Sir Paul McCartney rocks Anfield stadium

On a chill grey night after a dark damp day, 36,000 people in the ground welcomed him back like a hero.

Peter Kay, the comedian, brought him on with a Phoenix Nights welcome as a local lad who proved Britain has talent.

Slim, fit, his hair back to brown from its erstwhile alarming aubergine shade and backed by an all-star band, he sang his heart out.

From Hippy Hippy Shake to all the old favourites, he made each one seem sweet and right and timeless.

In a high-collared black jacket and white shirt, he left the colour to his emotions.

He ran up to the piano early on. "This one's for Linda," he said and played My Love.

The Beatle widows, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, were there – along with a sprinkle of bishops, a wiggle of Wags, a splatter of politicians, Ken Dodd, the Liverpool football manager Rafa Benitez and 36,000 other people of every age, size and inclination – to dance, all intent on having a very good time indeed.

First there were Liverpool's latest faves, the Zutons, the best-looking band around who played great big ballads and sounded as if they meant every ear-splitting word.

On the first note of their hit Valerie, half the blondes in the posh seats stood up pointing fingers, shaking baubles, bangles and bosoms. Always Right Behind You, the single from the new album, out today, may take longer to establish.

Then came the Kaiser Chiefs, hard rocking, high energy. They put on a real show.

By 7.50pm the stadium was packed. When they got to Ruby, there was even singing on the press benches.

The Kaisers said that their job was to "warm up the crowd, do the best show we can, then come off and watch him, which will be the best bit".

And it was.

The only other time there's been a rock concert at Anfield, it was for the Hillsborough victims. Even with all the uncertainty over Liverpool's new stadium, there won't be another.

For almost two hours, Sir Paul gave Liverpool back its days in the golden Sixties sun.

No one who was there will ever forget it.