Carl Perkins records. Can't wait to dig deeper. Really neat guy, and a great musician. he was one of the ones that started it all - for sure! I want to hear more of his stories too! Great stories!

[@thejonegcle7759]

very cool ... thanks for posting this abbreviated highlights version of Carl Perkins & Paul McCartney enjoying each others company

[@TheRiverRiseII]

That was extremely entertaining!

[@josearqco]

This is pure refined gold!!

[@Martine1love]

Absolutely beautiful and a treasure! Thank you.

[@ringokidd387]

Absolutely Amazing!

[@IanHorner-lw2zk]

What an Iconic Moment, with two Musical Legends respecting each others talents enjoying the moment.!!!

[@douglasmasterson443]

Amazing....Great to hear all the background stories of these songs!!.

[@shable1436]

So they wrote my old friend in the Caribbean in 81 right after Lennon was killed, no wonder the song is so haunting, it gives me a Clapton tears in heaven feel, that only master musicians can pour their souls into the music to evoke their pain and heartache

[@braemtes23]

Carl wrote My Old Friend for Paul in gratitude for being invited to Montserrat and being treated so well there. When he sang it to Paul, Paul broke down in tears because the lyrics Carl chose in the song were unknowingly the last words John ever spoke to Paul: "think of me every now and then".

[@debbiemills2684]

This is just so sweet!!!🥰

[@diffbreak2366]

Macca is doing pretty good jamming on his guitar, usually under appreciated but very sophisticated.

[@traviesoarcefan3063]

THIS was solid Gold! Thank you so much for posting it. It made my Happy Friday even better. 😄

[@robbsclassics]

"Goes to show, you never know who's listening." Great quote.

[@methuselah5thegreat2]

I close my eyes and all I see is "April 27, 1993" thanks..

[@johncorbett3109]

Thanks Beatle Bob.....loved it and they are both so sincere! 🇨🇦

[@mysticmaverick1]

Carl can also sing a beautiful country ballad - My Old Friend.

[@dynjarren8355]

The Beatles covered several of Perkins songs. They liked his music and held him in high regard. He was practically the King of Rockabilly. Perkins said Elvis was the King of Rock n Roll. He respected Elvis.

[@vayabroder729]

Elvis, him, Johnny Cash and The Killer (The Million Dollar Quartet) were not only label mates but good buddies.

[@dynjarren8355]

@@vayabroder729 That’s great but you can’t even hear Cash or Perkins on the Million Dollar Quartet Recording sadly. All I could hear was Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis singing backup. Maybe because Lewis knew the Gospel songs by heart since he attended the same Church Elvis did so that gave him an advantage. It’s still a great recording that mainly showcases Elvis’s voice and he was in top form and dominated everyone. Although I’m surprised Cash can’t be heard because he had a good Baritone. Oh well, maybe he was too intimidated by Elvis who was a star already.

[@vayabroder729]

@@dynjarren8355 What you can hear fairly prominently is Carl’s Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster and its Bigsby vibrato and his vocal harmonies at the top.

[@dynjarren8355]

@@vayabroder729 I will go back and listen for that now. But I really liked how Jerry Lee backs up Elvis who’s singing the lead vocals and JL adds his harmonies and vocal quirks and fills to the Gospel songs. They were good together! Jerry Lee was a talent but even he could see who was the leader and bigger talent in the room! Cash however didn’t have to take a backseat to anyone vocally because he had a strong and bold, booming Baritone and he became a Legendary Country star. But Elvis became the King of Rock n Roll and even Carl Perkins who was a talented singer and songwriter realized this and said so. Perkins said that Elvis was destined to be the King because he had it all! The looks, vocals and performing talent to become the top performer. It also led to his early demise but that’s another story. Elvis even took Blue Suede Shoes and made it a hit and a million seller. Perkins sang and released it originally but Elvis took it Nationally and Perkins probably was grateful because he got the Royalties from it! And from the Beatles covering several of his songs and putting them on Beatles albums! He probably made some good Royalties from that exposure as well! I always like and appreciated Perkins because he knew his role and his place in music. He’s one of the original Rockabilly guys from the first wave of Rock n Roll. But he wasn’t as egotistical as Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard were! They were more arrogant at times. Little Richard even said he invented Rock n Roll and was the King! If anyone had the right to say that, it was Chuck Berry, not Little Richard! Although Richard was one of the original Rockers and a pioneers of RnR! I’d say Elvis was the King and Chuck Berry was the Father of Rock n Roll! That’s how I see it. No one can play Rock Guitar 🎸 without learning Chuck Berry style Riffs and Chords! When I first learned how to play the guitar 🎸 I learned Chuck Berry songs first! So it begins with Berry’s music and then I’d learn other songs like Gloria! Three chords was great fun and easy for a beginner like me to master! And I mainly play Rhythm guitar 🎸 anyway and I can’t play any lead guitar 🎸 worth a damn! So I don’t bother with it anymore. I mainly play chords and strum! Lead guitar 🎸 is too tiresome anyway and no one’s ever going to surpass Eddie Van Halen, who was from another planet apparently! It’s all been done by him mainly and there’s no point trying to go there anymore. That’s why I like Keith Richards! I prefer the Rhythm guitar and the songs mostly and no ones going to play better leads and precise Blues licks better than Mick Taylor did! That’s just in my opinion. And Jumping Jack Flash and Brown Sugar are great Rock n Roll songs in my view and can’t be surpassed. I think the best Rock n Roll has already been made and the Genre’s pretty much mined out. The Gold has been taken out of the Veins and the Mine is barren now. But we still have the music! And no one’s going to ever surpass the Beatles music! Help!, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, the White Album and then finally Abbey Road! I mean, who will ever match or beat an amazing run of Artistic growth and brilliance like that? It can’t be done! Prince tried hard with Purple Rain, Parade and Sign O the Times and he was great along with his band the Revolution. They achieved greatness! No doubt about it. But the Beatles are the GOAT to the present day. Again in my view and opinion. Thanks! Keep Rocking! 🎸🤘🏻👏🏻😎

[@vayabroder729]

@@dynjarren8355 Yes sir! We’re on the same boat; agree with you 100%. Don’t forget Jimi and Jeff Beck when discussing Rock guitar too!! Them and EVH broke the sound barrier and Jeff is still doing it!

[@louielizzy1807]

Two of the all time greats--together.

[@Shak3rmaker77]

Ahh this is making me smile so much

[@edformica156]

Carl & Paul what great musicians and friends they where. Never knew the story behind My Old Friend. Really heart felt . Would love to be the cameramen. How about that guitar playing by Carl & Paul.

[@PC-iv5so]

Thinking how much influence Perkins had on the Beatles.. I'm sure Perkins really enjoyed hearing that.. very cool

[@musiclessons101Max]

Great Video! I remember the days of slowing the record down to a different speed and lifting the needle up and down to to get the parts.

[@popjax2465]

Absolutely wonderful

[@fishhookism]

Its weird because John Lennon's last words to Paul McCartney were: "Think about me now and then my old friend."

[@akiouchiyama]

I can say that this is one of the best jams I've ever seen.

[@Ariel-T-Friesner]

Most amusing to see that Paul McCartney has favorite songs and puzzles over the lyrics, just as we puzzle over his and The Beatles' lyrics.

[@MarioRodriguez-fs1kk]

I saw this video of Paul n Carl. They sang a song called My Old Friend and it brought tears to my eyes because of how sincere Carl was with Paul. You felt their friendship as musician s in the music business. ✌n💙

[@douglasmasterson443]

Amazing to think of the influence that Carl Perkins had on the Rock/Pop scene of the early 1960s!!

[@iharper4188]

Yes, but I am not sure Carl got the respect he deserved from the public. Performers, yes they respected him.

[@TheJimMix]

Carl performed with Paul , “GET IT” for Paul’s 1982 album “ TUG OF WAR” and after Carl’s passing, Paul’s MPL Music over looks Carl’s music publishing

[@kathrynbrandt4014]

What a great jam session🎶🎵

[@marciotorresdacostatorres2901]

2 legends of rock

[@Peakabike]

1:20 that CP laugh...takes me back to 1982 when I first heard it on "Get It" on the Tug of War album !

[@shanejbackx]

A young kid who done good playing with his hero

[@thinkforyourself828]

Paul's fanboying over Carl is amazing.

[@itsunclemonty5206]

'kin hell, my eyes are streaming. That was so beautiful

[@oneofmany1087]

Thank you for this hidden Treasure!

[@Peakabike]

Pure gold ! Giants in their own time, Carl sort of "stalled in his tracks" but the fact that the most successful man in pop music showed so much appreciation towards him probably meant more to him than anything else. Sadly Carl Perkins already seemed to be ill at the time with his gaunt face. You get a sense that Paul wanted to have a memory with him like the Stones when they recorded that video with Muddy Waters in Chicago in 1981. But nothing wrong with that as all parties involved apparently had a great time and fans get to partake in it.

[@woodrowboudreaux9951]

My wife met Carl Perkins in the mid 90s on his annual Circles Of Hope telethon. She got to present him a check on television.

[@bushwacker8937]

John Lennon's final words to Paul McCartney at the Dakota. 'Think about me every now and then, old friend.' When he (Carl) played the song, afterward, Paul left the room in tears. Linda McCartney, who was also present at the moment, told him (Carl) that the words “Think about me every now and then, old friend”, which Carl had innocently put on the song that he created, were the very last words that John Lennon had said to Paul McCartney.

[@gretchennelson7056]

That has never been proven.

[@78zappaf]

Never knew there were two alternate edits!

[@Lee.Higginbotham]

When they started doing Movie Magg it reminded me alittle of Paul's Sally G. Yea Sally G. 😃😃😃

[@RobKorV]

This is awesome. Thank you!

[@candidoj]

Wow, i never saw that ! Thanks !!

[@RaBob]

SUGAR BUGGER!!!! That's SUGAR BUGGER good documentary footage of Paul interviewing Carl, and Carl interviewing Paul..

[@jeanpat8946]

A legend meet another Legend !!!

[@drslothlehoff806]

Thanks for putting the date up so clearly in comic sans, really adds something! ;) (just kidding, great video!)

[@RandyR]

A very special moment. First saw at LA Beatlefest.

[@BaBaBooeyWRLD]

Was this on April 27, 1993………

[@shable1436]

Wealth of info here, Carl makes them open up so much, would have loved to see Lennon fan boy Carl too. Harrison told Stan Perkins the exact same story about slowing down the records and writing the words, but he gave more details, he said Liverpool didn't have Perkins records so to get the new ones each time, they would hitchhike to where the sailors would come in from ryal navy and they would bring back records from America and borrow them, and hitch back like round trip of 20 miles, and that's how they would get the new ones. They may not have been country boys, but they were not exactly privileged either.

[@trevorbrown2813]

In the morning, Carl Perkins sang the song, which he named My Old Friend, for Linda and Paul, saying it was his gift for having him as a guest. Half way through the song, after singing “if we never meet again this side of life, in a little while, over yonder, where there’s peace and quiet, my old friend, won’t you think about me every now and then?” tears streamed down Paul’s face and he stood up and stepped outside. Not knowing what the matter was, Carl stopped, a bit shaken. Didn’t Paul like the song? Linda warmly put her arms around Carl, and thanked him. She said the song was getting Paul to finally connect with his grief over John Lennon’s death. Linda explained that the last time Paul talked to John, he had said the same line to Paul: “think about me every now and then, my old friend.”

[@jeaniepatterson2384]

That was very cool!

[@roberttilton7927]

Does anyone know what date this took place on?

[@scottarivett496]

There’s virtually no way to know

[@sigogglin]

We may need to carbon date the footage :)

[@steg_of_neth.2877]

April 93rd, 1927

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales7218]

Carl Lee Perkins (Ridgely, Tennessee; 9 de abril de 1932-Jackson, Tennessee; 19 de enero de 1998) fue un cantante estadounidense pionero del rockabilly, una mezcla de rhythm and blues y música country, que inició su carrera con la Sun Records en Memphis al comienzo de los años 1950.

[@OTseven]

Ooooh man! Bless them.

[@lionheartroar3104]

Get Back session with Carl Perkins

[@jayham____fromgeorgia]

get back was 7 hours of band practice, as one friend said.. this is too short.. I don't care that they're just doing guitar and singing practice..

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales7218]

Paul McCartney 18/06/1942 79 años

[@andrewbradice8916]

great stuff

[@gailg2327]

Wonderful memories, maybe that’s all we have left.

[@Hilo-kh6uq]

Warm my heart☺️

[@cedricletourneur5980]

AMAZING PLAYERS!!!

[@gabriel222]

Love love love this!!!

[@tonygSDWR]

Boy that was about as good as it gets.

[@xpat73]

The Beatles all loved Carl.

[@LöwS2024]

Carl Perkins, master of the masters, Blue Suede Shoes and Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode started everything

[@aborigine3716]

Pure satisfaction.

[@guyb7005]

I may be wrong, but I think this was recorded April 27, 1993?

[@theelvisway7269]

Real rock n roll rockabilly cat Carl perkins....

[@annamazzucchelli7652]

Adorooooooo ❤

[@bammbamm12]

Find some old black & whites of Carl Perkins performing. His dance steps are the bomb. McCartney never saw them, as they only had records in those days.

[@Martine1love]

Wonderful.

[@DougMcDave]

Is this supposed to be 3D? Why the two images?

[@davidk6271]

This is too good.