Sir Paul McCartney Is Tulsa BOK Center's Anniversary Concert

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A Beatle brings down the house at Tulsa's BOK Center.  Paul McCartney played to a sold-out crowd.  Sir McCartney's concert was meant to commemorate the arena's first year of existence.  And, it has been a year that officials say exceeded expectations.

The scene before Paul McCartney's concert mimicked many witnessed at events throughout the past year.  Ecstatic fans, sporting T-shirts paying homage to their rock idols, lined up early to see the former Beatle.

The McCartney show is the 140th event the BOK Center has hosted since it opened last September.  The Eagles played the inaugural show.  Including that night, 700,000 people have come through the doors.    

Officials say big name acts have helped them post a profit of $1.1 million.

"We really tried over the course of the year to bring events that really reached all the demographics in Tulsa, and tried to bring a wide variety of events," said BOK Center General Manager John Bolton.

There have been hiccups along the way, including complaints about parking, and too much security when Metallica came to town.  But, arena execs contend that the facility is accomplishing what it was supposed to.

"Absolutely, I think that and even more. I think it certainly exceeded my expectations as a general manager," said John Bolton.

As the BOK Center enters its second year, Bolton believes big-name acts will continue to play in front of big-time crowds.

McCartney's Tulsa concert is one of only six shows he is playing in the U.S. this summer, and the only concert not at an outdoor stadium.

The BOK Center expects it to be the highest-grossing event it has hosted in its first year.