Swan Song For Shea Stadium

Billy Joel and several special guests said goodbye to the legendary Shea Stadium, the home of the New York Mets, in star-studded fashion July 16 and 18.

The legendary stadium will be demolished after the baseball season because a new stadium, Citi Field, is being built across the street.

As the sold-out crowd of fans – including Joel’s wife Katie Lee and promoter Ron Delsener – danced in the aisles, Billy Joel reminisced about the Beatles’ groundbreaking performance at Shea Stadium in 1965 and performed a few Beatles songs during his set.

But the biggest surprise reportedly came when Paul McCartney arrived from London to join the festivities, the paper said.

"It’s so cool to be back here on the last night," McCartney said. "Been here a long time ago – we had a blast that night, and we’re having another one tonight."

"I want to thank The Beatles for letting us use their room. Best band that ever was, best band that ever will be," Joel told the July 16 crowd.

Tony Bennett performed both nights and Garth Brooks, Steven Tyler and Roger Daltrey also took the stage, according to the New York Times.

However, one person who wasn’t invited to the farewell party at Shea was the man who brought The Beatles to Shea Stadium – promoter Sid Bernstein.

"Can I tell you how upset I am that I wasn’t invited?" Bernstein told the New York Daily News. "I couldn’t afford a ticket. I’m not angry, but life is what it is. It is full of disappointments but also joys."

The 89-year-old promoter is credited with spawning the British Invasion by bringing over the Fab Four, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Moody Blues and the Dave Clark Five to the U.S.

Bernstein isn’t bitter, though. He works with Beatles tribute band Rain and is making plans for a future stadium show, the paper said.