2007
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Learn about the history, personnel, discography, and legacy of the English-American rock band formed by former Beatles member Paul McCartney in 1971. The band had six number-one singles in the US and experienced frequent line-up changes.
- Live And Let Die (1973) McCartney wrote this dramatic Bond theme practically to order. It reflects the varying exotic locations of the movie – complete with romantic interlude and a reggae section.
- Band On the Run (1973) The title track from the mega selling and critically acclaimed Band On The Run, this cleverly combines three separate tempos. A slow build up, a rush of acoustic guitars and then an invigorating refrain makes for a brilliantly cohesive end result.
- Maybe I’m Amazed (1977) Taken from the triple live album Wings Over America set that chronicled the 1976 US tour, this is a stately in concert delivery of the stand out track from the 1970 McCartney debut solo album.
- Jet (1973) Another Band On The Run winner – this straight ahead rocker bustles with drive and exuberance – aided by an impassioned McCartney vocal performance and uplifting orchestration.
- Overview
- Beginnings and Wild Life
- First hits: “My Love” and “Live and Let Die”
- Band on the Run
- Venus and Mars and Wings at the Speed of Sound
- “Mull of Kintyre” and later albums
- Disbanding and legacy
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Paul McCartney and Wings, British-American rock band founded by Beatles icon Paul McCartney (b. June 18, 1942, Liverpool, England) and his wife, Linda McCartney (b. Linda Eastman, September 24, 1941, Scarsdale, New York—d. April 17, 1998, Tucson, Arizona). After a lackluster start, the band became a showcase for Paul McCartney’s masterful songwriti...
Following the breakup of the Beatles, Paul McCartney released the albums McCartney (1970) and Ram (1971). However, he wanted to avoid long stretches away from his wife, Linda McCartney, whom he married in 1969. Having her tour with him and perform onstage would solve many of the problems that befall marriages in the world of popular music, so he taught her to play keyboards, and they formed a new band. He invited guitarist Denny Laine (b. Brian Hines, October 29, 1944, near Jersey, Channel Islands), former Moody Blues member and longtime friend, as well as Ram session drummer Denny Seiwell (b. July 10, 1943, Lehighton, Pennsylvania) to join.
The band, which Paul McCartney named Wings, recorded their first album, Wild Life (1971), in eight days to give it a live feel. The record, however, received mostly mediocre reviews from critics. In 1972 guitarist Henry McCullough (b. July 21, 1943, Portstewart, Northern Ireland—d. June 14, 2016, Ballymoney, Northern Ireland) joined Wings, and the band decided to embark on a tour to establish themselves. They avoided playing Beatles songs and only performed in small clubs and colleges in the United Kingdom.
In 1973 the band renamed themselves Paul McCartney and Wings to combat the sluggish commercial response to Wings. They released Red Rose Speedway, which featured the single “My Love.” The song provided the band with their first hit, reaching number one in the United States. Later that year, the band released “Live and Let Die,” the theme for the Ja...
After “Live and Let Die,” McCullough and Seiwell left the band, and the remaining members traveled to Lagos, Nigeria, to record Band on the Run. It became the band’s most successful album and later appeared on lists of the greatest rock records of all time. The title track reached number one in the United States, while the singles “Jet” and “Helen ...
Wings added guitarist Jimmy McCulloch (b. June 4, 1953, Dumbarton, Scotland—d. September 27, 1979, London, England) and drummer Geoff Britton (b. August 1, 1943, London) to the lineup, but the latter left during the recording of Wing’s next album Venus and Mars (1975). He was replaced by Joe English (b. February 7, 1949, Rochester, New York) soon after. The album reached number one in the United States on the strength of the single “Listen to What the Man Said.”
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The release Wings at the Speed of Sound was a number one album in the United States. “Let ‘Em In,” and “Silly Love Songs” were massive hits, with the latter showcasing Linda’s vocals. Wings toured the United States on the Wings over America Tour, the first time Paul McCartney had played live in the U.S. since the last Beatles concert there, in 1966. The band also began playing Beatles songs, drawing yet more interest. The 1976 live album Wings over America documented the tour and was certified platinum in the United States.
In 1977 Wings released “Mull of Kintyre,” which became the most successful single of Paul McCartney’s career, selling more than any Beatles single had in the United Kingdom. That same year, however, English and McCulloch left the band, with Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, and Laine a trio once again. Wings’s subsequent albums had mixed success. Lo...
A series of events in 1980 led up to Paul McCartney choosing to dissolve Wings the following year. In January the band’s tour of Japan was canceled after McCartney was arrested for marijuana possession when he arrived at Narita International Airport, Tokyo. The tour was subsequently canceled, and McCartney delayed resuming public appearances, repor...
Learn about the British-American rock band founded by Paul McCartney and his wife, Linda, after the breakup of the Beatles. Discover their hits, albums, members, and legacy in this article from Britannica.
- Kirk Fox
Enjoy 21 videos of Wings, the band formed by Paul McCartney after the Beatles' breakup. Listen to their greatest hits and best songs, such as Band on the Run, Live and Let Die, and My Love.
Paul McCartney/Wings Greatest Hits playlist. A new music service with official albums, singles, videos, remixes, live performances and more for Android, iOS and desktop. It's all here.
Jun 12, 2024 · A 1974 Abbey Road session featuring unreleased and alternate versions of Wings songs, plus a backyard tape of McCartney playing Beatles tunes. The album captures the band's loose and fun vibe, but also reveals some rough edges and inconsistencies.
Apr 27, 2014 · A list of the best songs by Paul McCartney's other platinum-selling band, Wings.
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