By CHRISTIAN BOONE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Cousins Jan Belk and Nancy Kendall were 13 years old when they first saw Paul McCartney perform at old Atlanta Stadium, almost 44 years ago to the day. They paid $5.50 each for the tickets.

Friday night, they saw their idol for free -- sort of -- joining about 100 fans huddled outside Piedmont Park as the former Beatle performed an extensive sound check in advance of Saturday’s concert.

It was a blessed accident for the McCartney devotees, who were at a friend’s house nearby when they heard strains of “Matchbox” wafting from the park. Over the next hour they’d be treated to classics like “I’ll Follow the Sun,” “All My Loving,” “Daytripper” and “Lady Madonna.” Suddenly 1965 didn’t seem like that long ago.

“This will be the 11th [McCartney concert] for me,” said Belk, 57, clutching a “Paul 4-Ever” poster she had made to welcome Kendall, who had flown in from Park City, Utah, earlier in the day. Little did she know McCartney would catch a glimpse of her handiwork as he was chauffeured away to wherever it is legends go when they visit Atlanta.

Sir Paul waved, and they shrieked like teenagers.

“I remember thinking back when I was 13 that he was too old for me,” said Belk, of Chattanooga. “Now I’m probably too old for him.”

Thirteen-year-old Ethan Huberman’s hormones may not have stirred at the sight of the 67-year-old rock star, but he was buzzing nonetheless in anticipation of his first McCartney concert.

“I can’t wait,” said Huberman, who’ll attend with his parents and sister. They drove from Charlotte Friday to check out the venue just as McCartney began rehearsing.

“He rolled in about an hour ago and waved at us,” said David Huberman, 58, bouncing like a kid. Though he’s a longtime fan, the elder Huberman had never seen The Beatles or McCartney perform.

“When are you going to get the chance to see Paul McCartney at the top of his game?” he said. “We knew we had to be here.”

Silvia Florez came all the way from Bogota, Colombia for Saturday’s concert, Her sister lives in Midtown, and after Michael Jackson died Florez, 25, decided she wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to see a legend live.

“I cried through the whole sound check,” said Florez, who planned to be back at the park before sunrise to stake out a prime seat.

Midtown resident Mark Gunn will also be there, some 40 years after he snuck out with some friends to see The Beatles play in New York City. As “I’ll Follow the Sun” played in the background, Gunn, 52, reflected on a long strange trip.

“It is extremely weird to be seeing Paul McCartney 40 years later,” he said. “And on the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, too. Really strange.”