Wings
Joe English, Jimmy McCulloch, Linda & Paul McCartney and Denny Laine (l. to r. ) during 1976 Wings Over the World tour. In 1975 and 1976, Paul McCartney 's band Wings embarked on the ambitious Wings Over the World tour.
Background information
Origin	England
Genre(s)	Rock, Pop
Years active	1971–1981
Label(s)	Apple, Parlophone, Capitol, Columbia
Associated acts	The Beatles The Moody Blues Mike McGear Suzy and the Red Stripes
Former members
Paul McCartney Linda McCartney Denny Laine Denny Seiwell Henry McCullough Jimmy McCulloch Geoff Britton Joe English Laurence Juber Steve Holly

Wings was a rock music supergroup formed in August 1971, after the breakup of The Beatles, by ex-Beatle Paul McCartney. Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. SuperGroup is a Reality show on the channel VH1. The show puts together five Heavy metal musicians packed into a large mansion that must play a show after The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942 is an English rock Singer, Bass guitarist songwriter Composer, ^[1] Wings achieved widespread success during the 1970s and early 1980s despite continual personnel changes. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989. ^[2]

The only three members in all of the different versions of Wings were McCartney, his wife Linda, and ex-Moody Blues guitarist and singer Denny Laine. Linda Louise McCartney (née Eastman, formerly See, September 24 1941 – April 17 1998 was an American Photographer, Musician and The Moody Blues are an English psychedelic rock band originally from Erdington in the city of Birmingham. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Denny Laine (born Brian Frederick Arthur Hines, October 29, 1944, in Tyseley, Birmingham) is an English Songwriter

History

As The Beatles were breaking up in 1970, McCartney was working on his debut solo album, McCartney. McCartney is the first solo album by Paul McCartney and was released in 1970 Backing vocals were provided by his wife, Linda, whom he had married the previous year. A backing vocalist or backing singer (or especially in the US Linda Louise McCartney (née Eastman, formerly See, September 24 1941 – April 17 1998 was an American Photographer, Musician and McCartney had insisted from the beginning of their marriage that his wife should be involved in his musical projects, so that they did not have to be apart when he was on tour. ^[3] On his second solo album, Ram, McCartney added select outside musicians, including drummer Denny Seiwell, who had to perform in a secret audition for Paul and Linda before being chosen. Ram is Paul McCartney 's second solo album officially credited to Paul and Linda McCartney, and was released in 1971 Wings were a rock supergroup formed in August 1971 after the breakup of the Beatles, by ex-Beatle Paul McCartney. ^[4]

First lineup (1971-1973)

In August 1971, Seiwell and guitarist/singer Denny Laine joined Paul and Linda McCartney to record Paul's third post-Beatles project on Apple Records. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Denny Laine (born Brian Frederick Arthur Hines, October 29, 1944, in Tyseley, Birmingham) is an English Songwriter Linda Louise McCartney (née Eastman, formerly See, September 24 1941 – April 17 1998 was an American Photographer, Musician and Apple Records is a record label founded by The Beatles in 1968 as a division of Apple Corps Ltd. The result was Wild Life, released December 7. Wild Life is the debut album by Wings, engineered by Alan Parsons. It was the first project to credit Wings as the artist. In an attempt to capture the spontaneity of live performances, five of the eight songs on Wild Life were first takes by the band. ^[4] However, the record left music critics cold. ^[5]

The band name is said to have come to McCartney as he was praying in the hospital while Linda was giving birth to their second child together, Stella McCartney. Stella Nina McCartney (born September 13 1971) is an English Fashion designer. ^[3] Paul McCartney recalled in the film Wingspan that the birth of Stella was "a bit of a drama"; there were complications at the birth and that both Linda and the baby almost died. He was praying fervently and the image of wings came to his mind. He decided to name his new band Wings. ^[3]

In late 1971, McCartney added ex-Spooky Tooth guitarist Henry McCullough, a native of Northern Ireland, to the line-up of Wings and returned to touring, mounting an impromptu tour of U.K. universities and later a tour of small European venues (with the group driving around in a van), playing no Beatles numbers. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Spooky Tooth were an English Progressive rock band from the late 1960s Henry McCullough (born 21 July 1943) is a Guitarist, who has played Guitar in such bands as Spooky Tooth, Paul McCartney Wings University Tour was a Concert tour by Paul McCartney & Wings in 1972, shortly after the band's formation and initial album release In the summer of 1972, Paul McCartney 's newly-formed band Wings, set out on a Concert tour of Europe. ^[6] In February 1972, Wings released a single called "Give Ireland Back to the Irish", a response to the events of Bloody Sunday. " Give Ireland Back to the Irish " is a Paul and Linda McCartney song written in response to the events of Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland Bloody Sunday (Domhnach na Fola is the term used to describe an incident in Derry, Northern Ireland, on 30 January 1972 in which 26 ^[7] The song was banned by the BBC for its anti-Unionist political stance and only mentioned in chart rundowns on BBC Radio 1 as "a record by Wings". Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and ^[8] Despite its limited airplay, it reached #16 in the United Kingdom, as well as #1 in The Republic of Ireland and #1 in Spain. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.

Partly in reaction to the ban, Wings released a children's song, "Mary Had a Little Lamb", as its next single. "Mary Had a Little Lamb" is Wings ' version of the traditional nursery rhyme, recorded according to Paul McCartney at the time in response However, Wings followed that with November 1972's "Hi, Hi, Hi", which was again banned by the BBC, this time for its alleged drug and sexual references. " Hi Hi Hi " was an energetic Wings single that was banned by the BBC for its "suggestive" lyrics ^[8] The B-side, "C Moon", was played instead. "C Moon" was an early faux Ska tune by the band Wings, complete with a missed-cue intro that was kept in the released version ^[3] The single made it into the Top 5 in the United Kingdom and the Top 10 in the United States.

In late 1972, McCartney re-christened the band Paul McCartney and Wings for the 1973 album Red Rose Speedway, which yielded the first U. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Red Rose Speedway is Paul McCartney 's fourth album release and second Wings album officially credited to "Paul McCartney & Wings" upon its 1973 S. #1 Wings hit, the romantic ballad "My Love". "My Love" is a love song by Paul McCartney and Wings, and is the most famous track on their 1973 album Red Rose Speedway. One possible reason for the renaming was that two songs on this album had been recorded by Paul, Linda, and Denny Seiwell during the Ram sessions; Denny Laine added backing vocals to one of these songs, but Henry McCullough was not on either. Among the unreleased songs recorded by Wings during the extensive sessions for this album (which stretched over seven months and two continents) was the Linda composition "Seaside Woman", which was finally released in 1977 (although credited to "Suzy and the Red Stripes"). Suzy and the Red Stripes was a Pseudonym for the band Paul McCartney and Wings. Suzy and the Red Stripes was a Pseudonym for the band Paul McCartney and Wings.

Near the end of these sessions, in October 1972, Wings recorded the theme song to the James Bond film Live and Let Die, which reunited McCartney with Beatles producer/arranger George Martin. " Live and Let Die " is a Song originally performed by Paul McCartney and Wings, which was written for the soundtrack of the 1973 James James Bond 007 is a Fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve Novels and two Short story Live and Let Die is the eighth Spy film of the British James Bond series and the first to star Roger Moore as the fictional The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 Sir George Henry Martin CBE (3 January 1926 is a British record producer arranger and Composer. The uptempo song, released as a non-album single in the summer of 1973 (immediately after "My Love"), became a sizable worldwide hit and has remained a popular part of McCartney's post-Wings concert performances (often accompanied by fireworks). A firework is classified as a low explosive pyrotechnic device used primarily for aesthetic and entertainment purposes That same year, McCartney released his first American TV special James Paul McCartney, which featured extensive footage of Wings but was savagely criticised by noted rock journalist Lillian Roxon. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Lillian Roxon ( 8 February 1932 - 10 August 1973) was a noted Australian journalist and author

After a successful British tour in May-June 1973, Wings went right into rehearsals for the next album. During the spring and early summer of 1973, Paul McCartney 's band Wings performed on a concert tour of the United Kingdom. However, Henry McCullough and Denny Seiwell left the band in August, at the end of rehearsals,^[9] leaving the McCartneys and Laine to cut what turned out to be Wings' most successful album, Band on the Run, at EMI's primitive 8-track recording studio in Lagos, Nigeria. Henry McCullough (born 21 July 1943) is a Guitarist, who has played Guitar in such bands as Spooky Tooth, Paul McCartney Wings were a rock supergroup formed in August 1971 after the breakup of the Beatles, by ex-Beatle Paul McCartney. Band on the Run is an album by Wings, released in 1973 McCartney's fifth album since the breakup of The Beatles (and Wings' third it became Wings' The EMI Group is a British music company comprising the major record company EMI Music – which operates several labels and is based in Kensington in Lagos ( pron ˈleɪgɒs or /ˈlɑːgoʊs/ overseas is the most populous Conurbation in Nigeria with Nigeria, officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal Constitutional republic comprising thirty-six states and one Federal The album went to #1 in both the United States and United Kingdom and spawned three hit singles: the rockers "Jet" and "Helen Wheels" (originally included on the U. " Jet " was a hit song from Paul McCartney and Wings ' Band on the Run album " Helen Wheels " is a song by Paul McCartney and Wings. S. album only) and the title track—a suite of movements recalling side 2 of Abbey Road. Abbey Road is the eleventh official album released by The Beatles. It also included "Let Me Roll It", which was seen as an affectionate impersonation of John Lennon's vocal style,^[10] and "No Words", the first song released by Wings that was co-written by Denny Laine (all Wings releases to this time were either Paul and Linda compositions or cover versions). "Let Me Roll It" is the fifth track on the Paul McCartney & Wings album Band on the Run. John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (born Band on the Run enjoyed very positive critical reception and did much to restore McCartney's tarnished post-Beatles image among critics. ^[11]

Second lineup (1974-1978)

After Band on the Run, Jimmy McCulloch, former lead guitarist in Thunderclap Newman and Stone the Crows, joined the band. Jimmy McCulloch ( 4 June 1953 – 27 September 1979) was a Scottish Musician, born in Glasgow, who was best Thunderclap Newman was a late 1960s One-hit wonder band from the UK. Stone The Crows was a band formed in Glasgow in late 1969 History The band was formed after Maggie Bell was introduced to Les Harvey by The first Wings project with McCulloch was McGear, a 1974 collaboration between Paul and his younger brother Mike McGear, with session musician Gerry Conway playing drums. McGear is the second solo album by English singer Mike McGear, released in 1974 Mike McCartney (born Peter Michael McCartney 7 January 1944 Gerry Conway (born September 11 1947 in King's Lynn, Norfolk) is an English rock Drummer, best known for having performed with the Warner Bros. Records chose not to play up the "Wings" angle in its marketing for McGear, and the album sold poorly. Warner Bros Records Inc is an American Record label that operates as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Warner Music Group. However, the sessions also generated a single credited to McGear's group The Scaffold, "Liverpool Lou", which became a top-10 hit in the United Kingdom. The Scaffold were a comedy poetry and music trio from Liverpool, England, consisting of Mike McGear (real name Peter Michael McCartney - brother of

Shortly thereafter, Geoff Britton was added to Wings on drums, and the first recording session with the full lineup was held in Nashville, where the band stayed at the rural farm of songwriter Curly Putman Jr. Geoff Britton (born Geoffrey Britton 1 August 1943, in Lewisham, South East London) is a rock drummer perhaps best known as a member Claude "Curly" Putman Jr (born November 20, 1930 in Princeton Alabama) is an American songwriter based in Nashville ^[12] The trip was memorialized in the 1974 non-album single "Junior's Farm", backed with a straight country track entitled "Sally G", the group's last release on Apple Records. " Junior's Farm " is a song written by Paul McCartney and recorded by Paul McCartney and Wings. "Sally G" was the B-side to the Paul McCartney and Wings single " Junior's Farm. Apple Records is a record label founded by The Beatles in 1968 as a division of Apple Corps Ltd. During these sessions, Wings (with guest musicians Chet Atkins and Floyd Cramer) recorded a single that was attributed to The Country Hams entitled "Walking in the Park with Eloise," a song written years before by Paul's father James. Chester Burton "Chet" Atkins ( June 20, 1924 &ndash June 30, 2001) was an influential Guitarist and Record producer Floyd Cramer ( October 27, 1933 – December 31, 1997) was an American Hall of Fame Pianist who was one of the architects ^[12]

Wings in 1974 - Linda and Paul McCartney, Geoff Britton, Denny Laine, Jimmy McCulloch (seated).

The new lineup, which was once again just called Wings, started recording sessions in London in November 1974, then moved to New Orleans to complete the album Venus and Mars (1975), the first release from the group on MPL Communications, distributed worldwide by EMI (Parlophone in the United Kingdom, Capitol in the United States). New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana Venus and Mars is the fourth album by Wings, Paul McCartney 's group formed after The Beatles ' dissolution Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. MPL Communications is the Holding company for the business interests of Sir Paul McCartney. The EMI Group is a British music company comprising the major record company EMI Music – which operates several labels and is based in Kensington in Parlophone is a Record label, founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindström Company. Capitol Records is a major United States -based Record label owned by EMI and located in Hollywood California and New York City as The album topped the charts and contained the U. S. #1 single "Listen to What the Man Said", which also featured Dave Mason of Traffic on guitar and Tom Scott on saxophone. "Listen to What the Man Said" is a hit single from Wings ' 1975 album Venus and Mars. David Thomas Mason (born 10 May 1944) is an English Musician, singer songwriter, and Guitarist from Worcester Traffic were an English rock band formed in 1967 by Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason. Tom Scott (born May 19, 1948, Los Angeles California) is an American Saxophonist, Composer, Arranger, conductor When the Venus and Mars recording sessions moved to New Orleans, Britton quit Wings and was replaced by Joe English. Venus and Mars is the fourth album by Wings, Paul McCartney 's group formed after The Beatles ' dissolution Joe English (born February 7, 1949) is an American musician who during the 1970s played drums Like Denny Seiwell before him, English won the job at a secret audition before McCartney. ^[13] McCulloch co-composed (with former bandmate Colin Allen) and sang one song ("Medicine Jar"); Laine sang lead vocals on a McCartney song ("Spirits of Ancient Egypt"); Paul composed and sang the rest. Colin Allen (born May 1938 Bournemouth, Dorset (now in Hampshire, England) is a Drummer and Songwriter.

In the fall of 1975 Wings embarked on the Wings Over the World tour, starting in Bristol, which took them to Australia (November), Europe (March 1976), the United States (May/June), and Europe again (September), before ending in a four-night grand finale at London's Wembley Empire Pool. In 1975 and 1976, Paul McCartney 's band Wings embarked on the ambitious Wings Over the World tour. For this tour, added to Wings' stage act was a horn section consisting of Tony Dorsey, Howie Casey, Thaddeus Richard, and Steve Howard on horns, brass, and percussion.

In between, Wings recorded Wings at the Speed of Sound, which was released at the end of March 1976, just prior to the U. Wings at the Speed of Sound is the fifth album by Wings (or Paul McCartney 's seventh solo release and was recorded and issued in 1976 in the midst S. leg of the world tour. It represented a departure from the prior Wings template in that each of the five primary members of the band (including Linda and Joe English) sang lead on at least one song, and both Laine ("Time to Hide") and McCulloch ("Wino Junko", again with Colin Allen) contributed songs. However, the two U. S. #1 singles, "Silly Love Songs" and "Let 'em In", were both written and sung by Paul. " Silly Love Songs " is a song written and sung by Paul McCartney with his band Wings in 1976 "Let 'Em In" was the second single from the Wings ' 1976 album Wings at the Speed of Sound. Four of the album tracks were played in the 1976 portion of the tour, which also included five Beatles songs. Laine sang lead vocals on several songs (including his old Moody Blues hit "Go Now" and Paul Simon's "Richard Cory"), and McCulloch on one ("Medicine Jar"), emphasizing that Wings was more than just Paul McCartney's backing band. " Go Now " is a song composed by Larry Banks and Milton Bennett Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13 1941 is an American Songwriter, Musician, and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. ^[3] One of the Seattle concerts from the American leg of the 1975–76 world tour was filmed and later released as the concert feature Rockshow (1980). Rockshow is a 1980 Concert film by Paul McCartney & Wings, filmed during his 1976 North American tour Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) The tour also spawned a triple live album, Wings over America (1976). Wings over America is the sixth Album issued by Wings and their only Live album.

The Wings logo

After the world tour, and following the single release of a live version of "Maybe I'm Amazed" in early 1977, Wings took a break. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Later in the year, the band started recording their next album in the Virgin Islands, but the sessions were delayed by Linda's pregnancy and then by the departures of both Jimmy McCulloch and Joe English. See also Culture of the Virgin Islands Music of the Virgin Islands Virgin Islands Creole Jimmy McCulloch ( 4 June 1953 – 27 September 1979) was a Scottish Musician, born in Glasgow, who was best Joe English (born February 7, 1949) is an American musician who during the 1970s played drums McCulloch, who joined The Small Faces, had difficulty handling the rock'n'roll lifestyle, ultimately dying of a heroin overdose in 1979. Small Faces were an English rock group from East London, heavily influenced by American Rhythm and blues. English later founded the Christian-oriented Joe English Band.

Undeterred by their departure, Wings released the already-completed McCartney-Laine ballad "Mull of Kintyre", an ode to the Scottish Mull of Kintyre coastal region where McCartney had made his home in the early 1970s. " Mull of Kintyre " is a popular 1977 song by former Beatle Paul McCartney and his band Wings. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. For the song by Paul McCartney and Wings see Mull of Kintyre (song. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. Its broad appeal was maximized by a pre-Christmas release. It became a massive international hit, dominating the charts in Britain (where it was Wings' only #1 single), Australia and many other countries over the Christmas/New Year period. Ultimately, it became one of the biggest selling U. K. singles of all time. However, it was not a success in the United States, where the B-side "Girls School" received most of the airplay but barely reached the Top 40.

The core trio of Wings then released the album London Town in 1978, a collection that sometimes included McCulloch and English. London Town is the seventh album by Wings and was released in 1978 Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) The album was a commercial success, although it became the first Wings album since Wild Life to not reach #1 in the United States (reaching "only" #2),^[14] but it featured a markedly softer-rock, synth-based sound. Laine co-wrote five of the album's songs with McCartney and sang two of them. "With a Little Luck" reached #1 in the United States and #5 in the United Kingdom, but "I've Had Enough" and "London Town" were commercial disappointments in both countries. " With a Little Luck " is Wings ' #1 (US single from their 1978 album London Town.

Third lineup (1978-1981)

Later in 1978, lead guitarist Laurence Juber and former Elton John drummer Steve Holly joined the band, restoring Wings to touring strength. Laurence Juber (born November 12, 1952 in Stepney, East London) is an English Guitarist, most famous for playing lead guitar Sir Elton Hercules John CBE (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947 is an English pop / rock Singer, Composer In 1979, McCartney signed a new record contract, leaving Capitol, the company he had been with since he was a Beatle, in the United States and Canada and joining Columbia Records, while remaining with Parlophone/EMI in the rest of the world. Columbia Records is an American Record label founded in 1888 Columbia is the oldest surviving Brand name in pre-recorded sound being the first record company Influenced by the punk and New Wave scenes, Wings abandoned its mellow touch and hired former Apple engineer Chris Thomas to help in the production process. Chris Thomas (born January 13, 1947) is a British Record producer who has worked extensively with Pink Floyd, Elton John, Paul The result was a somewhat less polished sound. This new version of Wings first released the disco-oriented single "Goodnight Tonight", backed by "Daytime Nighttime Suffering", which reached the top 5 in both the United States and United Kingdom. " Goodnight Tonight " is Wings ' disco-inflected single which included a spirited Flamenco guitar break However, the subsequent album Back to the Egg, which was not favorably received by critics, sold disappointingly, at least when compared to its immediate predecessors. Back To The Egg is the final studio album by Wings and was released in 1979 Still, it went platinum in the United States. It contained the Grammy-winning song "Rockestra Theme", the result of an October 1978 superstar session with members of Wings, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd, among others. The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Rockestra Theme, one of Paul McCartney 's harder-rocking songs was recorded on October 3, 1978, at Abbey Road Studios by an all-star collection of The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend Led Zeppelin were Pink Floyd are Two other singles were culled from the album, but both performed poorly on the charts. One album song ("Again and Again and Again") was composed and sung by Laine; the rest were Paul's.

During much of 1979, Wings was inactive as McCartney worked on a new solo album (McCartney II) without the band. McCartney II is the third solo album by Paul McCartney, and the first since the formation of Wings in 1971 In November and December of 1979, Wings performed its final tour of the United Kingdom, once again adding the horns and brass section consisting of Tony Dorsey, Howie Casey, Thaddeus Richard, and Steve Howard. On November 23, 1979, Paul McCartney 's band Wings began a 19-date concert tour of the United Kingdom to promote their newest album This tour climaxed with a massive "Rockestra" all-star collection of musicians in London in aid of UNICEF and Kampuchean refugees. Rockestra Theme, one of Paul McCartney 's harder-rocking songs was recorded on October 3, 1978, at Abbey Road Studios by an all-star collection of The United Nations Children's Fund (or UNICEF) was created by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946 Democratic Kampuchea (កម្ពុជាប្រជាធិបតេយ្យ (Kampuchéa Démocratique Vietnamese: Kampuchea Dân chủ) was a Also during this tour, a live version of the McCartney II track "Coming Up" was recorded in Glasgow and became Wings' sixth and final U. "Coming Up" was the opening track from Paul McCartney 's McCartney II album written by McCartney and released in 1980. S. #1 hit (as well as the last Wings single, although once again credited to Paul McCartney and Wings) the following year.

Plans for a new Wings world tour were abandoned when McCartney was arrested for possession of about 7. 7 ounces of marijuana at Tokyo airport on 16 January 1980. ^[15] Other Wings members were questioned but not charged. Although McCartney was released from jail after 9 days, on 25 January, he was deported from Japan. ^[15] As a result, the Japanese tour was cancelled along with other short-term plans for Wings.

During 1980, Wings continued to demo some more tunes, and some work was done on a never-released "cold cuts" album of previously unreleased songs. However, as Wings continued to idle, Juber (in February 1981) and Holly left the band. Finally, on 27 April 1981, it was announced that Denny Laine also had left the group, and that Wings had disbanded. ^[16] McCartney claimed that the band "parted in a friendly way. "^[17]

Potential reunion

In July 2007, surviving Wings members Denny Laine, Denny Seiwell and Laurence Juber (excluding Paul McCartney, who was not interested in participating) reunited for one show at a BeatleFest in Las Vegas. Denny Laine (born Brian Frederick Arthur Hines, October 29, 1944, in Tyseley, Birmingham) is an English Songwriter Wings were a rock supergroup formed in August 1971 after the breakup of the Beatles, by ex-Beatle Paul McCartney. Laurence Juber (born November 12, 1952 in Stepney, East London) is an English Guitarist, most famous for playing lead guitar Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally They performed band classics including "Band on the Run", "Mull of Kintyre" and "Go Now". According to one report, Laine said that the three are discussing plans for a reunion tour. ^[18]

Legacy

Unlike other post-Beatles projects such as the Plastic Ono Band, Wings can be viewed as a real group, as opposed to a backing band for an ex-Beatle. The Plastic Ono Band was a conceptual supergroup formed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1969 before the dissolution of The Beatles. Both Denny Laine and Jimmy McCulloch wrote songs, and Laine, McCulloch, Joe English, and Linda McCartney all contributed lead vocals. However, Paul McCartney was unquestionably the band's leader and star. Every song on a single credited to Wings was at least co-composed by Paul, and the only three songs to appear on such singles that weren't sung by Paul were all B-sides: "I Lie Around" (Denny Laine, flip of "Live and Let Die"), "Cook of the House" (Linda McCartney, flip of "Silly Love Songs"), and "Deliver Your Children" (Laine, flip of "I've Had Enough").

The longevity and success of Wings was a vindication for McCartney. His early home-grown solo output, which often featured simpler songs and less lavish production than The Beatles received from George Martin, often was dismissed by critics as "lightweight" next to the more serious nature of his former bandmates' solo output. Sir George Henry Martin CBE (3 January 1926 is a British record producer arranger and Composer. But, by 1975, John Lennon's solo career had been put on hold following the birth of his son Sean, and he had stopped recording. John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (born Sean Taro Ono Lennon (aka Sean Ono Lennon, born 9 October 1975 is an American singer songwriter musician and actor By 1976 George Harrison had all but retired from performing live (although not from recording). George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001 was an English rock Guitarist Singer - Songwriter, Author As part of Wings, however, McCartney continued to tour regularly and to enjoy hit singles and albums the world over. By 1980, even John Lennon was jealous of Wings' (and McCartney's) continuing success, which largely inspired Lennon's own comeback that year. ^[19]

In addition, Wings recorded several songs which ended up on non-Wings albums. Three Wings tracks written by Denny Laine appear on Laine's 1980 "solo" album Japanese Tears: "I Would Only Smile" from the Red Rose Speedway sessions; "Send Me the Heart" (a Laine/McCartney composition) from the Nashville sessions; and "Weep for Love" from the Back to the Egg sessions. Japanese Tears is the third album by guitarist Denny Laine, released shortly before the demise of Paul McCartney 's band Wings, of which Laine Laurence Juber's song "Maisie", also from the Back to the Egg sessions, appeared on his solo album Standard Time. After Linda McCartney's death, a "solo" compilation entitled Wide Prairie was released that featured six Wings songs written by Linda: the Suzy and the Red Stripes' songs "Seaside Woman", recorded in 1972 during Red Rose Speedway, and "B-Side to Seaside", co-written by Paul and recorded in 1977 during London Town, as well as "I Got Up", again co-written by Paul and recorded around the time of the McGear sessions (before Geoff Britton joined Wings), "Wide Prairie", recorded during the Nashville sessions, "New Orleans", recorded during Venus & Mars, and "Love's Full Glory", recorded in 1980 after the Japanese fiasco. Wide Prairie is a posthumous compilation by Linda McCartney. The album was compiled and released in 1998 by Paul McCartney after his wife's death after a fan Suzy and the Red Stripes was a Pseudonym for the band Paul McCartney and Wings. Suzy and the Red Stripes was a Pseudonym for the band Paul McCartney and Wings. Also, Wings backed Paul's brother Mike McGear on the McGear album, as well as Mike's band The Scaffold on "Liverpool Lou" and the instrumental "Ten Years After on Strawberry Jam". Mike McCartney (born Peter Michael McCartney 7 January 1944 McGear is the second solo album by English singer Mike McGear, released in 1974 The Scaffold were a comedy poetry and music trio from Liverpool, England, consisting of Mike McGear (real name Peter Michael McCartney - brother of

During its life, Wings had 12 top-10 singles in the United Kingdom and 14 top-10 singles (including six #1s) in the United States. All 23 singles credited to Wings reached the U. S. Top 40 (and one single reached it with each side). Wings had only one fewer #1 single in the United States than John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr combined in their post-Beatle careers. John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (born George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001 was an English rock Guitarist Singer - Songwriter, Author Ringo Starr, MBE (born Richard Starkey on 7 July 1940 is an English Musician, Singer, Songwriter and Actor Of the nine albums credited to Wings at the time, all went top 10 in either the United Kingdom or United States, with five consecutive U. S. #1s. (Ironically, the only Wings album not to reach the U. S. Top 10 was Wings Greatest. Wings Greatest is a 1978 compilation album by Wings and the first official retrospective release from Paul McCartney 's post- Beatles career )

Wings' 1977 single, "Mull of Kintyre"/"Girls School" is still the biggest-selling non-charity single in the United Kingdom (although Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" sold more, its sales include a reissue in aid of the Terrence Higgins Trust)^[20], and it ranked fourth in the official list of best selling singles in the United Kingdom issued in 2002. Queen were an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist is a Song written by Freddie Mercury and originally recorded by the band Queen for their 1975 album ''A Night at the Opera''. Terrence Higgins Trust is a British charity that campaigns on various issues related to AIDS and See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[21]

In June of 2007, Apple's higher-quality iTunes Plus was released, featuring albums from EMI. The iTunes Store is a software-based online Digital media store operated by Apple Inc The EMI Group is a British music company comprising the major record company EMI Music – which operates several labels and is based in Kensington in Among the albums included were the nine original albums from Wings. As of 4 June 2007, Band on the Run was the third most downloaded album from iTunes Plus. Band on the Run is an album by Wings, released in 1973 McCartney's fifth album since the breakup of The Beatles (and Wings' third it became Wings'

Wings are sometimes the subject of satirical reference; the more pop-friendly style of the band has attracted tongue-in-cheek comparisons with The Beatles. Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure Steve Coogan's comic creation Alan Partridge naturally admires Wings, referring to them as "the band The Beatles could have been. Alan Gordon Partridge is a fictional Television and Radio Presenter portrayed by English Comedian Steve Coogan. "^[22] In the Simpsons episode "Burns' Heir," a cult deprogrammer states that he "did get Paul McCartney out of Wings" to which Homer replies "You idiot! He was the most talented one. " Burns' Heir " is the eighteenth episode of The Simpsons ' fifth season, first aired on April 14, 1994. " ^[23]

Personnel

During its ten-year lifespan, Wings underwent numerous personnel changes and was twice reduced to its core Paul-Linda-Denny trio. (Listings for 1978 to 1981 do not include the members of Rockestra, a "rock orchestra" supergroup including Wings that can be heard on the albums Back to the Egg and Concerts for the People of Kampuchea. )

Line-ups

Discography

Albums

1. Wild Life (1971) UK #11, US #10
2. Red Rose Speedway (1973) UK #5, US #1
3. Band on the Run (1973) UK #1, US #1
4. Venus and Mars (1975) UK #1, US #1
5. Wings at the Speed of Sound (1976) UK #2, US #1
6. Wings over America (1976) UK #8, US #1
7. London Town (1978) UK #4, US #2
8. Wings Greatest (1978) UK #5, US #29
9. Back to the Egg (1979) UK #6, US #8
10. Concerts for the People of Kampuchea (1981)
    • With Other Artists
11. Band on the Run: 25th Anniversary Edition (1999)
12. Wingspan: Hits and History Compilation (2001) UK #5, US #2

Singles

Credited as 'Wings'

1. "Give Ireland Back to the Irish" (1972) UK #16, US #21
2. "Mary Had a Little Lamb"/"Little Woman Love" (1972) UK #9, US #28
3. "Hi Hi Hi"/"C Moon" (1972) UK #5, US #10

Credited as 'Paul McCartney & Wings'

1. "My Love" (1973) UK #9, US #1
2. "Live and Let Die" (1973) UK #9, US #2
3. "Helen Wheels" (1973) UK #12, US #10
4. "Jet" (1974) UK #7, US #7
5. "Band on the Run" (1974) UK #3, US #1
6. "Junior's Farm" / "Sally G" (1974) UK #16, US #3 ("Junior's Farm"), #17 ("Sally G")

Credited as 'Wings'

1. "Listen to What the Man Said" (1975) UK #6, US #1
2. "Letting Go" (1975) UK #41, US #31
3. "Venus and Mars/Rock Show" (1975) US #12
4. "Silly Love Songs" (1976) UK #2, US #1
5. "Let 'em In" (1976) UK #2, US #3
6. "Maybe I'm Amazed" (1977) UK #28, US #10
7. "Mull of Kintyre"/"Girls School" (1977) UK #1, US #33
8. "With a Little Luck" (1978) UK #5, US #1
9. "I've Had Enough" (1978) UK #42, US #25
10. "London Town" (1978) UK #60, US #39
11. "Goodnight Tonight" (1979) UK #5, US #5
12. "Old Siam, Sir"/"Arrow Through Me" (1979) UK #35, US #29
13. "Getting Closer" (1979) UK #60, US #20

Credited as 'Paul McCartney & Wings'

1. "Coming Up" (Live at Glasgow) (1980) US #1

Notes

References

• Lewisohn, Mark (2002). The Beatles and related subjects Over the course of his career Mark Lewisohn has worked for EMI, MPL Communications and Apple, and has written many reference See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Wingspan. Little, Brown and Company (New York). Little Brown and Company is a publishing house established by Charles Coffin Little and his partner James Brown. ISBN 0-316-86032-8.  

See also

• Wings tours