Wingspan: Paul McCartney's Band on the Run [Paperback]

Paul McCartney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2002

WINGSPAN is an intimate scrapbook charting how Paul McCartney's band, Wings, became one of the biggest selling acts of the 1970's with memorable hits like "Band on the Run," "My Love," "With a Little Luck," "Live and Let Die," "Junior's Farm," "Jet," and many others. At the same time, Paul and his wife, Linda, a fellow band member, were raising a family at home and on the road. This book is a personal record of Wings' beginnings after the break up of the world's most celebrated rock group, the Beatles, through to the 1980's. Apart from a unique insight into the dynamics of a hugely popular band and an extraordinary marriage, WINGSPAN brings back memories of some of the wonderful songs and how they were written, recorded and performed.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A companion to the CD and ABC documentary of the same name, Wingspan: Paul McCartney's Band on the Run is a photographic tribute to the ex-Beatle's 1970s band Wings, which also included the late Linda McCartney. The lush color and b&w photographs show the band on the road and in the studio, with plenty of shots of Paul and Linda working together, making eyes at each other and frolicking en famille. The pictures are interspersed with copious quotes from Paul. "My fridge had half a bottle of sour milk and a bit of dried cheese. Linda took the mickey out of me for that. The house was a bit of a tip, really, just a place to sleep, but when she arrived it became a place to live in."
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Paul McCartney was born in 1942in Liverpool, England. He createda monumental legacy through his involvement with the Beatles and Wings; today he continues to compose and perform rock and classical music.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch; 1 edition (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821227939
• ISBN-13: 978-0821227930
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,087,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 1970's on Planet Earth with Paul & Linda McCartney, September 29, 2002

By 

R. Lavallee "hofric3" (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wingspan: Paul McCartney's Band on the Run (Paperback)

This book is literally like looking through Paul & Linda McCartney's personal photo album of their lives throughout the 1970's! The photographs, many of which have never been seen by the public before are breathtaking for any McCartney or Wings fan! I already have some favorite photos, such as the one of young Heather at a recording session for Wings Wild Life playing a Fender Jazz Bass. There is also a rare shot of Ringo Starr holding Paul's Rickenbacker bass on stage with Wings in Los Angeles in 1976. Another great photo shows Paul in the foreground while Linda sits in the background holding Paul's bass for him (bass sitting?). And one of the most amazing shots to me is one of Paul at the Grand Ole Opry in downtown Nashville. He is posing for the camera, complete with sunglasses and straw cowboy hat, looking like any other curious tourist to the few passers-by on the street that day! Little did they know that he's really one of the most famous people on the planet!

I have described just four photos in a book that is completely packed with photographs from the front fold-out cover to the back fold-out over with captions, commentary and reminising by Paul McCartney! This book is, quite simply, an amazing collection and a definite must have for all who love the music and legacy of Paul, Linda and Wings. If you haven't already bought it or ordered it here, Christmas is coming soon so make sure you put it on your wish list!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wingspan, January 23, 2003

By 

S. Wallace (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wingspan: Paul McCartney's Band on the Run (Paperback)

As a second generation Beatles fan, I truly loved Wings. It's a shame so little has been written about Paul and his band....until now. While I do wish more details would emerge about Paul's relationship with Denny Laine and Jimmy McCullough, I am grateful for Wingspan (DVD and book). If Linda had lived to help with this project, I believe she would have felt free to recollect both good and not so good times on the road. Because the Beatles legacy is so huge, I feel not enough respect and appreciation is given to Wings' legacy, not even by Paul himself! Perhaps in time, we'll learn more. For now, Wingspan is the best tribute yet.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Glimpses, December 30, 2002

By 

kennedy19 "kennedy19" (wakefield, ma USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wingspan: Paul McCartney's Band on the Run (Paperback)

"Wingspan" is a glossy book of photos for fans, combined with some scraps of comment by McCartney (interviewed, it should be noted, by his own daughter Mary.) It's good to finally get some information about Paul's Wings years. This is obviously Paul making his own case, though he is certainly honest about matters such as his frustration with the band's ever-changing lineup, as well as his 1980 arrest for pot in Japan. Overall, one cannot help but admire the bravely carefree attitude with which Paul formed this new band and made some spotty but often good music. Above all this book is meant to be a tribute to Linda McCartney, a defense of her role in the band, and an inspirational look at how a family man can combine work and play. Personally I would have liked to see more in-depth interviewing by someone more impartial, as well as interviews with other band members, most especially Denny Laine who stayed with Wings through the entire decade but is given rather short text shrift here. But then, I'm grateful for what we get. As Paul comments, Wings wasn't rocket science, it was just making music, and this is a fun, breezy book about a fun band.