Photo: Mary McCartney
Paul McCartney has shared details behind his new book Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run, an account of the bassist’s grand musical experience in the 1970s and the subsequent rise of one of the era’s most celebrated acts. The book, due on November 4, 2025, features an introduction from historian and writer Ted Widmer, who draws on McCartney’s oral retelling of the events that shaped the ensemble.
“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. 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,” McCartney offered via press release.
Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run is derived from 500,000 words and dozens of interviews with McCartney to piece together the Wings’ 1970-81 history, which began with Linda McCartney and Denny Laine and is being described as “a rousing, stereophonic celebration of the songs, collaborations, and performances that would shape the soundtrack of the late 20th century.”
The book examines the global impact of The Beatle’s breakup and subsequent musical introduction elicited by the Wings, who would become sonic tastemakers of the decade, producing anthems like “Mull of Kintyre,” “Live and Let Die,” “Band on the Run,” “My Love,” “Jet,” “With a Little Luck,” “Silly Love Songs,” “Let ‘Em in,” “Junior’s Farm” and more.
The book also features more than 100 black and white and colored images from the time to assist in visually examining the era. To the same effect, the book announcement comes after the 2024 theatrical release of the rare Wings live-in-studio performance film, dubbed One Hand Clapping, and the impending 50th-anniversary edition of the band’s Band on the Run LP.
Widmer commented, “Wings was about love, family, friendship and artistic growth, often in the face of tremendous adversity. It was a joy to relive the madcap adventures of a special band, by listening to their stories, and compiling this oral history.”
Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run will be released on Nov. 4, 2025. Pre-order now.
Watch a clip of Wings’ live performance of “Let Me Roll It,” captured during their 1976 North American tour as a complimentary pairing to today’s news.
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