Paul McCartney is preparing to launch a new 204 leg of his ongoing Got Back Tour, which kicks off October 1 in Montevideo, Uruguay. The last full concert the legendary Beatles star played was in December of 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
McCartney will be accompanied by his longtime touring band, the core members of which he’s been playing with for more than 22 years. Those core members are guitarists Brian Ray and Rusty Anderson, keyboardist Paul “Wix” Wickens, and drummer Abe Laboriel Jr.
Videos by American Songwriter
Ray recently spoke with American Songwriter, and reflected on the long-running relationship McCartney has had with his backing group.
“I mean, it says more about him than us, really,” noted Ray, who began playing with McCartney’s group in 2002. “It means that he trusts us, and even if we have little issues or problems through the years, like a family, like a relationship, we’ve worked stuff out. And we’re a band of brothers.”
Brian also pointed out the band expanded about five years ago to include a trio of horn players.
“[They’re] called the Hot City Horns, from England,” he pointed out. “They’re just great, and that adds another texture, another layer to us. They’re are a lot of fun too. So, it’s a good little band.”
About McCartney Continuing to Tour in His Golden Years
McCartney turned 82 in June, but Ray told American Songwriter that the rock legend doesn’t seem to have any plans to retire from touring. Brian suggested that Sir Paul and some of his famous contemporaries, like The Rolling Stones and The Who, perhaps have been inspired by a number of the legendary blues and rock ‘n’ roll artists that preceded them.
“People like Chuck Berry and John Lee Hooker and B.B. King … The Beatles loved these people,” Ray noted. “And so, when John Lee Hooker was playing well into his eighties, when Chuck Berry … was playing into his early nineties, and B.B. as long as he could, quite late, these guys see that as being something that they could also do. And aren’t we the lucky recipients? You know, we’re so fortunate they still want to do it.”
About Ray’s Recent Solo Album
In August 2024, Ray released his third solo album, My Town. The studio effort was issued by E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt’s label, Wicked Cool Records. Van Zandt also co-wrote a song on the album with Brian, “Bad 4U.”
A number of well-known musicians lent their talents to My Town. Among them were Weezer bassist Scott Shriner; Davey Faragher, longtime bassist of Elvis Costello’s backing band The Imposters; and Ray’s fellow McCartney bandmate Laboriel Jr.
Ray told American Songwriter that he’d like to play some shows in support of the album, but he’ll be busy for the foreseeable future touring with McCartney.
More About McCartney’s Upcoming Tour
McCartney’s 2024 Got Back Tour will begin with a series of shows in South America, Central America, and Mexico, running through a November 17 concert in Mexico City. Sir Paul will then head to Europe for a run of performances mapped out from a December 4-5 stand near Paris through a December 18-19 engagement in London.
Tickets for McCartney’s forthcoming concerts can be purchased now via a variety of outlets, including StubHub.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.