Limo Watch
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Share your experiences, tips, and tricks for the Limo Watch.
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Of all the McCartney "limo watches" I've been to...this one stands out. It was on April 21, 2002 that Paul played at Long Islands Nassau Coliseum in New York. A group of no more than 10 of us were waiting in the "driving" rain for his limo to arrive for the sound check. I read reports throughout the tour that sometimes they slowed down as he waved to waiting fans. This arrival was different, however. In front of Paul's car was a police escort as well as a camera crew. When the limo came up to us it STOPPED. We actually got to shake his hand and talk with him for a few moments...and one lucky fan got her cd autographed. [ The only other time during this tour that he stopped was at one of the Atlanta shows in May.] An edited version of the encounter can be found in the "Back in the U.S." dvd. Maybe Paul felt bad about us waiting in the rain. It sure made my day!
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I only did it once, that was Philadelphia...and Paul didn't have too much mercy on us considering the rain
We actually had walked over to the arena early because Brian Ray had told us he would be at the classic rock radio station booth, but there was a communication breakdown some where as he was only there the day before. Anyway, we saw the crowd waiting for Paul, and decided to join in since we had walked over. We waited close to two hours, and where the highway is in relation to the arena was very intersting, because we got to watch and listen to the whole motorcade come in from about 10 minutes away...it really built the anticipation! 
Finally he pulled in, his van slowed down and the window rolled down and the group (of about 20-30) LOST IT! He didn't stop but the vehicle went slow and he waved to us all, and I was right at the front of the group! No phsyical interaction with Paul or any autographs just a wave in my general direction 
I looked like a drowned rat by the end of it, but I had a blast and made a lot of memories I can never forget. I highly recommend doing it if you never have...however, I wouldn't do it in the rain twice. -
DrivinFan:
[ The only other time during this tour that he stopped was at one of the Atlanta shows in May.]
I was at that show (but not at the limo watch) and ran into Rick G (Fans_on_the_run) before the show--he was f r e a k i n g out because he had just talked to Paul! He showed me the poster Paul signed. (he is such a lucky dog!)
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I've done many a limo watch. At all of the ones I've attended, Paul has never taken mercy on us whether it be rain or heat. First one I did was at my first gig: Lexington, KY April 9, 1990. Police set up barricades some distance from where the limo would be arriving. We were given instructions on what we could and could not do--the main thing being that we were not to run past the barricades towards the distant limo. As soon as the limo turned the corner, a woman pushed down a barricade and went running down the hill. The police hauled her off. I have no idea of what happened to her. We had been told if we did that, we wouldn't be seeing the concert.
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I've been to a few - they're normally spoilt by one person misbehaving. Such as Cardiff a few years back, everyone was told not to go to the car, that Paul will see us all as he passes, th car would be only feet away as it was a small entrance, the window was right down and he was waving as he passed - the first people got a great personal view, yet some screaming loony broke free and grabbed his hand - cue all staff rushing to block everyone elses view, while she happily screams to her friends that she touched him!!!! Screw the fact that all the rest of us who had stood patiently never got a view because of her.. Why cant people be content with Paul just looking at you?! Because of her the rest of us in line didnt even get that!
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I know Paul arrives before soundcheck, then does he leave and come back? I'm in a show earlier on June 8th and was hoping to be able to witness the famous limo watch. Thanks!
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I believe Paul usually arrives around 5:00pm or 5:30pm. He goes immediately into the soundcheck then not soon after the doors are opened and people begin to come in. Almost certain he does not leave the building till the show is over once in. There are usually many people waiting for Paul to arrive. At Wrigley Field two summers ago Paul was talking awhile to get through traffic from the airport as he has to drive through two lane streets all the way to the ballpark to get to Wrigley Field. I asked his Scottish head of security (forgot his name) how much longer. Luckily he responded with "5 minutes".
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Paul is almost always late and usually arrives around 5pm as Lonelyroad said. I plan on doing this in DC if the weather is nice. I did it in Philadelphia and it was raining so we just got a slow "drive by" and he waved to everyone...didn't stop, sign anything, directly interact etc. However, it was still VERY cool to be about 10 feet from Paul for 30 seconds...I just wouldn't get soaked to do it again.
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WixRocks!:
Paul is almost always late and usually arrives around 5pm as Lonelyroad said. I plan on doing this in DC if the weather is nice. I did it in Philadelphia and it was raining so we just got a slow "drive by" and he waved to everyone...didn't stop, sign anything, directly interact etc. However, it was still VERY cool to be about 10 feet from Paul for 30 seconds...I just wouldn't get soaked to do it again.
Good chance I'm going to end up doing this too
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WixRocks!:
Paul is almost always late and usually arrives around 5pm as Lonelyroad said. I plan on doing this in DC if the weather is nice. I did it in Philadelphia and it was raining so we just got a slow "drive by" and he waved to everyone...didn't stop, sign anything, directly interact etc. However, it was still VERY cool to be about 10 feet from Paul for 30 seconds...I just wouldn't get soaked to do it again.
I was front row at the limo in Boston 2005. With their set up I was probably 3 or 4 feet from him for about 4 seconds as he drove by. Interesting being so close for such a short time; like the blink of an eye. They recorded our group singing I'll Get You and I remember seeing it on DVD or TV very briefly. That was also the day they interview me for the DVD. I was 19 at the time and the producer looked at me after the limo watch and said, "You're awfully young" and I starting rambling on and on, so they decided to get an interview on camera. I gave a perfect speech about Paul and the Bealtes and what their music does for people and creates the soundtrack of their lives (as best a 19 year old could) when a semi truck drove right by toward the end of it. I had wondered if the take had been ruined. The producer said something like, "That was perfect. Unfortunately that truck ruined the take. Do you think you could say that again?" I attempted to remember what I had said 'in the moment' and failed pretty bad. Needless to say, I did not appear on the DVD.
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LonelyRoad:
WixRocks!:
Paul is almost always late and usually arrives around 5pm as Lonelyroad said. I plan on doing this in DC if the weather is nice. I did it in Philadelphia and it was raining so we just got a slow "drive by" and he waved to everyone...didn't stop, sign anything, directly interact etc. However, it was still VERY cool to be about 10 feet from Paul for 30 seconds...I just wouldn't get soaked to do it again.
I was front row at the limo in Boston 2005. With their set up I was probably 3 or 4 feet from him for about 4 seconds as he drove by. Interesting being so close for such a short time; like the blink of an eye. They recorded our group singing I'll Get You and I remember seeing it on DVD or TV very briefly. That was also the day they interview me for the DVD. I was 19 at the time and the producer looked at me after the limo watch and said, "You're awfully young" and I starting rambling on and on, so they decided to get an interview on camera. I gave a perfect speech about Paul and the Bealtes and what their music does for people and creates the soundtrack of their lives (as best a 19 year old could) when a semi truck drove right by toward the end of it. I had wondered if the take had been ruined. The producer said something like, "That was perfect. Unfortunately that truck ruined the take. Do you think you could say that again?" I attempted to remember what I had said 'in the moment' and failed pretty bad. Needless to say, I did not appear on the DVD.
That's a cool memory and unfortunately lost opportunity though!
I'm 18 and would LOVE to be interviewed at the limo watch for a Paul DVD this summer!!! -
I was there for all three times..first -Halifax NS 09..Pittsburgh 10..Orlando 13. I got him as they drove by in Halifax, it was just a lucky moment, I didn't even know he was going to be there! I waited for hrs. in the hot sun in Pittsburgh but the SUV went in another way and we all missed it! My luck also ran out in this last show..I was going through my bag after waiting just an hr. when I heard someone say "there he is, Paul McCartney"!! Just as I looked up..he was gone!!
I still have a chance to catch him in Indy..I will have my daughter there, so maybe I'll even get a pic of him and me together!! 
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Love2travel and i are going to Verona so we might try the "limo watch", it's something i don't normally get involved with, but we'll be in Italy at lunchtime so we'll have time to do it.
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WixRocks!:
Paul is almost always late and usually arrives around 5pm as Lonelyroad said. I plan on doing this in DC if the weather is nice. I did it in Philadelphia and it was raining so we just got a slow "drive by" and he waved to everyone...didn't stop, sign anything, directly interact etc. However, it was still VERY cool to be about 10 feet from Paul for 30 seconds...I just wouldn't get soaked to do it again.
I was in Philadelphia too, and took a video of his arrival. Always brings back very fond memories! Oh, and I had an umbrella, so didn't get too wet
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Oh my gosh....I LOVE telling my story. San Jose, CA 2005. Waiting out behind the arena with dear hubby. Had my sign ready "To Sir Paul With < heart >. I was soooo nervous. We were right on the curb. Heard the sirens getting closer and my knees started to shake. The limo passed by slowly, Paul had his head out, arm outstretched. He looked right at me, and at my sign and gave me a thumbs up. At that point, I got woozy and had to grab on to DH's arm so I wouldn't fall over. It was THE BEST moment of my life. In the 42 years (at that date) I have loved Paul, I never ever thought that he would be looking directly at me. In 2010 in San Francisco, the limo whizzed by too fast!!
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~lady*madonna~:
Oh my gosh....I LOVE telling my story. San Jose, CA 2005. Waiting out behind the arena with dear hubby. Had my sign ready "To Sir Paul With < heart >. I was soooo nervous. We were right on the curb. Heard the sirens getting closer and my knees started to shake. The limo passed by slowly, Paul had his head out, arm outstretched. He looked right at me, and at my sign and gave me a thumbs up. At that point, I got woozy and had to grab on to DH's arm so I wouldn't fall over. It was THE BEST moment of my life. In the 42 years (at that date) I have loved Paul, I never ever thought that he would be looking directly at me. In 2010 in San Francisco, the limo whizzed by too fast!!
That is a *wonderful* story!
