Besides Paul McCartney's unannounced performance, the show featured more than a dozen artists singing their own songs and their own versions of Beatles' material. Among the other groups performing were
George Michael,
the Pretenders,
Elvis Costello,
Tom Jones,
Sinéad O'Connor,
Des'ree,
Heather Small, guitarist
Johnny Marr,
Neil Finn,
Marianne Faithfull and
Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Faithfull, who wanted to appear, said "I didn't know Linda well, but she made my friend very happy, and that's the main thing." McCartney was not expected to perform, as he had not done any shows since his wife died. He was backed by members of the Pretenders, along with Costello. The song was Paul's first recorded song since Linda died. He followed that with his 1963 hit, "
All My Loving", originally performed by
the Beatles. Most of the night's performers joined him on stage to provide the chorus. Costello said that for this particular event, "there was something incredibly poignant" about the song's opening lyrics: ''Close your eyes and I'll kiss you, Tomorrow I'll miss you, Remember I'll always be true.'' After those songs, Hynde rushed over and gave McCartney an emotional embrace. Everyone then joined in for the closing song, "
Let It Be". ==References==