Paul McCartney’s unforgettable and lively guest performance at Neil Young’s show.

Neil Young invited Paul McCartney to the stage during “A Day In The Life.”

On the night of June 27, 2009, Sir Paul McCartney surprised the audience with a special appearance during the Hard Rock Calling Festival, held at Hyde Park in London. The Beatle joined Neil Young on stage for a memorable performance, called up by the singer and friend.

The invitation was truly spontaneous, as it was clear that there had been no rehearsal or prior arrangement.

Together, the musicians performed the Beatles classic “A Day In The Life,” with McCartney putting his arm around Young as they shared the song’s vocals. The song, originally written by McCartney and John Lennon, is featured on the 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Paul joined in precisely at the part he sings in the original song: “Woke up, fell out of bed.” Dancing, disheveled, and enthusiastic, the moment was both hilarious and historic—an unforgettable meeting of two music legends. Including an improvised xylophone outro at the end of the song, which drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.

In Philip Norman’s biography Paul McCartney, the following passage describes Macca’s participation: “Almost as unkempt as Young, he stayed on stage until the end of the song, jumping and dancing, waving his arms like he hadn’t even done on the drunkest nights of his teenage years in Hamburg. No song of his, it seemed, could have provoked the same emotion.”

Neil Young’s concert was a journey through his extensive and acclaimed career, featuring a setlist that included hits such as “Cinnamon Girl,” “Down By The River,” and “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black).” McCartney and Neil Young crossed paths on other occasions as well, including in 2016.