Paul McCartney met with two of the women who inspired one of The Beatles' most loved tracks at a show in Arkansas on Saturday (April 30).
Backstage at the Verizon Arena, McCartney spoke to Thelma Mothershed-Wair and Elizabeth Eckford, both members of the Little Rock Nine.
"Incredible to meet two of the Little Rock Nine - pioneers of the civil rights movement and inspiration for Blackbird," he wrote on his Twitter, sharing a photo of the three together at the show.
The Little Rock Nine were a group of nine black students who enrolled at a previously all-white high school in 1957, but were initially prevented from entering the school by the National Guard.
President Eisenhower then sent federal troops to ensure that the nine could attend classes.
McCartney credited the group with introducing him to the civil rights struggle and providing the inspiration to the lyrics for 'Blackbird'. It appeared on The Beatles' 1968 White Album.
Listen to 'Blackbird' below:
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