all photos: Richard Budman / HoundsTV

NEW YORK (HoundsTV) Apr 4. 2009 – When filmmaker David Lynch wanted to throw a benefit concert to support his foundation to encourage children to do transcendental meditation – he got a little help from some friends – including Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.

Starr and McCartney appeared on stage together for the first time in seven years before a delighted crowd of 6,000 at Radio City Music Hall.

Before McCartney took the stage – Ringo kicked off the second half of the show with Yellow Submarine, with backing vocal help from Sheryl Crow.

But the crowd was clearly there to see McCartney – and he did not disappoint. Starting with “Jet”, and then into the classics, “Drive my car” and “Got to get you into my life.” Paul had the well dress audience of all ages on their feet the rest of the night.

Of course, a night like this in New York would not be complete without a good share of celebrities in the audience and HoundsTV managed to spot Jennifer Aniston, John McEnroe, Martin Scorsese, Carole King, Kyle MacLachlin, Matthew Broderick and Jason Bateman.

The other Beatles who could not make it to the show were certainly not forgotten as tributes, old movie footage, and thoughts about Lennon and Harrison filled the concert hall through the night. Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison were also in attendance.

Special guests include Ringo Starr, Sheryl Crow, Donovan, Eddie Vedder, Ben Harper, Moby, Paul Horn, Bettye LaVette, Jim James and Jerry Seinfeld

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Hours before the Saturday night show, McCartney exited the stage door at Radio City after soundcheck and was greeted by hundreds of people who lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the Beatles legend.

While McCartney had been very good about signing most of the week in New York while preparing for the show – by Saturday he had started to notice some familiar faces continually asking him to sign (and it’s usually the collectors with the Beatles memorabilia.) One collector mentioned to HoundsTV that when he asked McCartney to sign a baseball Paul quipped, “but I’m not a baseball player.”

When McCartney exited Radio City after soundcheck and walked towards the autograph collectors who had waited hours for a chance at a signature, you could hear Paul remark, “Ok, now where’s the FANS I can sign for.” McCartney immediately labeled many in the front row as “professionals” but did manage to find some young kids with pieces of paper, a lady with a book, and someone with his recently released Electric Arguments solo works and happily signed them.

As for Ringo Starr. He just quickly entered and exited the building not stopping for fans or collectors. The autograph hounds who had been chasing Ringo all week (to no luck) truly believe that Ringo has signed his last autograph in this lifetime.