Paul McCartney sat at the piano, the Eagles gathered behind him — and suddenly “Let It Be” became something far more personal than a Beatles classic. At the Hollywood Bowl tribute to Jimmy Buffett, McCartney revealed that he had sung songs for his longtime friend during the final week of Buffett’s life. Then he chose to play one of them again, this time before an arena filled with people who loved and missed him. With the Eagles backing him, Paul turned “Let It Be” into a quiet, heartbreaking farewell to a friend he remembered for his generosity, humor and extraordinary love of life. The story behind this unforgettable performance makes it even more emotional.

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Paul McCartney Joins the Eagles for Emotional “Let It Be” Performance at Jimmy Buffett Tribute Concert

Watch Paul McCartney & Eagles Perform 'Let It Be' At Jimmy Buffett Tribute Concert

Paul McCartney helped turn a star-studded tribute to Jimmy Buffett into an especially poignant moment when he joined the Eagles for a moving performance of the Beatles classic “Let It Be” at the Hollywood Bowl.

Before sitting down at the piano, McCartney reflected on his friendship with Buffett, remembering him as a generous, funny man who embraced life to the fullest.

“I had the great pleasure of knowing Jimmy,” McCartney told the audience. “He was generous, he was funny, he’d done just about everything in his life.”

McCartney recalls an unforgettable gift from Buffett

One memory in particular captured Buffett’s generosity.

McCartney recalled going on holiday with Buffett and realizing he had forgotten to bring a guitar. Because McCartney plays left-handed, Buffett had one of his own guitars restrung so his friend could use it.

But Buffett didn’t stop there. The next time the two musicians met, he had arranged for a custom left-handed guitar to be made especially for McCartney.

It was a small story that offered the Hollywood Bowl audience a glimpse of the friendship the two music legends shared away from the stage.

“Let It Be” carried a deeply personal meaning

McCartney then revealed an even more emotional connection to the song he had chosen for the tribute.

During the final week of Buffett’s life, McCartney said he sang several songs for his friend. For the Hollywood Bowl celebration, he wanted to revisit one of those songs.

Introduced by Dave Grohl, McCartney took his place behind a grand piano and began playing “Let It Be,” the Beatles classic originally released in 1970.

This time, however, he wasn’t performing it alone.

The Eagles joined McCartney, providing the backing for a performance that brought together some of rock music’s most recognizable names in remembrance of Buffett.

Rather than simply revisiting one of the Beatles’ most enduring songs, McCartney’s performance carried the weight of a personal goodbye — connecting the music he had shared with Buffett near the end of his life with the friends, musicians and fans gathered to celebrate him at the Hollywood Bowl.

The concert, “Keep the Party Going: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett,” also featured Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Jon Bon Jovi, and Zac Brown. The musicians, including McCartney, came together at the end of the show to perform “Margaritaville” with Buffett’s own Coral Reefer Band.

Elsewhere during the tribute concert, Coral Reefer Band, Brown, and Grohl teamed up for a cover of Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” while Sheryl Crow showcased “Fins.”

 

Brown took the opportunity to debut a new song, “Pirates and Parrots,” which will officially be released on April 19.

Snoop Dogg also appeared onstage, performing his song “Gin and Juice” for the audience.

Buffett died on Sept. 1, 2023, at the age of 76. At the time, McCartney wrote, “He had a most amazing lust for life and a beautiful sense of humour. When we swapped tales about the past his were so exotic and lush and involved sailing trips and surfing and so many exciting stories that it was hard for me to keep up with him. Right up to the last minute his eyes still twinkled with a humour that said, ‘I love this world and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it’.  So many of us will miss Jimmy and his tremendous personality. His love for us all, and for mankind as a whole.”