Navigation

    Paul McCartney
    • Register
    • Login
    • Search
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Groups

    How Paul McCartney proved Wings haters wrong with "Band on the Run"

    NOT SUCH A BAD BOY
    8
    19
    391
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • jimmix
      jimmix last edited by

      SALON

      How Paul McCartney proved Wings haters wrong with "Band on the Run"

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
      • D
        dirkmcquickly last edited by

        Wings were literally a band on the run for a while. Funny how great music often comes out of bad circumstances. Paul was at his absolute peak musically and vocally at that time, which is why I'm glad I saw him live then, and not more recently. In my opinion his music has been in steady decline for some time, as has his voice. But that doesn't matter - he long ago stopped having to prove anything to anyone. The best of his music is incredible. I listen to each new album hoping for one more great record - the last two albums unfortunately went in one ear and out of the other - but he's done more great stuff than most musicians, so his reputation is rock solid.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
        • Kestrel
          Kestrel last edited by

          Thanks  to Ginger Baker's autobiography, 'Hellraiser', new info emerged in 2009. Totally downplayed for obvious reasons was the fact that it was Ginger who managed to sort out all the work visas for Wings to record in Nigeria, via his contacts in the Nigerian government. So in return for Ginger's help, it was agreed that Wings would record at his ARC studios. On arrival in Lagos, all the Wings instruments were taken from the airport to ARC studios. However,when they got there, under pressure from EMI, Wings had to renage on their promise and switch studios,much to Denny Laine's embrassment,who was an old mate of Gingers. And all this despite EMI studios not being ready which meant Wings lost a few days of recording time. Wings did spend one day working  at ARC Studios though as compensation for Ginger, and they also made sure that his studios got a credit on the cover of the BOTR album.

          "I later discovered that EMI had been unable to obtian the band visas for nIgeria and so had used me and booked my studio in order to get McCartney into the country".

          More amusingly:

          "Paul, Linda and Denny were out one day when a large black Merc pulled up beside them containing four Negerians wanting autographs. For some reason ,they thought they were about to be robbed and Linda said,'Don't hurt him, he's an artist!' then they promptly emptied their pockets,giving all their cash to the surprised autograph hunters." 

          Quotes taken from 'Ginger Baker Hellraiser' by Ginger Baker with Ginette Baker (John Blake Publishing 2009).

          Wembley Empire Pool, London  (Wings) 21st October 1976.

          'Take It Away' video shoot Elstree studios, London 23rd June 1982.

          'Give My Regards To Broad Street' film premier, London 29th November 1984.

          Docklands Arena rehearsal concert, London 5th February 1993.

          Run Devil Run launch party, Equinox Club, London 30th September 1999.

          O2 Arena, London 22nd December 2009.

          O2 Arena, London 5th December 2011.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
          • B
            B J Conlee last edited by

            dirkmcquickly wrote:

            Wings were literally a band on the run for a while. Funny how great music often comes out of bad circumstances. Paul was at his absolute peak musically and vocally at that time, which is why I'm glad I saw him live then, and not more recently. In my opinion his music has been in steady decline for some time, as has his voice. But that doesn't matter - he long ago stopped having to prove anything to anyone. The best of his music is incredible. I listen to each new album hoping for one more great record - the last two albums unfortunately went in one ear and out of the other - but he's done more great stuff than most musicians, so his reputation is rock solid.

            To each his own.  To this fan, McCartney's Solo career since Flaming Pie has been stellar.  His music (not necessarily his voice) has been on a steady "incline" in general since Flaming Pie particularly with his more mature lyrics.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
            • Nancy R
              Nancy R last edited by

              Kestrel wrote:

              Thanks  to Ginger Baker's autobiography, 'Hellraiser', new info emerged in 2009. Totally downplayed for obvious reasons was the fact that it was Ginger who managed to sort out all the work visas for Wings to record in Nigeria, via his contacts in the Nigerian government. So in return for Ginger's help, it was agreed that Wings would record at his ARC studios. On arrival in Lagos, all the Wings instruments were taken from the airport to ARC studios. However,when they got there, under pressure from EMI, Wings had to renage on their promise and switch studios,much to Denny Laine's embrassment,who was an old mate of Gingers. And all this despite EMI studios not being ready which meant Wings lost a few days of recording time. Wings did spend one day working  at ARC Studios though as compensation for Ginger, and they also made sure that his studios got a credit on the cover of the BOTR album.

              "I later discovered that EMI had been unable to obtian the band visas for nIgeria and so had used me and booked my studio in order to get McCartney into the country".

              More amusingly:

              "Paul, Linda and Denny were out one day when a large black Merc pulled up beside them containing four Negerians wanting autographs. For some reason ,they thought they were about to be robbed and Linda said,'Don't hurt him, he's an artist!' then they promptly emptied their pockets,giving all their cash to the surprised autograph hunters." 

              Quotes taken from 'Ginger Baker Hellraiser' by Ginger Baker with Ginette Baker (John Blake Publishing 2009).

              What? Were you amused because the story was totally inaccurate? Paul has told the correct story many times.

              Omni, Atlanta, GA May 18, 1976, Feb. 17, 1990

              GA Dome, Atlanta, GA May 1, 1993

              Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA May 12, 2002

              FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN May 26, 2013

              Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA Oct. 15, 2014

              Infinite Energy Center, Duluth, GA July 13, 2017

              Bon Secours Arena, Greenville, SC May 30, 2019

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
              • wingsoverkc
                wingsoverkc last edited by

                Well, a couple of thoughts. First, IMO "Red Rose Speedway" really began to sway Wing 'haters'. It hit #1 in three weeks, knocking out Led Zeppelin's Houses of the Holy. Wow!  And as the article mentioned, Wings had a string of Top Ten songs in late 1972/early 1973 and then "My Love" exploded on to the music scene.  Secondly,  the last two McCartney albums have entered my ear and basically have stayed in my brain.

                "If you want the Beatles, go see Wings"-George Harrison 1974

                "This is for all the Wings fans!" - McCartney introducing "1985" for the first time on American soil (Phoenix 2010)

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                • Kestrel
                  Kestrel last edited by

                  Nancy R wrote:

                  What? Were you amused because the story was totally inaccurate? Paul has told the correct story many times.

                  The story might not be totally inaccurate but it is true that Paul has stuck consistantly with his version of events over the years.

                  Wembley Empire Pool, London  (Wings) 21st October 1976.

                  'Take It Away' video shoot Elstree studios, London 23rd June 1982.

                  'Give My Regards To Broad Street' film premier, London 29th November 1984.

                  Docklands Arena rehearsal concert, London 5th February 1993.

                  Run Devil Run launch party, Equinox Club, London 30th September 1999.

                  O2 Arena, London 22nd December 2009.

                  O2 Arena, London 5th December 2011.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                  • B
                    B J Conlee last edited by

                    wingsoverkc wrote:

                    Well, a couple of thoughts. First, IMO "Red Rose Speedway" really began to sway Wing 'haters'. It hit #1 in three weeks, knocking out Led Zeppelin's Houses of the Holy. Wow!  And as the article mentioned, Wings had a string of Top Ten songs in late 1972/early 1973 and then "My Love" exploded on to the music scene.  Secondly,  the last two McCartney albums have entered my ear and basically have stayed in my brain.

                    Great points Wingsoverkc especially your 2nd one.  Both NEW and EGYPT STATION are terrific albums imho.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                    • Nancy R
                      Nancy R last edited by

                      Kestrel wrote:

                      Nancy R wrote:

                      What? Were you amused because the story was totally inaccurate? Paul has told the correct story many times.

                      The story might not be totally inaccurate but it is true that Paul has stuck consistantly with his version of events over the years.

                      Paul's story to me seems much more plausible than "4 Nigerian autograph seekers!" 😂

                      Omni, Atlanta, GA May 18, 1976, Feb. 17, 1990

                      GA Dome, Atlanta, GA May 1, 1993

                      Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA May 12, 2002

                      FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN May 26, 2013

                      Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA Oct. 15, 2014

                      Infinite Energy Center, Duluth, GA July 13, 2017

                      Bon Secours Arena, Greenville, SC May 30, 2019

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                      • Kestrel
                        Kestrel last edited by

                        Nancy R wrote:

                        Paul's story to me seems much more plausible than "4 Nigerian autograph seekers!" 😂

                        That's true. 

                        Wembley Empire Pool, London  (Wings) 21st October 1976.

                        'Take It Away' video shoot Elstree studios, London 23rd June 1982.

                        'Give My Regards To Broad Street' film premier, London 29th November 1984.

                        Docklands Arena rehearsal concert, London 5th February 1993.

                        Run Devil Run launch party, Equinox Club, London 30th September 1999.

                        O2 Arena, London 22nd December 2009.

                        O2 Arena, London 5th December 2011.

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                        • SusyLuvsPaul
                          SusyLuvsPaul last edited by

                          Kestrel wrote:

                          Nancy R wrote:

                          Paul's story to me seems much more plausible than "4 Nigerian autograph seekers!" 😂

                          That's true. 

                          Didn't Paul say these people really did hold them up and stole the original Band on the Run masters from him?

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                          • Nancy R
                            Nancy R last edited by

                            SusyLuvsPaul wrote:

                            Kestrel wrote:

                            Nancy R wrote:

                            Paul's story to me seems much more plausible than "4 Nigerian autograph seekers!" 😂

                            That's true. 

                            Didn't Paul say these people really did hold them up and stole the original Band on the Run masters from him?

                            The demos, not the masters. They also stole their cameras, etc.

                            Omni, Atlanta, GA May 18, 1976, Feb. 17, 1990

                            GA Dome, Atlanta, GA May 1, 1993

                            Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA May 12, 2002

                            FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN May 26, 2013

                            Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA Oct. 15, 2014

                            Infinite Energy Center, Duluth, GA July 13, 2017

                            Bon Secours Arena, Greenville, SC May 30, 2019

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                            • Kestrel
                              Kestrel last edited by

                              Nancy R wrote:

                              SusyLuvsPaul wrote:

                              Kestrel wrote:

                              Nancy R wrote:

                              Paul's story to me seems much more plausible than "4 Nigerian autograph seekers!" 😂

                              That's true. 

                              Didn't Paul say these people really did hold them up and stole the original Band on the Run masters from him?

                              The demos, not the masters. They also stole their cameras, etc.

                              Yes, in a panic, they handed over audio cassettes (of the rehearsals that had taken place in Scotland), cameras  & Paul's wallet. Paul, Linda and Denny then supposedly had to remember how the songs and lyrics went,which takes some believing given that they'd only recently spent a week or two working on the songs. And why not simply ring up Henry McCullough,who still had his copy or Denny Seiwell for that matter? Even though they had recently left under a cloud, I'm sure they could have listened to their copies and told Paul over the phone how the songs went. Like a lot of things Paul says, under scrutiny they don't always make sense.

                              Wembley Empire Pool, London  (Wings) 21st October 1976.

                              'Take It Away' video shoot Elstree studios, London 23rd June 1982.

                              'Give My Regards To Broad Street' film premier, London 29th November 1984.

                              Docklands Arena rehearsal concert, London 5th February 1993.

                              Run Devil Run launch party, Equinox Club, London 30th September 1999.

                              O2 Arena, London 22nd December 2009.

                              O2 Arena, London 5th December 2011.

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                              • SusyLuvsPaul
                                SusyLuvsPaul last edited by

                                Thanks, Kestrel. What a frightening experience for Paul and them. I can understand how he could have got the story garbled up or forgotten some of what transpired. He must have wished to get that memory out of his head of the robbery that night. Thank hea vens nothing really bad happened to them physically.

                                I like "Back to the Egg" and "Wings Wild Life" and some of the others even more than Band on the Run, in some ways, I think. I heard the latter so much and am much more familiar with it. So the others are more novel  to me. More "new" in a way. Got a bit tired of it. Not of "Bluebird" though. Really love that song

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                                • Kestrel
                                  Kestrel last edited by

                                  SusyLuvsPaul wrote:

                                  I like "Back to the Egg" and "Wings Wild Life" and some of the others even more than Band on the Run, in some ways, I think. I heard the latter so much and am much more familiar with it.

                                  I think you've hit the nail firmly on its head, Susy. Although I think Band On The Run is by far Paul's best and most mature work, its become so over familiar over the last 47 years that it can be a bit boring listening to it. So I too can enjoy some of Paul's less than stellar work simply because its less familiar and so feels fresher.

                                  Wembley Empire Pool, London  (Wings) 21st October 1976.

                                  'Take It Away' video shoot Elstree studios, London 23rd June 1982.

                                  'Give My Regards To Broad Street' film premier, London 29th November 1984.

                                  Docklands Arena rehearsal concert, London 5th February 1993.

                                  Run Devil Run launch party, Equinox Club, London 30th September 1999.

                                  O2 Arena, London 22nd December 2009.

                                  O2 Arena, London 5th December 2011.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                                  • Nancy R
                                    Nancy R last edited by

                                    Kestrel wrote:

                                    Nancy R wrote:

                                    SusyLuvsPaul wrote:

                                    Kestrel wrote:

                                    Nancy R wrote:

                                    Paul's story to me seems much more plausible than "4 Nigerian autograph seekers!" 😂

                                    That's true. 

                                    Didn't Paul say these people really did hold them up and stole the original Band on the Run masters from him?

                                    The demos, not the masters. They also stole their cameras, etc.

                                    Yes, in a panic, they handed over audio cassettes (of the rehearsals that had taken place in Scotland), cameras  & Paul's wallet. Paul, Linda and Denny then supposedly had to remember how the songs and lyrics went,which takes some believing given that they'd only recently spent a week or two working on the songs. And why not simply ring up Henry McCullough,who still had his copy or Denny Seiwell for that matter? Even though they had recently left under a cloud, I'm sure they could have listened to their copies and told Paul over the phone how the songs went. Like a lot of things Paul says, under scrutiny they don't always make sense.

                                    He sent copies to Henry and Denny S? I never heard that. Where did you read that? If they did have copies, one of them could have simply mailed them back. (after playing them for him over the phone)  Maybe tightwad Paul wouldn't want to pay for that long distance call though! 😂

                                    Omni, Atlanta, GA May 18, 1976, Feb. 17, 1990

                                    GA Dome, Atlanta, GA May 1, 1993

                                    Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA May 12, 2002

                                    FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN May 26, 2013

                                    Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA Oct. 15, 2014

                                    Infinite Energy Center, Duluth, GA July 13, 2017

                                    Bon Secours Arena, Greenville, SC May 30, 2019

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                                    • oobu24
                                      oobu24 last edited by

                                      Nancy R wrote:

                                      He sent copies to Henry and Denny S? I never heard that. Where did you read that? If they did have copies, one of them could have simply mailed them back. (after playing them for him over the phone)  Maybe tightwad Paul wouldn't want to pay for that long distance call though! 😂

                                      Or he didn't want them to know what happened & that he needed the tapes.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                                      • Kestrel
                                        Kestrel last edited by

                                        Nancy R wrote:

                                        He sent copies to Henry and Denny S? I never heard that. Where did you read that? If they did have copies, one of them could have simply mailed them back. (after playing them for him over the phone)  Maybe tightwad Paul wouldn't want to pay for that long distance call though! 😂

                                          Nothing would surprise me.

                                        Henry did speak about having a tape of the rehearsals, not that long before he passed away . I'm speculating about Denny S but I would think Denny L would also have had a copy too but no doubt he left his tape at home.

                                        Wembley Empire Pool, London  (Wings) 21st October 1976.

                                        'Take It Away' video shoot Elstree studios, London 23rd June 1982.

                                        'Give My Regards To Broad Street' film premier, London 29th November 1984.

                                        Docklands Arena rehearsal concert, London 5th February 1993.

                                        Run Devil Run launch party, Equinox Club, London 30th September 1999.

                                        O2 Arena, London 22nd December 2009.

                                        O2 Arena, London 5th December 2011.

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                                        • Kestrel
                                          Kestrel last edited by

                                          oobu24 wrote:

                                          Nancy R wrote:

                                          He sent copies to Henry and Denny S? I never heard that. Where did you read that? If they did have copies, one of them could have simply mailed them back. (after playing them for him over the phone)  Maybe tightwad Paul wouldn't want to pay for that long distance call though! 😂

                                          Or he didn't want them to know what happened & that he needed the tapes.

                                          That sounds plausable. As far as the robbery iself goes, I'd like to discover its origins of the story in the media. Paul did a big interview with the Rolling Stone magazine in late 1973 (published January 1974) and he never mentioned the incident.

                                          Wembley Empire Pool, London  (Wings) 21st October 1976.

                                          'Take It Away' video shoot Elstree studios, London 23rd June 1982.

                                          'Give My Regards To Broad Street' film premier, London 29th November 1984.

                                          Docklands Arena rehearsal concert, London 5th February 1993.

                                          Run Devil Run launch party, Equinox Club, London 30th September 1999.

                                          O2 Arena, London 22nd December 2009.

                                          O2 Arena, London 5th December 2011.

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote
                                          • 1 / 1
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          • TERMS & CONDITIONS
                                          • PRIVACY