NY’s Shea Stadium, made famous by Mets and Beatles, gets star-studded send-off with Billy Joel before being supplanted in 2009 by Citi Field
By Matthew B. Zeidman
FLUSHING, N.Y. (Hollywood Today) 7/19/08 – It was a magical night for the 63,000 fans gathered Friday at historic Shea Stadium to see local hero and “Piano Man” Billy Joel and a bevy of other big names let loose musically. It was also an historic one. No further musical performances will be held at the 44-year home of the New York Mets, which will be supplanted by nearby Citi Field this fall and demolished in 2009.
“This stadium opened up to play baseball in the year 1964, and that was the first year I joined up in a band,” Joel, 59, told the enthusiastic crowd. “They’re gonna tear this house down, but I want to thank you for letting me keep doing this job. It’s the best job.”
Joining Joel on stage to perform his songs, as well as hits of their own, were country singer Garth Brooks, The Who’s Roger Daltrey, former Beatles member Paul McCartney and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.
“Been here a long time ago,” said McCartney, referring to the famous 1965 gig he and his fellow Beatles played in 1965. “We had a blast that night, and we’re having another one tonight.”
The star-heavy event capped two previous nights of concerts given by Joel and his surprise guests, titled “The Last Play at Shea.” The final regular-season game of baseball is scheduled to be played at the venerable arena on Sept. 28, when the Mets will face off against the Florida Marlins. The stadium was originally built at a cost of $28.5 million and took 2.5 years to complete.
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