17 Years Ago, This Legendary Rock Star Broke Ticket Sale Records

On March 10, 2009, rock legend Paul McCartney sold out a 4,000 capacity venue in just seven seconds for a one-night-only performance.

The show took place in the newly opened New Joint venue at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tickets were priced at $750 and sold at approximately 600 units per second.

Paul McCartney's One-Night Show Hit Record-High Ticket Sales

It's no secret that Paul McCartney is one of the most iconic and decorated musicians of his generation, but selling out the New Joint in just seven seconds was a historic accomplishment even for him.

Forty years after he'd left the Beatles, McCartney was still one of the most saught-after names in rock music. His solo ventures and short-lived career with Wings had kept him in the public eye for all those years, constantly releasing new music and experimenting with new genres and recording technologies.

During the 2.5 hour performance, McCartney played all the hits from both the Beatles' catalogue and his own solo material, including "Let It Be", "Band on the Run", and "Got To Get You Into My Life".

According to the Las Vegas Sun, McCartney also performed "I've Got A Feeling" for the first time since the Beatles' iconic rooftop concert in 1969. The song was originally performed as a duet with John Lennon.

McCartney also performed a version of "Something"—written and recorded by the late George Harrison—on the ukulele to honor his old friend. This particular arrangement has since become a staple of any McCartney concert.

Paul McCartney's career was in an interesting place in 2009; the Beatles were long gone, and it had been over a decade since he'd released any truly popular music that made it onto the charts. But this record-breaking concert proved that there will always be an audience for the rock legend, and that his legacy isn't going anywhere.