Surviving Beatles reunite at N.Y. concert

NEW YORK – An all-star concert on meditation brought Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr together for their first performance together in seven years.

The reunion of McCartney and Starr, the surviving members of the Beatles, was the highlight of the “Change Begins Within” concert on Saturday night. The event was held at Radio City Music Hall to benefit the David Lynch Foundation, which aims to teach at-risk youth meditation techniques.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Billy Shears,” McCartney told the crowd, referring to the fictional character on the classic Beatles’ album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” as Starr emerged and immediately launched into his part in the Beatles’ classic “With a Little Help from My Friends.”

McCartney and Starr last performed together in 2002 at the Concert for George, which honored former Beatles George Harrison at London’s Royal Albert Hall a year after Harrison’s death.

Saturday’s concert, also featured Sheryl Crow, Eddie Vedder, Donovan and others. McCartney had thousand of fans on their feet as he hit the stage near the show’s end. Opening with a spirited version of “Drive My Car,” he went through a generous selection of Beatles and Wings classics, from “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “Let It Be” to “Jet” and “Band on the Run.”