I know this isn't the most important thing in the world

[senseandsensibility]

Last edited Fri May 22, 2026, 05:20 PM - Edit history (1)

but lately I've been bothered by some comments about Paul McCartney, his appearance on SNL and his age. I'm not one to sling the term "ageist" around, but some of the comments were at least borderline. Sure, he may not sound like he did fifty years ago but can we give him a break? I mean, the guy is a legend. Soon we won't have him or many other pioneers of rock around at all.

Paul is a good liberal humanitarian who has contributed so much. I'm too young to have experienced his early career, and he is not even my favorite Beatle, but I have respect for his willingness to put himself out there even though I'm sure he knows that he's "past it" as they say in Britain. That takes a certain kind of courage which I hope I possess at his age.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone agreed with me.

[CousinIT]

1. Yeah. He's an old man. But he gets my respect nonetheless. I watched him on Colbert

last night and several times prior. He IS a legend. He performed at that theater in 1964. He belonged there last night. He just did. He was funny and had his wits about him. Of course, he didn't move as he did in his 20s! Who the hell does? Pfft.

RESPECT to the great Sir Paul McCartney.

[senseandsensibility]

3. I recorded the Colbert show to watch with the hubby later

so I don't know what he did on that. Did he perform?

[CousinIT]

4. Yes he did! n/t

[senseandsensibility]

6. What song?

I hope his voice was in better shape since he seemed to suffering from a sore throat on SNL.

[Nittersing]

8. Well, he sounded like he's 80 something

[spooky3]

27. Hello Goodbye-- musicians and Stephen sang along with him. Nt

[senseandsensibility]

31. Sounds great! Gonna watch it tonight

with the hubby. Colbert's musical ability is often overlooked.

[spooky3]

34. I think you'll really enjoy the entire show.

I recorded it too and will watch it again.

I saw a lot of Letterman's influence throughout.

[senseandsensibility]

64. Yes!

Finally watched it last night. It was great, and so was Paul. Hello, Goodbye was perfect for the last show.

[wnylib]

66. Yes, Colbert has a very good voice and sings well.

[PatSeg]

72. Both the musical numbers at the end of the show

were outstanding. I watched them twice.

[PufPuf23]

9. "Jump Up / Hello Goodbye" Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, Jon Batiste, Louis Cato & Stephen Colbert

[OGBuzz]

13. He still sounds great at 83. His voice is unmistakable.

[canetoad]

35. Thanks for posting pufpuf23

The dogs can't work out why I'm singing at 8am.

[krkaufman]

55. "He belonged there last night"

I really thought they were leading up to Ringo coming out to perform his new duet with Paul, supposedly a track in Paul’s new album. Missed opportunity; does make me wonder if they tried.

https://www.guitarplayer.com/music/i-said-send-me-that-song-he-never-did-paul-mccartney-and-ringo-starr-reveal-the-big-mix-up-behind-their-first-ever-duet

[PatSeg]

73. Age aside, I thought he was excellent

He was funny and energetic.

I am getting very tired of the ageism I've seen the past few years. There's nothing quite like pitting one generation against another to help bring everyone together. It is like most people look for reasons to divide us - race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and age.

[Hope22]

2. Yes.

This country seems ready to exterminate anyone over 65. Post covid has been an eye opener!

[senseandsensibility]

5. Hasn't it?

I hope I wasn't like that when I was young. I don't think I was. I worked with people a generation older than me for most of my career and I always tried to respect them or at least hold my tongue because I knew I would be there one day myself.

[Hope22]

70. My parents were sticklers about respecting our grandparents.

They drove that one home. When my son was young we had the same talks. When he was in college his grandma would call and ask him to stop by on his way back to school because she had baked him cookies or a pie or some such thing. He always said, I don’t know what I ever did for grandma but I am sure glad I did it! 😁🤣 I’m afraid we are in for a rough ride if things continue on the current trajectory!

[k55f5r]

61. And yet,

We have a 79-year-old president with dementia.

[Hope22]

69. This and a missing Senator, another Senator that has extreme cognitive problems

And yes, the monster in chief. Meanwhile people in the real world are held to high standards in order to keep a job. To say nothing about the drug and alcohol abuse among the administration. It’s pretty obvious that there is a disconnect between who a public servant serves! Good job or bad job it all pays the same! So exhausting!!

[markie]

7. I have not seen or heard

the negative comments... unfortunate if they are out there... it would show immaturity and a lack of respect and wisdom

McCartney is 83 and deserves to be his age, no matter what that means



**"Ageism is one of the last socially acceptable prejudices"

[Boomerproud]

15. The negative comments were all over DU after SNL.

NT

[Skittles]

10. no need to compare Sir Paul to people like Mitch McConnell

SOME PEOPLE NEED TO FUCKING HANG IT UP ALREADY

if that makes me "ageist", SO BE IT

[Cirsium]

63. Huh?

So a young Mitch McConnell would be OK with you? What does age have to do with him being a monster? Answer: nothing.

[ColoringFool]

11. Legend- ✔ Will Be Momentous When Gone-✔ Should Still.....

Try to sing?

🚫🎤🚫🎤🚫🎤🚫🎤🚫🎤🚫🎤🚫🎤🚫🎤🚫🎤

COME ON. LET'S HAVE SOME TRUTH HERE, NOT NOSTALGIA OR HERO WORSHIP.

I KNOW FROM THE BEATLES! I was 14 in February 1964, watching "The Ed Sullivan Show." I was "Paulette" in my little group of friends. I watched "A Hard Day's Night" 4 times in one long sitting (we could do that back then). Finally saw him in Philly. He was great! Setlist:

Paul McCartney Concert Setlist at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia on July 14, 1990 | setlist.fm https://share.google/fW8akQn0SW2FrB13B

But I also have ears and enough respect for Paul not to want him to ever be "there, there, nice* old man"ed!

* Or should I say "clean"? 😉 That's from "AHDN," for those in the Peanut Gallery. And no, I'm not explaining that one.

[senseandsensibility]

39. My husband, I think, agrees with you

He would probably agree with the "there, there nice old man" thing. I don't think he's coming from a place of disdain, but as you say respect for him as an artist and not wanting to condescend to him.

[wnylib]

67. You and I are the same age. I remember Sir Paul

when he was younger. Of course he does not look and sound the same today at 83. Neither do I look and sound like I did at 14 in 1964. (But I never could sing well or carry a tune. At least Paul had that going for him.)

Sure I noticed his changed appearance. Couldn't miss it. But his facial expressions and love of music came through. I loved seeing and hearing him again. It was so appropriate for him to be in the same Ed Sullivan theater where he and the rest of the Beatles first appeared in the US.

He can still energize people. The audience loved him. It was a great performance. Glad he did it and glad I saw it.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

71. Agree.

He gifted Stephen with a beautiful signed and framed photo of the Beatles debut there.

I wish people could focus on that, rather than dump on his age. It's inappropriate, and it's ugly.

[FakeNoose]

12. I totally agree, the ones who are throwing darts have no idea how disrespectful it is

Maybe we're just as bad on DU, criticizing Chump all the time ... however he's a greedy and hateful man.
Chump deserves every dart that's thrown at him, whereas Paul McCartney The Legend ... deserves none of it.

[oldsoldierfadingfast]

16. Wanna bet ...

that the dart throwers haven't reached 80 years yet; and those of us who have remember growing up with the Beatles and how they impacted our lives!!
Keep breathing dart-throwers ... Maybe, you'll learn something along the way to 80!

[Sogo]

14. I totally agree.

He's a legend and is a great human being.

I'll give him the stage any day.....

[spooky3]

30. He was the perfect choice for final interview guest.

Incredible talent; amazing accomplishments over a lifetime.

[Rebl2]

17. He sounded

great on Colbert’s show last night.

[cksmithy]

18. I saw the Beatles 4 times, twice in one day, matinee and evening show.

I still listen to them literally everyday. Paul sings with an older man's voice and he is 83. When I was young, Judy Garland sounded just as old, as she matured, but she was only 47 not 83. I agree give Paul a break. John was my favorite, I saw their first show in San Francisco and their last performance in San Francisco in1966. Agree with you, although I am so old I experienced the entire Beatles experience.

[senseandsensibility]

22. Wow

What an experience that must have been, seeing them in their prime and experiencing "Beatle mania" first hand!

[cksmithy]

32. It truly was a fun time. A great escape from the

Kennedy assassinations, Martin Luther Kin assassination and others, the race riots, the Vietnam war and so much more. Marching for peace, woman's liberation, the right to get your own credit card without a male cosigner. The good old days had some really bad stuff.

[colorado_ufo]

42. Yes, yes it was!

I was a Junior in high school and saw them live in New Orleans with my two best friends. It was Heaven!!! What a thrill! The noise, the fun, the energy! We were all young together.

After the show, while waiting for our ride home (didn't have a license!), a random police car came up and motioned me to the window. He handed me a piece of paper. It was Ringo's autograph! He must have been security and thought he would get a charge out of our reaction!

Many years later, when going through some items at our late mother's home, my youngest brother told me he came across a small folded piece of paper. It was the autograph! When he carefully unfolded it and saw who it was, he told me he almost fainted! LOL!

Here's what all this means to me, as I turn 79 at the end of this month. Of course, I miss Paul's sweet vocals, but actually, I DON'T GIVE A CRAP HOW HE SINGS! To see him still active, healthy, vibrant, kind, moral, and caring at this point in his life means so much more. He is part of music history and part of my own. I feel blessed to still be able to see his face and see him holding his left-handed bass guitar.

BTW, two years ago I saw Ringo and his All Star Band where I currently live here in Western Colorado! His car passed close enough that he could wave to me and my daughter (who bought the tickets), like 8 feet away! It was a great concert, and Ringo's voice has not been overused, so it has held up well. May he and Paul tour and play forever!

[underpants]

36. I'd read that they often did 6-8 shows a day in Hamburg

You saw them at The Cavern?

[cksmithy]

47. No, at the Cow Palace, in San Francisco.

I think the Righteous Brothers and Jackie DeShannon opened for them the first I saw them. Can't remember who opened in1965 for the matinee and evening show. According to Google it could of been Joan Baez or Johnny Cash. I really can only remember the Beatles. Seeing them was a little joy during a very terrible time.

[BeneteauBum]

19. I hope I have the energy to speak out and keep resisting through my 90s

I’ll be McCartney’s age in eight years…..not too old to opine a point of view. It’s great that so many boomers still rage against the empire.

Peace ☮️

[FireUpChips10]

20. I thought he did a great job last night (both singing and the interview.)

I hope I'm that good when I'm almost 84!

[pfitz59]

21. He sings and moves great for his age.

Memory still functioning. Emeritus performer deserving respect.

[Raine1967]

23. Love him.

I heard him first with Wings.

One of my first crushes, for real. I'm waving my hands at the haters.

[GiqueCee]

24. I DEFINITELY agree with you!

In 1964, I sold my first professional cartoon – I was a junior in high school – to the Saturday Evening Post. A startled father, with his back to the door, dropped his martini and said to his daughter, who had a Beatle by the arm, "A WHAT followed you home and can you keep him?" It appeared in the issue that preceded their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in February of that year. I got $75 for that 'toon, and bought a new pair of ski boots with it. They were leather.
I've got a few other near-miss Beatle stories, but my point is, my admiration for McCartney's skill and style is in the stratosphere, where it will forever remain. Ain't nobody perfect, and neither is Paul, but he's a damned sight closer to it that I will ever be and I'm pretty damned good at what I do, too.

[MustLoveBeagles]

25. I can't comment on either performance

As I haven't seen them yet. I'll just say this, if I make it to that age I hope I have his energy. I'm a John girl like my mother but I have enormous respect for Paul.

[Martin Eden]

26. I'm a fan, and have great respect for Sir Paul

But my wife and I were somewhat shocked when he sang his new song on SNL last Saturday. Keeping his age in mind, his voice has deteriorated beyond what we anticipated. Simple fact, not judgment. We were saddened. Maybe his singing voice was off that night.

He sounds better when other voices join in, as they did for his 2nd song on SNL and Colbert's show last night. Paul's speaking voice is still good, and he was plenty sharp during his interview with Stephen. Showed good energy throughout, especially for a man who will turn 84 next month.

[SuzyandPuffpuff]

28. Yes

I agree and yes a humanitarian from early on. They all were good people.

[chowder66]

29. I thought he sounded fine. His voice may not be as robust as it used to be but that is to be expected when you've

been singing for as long as he has. His voice has held up much better than some and I had no problem with his performances on SNL or Colbert.

Maybe some people prefer auto-tune over real singers.

[FullySupportDems]

33. Aw hell, I thought he sounded great!

He hit high notes, so damn impressive! I think people criticizing him don't know much about singing. It was a beautiful show.

[skylucy]

37. Amen! Thank you senseandsensibility!

[canetoad]

38. I stress - this doesn't apply to everyone

But there is a certain cruelty creeping into the way younger people deal with we boomers.

[underpants]

40. My wife thought he looked great on SNL. Of course his voice doesn't sound the same

He played Band on the Run which I love.

[Whyisthisstillclose]

41. Great to know there are so many people whose skills haven't deteriorated

with age. I always thought that was a normal part of aging. I'll listen to Paul as long as he can croak out a song with passion and joy. And I'll listen to him with my ears that don't work as well as they used to in the chair that helps my creaky old body feel a little bit better. If you don't like it, change the channel.

[Figarosmom]

43. Totally

He's not done creatively just because he's old.

[spanone]

44. I agree 100%. K&R

[ananda]

45. Totally agree.

I was fifteen or sixteen when the Beatles came around.

We all saw Ed Sullivan introduce The Beatles to the USA.

My younger sister and her friend, who were 13, were
Beeatles maniacs. One night they dressed up in black
as George and Paul, each holding a guitar, and gave
us a song concert.

The only concert we actually attended in person was
a Beach Boys at Dallas' Memorial Auditorium. That was
fun too.

[Auggie]

46. Totally agree. McCartney will live in our memories, and rock, forever.

[yellow dahlia]

48. He deserves props for so many things. Musician, humanitarian, etc.

The interview w/ Colbert last night was good, and at times very sweet.

The group sing of "Hello, Goodbye" was great! So well orchestrated.

[IcyPeas]

49. Paul doing headstand : (with rescue dog Rosie)

Just sayin'

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjIxC5gDBYI/


Also:

[peggysue2]

50. I thought McCartney sounded pretty good in that Colbert send-off

Much better than I've heard him over the last few years. Age often affects the quality of a singer's voice.

McCartney still has the energy and passion to get out there. We need to give him that.

[Fla Dem]

51. Love Paul McCartney and it was a thrill seeing him on with Stephen Colbert.

Suck those that are/were critical.

[TBF]

52. It's always been like this - probably just more in our face with the Internet

I am an older mom, with 2 kiddos that are now 22 and 19. They are both liberal, but the 19 year old recently said "I don't want any more presidents over 60 - it should be a cut off!". I understand them watching Trump and freaking out, but I also turn 60 this summer and I'm like ok, he sees me as something that belongs in the Smithsonian! As a Gen-x'er rather than boomer, I am the type to keep to myself and hope people leave me alone! I just smiled, happy that at least they understand we need liberal thought to look out for each other and move this country forward. But it was eye-opening. We look ancient to them. And, yes, Paul is still amazing, and so is the Boss Bruce Springsteen!

[BannonsLiver]

53. Saw him live in October

He played for 3 hours. It was astonishing, really. The show was a blast and I’m glad I plunked down the money. Grateful even. He’s 83 so the pipes aren’t what they were but I knew that going in and he exceeded my expectations by a lot.

[hamsterjill]

54. Thank you! I saw some of the posts to which you refer.

What I saw was more about the final Colbert show but had references to his appearance on SNL.

Honestly? I thought, "who the hell do you think you are to criticize someone like Paul McCartney" when I read those posts. He's out there still doing things when he could be home counting his millions like Bezos.

The fact that he stepped up and appeared with Stephen Colbert was iconic. The Ed Sullivan Theater has so much history and meaning.

Anyone who doesn't get it is missing out on a great part of American history - AND the end songs of some very influential and pertinent individuals regardless of their current ages. I am old enough to remember the Beatles and the impact that they made. They changed the American (not just the British) culture. Old foggies at that time were forced to start to take young adults seriously. It was war and havoc and these rockers showed a different way. They changed the course of history, and I will damn well always give them the respect they deserve for doing that.

We have had some significant entertainers since that time, but in my opinion, none have had the degree of impact as those entertainers who got out there and did their stuff in the sixties during the Viet Nam War.

So for all of the detractors who are probably much, much younger - LEARN something and shut up.

[gulliver]

56. He and the other Paul (Simon) probably increase ageism

Same for Springsteen. Madonna anyone?

Jagger's moves are still pretty impressive. Keith Richards can still do his thing. Rod Stewart, not bad. Willie Nelson not bad. Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) is still exceptionally good. These guys are the anti-ageism argument.

McCartney used to have incredible vocal range and skill. His songwriting, like Simon's, is unequaled to this day (in my biased opinion). But these guys can't perform the "young guy stuff" anymore. Rod Stewart performing Maggie May now would sound like he's the one robbing the cradle.

[TommieMommy]

57. I think he did an amazing job. Paul can still play the guitar and perform. He's a great person. 👍😁❤️ Love him

Paul is 83 years old. He's doing fantastic

[Alsteen]

58. Heaven

Gosh, that was wonderful.

[H2O Man]

59. Way recommended!

Paul can still fill an arena, as can Ringo. My goodness, they are legends. Living legends. I'm old enough to remember when The Beatles first came to the United States, and changed reality for my generation. Paul wrote and co-wrote some of the greatest music in history.

I, too, saw some snarky comments about him. In my opinion, the comments and those making them are not worth responding to.

[EuterpeThelo]

60. 150% this

My late hubs was a musician. He was in his 70s when he passed and in our dozen years on the road together towards the end, people felt all the time it was OK to make comments about his weight, his appearance, his health in general, and it was SO offensive. I used to take people's face off (metaphorically speaking, of course) and ask them if they looked like they did in the 1970s. So ageist, ableist and ignorant.

I was named after one of Sir Paul's songs, so of course I'd defend him anyway!!!

[betsuni]

62. Those who knee-jerk bash older age, wealth, celebrity.

So they can feel like victims of capitalism and the establishment or whatever.

[stage left]

65. I lived way back

in the time of Beatlemania. They were a phenomenon like the world had never seen before. And will never see again. Paul was my fave.

[Susan Calvin]

68. I think it was SNL I saw him on recently.

I know I saw him somewhere, and if people are talking about his performance it's probably the one I saw. For the first two songs he gave a master class in giving a good performance even when your voice isn't totally cooperating. For the last song he had his voice back. I don't think it had anything to do with age.