KIEV, Ukraine — Tens of thousands of people braved heavy rain and thunder Saturday night to see Paul McCartney perform a charity concert on Kiev’s central Independence Square.
The outdoor show, the first in Ukraine for the former Beatle, was billed as the biggest concert ever in the former Soviet republic. It was broadcast live on national television and on giant screens in five cities.
After a half-hour delay because of the weather, McCartney, who turns 66 this week, came out on the stage and greeted the crowd in Ukrainian, before diving into the Beatles hit “Drive My Car.” He followed up with a series of Beatles songs. The show also included a rendition of “A Day in the Life,” which McCartney dedicated to John Lennon.
Organizers said the money raised will be spent on diagnostic equipment for Ukraine’s National Cancer Institute’s children’s department. The concert was free, but the organizers were asking for donations from Ukrainian businessmen and others.
More than 500 people contributed a total of $600,000, and donations were continuing to come in, said Tatyana Overina, spokeswoman for the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, which organized the concert.
