Paul McCartney revived a piece of Beatles history during Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s wedding reception at Madison Square Garden on July 3, performing “I Want to Hold Your Hand” live for the first time since 1964.
The private performance marked the first time McCartney had publicly played the Beatles classic since the band’s show at New York’s Paramount Theatre on September 20, 1964, making it an unexpected moment in Beatles history.
A source told People, “After the ceremony, Taylor’s mom, Andrea, invited everyone into the reception room where the stage was set up.” McCartney used the occasion to perform a song he had not played live since the Beatles’ early years and never performed during his solo career.
The song’s history
“I Want to Hold Your Hand,” written by John Lennon and McCartney, occupies a landmark place in Beatles history. Released in the United Kingdom in November 1963 and in the United States the following month, it became the band’s first No. 1 hit in America.
The song was recorded on October 17, 1963, and was the Beatles’ first recording made using four-track technology. It narrowly missed debuting at No. 1 in the United Kingdom because “She Loves You” still held the top spot before replacing it and spending five weeks at No. 1 during the 1963 Christmas season.
Setlist records indicate McCartney never included the song in his regular solo tours, with its last documented live performance coming at the Beatles’ Paramount Theatre concert in September 1964.
The wedding
The couple married on July 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The 1,000-person guest list included Steven Spielberg, Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper, Dakota Johnson, Eric Stonestreet, Hugh Grant, Jason Sudeikis, Nikki Glaser, Jennifer Lopez, Graham Norton, Jimmy Fallon and Zoë Kravitz.
Comedian Adam Sandler officiated the ceremony, according to Swift’s publicist, Tree Paine.
The couple skipped a traditional wedding party. Swift’s brother, Austin Swift, served as her “man of honor,” while Travis’ brother, Jason Kelce, was his best man, according to an emailed statement from Taylor’s representative.
The bride and groom wore custom Christian Dior Haute Couture designs by Jonathan Anderson.
While Taylor did not perform at the wedding, she sang at the rehearsal dinner the night before, joining Travis as the couple performed their favorite rock song together.
