The city's mayor Ed Lee told the San Francisco Chronicle that McCartney threw out the idea a half hour before taking the stage at this year's Outside Lands Festival. "And it was him who made the suggestion," Lee said. "Believe me, it wasn't something I, or anyone else, was expecting."

The two talked about Candlestick and how the city was collecting photos and videos to honor the Beatles' final concert. McCartney then compared the Candlestick tribute to what they did at Shea Stadium in New York, where the Beatles played two of their most famous show. McCartney played Shea Stadium just before it was demolished in 2009 and then, along with Billy Joel, helped christen Citi Field where the Mets now play.