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Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run
“We made what seemed like an impossible dream come true.” ―Paul McCartney
An engrossing oral history of a band that came to define a generation, Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run tells the madcap story of Paul McCartney and his newly formed band, from their humble beginnings in the early 1970s to their dissolution barely a decade later. Drawn from over 500,000 words of interviews with McCartney, family and band members, and other key participants, Wings recounts―now with a half-century’s wisdom―the musical odyssey taken by a man searching for his identity in the aftermath of The Beatles’ breakup. Soon joined by his wife - American photographer Linda McCartney - on keyboard and vocals; drummer Denny Seiwell; and guitarist Denny Laine, McCartney sowed the seeds for a new band that would later provide the soundtrack of the decade.
Organized chronologically around McCartney, RAM, and nine Wings albums, the narrative begins when a twenty-seven-year-old superstar, rumored to be dead, fled with his new wife to a remote sheep farm in Scotland amid a sea of legal and personal rows. Despite the harsh conditions, the Scottish setting gave McCartney time to create, and it was here where this new band emerged. Wings then follows the group as they play unannounced shows at university halls, tour in a sheared-off double-decker bus with their children, survive a robbery on the streets of Nigeria, and eventually perform blockbuster stadium shows on their world tour, all while producing some of the most enduring music of the time.
With extraordinary recollections collected by Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville and edited into a genre-defining oral history by Ted Widmer, Wings transports the reader, as if on a magic carpet, to the grit and glamour of the 1970s. Pushing creative forms to produce a new history, even a Wings bible, the book refracts a bygone era in a totally new light. Introduced with a personal, heartfelt foreword by McCartney, the volume contains 150 black-and-white and color photographs, many previously unseen, as well as timelines, a gigography, and a full discography. Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run emerges as a work of soaring originality that presents a new art form all its own.
An engrossing oral history of a band that came to define a generation, Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run tells the madcap story of Paul McCartney and his newly formed band, from their humble beginnings in the early 1970s to their dissolution barely a decade later. Drawn from over 500,000 words of interviews with McCartney, family and band members, and other key participants, Wings recounts―now with a half-century’s wisdom―the musical odyssey taken by a man searching for his identity in the aftermath of The Beatles’ breakup. Soon joined by his wife - American photographer Linda McCartney - on keyboard and vocals; drummer Denny Seiwell; and guitarist Denny Laine, McCartney sowed the seeds for a new band that would later provide the soundtrack of the decade.
Organized chronologically around McCartney, RAM, and nine Wings albums, the narrative begins when a twenty-seven-year-old superstar, rumored to be dead, fled with his new wife to a remote sheep farm in Scotland amid a sea of legal and personal rows. Despite the harsh conditions, the Scottish setting gave McCartney time to create, and it was here where this new band emerged. Wings then follows the group as they play unannounced shows at university halls, tour in a sheared-off double-decker bus with their children, survive a robbery on the streets of Nigeria, and eventually perform blockbuster stadium shows on their world tour, all while producing some of the most enduring music of the time.
With extraordinary recollections collected by Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville and edited into a genre-defining oral history by Ted Widmer, Wings transports the reader, as if on a magic carpet, to the grit and glamour of the 1970s. Pushing creative forms to produce a new history, even a Wings bible, the book refracts a bygone era in a totally new light. Introduced with a personal, heartfelt foreword by McCartney, the volume contains 150 black-and-white and color photographs, many previously unseen, as well as timelines, a gigography, and a full discography. Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run emerges as a work of soaring originality that presents a new art form all its own.
576 pages, Hardcover
Published November 4, 2025
228 people are currently reading
777 people want to read
About the author
Paul McCartney
984 books501 followersSir James Paul McCartney MBE, known as Paul McCartney, is an English singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, poet, entrepreneur, painter, record producer, film producer, and animal-rights activist. He gained worldwide fame as one of the founders and members of The Beatles. McCartney and John Lennon formed one of the most influential and successful songwriting partnerships and "wrote some of the most popular music in rock and roll history". After leaving The Beatles, McCartney launched a successful solo career and formed the band Wings with his first wife, Linda Eastman McCartney, and songwriter/singer Denny Laine. He has worked on film scores, classical music, and ambient/electronic music; released a large catalogue of songs as a solo artist; and taken part in projects to help international charities.
McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the most successful musician and composer in popular music history, with 60 gold discs and sales of 100 million singles. His song "Yesterday" is listed as the most covered song in history and has been played more than 7,000,000 times on American television and radio. Wings' 1977 single "Mull of Kintyre" became the first single to sell more than two million copies in the UK, and remains the UK's top selling non-charity single. (Three charity singles have since surpassed it in sales; the first to do so—in 1984—was Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?", whose participants included McCartney.)
His company MPL Communications owns the copyrights to more than 3,000 songs, including all of the songs written by Buddy Holly, along with the publishing rights to such musicals as Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, and Grease.
An iconic figure in contemporary culture, he is regarded internationally as an entertainer and humanitarian. Aside from his musical work, McCartney is an actor, a painter, a poet, and an advocate for animal rights, vegetarianism, and music education; he is active in campaigns against landmines, seal hunting, and Third World debt.
McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the most successful musician and composer in popular music history, with 60 gold discs and sales of 100 million singles. His song "Yesterday" is listed as the most covered song in history and has been played more than 7,000,000 times on American television and radio. Wings' 1977 single "Mull of Kintyre" became the first single to sell more than two million copies in the UK, and remains the UK's top selling non-charity single. (Three charity singles have since surpassed it in sales; the first to do so—in 1984—was Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?", whose participants included McCartney.)
His company MPL Communications owns the copyrights to more than 3,000 songs, including all of the songs written by Buddy Holly, along with the publishing rights to such musicals as Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, and Grease.
An iconic figure in contemporary culture, he is regarded internationally as an entertainer and humanitarian. Aside from his musical work, McCartney is an actor, a painter, a poet, and an advocate for animal rights, vegetarianism, and music education; he is active in campaigns against landmines, seal hunting, and Third World debt.
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December 28, 2025
Wings by Paul McCartney
This is a really good rock biography—written by…a Beatle. And not just any Beatle, but Paul McCartney, who turns out to be a surprisingly warm, generous, and engaging storyteller.
I’ll be honest up front: I did not grow up a Beatles or Paul McCartney fan. I was much more of a punk/new wave guy. Back in high school, I was a DJ and regularly had my microphone thrown in the trash for playing The Police, Madness, and Black Flag. Ah yes—high school daze.
Then everything changed !!
Over Thanksgiving break, my lovely wife and I went to see Sir Paul live. What an incredible show. Nearly three solid hours, wall-to-wall hits, total joy. Watching an artist of his age play with that much energy and love for music was genuinely moving—and it sent me straight to this book. Show review at the end of the book review.
Wings reads like a love letter—to music, to collaboration, and especially to the sheer joy of playing. McCartney clearly loves what he does, and that enthusiasm radiates off every page. The book is packed with rock-and-roll history and behind-the-scenes stories that kept me turning pages faster than I expected.
I was honestly surprised by how many great pop songs and albums came out of Wings. The core lineup—Paul, Linda McCartney, and a key contributor from The Moody Blues denny laine —recorded music in some truly exotic (and occasionally dangerous) locations. Those stories alone are worth the price of admission.
That said, the book is a bit overproduced at times and occasionally repetitive. There’s a fair amount of cheerleading (“rah rah”) that may test some readers’ patience—but come on, this is Paul McCartney. The man also delivers a 30-minute spoken introduction in the audiobook. He’s earned it.
Speaking of the audio version: it works exceptionally well. Multiple actors voice different figures, which adds texture and keeps things lively, even when the tone leans a little celebratory.
In the end, this book won me over—much like that live concert did. If you love rock and roll, music history, or simply enjoy stories told by someone who clearly still finds joy in his craft, this is an easy recommendation.
🎸 4.5 / 5 stars
A joyful, sometimes indulgent, but deeply engaging rock memoir—written by a guy who just happens to have changed music forever.
Concert Review- 11/25/25
Well, I’m not gonna lie. I have not read this book, but I did see Sir Paul McCartney live in concert last night.
I will get to his forthcoming Wings book when I get a copy. My wife and are still buzzing from the fantastic show. He’s in his 80s and put on a 3 hour show!
Tight dynamic band and he played all the hits. Beatles and solo stuff. A lot of energy and great storytelling. So much fun and I’m happy to say, we saw a legend that still brings it!
This is a really good rock biography—written by…a Beatle. And not just any Beatle, but Paul McCartney, who turns out to be a surprisingly warm, generous, and engaging storyteller.
I’ll be honest up front: I did not grow up a Beatles or Paul McCartney fan. I was much more of a punk/new wave guy. Back in high school, I was a DJ and regularly had my microphone thrown in the trash for playing The Police, Madness, and Black Flag. Ah yes—high school daze.
Then everything changed !!
Over Thanksgiving break, my lovely wife and I went to see Sir Paul live. What an incredible show. Nearly three solid hours, wall-to-wall hits, total joy. Watching an artist of his age play with that much energy and love for music was genuinely moving—and it sent me straight to this book. Show review at the end of the book review.
Wings reads like a love letter—to music, to collaboration, and especially to the sheer joy of playing. McCartney clearly loves what he does, and that enthusiasm radiates off every page. The book is packed with rock-and-roll history and behind-the-scenes stories that kept me turning pages faster than I expected.
I was honestly surprised by how many great pop songs and albums came out of Wings. The core lineup—Paul, Linda McCartney, and a key contributor from The Moody Blues denny laine —recorded music in some truly exotic (and occasionally dangerous) locations. Those stories alone are worth the price of admission.
That said, the book is a bit overproduced at times and occasionally repetitive. There’s a fair amount of cheerleading (“rah rah”) that may test some readers’ patience—but come on, this is Paul McCartney. The man also delivers a 30-minute spoken introduction in the audiobook. He’s earned it.
Speaking of the audio version: it works exceptionally well. Multiple actors voice different figures, which adds texture and keeps things lively, even when the tone leans a little celebratory.
In the end, this book won me over—much like that live concert did. If you love rock and roll, music history, or simply enjoy stories told by someone who clearly still finds joy in his craft, this is an easy recommendation.
🎸 4.5 / 5 stars
A joyful, sometimes indulgent, but deeply engaging rock memoir—written by a guy who just happens to have changed music forever.
Concert Review- 11/25/25
Well, I’m not gonna lie. I have not read this book, but I did see Sir Paul McCartney live in concert last night.
I will get to his forthcoming Wings book when I get a copy. My wife and are still buzzing from the fantastic show. He’s in his 80s and put on a 3 hour show!
Tight dynamic band and he played all the hits. Beatles and solo stuff. A lot of energy and great storytelling. So much fun and I’m happy to say, we saw a legend that still brings it!
December 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve lived through Beatlemania , and I am still a rabid fan today. I was devastated when the Beatles broke up in 1970 because, in those days, there was no second chapter. All of a sudden they were gone.
Paul McCartney then released a couple of solo albums, which were very good but I couldn’t get used to them because the other Beatles weren’t with him.
And then came Wings.
Forming a band on the heels of the Beatles was a crazy idea, I thought at the time. But they were good. They had a different sound, a different approach to music, and they churned out quite a few huge hits. It was an amazing second act.
This book is a very down to earth, personal account of Wings. The reader hears firsthand from McCartney, his late wife Linda, the McCartney children, other band mates, and the former Beatles, along with many other people who were involved at the time.
I know the history of the Beatles inside out, but I never really knew the history of Wings. After reading this detailed account, I do. This is a great book for any McCartney fan, and anyone who lived through the amazing decade when Wings took the world by storm. Highly recommend.
I’ve lived through Beatlemania , and I am still a rabid fan today. I was devastated when the Beatles broke up in 1970 because, in those days, there was no second chapter. All of a sudden they were gone.
Paul McCartney then released a couple of solo albums, which were very good but I couldn’t get used to them because the other Beatles weren’t with him.
And then came Wings.
Forming a band on the heels of the Beatles was a crazy idea, I thought at the time. But they were good. They had a different sound, a different approach to music, and they churned out quite a few huge hits. It was an amazing second act.
This book is a very down to earth, personal account of Wings. The reader hears firsthand from McCartney, his late wife Linda, the McCartney children, other band mates, and the former Beatles, along with many other people who were involved at the time.
I know the history of the Beatles inside out, but I never really knew the history of Wings. After reading this detailed account, I do. This is a great book for any McCartney fan, and anyone who lived through the amazing decade when Wings took the world by storm. Highly recommend.
November 19, 2025
For the content I read, 5. Tons of 1st person information. I give credit to Ted to have gone through all the archival information ( Like Peter Jackson) to cover all aspects of this fabulous group. I have read much in the past about Wings and Paul post Beatles. so why the 4? Well with Paul being the spearhead in information getting out there was significant glossing over about any major issues and only side references to conflicts. As we know time will soften pain and conflict. The biggest I feel was the control Paul had even when promising more equal control over music and input which led to the revolving door of players. I understand his devotion to Linda which I always admired but it was really glossed over on her lack of ability and sometimes questionable involvement that others felt. i assume it was due to his daughter's involvement in the book. I don't envy the task Ted had to place the quotes from other sources in appropriate places but what was jarring to me is that many of the quotes must have been taken from interviews from different places but at similar times. many seemed to be the same quotes but upon checking a few they were slightly different as if asked in a slightly different way. What it felt like was I was rereading paragraphs. I quickly learned this and was able to blip over many to speed up the reading. Also at the end with discography and tour overviews they were rehashed from the rest of the book. I did like the book but these were distractions for me.
December 28, 2025
I'm hot and cold with this one.
I'm enough of a Beatles freak to already have been aware of most of this oral history, however there's always some new insights to be gleaned, and there were a lot here. So, that's the good.
However, there was also a lot of rough edges that showed evidence of severe smoothing down. While some negativity or strife is hinted at—John and Paul's on-again, off-again friendship, Paul's relationship and treatment of his various Wings members, even Paul's general state of mind in the immediate aftermath of the Beatles breakup—it all seems to be cheerfully written off with a smirk and a shrug of the shoulders.
A good example of this is Jimmy McCulloch, Wings guitarist and troubled soul with substance abuse issues. These issues are delicately mentioned on a couple of occasions, but there's a point where Aubrey "Po" Powell, in talking about the VENUS AND MARS cover shoot, meets up with McCartney and finds their tour bus pretty much demolished. We find out it's Jimmy's doing, but it's cast aside as "we had a bit of an issue with Jimmy last night."
I don't expect a lot of dirt, but obviously many of the more unpleasant aspects of those years have been swept under the rug, so this history is a mostly shiny happy retelling of the Wings years.
...but there's always a feeling that there's events that have been talked around, that there's much left unsaid.
It's a good history of Wings, but sadly, despite McCartney's name on the cover, it's not the definitive history. For that, looks to the far more detailed McCARTNEY LEGACY volumes.
I'm enough of a Beatles freak to already have been aware of most of this oral history, however there's always some new insights to be gleaned, and there were a lot here. So, that's the good.
However, there was also a lot of rough edges that showed evidence of severe smoothing down. While some negativity or strife is hinted at—John and Paul's on-again, off-again friendship, Paul's relationship and treatment of his various Wings members, even Paul's general state of mind in the immediate aftermath of the Beatles breakup—it all seems to be cheerfully written off with a smirk and a shrug of the shoulders.
A good example of this is Jimmy McCulloch, Wings guitarist and troubled soul with substance abuse issues. These issues are delicately mentioned on a couple of occasions, but there's a point where Aubrey "Po" Powell, in talking about the VENUS AND MARS cover shoot, meets up with McCartney and finds their tour bus pretty much demolished. We find out it's Jimmy's doing, but it's cast aside as "we had a bit of an issue with Jimmy last night."
I don't expect a lot of dirt, but obviously many of the more unpleasant aspects of those years have been swept under the rug, so this history is a mostly shiny happy retelling of the Wings years.
...but there's always a feeling that there's events that have been talked around, that there's much left unsaid.
It's a good history of Wings, but sadly, despite McCartney's name on the cover, it's not the definitive history. For that, looks to the far more detailed McCARTNEY LEGACY volumes.
November 30, 2025
paul mccartney is my weed smoking manic pixie dream girlfriend
November 12, 2025
I see this as a companion to the McCartney Legacy volumes. The appendices are the authoritative lists of members, recordings, and tours - and compare with the level of detail found in the Legacy volumes. The rest of the book - it's an oral history - has its moments - there are some great quotes from Paul, Linda, and even Sean Lennon. But it often feels random. The forward, first chapter, and last chapter are my least favorite because of that randomness. I don't think they were confident about how to kick it off or where to end. After I finished, I went down the "what happened to" rabbit hole and watched post-Wings videos and read stories about the cast of characters like Joe English and Denny Seiwell. The oral history could have been improved with more notes about the quotations - which ones are current day and which are from the 1970's? Everyone knows my level of fandom - it doesn't bother me to whitewash Paul's history - he's a god in my life. But there are only one or two TINY mentions of anything negative in the Wings history - and we all know it wasn't that perfect with the constant turnover of musicians. But that's minor to me. Always enjoy reading a story or two that I haven't heard before.
December 23, 2025
You definitely need to be a Wings fan to enjoy this book. It's also an interesting insight into Paul McCartney and his career. The oral history format offers multiple points of view (even quoting dead people) and allows for some skimming as things can get a bit repetitive. It was interesting to see McCartney come out of the Beatles and then figure out where to go next, lacking confidence in the beginning and then relishing forming a band and taking it out on the road.
December 29, 2025
This retrospective is not for everyone, but it's a nice walk down Memory Lane for fans of Mccartney's other band. The story of Wings is written chronologically, with short narratives tying together quotes from those who were associated on some level with the band, and a good number of photos along the way.
The problem with "authorized" projects or memoirs is that they are, of course, slanted. McCartney is going to pick and choose quotes that bolster his legacy and, if he includes a few that are negative, they'll be refuted and glossed over. It's his story; it's allowed. The trade off, of course, is that we're getting (at least part of) the inside story from those who were there.
The exception would be the inclusion of Sean Lennon's comments, meant to round out what his dad might have been thinking or doing, then and now. I hate to be cynical, but Sean was BARELY FIVE when his dad was, sadly, murdered, and when Wings disbanded. I believe most of his comments are speculative at best, without any real insight.
This band gave us a lot of great music - and yes, Linda was integral, and an asset to Wings' sound. She was skewered by reviewers, but lauded as a wonderful "Earth Mother" by insiders' quotes in this book. Again, remember that this is Paul's project. I'm sure there's some middle ground there. But one of her quotes turned me off, and I was shocked that it was included:
"I think Paul was very frustrated. He wanted it to work work Wings, but we just picked the wrong people. He needed the best to work with, but he had to carry almost all the weight. "
Ouch. So condescending. And if what I've read about McCartney through the years is correct, he took that weight on himself and didn't like giving up any control. At any rate, I think her comment must have stung the band members who were only quoted as saying wonderful things about Linda.
I'm sorry that Denny Laine isn't still alive to provide some more current hindsight. I would love to read a biography on him some day.
Wings/McCartney fans will enjoy this book. Dust off your records to play each one as it's discussed for the full 70s experience. Or, for those of you who weren't able to experience Wings in real time, listen to the full albums on youtube.
The problem with "authorized" projects or memoirs is that they are, of course, slanted. McCartney is going to pick and choose quotes that bolster his legacy and, if he includes a few that are negative, they'll be refuted and glossed over. It's his story; it's allowed. The trade off, of course, is that we're getting (at least part of) the inside story from those who were there.
The exception would be the inclusion of Sean Lennon's comments, meant to round out what his dad might have been thinking or doing, then and now. I hate to be cynical, but Sean was BARELY FIVE when his dad was, sadly, murdered, and when Wings disbanded. I believe most of his comments are speculative at best, without any real insight.
This band gave us a lot of great music - and yes, Linda was integral, and an asset to Wings' sound. She was skewered by reviewers, but lauded as a wonderful "Earth Mother" by insiders' quotes in this book. Again, remember that this is Paul's project. I'm sure there's some middle ground there. But one of her quotes turned me off, and I was shocked that it was included:
"I think Paul was very frustrated. He wanted it to work work Wings, but we just picked the wrong people. He needed the best to work with, but he had to carry almost all the weight. "
Ouch. So condescending. And if what I've read about McCartney through the years is correct, he took that weight on himself and didn't like giving up any control. At any rate, I think her comment must have stung the band members who were only quoted as saying wonderful things about Linda.
I'm sorry that Denny Laine isn't still alive to provide some more current hindsight. I would love to read a biography on him some day.
Wings/McCartney fans will enjoy this book. Dust off your records to play each one as it's discussed for the full 70s experience. Or, for those of you who weren't able to experience Wings in real time, listen to the full albums on youtube.
December 11, 2025
This book comprehensively tells the story of Wings; the band Paul McCartney formed after the breakup of the Beatles. In addition to this book, there has been the release of WINGS, which in the deluxe edition is a “Best Of”, featuring 32 songs, as well as a forthcoming 2026 Amazon Prime documentary Man on the Run.
This book, an oral history about McCartney’s musical odyssey across the 1970’s, is told via interview snippets from McCartney and wife Linda, as well as the other members of Wings, and a large supporting cast of producers, engineers, session players, promoters, album designers and family friends. A set of interviews conducted by Morgan Neville for the Man on the Run form the foundation for the book.
The book covers the period of 1970 – 1981, from McCartney’s first solo album, McCartney, and his second, RAM, released by Paul and Linda McCartney, but featuring a drummer, Denny Seiwell, who went on to join Wings. Chronologically, these two albums precede Wings, but it was agreed that they were Wings-adjacent, as was McCartney II, which came out in May 1980, as Wings neared their end. Wings first album was Wild Life in 1971, and their final one was Back to the Egg in 1979.
The book includes timelines, the best-selling albums in the UK and US during these years, band biographies, a complete discography, and several photographs.
I read the book leading up to and after seeing McCartney on his Got Back tour in Chicago, and really enjoyed it.
This book, an oral history about McCartney’s musical odyssey across the 1970’s, is told via interview snippets from McCartney and wife Linda, as well as the other members of Wings, and a large supporting cast of producers, engineers, session players, promoters, album designers and family friends. A set of interviews conducted by Morgan Neville for the Man on the Run form the foundation for the book.
The book covers the period of 1970 – 1981, from McCartney’s first solo album, McCartney, and his second, RAM, released by Paul and Linda McCartney, but featuring a drummer, Denny Seiwell, who went on to join Wings. Chronologically, these two albums precede Wings, but it was agreed that they were Wings-adjacent, as was McCartney II, which came out in May 1980, as Wings neared their end. Wings first album was Wild Life in 1971, and their final one was Back to the Egg in 1979.
The book includes timelines, the best-selling albums in the UK and US during these years, band biographies, a complete discography, and several photographs.
I read the book leading up to and after seeing McCartney on his Got Back tour in Chicago, and really enjoyed it.
December 5, 2025
“in my end was my beginning” 🥲
if you are a superfan you will LOVE this book and should own it asap because it's gorgeous (the interior layout, photo spreads are all stunning and the book jacket is so beautiful, especially in person!!).
if you are not a superfan (but still like a few Wings songs, or enjoy how Paul explodes during live and let die) you should get this book from the library and at least flip to the pages w/ your favorite musicians or songs mentioned, bc it is a REALLY cool read with tons of behind-the-scenes intel.
the length is intimidating but the pages fly by (pun not intended) because the story of Wings is told firsthand via overlapping voices from past and present. these lines are pulled from many real audio recordings and interviews given over several decades. the effect is very striking overall. it is fun to hear from so many colorful characters from Paul's life, and the interview nature of it all feels intimate, which I love because clearly Wings was a very intimate and collaborative thing for Paul. 90% of the time, these intercutting lines from across time have been collaged together very well and altogether capture the ~vibe~ of the time while still pushing fwd the narrative of Paul and Wings.
HOWEVER... on rare occasion I would think "huh, I think I have already read this line used elsewhere in the book". it only happened a few times, but each time it felt eerie and maybe like it could have been fixed via edit and nothing would be lost. so 4 stars :~)
(i feel bad only mentioning the thing i didn't like, but if i took the time to type out everything i DID like, and all the parts which made me feel very sad or very touched (and sometimes shocked !), and a list of all the things i learned that rlly tickled me in particular, and how much i am inspired by Linda as well as Paul, and the many ways in which their relationship was brave and groundbreaking, not to mention the other Beatles of it all, i mean really we would be here all day. )
if you are a superfan you will LOVE this book and should own it asap because it's gorgeous (the interior layout, photo spreads are all stunning and the book jacket is so beautiful, especially in person!!).
if you are not a superfan (but still like a few Wings songs, or enjoy how Paul explodes during live and let die) you should get this book from the library and at least flip to the pages w/ your favorite musicians or songs mentioned, bc it is a REALLY cool read with tons of behind-the-scenes intel.
the length is intimidating but the pages fly by (pun not intended) because the story of Wings is told firsthand via overlapping voices from past and present. these lines are pulled from many real audio recordings and interviews given over several decades. the effect is very striking overall. it is fun to hear from so many colorful characters from Paul's life, and the interview nature of it all feels intimate, which I love because clearly Wings was a very intimate and collaborative thing for Paul. 90% of the time, these intercutting lines from across time have been collaged together very well and altogether capture the ~vibe~ of the time while still pushing fwd the narrative of Paul and Wings.
HOWEVER... on rare occasion I would think "huh, I think I have already read this line used elsewhere in the book". it only happened a few times, but each time it felt eerie and maybe like it could have been fixed via edit and nothing would be lost. so 4 stars :~)
(i feel bad only mentioning the thing i didn't like, but if i took the time to type out everything i DID like, and all the parts which made me feel very sad or very touched (and sometimes shocked !), and a list of all the things i learned that rlly tickled me in particular, and how much i am inspired by Linda as well as Paul, and the many ways in which their relationship was brave and groundbreaking, not to mention the other Beatles of it all, i mean really we would be here all day. )
November 24, 2025
The re-evaluation of Paul McCartney's 1970s continues, with "Wings: The Story of A Band on the Run." This is in addition to a new Wings music collection, the "McCartney Legacy" series of books and a documentary coming in February 2026.
The consensus: Wings was overlooked, and McCartney was really good in this second act of his career.
This book (which is really for McCartney fans) does him justice by telling the story of Paul's rebound after the Beatles. But that rebound comes after a hard crash, and there were significant bumps along the way.
This is an oral history, which I don't usually like because there are frequently hazy memories and no (or little) analysis. But this one does have some setups chapter by chapter, and section by section, which makes it flow a bit better. Discographies and calendars of events also help tell the story.
One revelation is that Sean Lennon is a big fan of McCartney, and has nothing but good things to say, which is interesting since he would have absorbed what his father felt about him.
It's a really interesting story, I think, and ends as the band ends, McCartney records another solo album, and John Lennon is killed.
There is of course an overlap with "The McCartney Legacy" books, but pulled into one volume, it works.
The consensus: Wings was overlooked, and McCartney was really good in this second act of his career.
This book (which is really for McCartney fans) does him justice by telling the story of Paul's rebound after the Beatles. But that rebound comes after a hard crash, and there were significant bumps along the way.
This is an oral history, which I don't usually like because there are frequently hazy memories and no (or little) analysis. But this one does have some setups chapter by chapter, and section by section, which makes it flow a bit better. Discographies and calendars of events also help tell the story.
One revelation is that Sean Lennon is a big fan of McCartney, and has nothing but good things to say, which is interesting since he would have absorbed what his father felt about him.
It's a really interesting story, I think, and ends as the band ends, McCartney records another solo album, and John Lennon is killed.
There is of course an overlap with "The McCartney Legacy" books, but pulled into one volume, it works.
December 26, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A special thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the advanced audiobook.
This audiobook is an oral history that follows Paul McCartney from the breakup of The Beatles through the Wings era. Hearing the story unfold in this format works, especially since it captures the collaborative, behind-the-scenes nature of the band and the time period.
I was especially excited to listen to this because, as Paul says, Wings is my nostalgia period. I also had the chance to see Paul perform on the final night of his 2025 tour, which made this audiobook feel even more meaningful. Paul opens the audiobook himself, which was a highlight, though I did wish he had narrated more of his own sections instead of handing them off to another narrator.
Overall, I found this to be an interesting and informative listen. I enjoyed learning more about how Paul’s songs were created, the evolution of Wings, and the background of Paul and Linda’s relationship. The audiobook gives helpful context to the music and offers a deeper understanding of this chapter of Paul’s life and career. A solid listen for fans, especially those who have a soft spot for the Wings era. #Wings
November 23, 2025
Phenomenal chronicle of Wings through oral histories, timelines, music charts, and photographs on practically every page (with a big color section in the middle). Very nostalgic, too, reading all that went on during that ten year period. I often stopped to listen to the songs being written about with new knowledge about its background. A very comprehensive 550 page volume about this musical genius and family man. A real gem for Paul McCartney and Wings fans!! Well done!!
December 28, 2025
Really enjoyed reading this, especially learning how much Linda contributed to the band.
December 28, 2025
Really well done - loved it!!!
December 14, 2025
Audio 17h, 13m
First, an admission. Due to time and a seeming never ending wind storm and the accompanying power fluctuations, I read/listened to this book at super pace in bits and pieces, usually on the move, and took few notes. Life, as I'm sure McCartney would agree, happens.
In any case, as a long time McCartney fan, while I knew the basics of the story, it was interesting to hear from from the other players in the drama that was Wings. The overall tone of the book is quite positive with few of the uglier moments fully tackled. Since this is Paul's version and he tends to be upbeat and positive in the public, that's hardly surprising. One of the things that did surprise me a bit was hearing Sean Ono-Lennon's frequent, quite positive take on, well, pretty much everything. He did offer a bit of a look behind the scenes at John's take on things and there are also John Lennon quotes offered here and there. Sean offers that the ongoing competition between Lennon and McCartney was good as it pushed both to be creative. Sean also felt they were far more alike than different.
So, my overall impression, while doubting even Paul could possibly be as perpetually upbeat as he comes across, ready to shrug and see each of life's adventures as a positive, was, well, positive. It was interesting to get a fuller picture of the earliest days of Wings as they drove rather aimlessly about, doing gigs without much thought or plan. Can you imagine what it must have been like to have just been having a normal day and all of a sudden a former Beatle appears and wants his fledgling band to play at your university, club, or, well, wherever they could find a spot? Linda's inclusion in the band is covered and she comes across as rather laid-back and positive, too, and seems to have been quite well liked. I knew she wasn't a true musician but the information on her earliest days of playing keyboards was rather interesting, hearing she used colored dots, for instance, to aid her admittedly basic, still learning skills. In other words, lots of little bits of background info that fans may find intriguing.
Production wise, I'm reluctant to comment much due to the way I had to listen "on the run" with the audio speed frequently accelerated. At accelerated pace, some of the narrators (they are multiple, including family members) were hard to understand but even then I got most of it without much need of repetition. Needless to say, it was when I was able to carve our longer stretches of listening that my mind seemed to settle into the faster narrative and tone. My hunch is anyone who listens at the normal pace will be just fine, so don't take this as a negative. This would be a great companion book to the McCartney Legacy volumes which I've also read. My thanks to #RBMedia for the early listen to more of the story of one of my first musical loves. Since I wasn't ready for the interruption of the storms and power flickers, I do plan to go back and have a more leisurely listen to this later.
First, an admission. Due to time and a seeming never ending wind storm and the accompanying power fluctuations, I read/listened to this book at super pace in bits and pieces, usually on the move, and took few notes. Life, as I'm sure McCartney would agree, happens.
In any case, as a long time McCartney fan, while I knew the basics of the story, it was interesting to hear from from the other players in the drama that was Wings. The overall tone of the book is quite positive with few of the uglier moments fully tackled. Since this is Paul's version and he tends to be upbeat and positive in the public, that's hardly surprising. One of the things that did surprise me a bit was hearing Sean Ono-Lennon's frequent, quite positive take on, well, pretty much everything. He did offer a bit of a look behind the scenes at John's take on things and there are also John Lennon quotes offered here and there. Sean offers that the ongoing competition between Lennon and McCartney was good as it pushed both to be creative. Sean also felt they were far more alike than different.
So, my overall impression, while doubting even Paul could possibly be as perpetually upbeat as he comes across, ready to shrug and see each of life's adventures as a positive, was, well, positive. It was interesting to get a fuller picture of the earliest days of Wings as they drove rather aimlessly about, doing gigs without much thought or plan. Can you imagine what it must have been like to have just been having a normal day and all of a sudden a former Beatle appears and wants his fledgling band to play at your university, club, or, well, wherever they could find a spot? Linda's inclusion in the band is covered and she comes across as rather laid-back and positive, too, and seems to have been quite well liked. I knew she wasn't a true musician but the information on her earliest days of playing keyboards was rather interesting, hearing she used colored dots, for instance, to aid her admittedly basic, still learning skills. In other words, lots of little bits of background info that fans may find intriguing.
Production wise, I'm reluctant to comment much due to the way I had to listen "on the run" with the audio speed frequently accelerated. At accelerated pace, some of the narrators (they are multiple, including family members) were hard to understand but even then I got most of it without much need of repetition. Needless to say, it was when I was able to carve our longer stretches of listening that my mind seemed to settle into the faster narrative and tone. My hunch is anyone who listens at the normal pace will be just fine, so don't take this as a negative. This would be a great companion book to the McCartney Legacy volumes which I've also read. My thanks to #RBMedia for the early listen to more of the story of one of my first musical loves. Since I wasn't ready for the interruption of the storms and power flickers, I do plan to go back and have a more leisurely listen to this later.
December 21, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for the digital copy of this audiobook; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I’ve been a fan of Paul McCartney since grade school, when my best friend and I would listen to her parents’ music collection. Yet, I didn’t really listen to any Wings music until I bought his All the Best cassette tape when it came out. Needless to say, I also became of fan of McCartney’s second band, Wings. I’ve read a biography or two about Paul that discussed his life in general, A new book has been released that gives Sir Paul and Wings the Beatles Anthology treatment.
I absolutely loved the narration of this book. Narrated by Amy Noble; Barry Sloane; John Sackville; Paul McCartney; Mary McCartney; Stella McCartney. Having Paul’s daughters open up and contribute to the audiobook was very sweet; over here in the United States, we don’t hear them often, so sharing memories of their father and mother and the band brought an extra layer to this history. There are also recordings of people who are no longer with us, like Linda McCartney.
Of course, this book is more than just a history of McCartney’s second band; it also relates to what was going on culturally during the 1970s. The book is also a closer look at the artistic legacy of Paul McCartney and his bandmates, as well as a celebratory look at music in general. Such a nostalgia trip!
I’ve been a fan of Paul McCartney since grade school, when my best friend and I would listen to her parents’ music collection. Yet, I didn’t really listen to any Wings music until I bought his All the Best cassette tape when it came out. Needless to say, I also became of fan of McCartney’s second band, Wings. I’ve read a biography or two about Paul that discussed his life in general, A new book has been released that gives Sir Paul and Wings the Beatles Anthology treatment.
I absolutely loved the narration of this book. Narrated by Amy Noble; Barry Sloane; John Sackville; Paul McCartney; Mary McCartney; Stella McCartney. Having Paul’s daughters open up and contribute to the audiobook was very sweet; over here in the United States, we don’t hear them often, so sharing memories of their father and mother and the band brought an extra layer to this history. There are also recordings of people who are no longer with us, like Linda McCartney.
Of course, this book is more than just a history of McCartney’s second band; it also relates to what was going on culturally during the 1970s. The book is also a closer look at the artistic legacy of Paul McCartney and his bandmates, as well as a celebratory look at music in general. Such a nostalgia trip!
December 29, 2025
Cover design is all blue which means you cannot distinguish the intricate art from the background. Thought it would have displayed better if it was in psychedelic colors which would have fit the mood of the book
Timeline and selected best seller inserts were distracting.
Epilogue was unnecessary and felt like fanboy moments of repeating just how great Paul McCartney was
Oral history sections were sometimes repeated. Would have been better as a Wings: All the Songs format
Paul McCartney was contradictory of each incarnation of the band. At first they were all great and gelled well but then after it fell apart he was critical like it was an afterthought. Felt like Paul wanted a band but at the same time wanted to be solo. Kept repeating that he wanted a touring band then would get tired of a touring band. Even admits that he may have sabotaged the Japan tour with badly hidden weed.
It was nice how Paul and Linda kept their family together throughout the Wings cycle and how the kids went on tour with them. I was inspired by Paul’s ability to write and sing about anything and everything. Also nice to see some more backstory on his relationship with John Lennon
Timeline and selected best seller inserts were distracting.
Epilogue was unnecessary and felt like fanboy moments of repeating just how great Paul McCartney was
Oral history sections were sometimes repeated. Would have been better as a Wings: All the Songs format
Paul McCartney was contradictory of each incarnation of the band. At first they were all great and gelled well but then after it fell apart he was critical like it was an afterthought. Felt like Paul wanted a band but at the same time wanted to be solo. Kept repeating that he wanted a touring band then would get tired of a touring band. Even admits that he may have sabotaged the Japan tour with badly hidden weed.
It was nice how Paul and Linda kept their family together throughout the Wings cycle and how the kids went on tour with them. I was inspired by Paul’s ability to write and sing about anything and everything. Also nice to see some more backstory on his relationship with John Lennon
December 19, 2025
Paul McCartney is undoubtedly one of the most successful songwriters and musicians of any era, which is why this oral history of the band Wings is so effective. Paul traces the section of his life at the time the Beatles broke up in 1970, the formation of the band Wings, all the way to the early 1980s and the demise of that band. I’m a huge fan of the album Band on the Run and I saw Paul, Linda, and the band live when they toured America in 1976. But I really knew little about the bands growth and changes, so I found this fascinating.
The lesson I take from Paul is if we keep doing our art, just a little at a time, and we include others and collaborate, magic is in reach. He has demonstrated this to us again and again. This book is a tribute to his indomitable spirit.
“We made what seemed like an impossible dream come true.” P. 437
The lesson I take from Paul is if we keep doing our art, just a little at a time, and we include others and collaborate, magic is in reach. He has demonstrated this to us again and again. This book is a tribute to his indomitable spirit.
“We made what seemed like an impossible dream come true.” P. 437
November 27, 2025
Being a Beatles fan since 1964, and having seen Paul McCartney and Wings perform in Los Angeles in 1976, I dove into this book and read it straight through in two days. This is a worthwhile read for any Beatles/McCartney/Wings fans. This is an oral history with input from all band members through the life of wings as well as others such as Sean Lennon, engineers, producers, etc. As such it kind of gets repetitive in a few places and some of the stories are told a couple of different ways but it doesn't diminish the enjoyment of the book. There is quite a bit of overlap with the McCartney Legacy Volumes 1 and 2 but that's to be expected. I found myself cuing up the Wings albums, which I hadn't done for a long time and listening along as I read. Highly recommended
December 13, 2025
A lot of the same old stories, the best thing is hearing from everyone who's not Paul (or Linda or Denny) who you haven't heard as much from over the decades.
Kinda weird how there are timelines throughout the book, then a timeline again at the end, and the repetition of stories about each album in the discography at the end, a lot of padding I guess to make the physical book bigger? Luckily it was the kindle for me.
Then at the end you get Paul thanking Nancy and realize that you are supposed to think that Paul 'wrote' this book, when it's pretty much an oral history made up of interviews done over the years and not quite written by Paul, or even ghostwritten for Paul, but ghost oral history edited??
Kinda weird how there are timelines throughout the book, then a timeline again at the end, and the repetition of stories about each album in the discography at the end, a lot of padding I guess to make the physical book bigger? Luckily it was the kindle for me.
Then at the end you get Paul thanking Nancy and realize that you are supposed to think that Paul 'wrote' this book, when it's pretty much an oral history made up of interviews done over the years and not quite written by Paul, or even ghostwritten for Paul, but ghost oral history edited??
November 25, 2025
Maybe I’m just not a big enough fan of McCartney/Wings, but this was not very good. I wanted more tension in the telling (the tension had to have been there—it just wasn’t explored in this book).
Also, McCartney has to be one of the least introspective and self-aware subjects of a biography. For someone who’s spoken about himself as much as he has, it’s just kind of odd how little he reflects on his own choices. Without a doubt, he’s an incredibly gifted songwriter. His ability to craft catchy tunes is unparalleled. He’s just not a deep guy, I guess.
Anyway, this was too long, too repetitive, and too superficial for me.
Also, McCartney has to be one of the least introspective and self-aware subjects of a biography. For someone who’s spoken about himself as much as he has, it’s just kind of odd how little he reflects on his own choices. Without a doubt, he’s an incredibly gifted songwriter. His ability to craft catchy tunes is unparalleled. He’s just not a deep guy, I guess.
Anyway, this was too long, too repetitive, and too superficial for me.
November 28, 2025
Just about everything you$ want to know (and more!) about Paul McCartney’s band Wings. Written as an oral history, it is mostly made up of quotes from McCartney or other Wings figures in conversation or which have been previously published. The editor has done a good job of integrating these together into a coherent story, framed by his own narrative context and explanations. The book doesn’t really pull punches or avoid difficult times in the Wings story. The main text is accompanied by band bios, a historical timeline, a discography, and a “gigography” of concerts.
For the McCartney, Wings, or curious Beatle fan, this is quite a treat of a book.
For the McCartney, Wings, or curious Beatle fan, this is quite a treat of a book.
December 16, 2025
This was a wonderful play by play of the Wings years. I liked how we got so many different first person perspectives of events, though I feel like this would have worked better for me as an ebook. Sir Paul narrated the foreword but then didn’t narrate any of his own first person snippets. And the person who did narrate Sir Paul’s quotes didn’t even have a Scouse accent. Likewise, other people were weirdly narrated- Linda’s narrator was obviously a Brit with a fake American accent & sometimes Stella narrated her own passages, then there would be a random fake American accent for other passages. In a nutshell, the book was great but the audiobook production was a letdown.
December 5, 2025
McCartney gives us a rather polite history of Wings, which I suppose is to be expected after a half century of reflection. Though it's jarring in a way. The way it comes across here, the first 5 member lineup of the band seemed to be pretty happy. Suddenly, Denny Seiwell and Henry McCullough bow out. For a more realistic, honest and deeper dive into Wings I'd highly volumes one and two of The McCartney Legacy by Allan Kozinn and Adrian Sinclair, where the unpleasant aspects aren't glossed over.
December 26, 2025
An exhaustive account of one of my favorite bands from the 70s. I liked Wings before I cared much for The Beatles.
But, though I enjoyed the backstories, it wasn’t as interesting as I had hoped when I pre-ordered it months ago.
It was repetitive and featured unnecessary, encyclopedic material such as a list of the band’s every concert location - over a ten year period!!
This book needed a better editor.
But, though I enjoyed the backstories, it wasn’t as interesting as I had hoped when I pre-ordered it months ago.
It was repetitive and featured unnecessary, encyclopedic material such as a list of the band’s every concert location - over a ten year period!!
This book needed a better editor.
November 12, 2025
Really loved the format here. It’s an oral history, so lots of opinions and view points often put next to each other to show how contradictory the opinions are. It's got lots of fun stories, but is framed as a history from the break up of the Beatles to the end of Wings. I could have done with more in the Epilogue section, but I guess that will be the next book.
December 21, 2025
This is a great overview of Wings but if you’re a superfan I don’t think you will find a lot of new material in here since it’s comprised mainly of interviews that already existed. I also wish they went more in-depth about their keyboards and moog synths but I guess that’s not why most people are reading this 😭
December 2, 2025
New Respect
Great read, and I came away with a new respect for Wings. I didn’t realize the number of hits they had and all the negativity they faced during their existence. I recommend reading (and listening to the music of) Wings.
Great read, and I came away with a new respect for Wings. I didn’t realize the number of hits they had and all the negativity they faced during their existence. I recommend reading (and listening to the music of) Wings.
December 7, 2025
Wonderful Oral History
Tells the story of Wings as an oral history of the band allowing members who are no longer with us to have their say. It's a very engaging book and even I think the most die.hard McCartney fan will learn a few new things about the this era in his career.
Tells the story of Wings as an oral history of the band allowing members who are no longer with us to have their say. It's a very engaging book and even I think the most die.hard McCartney fan will learn a few new things about the this era in his career.
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