Paul McCartney will reveal how he reinvented his career after the Beatles split in a new book centered around his experiences with his other rock band Wings.
As the Sixties came to a close, the legendary musician, now 82, was faced with the daunting prospect of being a solo artist for the first time after the Beatles ended.
Forming Wings in 1971, the rock star has now shared his experiences in a new book called Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run.
Wings’ ascension to the top of the charts with classic albums including Band on the Run, Venus and Mars and At the Speed of Sound, along with the band’s stadium-filling live shows, proved to critics and fans alike that not all great acts are impossible to follow.
Speaking about the new book, which is set for release in November, Paul said: ‘I’m so very happy to be transported back to the time that was Wings and relive some of our madcap adventures through this book.
‘Starting from scratch after the Beatles felt crazy at times. There were some very difficult moments and I often questioned my decision.
Paul McCartney will reveal how he reinvented his career following the Beatles split as he announces new book celebrating successes with other rock band Wings
Paul formed Wings with his wife Linda, drummer Denny Seiwell, and guitarist Denny Laine in 1971 (pictured in 1978)
‘But as we got better I thought, “OK, this is really good.” We proved Wings could be a really good band. To play to huge audiences in the same way the Beatles had and have an impact in a different way. It was a huge buzz.’
Paul formed Wings with his then wife Linda, who died of breast cancer in 1998, drummer Denny Seiwell, and guitarist Denny Laine.
The book sheds new light on the immediate aftermath and seismic global impact of The Beatles’ break- up, as the musical landscape and tastes began to splinter and diverge along with societal views.
The narrative follows the various incarnations of the band after they survived a mugging in Nigeria, appeared unannounced at UK university halls and toured in a sheared-off school bus with their children.
It will also celebrate some of the most indelible and acclaimed music of the decade, including: Mull of Kintyre, Live and Let Die, Band on the Run, My Love, Jet and many more.
The group released seven studio albums – including Band on the Run, London Town and Venus and Mars – from 1971 until their dissolution in 1981.
With more than 100 black-and-white and colour photographs, many never seen before, Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run is part of a larger reexamination and appreciation of the group and their catalogue.
It will also include the 2024 theatrical release of the rare Wings live-in-studio performance film One Hand Clapping and its accompanying album 50th anniversary editions of the Wings albums Band on the Run and Venus and Mars.
Paul said: ‘I’m so very happy to be transported back to the time that was Wings and relive some of our madcap adventures through this book’
The group released seven studio albums from 1971 until their dissolution in 1981 (pictured drummer Geoff Britton, Paul , keyboard player Linda, guitarist Denny Laine and guitarist Jimmy McCulloch in 1974)
This new project marks the second book Paul has co-authored with historian Ted Widmer.
Ted said: ‘Wings was about love, family, friendship and artistic growth, often in the face of tremendous adversity.’
The book’s publisher, Penguin imprint Allen Lane, also offered an insight into the upcoming release.
Allen Lane explained: ‘The narrative follows the various incarnations of the band as they survive a mugging in Nigeria, appear unannounced at UK university halls, tour in a sheared-off school bus with their children, while producing some of the most indelible and acclaimed music of the decade.’
Last August Paul shared never before seen images with his band Wings as he announced the launch of a rare rockumentary to accompany the release of lost Paul McCartney and Wings’ album One Hand Clapping, at cinemas worldwide.
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