Paul McCartney and Wings
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1971 in London, United Kingdom |
| Founder | Paul McCartney |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums, singles, concerts |
Paul McCartney and Wings, commonly referred to simply as Wings, was a British rock ensemble established in 1971 in London by Paul McCartney, previously a member of the Beatles, who took on vocals and bass duties. His spouse, Linda McCartney, contributed on keyboards; Denny Laine, formerly part of the Moody Blues, handled guitar and vocals; and Denny Seiwell played drums. The group was recognized for its commercial achievements, varied musical style, and frequent changes in lineup, cycling through three lead guitarists and four drummers, while the McCartneys and Laine remained the central members throughout.
Following the release of the McCartneys' 1971 album Ram, Wings produced their initial two records: Wild Life (1971) and Red Rose Speedway (1973), which included guitarist Henry McCullough. These albums were often regarded as less impressive artistically when compared to McCartney’s work with the Beatles. After issuing the title song for the James Bond movie Live and Let Die, both McCullough and Seiwell exited the band. Subsequently, the McCartneys and Laine released Band on the Run in 1973, achieving both commercial success and critical acclaim, featuring two top-ten hits: "Jet" and its title track.
The lineup expanded with guitarist Jimmy McCulloch and drummer Geoff Britton, though Britton was soon replaced by Joe English. This formation recorded 1975’s Venus and Mars, which included the US chart-topping single "Listen to What the Man Said". The band then embarked on a highly successful world tour spanning 1975–76. During this tour, they released Wings at the Speed of Sound (1976), which featured popular tracks such as "Silly Love Songs" and "Let 'Em In".
In 1977, Wings experienced another personnel shift when McCulloch and English departed prior to releasing their sole UK number one single, "Mull of Kintyre", one of the best-selling singles ever recorded. Following the 1978 album London Town, guitarist Laurence Juber and drummer Steve Holley joined the group. The next album, Back to the Egg, did not meet expectations commercially or critically. During the tour supporting that release, Paul was detained in Japan on cannabis charges, which interrupted the band's activities. Although they scored a final US number one with a live rendition of "Coming Up" in 1980, Wings dissolved in 1981 after Laine left. Throughout their career, Wings secured six number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Origins
Following the dissolution of the Beatles in 1970, McCartney produced two solo albums: McCartney (1970), credited solely to him, and Ram (1971), which featured his wife Linda McCartney. Despite her lack of prior musical background, he was determined to involve Linda in his projects. The recording sessions for Ram took place in New York City, where McCartney held auditions for drummers and guitarists, ultimately selecting Seiwell on drums and David Spinozza on guitar. When Spinozza became unavailable, Hugh McCracken stepped in as his replacement.
1971–1974: Formation and Wild Life to Band on the Run
After the release of Ram, McCartney assembled a new ensemble, inviting Seiwell and Denny Laine—whom he had known since the early 1960s—to join the group. Laine set aside his solo album ambitions to become a member. In Wings, McCartney took on the roles of principal bassist and lead vocalist, while also contributing on guitar, keyboards, and drums. However, he primarily identified as a bassist.
In August 1971, Seiwell and Laine joined Paul and Linda McCartney to record Paul's third album following the Beatles' breakup, released under Apple Records. The resulting album, Wild Life, came out on 7 December and marked the first release credited to Wings. The band's name reportedly originated during complications surrounding the birth of their second child, Stella. To preserve a sense of immediacy, five of the eight tracks were recorded in first takes. The album featured a cover version of Mickey & Sylvia’s "Love Is Strange". Similar to Ram, Wild Life faced mixed reviews, reflecting widespread critical skepticism toward McCartney after the Beatles' split. Critics also mocked Linda’s contributions as keyboardist and backing vocalist.
On 24 January 1972, guitarist Henry McCullough joined Wings after an audition. The newly formed lineup embarked on an impromptu tour of UK universities followed by a European tour. Although this was the first tour by a former Beatle following the band's dissolution, Wings deliberately avoided performing Beatles songs to establish their own identity; nevertheless, McCartney did play a solo piano rendition of "Let It Be" on one occasion.
In February 1972, Wings released "Give Ireland Back to the Irish" in response to the Bloody Sunday incident; the BBC banned it due to its political content, yet it reached number 16 in the UK charts and topped charts in Ireland and Spain. This was followed by the children's tune "Mary Had a Little Lamb", which entered the UK top 10; despite some critics’ interpretations, McCartney intended it as a sincere piece. December 1972 saw the release of "Hi, Hi, Hi", which was also banned by the BBC for alleged drug and sexual references; its B-side "C Moon" received airplay instead. The single peaked at number five in the UK.
For their 1973 albums Red Rose Speedway and Band on the Run, the group was billed as "Paul McCartney and Wings". Red Rose Speedway produced their first number one single in the United States with "My Love". The album included leftover tracks from the Ram sessions and was originally planned as a double album but was reduced after producer Glyn Johns departed and EMI judged some material unfit for release. Among unreleased tracks was Linda’s "Seaside Woman," which eventually appeared in 1977 under the pseudonym "Suzy and the Red Stripes".
Towards the conclusion of the Red Rose Speedway sessions in October 1972, Wings recorded "Live and Let Die", the theme song for the James Bond film of the same name, reuniting McCartney with Beatles producer George Martin. Released as a standalone single in mid-1973, it became an international hit and remains a signature concert piece featuring pyrotechnics. That year also featured Wings starring in the poorly received TV special James Paul McCartney, which showcased both outdoor and studio performances.
Following a successful UK tour during May–June 1973, Wings began rehearsing material for their next album but abruptly lost McCullough and Seiwell at rehearsal’s end due to disagreements over musical direction and Linda’s involvement; McCullough also resented McCartney’s dominating style, while Seiwell was dissatisfied with his pay and lack of formal financial agreements.
Reduced to a trio consisting of Paul and Linda McCartney along with Laine, Wings recorded their most commercially successful album, Band on the Run, at EMI’s eight-track studio in Lagos, Nigeria. The album reached number one in both US and UK charts and spawned three hit singles: "Jet," "Helen Wheels" (released only in the US), and the title track—a suite reminiscent of side two from Abbey Road. It also included "Let Me Roll It" and "No Words," marking Laine’s first co-writing credit alongside Paul and Linda McCartney. Critically lauded, Band on the Run revitalized McCartney’s standing as a solo artist after the Beatles era.
1974–1978: From Venus and Mars to London Town
Following the success of Band on the Run, guitarist Jimmy McCulloch, previously associated with Thunderclap Newman and Stone the Crows, became a member of Wings. Their initial collaboration featuring McCulloch was McGear (1974), a joint effort between Paul and his brother Mike McGear, alongside drummer Gerry Conway. Warner Bros. Records minimized the connection to Wings, resulting in limited album sales, although the single "Liverpool Lou" by McGear’s group the Scaffold reached the UK top 10. Shortly thereafter, drummer Geoff Britton joined the lineup, and Wings recorded sessions at songwriter Curly Putman Jr’s farm in Nashville. These sessions produced the non-album single "Junior's Farm"/"Sally G", marking their final release under Apple Records, with both tracks independently reaching the US Billboard Top 20.
The band commenced work on their subsequent album in London in November 1974 before relocating to New Orleans to finish Venus and Mars (1975), their debut release through Capitol Records. The album achieved chart-topping status and featured the US number one hit "Listen to What the Man Said", which included guest performances by Dave Mason (guitar) and Tom Scott (saxophone). During these recordings, Britton departed and was succeeded by Joe English. In late 1975, Wings embarked on the Wings Over the World tour, briefly delayed due to McCulloch sustaining a hand injury. This extensive tour covered Australia, Europe, and the United States, concluding with four shows at London's Wembley Empire Pool, enhanced by a horn section contributing saxophones, brass instruments, and percussion.
Between touring periods, Wings recorded Wings at the Speed of Sound, released in March 1976 ahead of their US tour segment. A distinctive feature was that all five band members shared lead vocal duties on at least one track; however, singles such as "Silly Love Songs" (which topped US charts) and "Let 'Em In" prominently featured Paul McCartney. The tour included Beatles songs; a Seattle performance was filmed and later issued as Rockshow (1980). The American leg incorporated concerts at Madison Square Garden and Boston Garden, resulting in the triple live album Wings over America (1976), which became Wings’ fifth consecutive number one album in the US. This live album produced a single featuring "Maybe I'm Amazed" backed with "Soily", a song typically used to close their concerts.
Following the tour and the early 1977 release of "Maybe I'm Amazed," Wings took a brief hiatus before beginning work on their next album in the Virgin Islands. These sessions were interrupted by Linda McCartney’s pregnancy and led to the departures of McCulloch and English. McCulloch subsequently joined Small Faces before his death in 1979; English went on to establish the Christian-oriented Joe English Band.
Despite these lineup changes, Wings released "Mull of Kintyre", co-written by McCartney and Laine. Issued shortly before Christmas, it became an international sensation—Wings’ sole UK number one single—selling over two million copies within the UK alone and surpassing the Beatles’ "She Loves You" as one of the highest-selling singles. However, its performance in the US was comparatively modest, where its B-side "Girls School" received limited airplay.
The primary trio then unveiled London Town in 1978. Although only three members appear on its cover, much of the album features earlier contributions from McCulloch and English; Laine co-wrote five songs including the title track. While commercially successful, it peaked at number two in the US—the first Wings album since Wild Life not to reach number one there. Characterized by a softer rock style with synth elements, it produced the US chart-topping single "With a Little Luck" (which reached number five in the UK), whereas singles "I've Had Enough" and "London Town" saw limited commercial success in both territories.
1978–1981: Back to the Egg and dissolution
Towards the end of 1978, Wings welcomed guitarist Laurence Juber and drummer Steve Holley, reestablishing the band's touring ensemble. In 1979, McCartney transitioned his North American recording contract from Capitol to Columbia Records, while maintaining his association with Parlophone in other regions. Drawing inspiration from punk and new wave genres, Wings embraced a rawer sound under the guidance of producer Chris Thomas. The disco-influenced single "Goodnight Tonight" achieved top-five chart positions in both the US and UK. Nevertheless, the album Back to the Egg garnered mixed critical reactions and, despite earning platinum certification in the US, did not match the commercial success of prior albums. It included the Grammy-winning track "Rockestra Theme", a collaboration featuring members from Wings, the Who, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. Three singles—"Old Siam, Sir" (released only in the UK), "Getting Closer", and "Arrow Through Me" (US-exclusive)—experienced modest chart impact. Throughout 1979, Wings largely remained inactive as McCartney concentrated on his solo project McCartney II.
In late 1979, Wings embarked on a UK tour augmented by a horn section featuring Tony Dorsey and Howie Casey. This tour culminated with participation in the Concerts for the People of Kampuchea, a significant all-star benefit event supporting UNICEF and refugees from Kampuchea. A live rendition of "Coming Up" recorded during this tour became Wings’ sixth number one hit in the US in 1980.
On 16 January 1980, McCartney arrived in Japan for an eleven-date Wings tour but was detained at Narita Airport for marijuana possession. This incident resulted in an immediate ban on Wings’ music across Japanese media and led to the cancellation of all scheduled concerts, causing substantial financial losses for event promoters. McCartney spent ten days incarcerated before being released without formal charges and deported. Subsequently, plans for a US tour were abandoned, with McCartney focusing on releasing McCartney II. Meanwhile, Denny Laine issued the single "Japanese Tears" and briefly formed a new band before launching a solo album under the same title.
By 1980, McCartney's focus shifted towards establishing a more settled family life away from London, coupled with growing dissatisfaction regarding Wings’ live performances. When recording sessions commenced for his subsequent album in October, McCartney and producer George Martin chose to exclude Wings members, employing session musicians instead to attain superior production quality. By November, Holley and Juber were notified that they would not be involved in forthcoming projects; Juber later moved to New York to pursue his career further.
Denny Laine participated in early 1981 sessions for Tug of War, but disagreements over financial matters surfaced. Laine expressed frustration over receiving only a fixed payment for co-writing "Mull of Kintyre," despite its commercial success. Additionally, he was displeased by the repercussions of McCartney’s drug arrest on tour revenues and experienced strained personal relations within the group. In April 1981, Laine departed from Wings, effectively bringing the band's activities to an end. Although McCartney initially implied that Wings might persist conceptually, he ultimately acknowledged its termination during promotion for Tug of War in 1982.
The Country Hams
The Country Hams served as an alias for the ensemble on the 1974 single "Walking in the Park with Eloise", a composition penned years earlier by Paul McCartney’s father, James. Wings, accompanied by guest artists Chet Atkins and Floyd Cramer, recorded this track during the sessions for Junior's Farm.
Suzy and the Red Stripes
The name Suzy and the Red Stripes was used as a pseudonym for Wings’ 1977 single "Seaside Woman", which was both written and performed by Linda McCartney. This release stands as Wings' sole record under this moniker. The alias derived from Linda’s Jamaican nickname "Suzi" combined with "Red Stripe," a prominent Jamaican beer brand.
Partial reunions
In March 1997, an unplanned Wings reunion took place at a Beatlefest event in East Rutherford, New Jersey, featuring Denny Laine, Laurence Juber, and Steve Holley. No additional reunions were arranged at that time. Later, in July 2007, Laine, Juber, and Denny Seiwell reunited for a performance at Beatlefest (renamed Fest for Beatles Fans) in Las Vegas, delivering classics such as "Band on the Run" and "Mull of Kintyre."
Laine and Seiwell made further appearances at Fest for Beatles Fans in Secaucus, New Jersey (2010), and Chicago (2010), this time joined by Juber. In October 2014, the trio performed in Los Angeles with a setlist that included "Hi, Hi, Hi" and "Live and Let Die." They returned to the festival in August 2017 with drummer Steve Holley accompanying them.
In January 2018, Laine, Juber, Seiwell, and Holley reunited for a concert at Grand Oak Live in Upland, California. The trio of Laine, Juber, and Holley performed again in March 2019 at Fest for Beatles Fans in Jersey City, focusing on material from Back to the Egg.
Legacy
Wings attained notable commercial achievements with twelve UK top-10 singles—featuring one chart-topper—and fourteen US top-10 hits including six number ones. Each of their 23 singles entered the US top 40 charts; notably, their two-sided hit "Junior's Farm"/"Sally G" saw both tracks charting individually. Of their nine studio albums, every one reached the top 10 either in the UK or US markets, with five consecutive albums reaching number one on the US charts. Paul McCartney was indisputably the group's leader and main creative mind, while Denny Laine, Jimmy McCulloch, and Linda McCartney also made songwriting contributions and occasionally took lead vocals.
The success of Wings served to affirm McCartney’s solo career following The Beatles’ breakup despite early critical doubts. By the mid-1970s, former bandmates John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr faced downturns or hiatuses in their solo ventures; meanwhile Wings sustained robust touring schedules and commercial success. Author Robert Rosen observed that by 1980 Lennon expressed envy toward McCartney’s continued achievements.
Critics frequently characterized Wings members as supporting musicians rather than equal partners. Guitarist Henry McCullough departed due to creative limitations within the band, describing Wings as “never a real band.” Conversely, other members such as Joe English and Laurence Juber recalled experiencing some artistic autonomy and regarded Wings as a true collective effort involving key contributors beyond McCartney himself.
Outside their principal catalog, Wings engaged in various collaborative projects: Denny Laine’s solo albums featured input from Paul and Linda McCartney; Wings appeared on select Laine tracks; members participated in George Harrison’s 1981 tribute to John Lennon; Linda McCartney toured alongside Paul until her passing in 1998. A posthumous compilation titled Wide Prairie showcased her work including seven tracks performed by Wings. Additionally, Wings supported Paul’s brother Mike McGear on his solo releases and unreleased Wings recordings were later utilized as B-sides for Paul McCartney’s solo singles after Wings disbanded.
The 1977 single "Mull of Kintyre"/"Girls School" remains the highest-selling non-charity single ever released in the UK and ranked fourth among all-time UK best-selling singles as of 2002.
Within popular culture, Wings was satirically depicted in the British television program Spitting Image in 1986.
In 2001, Wingspan: Hits and History was issued as a retrospective collection combining material from both Wings and Paul McCartney’s solo career under his name.
Denny Laine, a founding member of Wings, died on 5 December 2023 at age 79.
In 2024, One Hand Clapping, a live studio album recorded in 1974 but previously unreleased officially, was made available to the public.
Personnel
Throughout its decade-long existence, Wings underwent several lineup adjustments, at two points consolidating into the essential trio of McCartney–McCartney–Laine.
Members
- Paul McCartney – lead vocals, bass guitar, guitars, piano, keyboards, drums (1971–1981)
- Linda McCartney – vocals, keyboards, piano, percussion (1971–1981; passed away 1998)
- Denny Laine – vocals, guitars, bass guitar, piano, harmonica (1971–1981; passed away 2023)
- Denny Seiwell – drums, percussion, trumpet (1971–1973)
- Henry McCullough – guitar, backing vocals, percussion (1972–1973; passed away 2016)
- Jimmy McCulloch – guitar, vocals, bass guitar (1974–1977; died 1979)
- Geoff Britton – drums, percussion (1974–1975)
- Joe English – drums, percussion, vocals (1975–1977)
- Laurence Juber – guitar, backing vocals (1978–1981)
- Steve Holley – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1978–1981)
Line-ups
| 1971–1972 |
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|---|---|
| 1972–1973 |
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| 1973–1974 |
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| 1974–1975 |
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| 1975–1977 |
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| 1977–1978 |
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| 1978–1981 |
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Discography
- Studio albums
- Wild Life (released 1971)
- Red Rose Speedway (released 1973)
- Band on the Run (released 1973)
- Venus and Mars (released 1975)
- Wings at the Speed of Sound (released 1976)
- London Town (released 1978)
- Back to the Egg (released 1979)
- Related studio albums
- McGear (credited to Mike McGear) (issued 1974)
- Holly Days (credited to Denny Laine) (issued 1977)
- Live albums
- Wings over America (issued 1976)
- Wings over Europe (issued 2018)
- One Hand Clapping (scheduled for release in 2024)
- Compilation albums
- Wings Greatest (issued 1978)
- Wings (planned for release in 2025)
- Unreleased compilation album
Tours
Throughout their ten-year tenure, Wings embarked on five significant concert tours:
- Wings University Tour – 11 performances across the UK in 1972
- Wings Over Europe Tour – 25 concerts during 1972
- Wings 1973 UK Tour – 21 shows
- Wings Over the World Tour – A total of 66 concerts held between 1975 and 1976
- Wings 1979 UK Tour – 20 performances
These tours played a crucial role in broadening Wings' audience reach and promoted several of their major album launches.
Awards
- Music Week Award
| Year | Award | Work | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Music Week's top single | "Mull of Kintyre" | Wings | Template:Won |
- Yugoton Award
| Year | Award | Work | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Gold LP recognizing strong album sales in Yugoslavia | 'McCartney', 'Ram', 'Wild Life', 'Red Rose Speedway', 'Band on the Run', 'Venus and Mars', 'Wings at the Speed of Sound' | Paul McCartney and Wings | Template:Won |
- Brit Award
| Year | Award | Work | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | The BRITs Hits 30 | "Live and Let Die" | Paul McCartney and Wings | Template:Nom |
- American Music Award
| Year | Award | Work | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group | "Live and Let Die" | Paul McCartney and Wings | Template:Nom |
- Academy Award
| Year | Award | Work | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Best Original Song | "Live and Let Die" | Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney | Template:Nom |
- Million-Air Award
| Year | Award | Work | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Over 4 million performances | "Live and Let Die" | Paul McCartney | Template:Won |
- Guinness Book of Records Award
| Year | Award | Work | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Most successful and acclaimed composer and musician in popular music history | |||
| Paul McCartney | Template:Won |
- Q Award
| Year | Award | Work | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Classic Album | 'Band on the Run' | Paul McCartney and Wings | Template:Won |
- RIAA Award
| Year | Award | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Top Male Vocalist of the Year | Paul McCartney | Template:Won |
- NME Award
| Year | Award | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Best bass guitarist | Paul McCartney | Template:Won |
| 1976 | Best bass guitarist | Paul McCartney | Template:Won |
- Capitol Radio Music Award
| Year | Award | Work | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Best Single | "Mull of Kintyre" | Wings | Template:Won |
| Best Live Show in London | (1976 Wembley performances) | Paul McCartney and Wings | Template:Won |
- Daily Mirror Readers Awards
| Year | Award | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Best Male Group Singer | Paul McCartney | Template:Won |
| Best Rock Group | Paul McCartney and Wings | Template:Won | |
| Best Pop Group | Paul McCartney and Wings | Template:Won | |
| 1979 | Outstanding Music Personality | Paul McCartney | Template:Won |
- Ivor Novello Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Best Pop Song | "Mull of Kintyre" | Wings | Template:Nom |
| Best Selling A-side | "Mull of Kintyre" | Wings | Template:Won | |
| 1980 | Outstanding Services to British Music | – | Paul McCartney | Template:Won |
- Juno Awards (Canadian) and nominations
| Year | Award | Work | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | International Album of the Year | 'Band on the Run' | Paul McCartney and Wings | Template:Won |
| Best Selling Single | 'Band on the Run' | Paul McCartney and Wings | Template:Nom | |
| 1976 | International Album of the Year | 'Venus and Mars' | Wings | Template:Nom |
| 1977 | International Album of the Year | 'Wings over America' | Wings | Template:Nom |
- Grammy Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Work | With | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) | "Live and Let Die" | George Martin | Template:Won |
| Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture | "Live and Let Die" | Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, George Martin | Template:Nom | |
| Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus | "Live and Let Die" | Paul McCartney and Wings | Template:Nom | |
| 1975 | Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus | "Band on the Run" | Paul McCartney and Wings | Template:Won |
| Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical | 'Band on the Run' | Geoff E. Emerick | Template:Won | |
| Album of the Year | 'Band on the Run' | Paul McCartney and Wings | Template:Nom | |
| 1977 | Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) | "Let 'Em In" | Wings | Template:Nom |
References
- Articles with short description
- Paul McCartney and Wings
- Apple Records artists
- Articles containing graphical timelines
- English soft rock bands
- Capitol Records artists
- Grammy Award recipients
- Juno Award winners for International Album of the Year
- Linda McCartney
- Musical ensembles formed in 1971
- Musical ensembles disbanded in 1981
- London-based rock groups
- Paul McCartney
- EMI Records artists
- Parlophone artists
- Columbia Records artists
- 1971 establishments in England
- Bands with mixed genders
- Musical groups disestablished in 1981