End date 18 November 2002 | Start date 1 April 2002 Legs 4 | |
No. of shows 53 in North America5 in Asia58 Total Box office US $125.9 million ($167.64 in 2017 dollars) | ||
The Driving World Tour was Paul McCartney's first concert tour of the 21st century and of any kind since 1993's New World Tour. For the first time in nearly a decade, McCartney returned to the road following the death of first wife, Linda McCartney, the death of George Harrison, and 9/11. This was in promotion of his 2001 album Driving Rain. Paul "Wix" Wickens returned on keyboards and is credited as Musical Director. New to the fold were Americans Rusty Anderson, Brian Ray, and Abe Laboriel Jr. Paul McCartney's then-fiancée Heather Mills accompanied him on the tour and was in the audience for every American performance.
Contents
Background
The tour began on 1 April 2002 when the American leg was kicked off in Oakland, California. The official release chronicling the first U.S. leg of the tour was the CD and DVD Back in the U.S., which itself would be promoted by another leg in the States. The second American leg was followed by visits to Japan and Mexico. A remix of The Fireman tracks and a performance by Cirque du Soleil opened each show of this leg.