Last summer, just days after a stellar performance at Outside Lands, Sir Paul McCartney sparked rumors that he would close out Candlestick Park with one final concert at the crumbling stadium. The concert was meant as a nod to the Beatles' final show, which took place there on a chilly August night in 1966, but if the Niners' front office and Live Nation have anything to say about it, the show will be just another ploy to draw folks down to the new Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.

Although Mayor Lee and City Hall officials thought the deal for a Candlestick send-off was more or less secured, the Chronicle's chief mustaches Matier & Ross report that Live Nation is behind the bait-and-switch:

It all changed, however, when McCartney's envoys, including his worldwide concert promoter, Barrie Marshall, toured Candlestick last month and let slip that they had just visited Levi's Stadium as part of negotiations with the Niners for an opening concert there in early August.

It was a blindside hit that had city officials feeling betrayed.

Team execs insisted to San Francisco officials that they had been approached about hosting a McCartney show by Live Nation, the national promoter that has a financial stake in Sir Paul's management company.

Even with their hands all up in Sir Paul's bookings, it makes sense that Live Nation would rather book talent they represent at their own venue instead of one run by the city's Rec and Parks Department. Although the monolithic event company didn't comment on the change of venue, a spokesperson for Mayor Lee did explain that the city will still have "a great farewell to Candlestick for the public." Sure, just as long as we're not stuck with Train.

Previously: Paul McCartney May Play Candlestick Before It Gets Demolished
Outside Lands 2013
[Chron]