WINGS (Room 506)
WINGS (Room 506)
On John’s birthday in 1971, it was announced that Paul’s new band would be called ‘Wings’ and that the band would embark upon a low-key tour of Europe. The initial album release was ‘Wild Life’ and Paul would admit it wasn’t his best work. It was a difficult time for him as George, Ringo, and John were all receiving great critical acclaim but Paul was on the end of a constant media bashing. “Imagine” was the number one album in the UK when the Wings album was released. Lennon’s album contained a very hurtful and spiteful song called ‘How Do You Sleep?’ which was a thinly disguised attack on Paul, with lyrics that included “The only thing you did was Yesterday and since you’ve gone you’re just another day!” However Paul was to have the last laugh. The band went on an unannounced tour of the UK universities, just turning up and asking to play, something that Paul had suggested to The Beatles a couple of years earlier which had been laughed out of court. As gigs were surprises and unannounced there was not much publicity but Paul was getting used to playing live again and was honing his stage performances. In 1973 the new album “Red Rose Speedway“ was far better received and it spawned a hit single ‘My Love’. Things were looking up and in 1973 as Paul undertook a full 20-date tour of the UK, his first since 1965. The crowning glory came the following year with the release of the highly acclaimed “Band on the Run” album which was a number one hit all over the world. Demand to see Wings was huge and the bands first World Tour began in autumn and continued throughout 1976. Wings released another hugely successful album ‘Venus and Mars’ and by the time they reached the USA in early summer, Wings were the biggest and most popular band on the planet. Paul had re-invented himself, even feeling confident enough to sing a number of Beatles songs in his repertoire including “Yesterday”, “Blackbird,” “Lady Madonna”, and “The Long And Winding Road”. The tour immediately sold out and Paul had climbed back to the top of the tree. Unfortunately, Wings (who went through a number of personnel changes) came crashing to earth with a thud when Paul was imprisoned for ten days in Tokyo in January 1980 for smuggling marijuana into the country at the start of his (soon to be aborted) Japanese Tour. When Paul was eventually released, much to the shock of the other members of Wings (Denny Laine, Steve Holley and Laurence Juber) he decided that he would now pursue a solo career without the band. Wings had dominated pop music in the mid to late seventies, at a time when John’s had become a virtual recluse in the Dakota Buildings.
Artwork painted and owned by ©SHANNON
WINGS (Room 506)
On John’s birthday in 1971, it was announced that Paul’s new band would be called ‘Wings’ and that the band would embark upon a low-key tour of Europe. The initial album release was ‘Wild Life’ and Paul would admit it wasn’t his best work. It was a difficult time for him as George, Ringo, and John were all receiving great critical acclaim but Paul was on the end of a constant media bashing. “Imagine” was the number one album in the UK when the Wings album was released. Lennon’s album contained a very hurtful and spiteful song called ‘How Do You Sleep?’ which was a thinly disguised attack on Paul, with lyrics that included “The only thing you did was Yesterday and since you’ve gone you’re just another day!” However Paul was to have the last laugh. The band went on an unannounced tour of the UK universities, just turning up and asking to play, something that Paul had suggested to The Beatles a couple of years earlier which had been laughed out of court. As gigs were surprises and unannounced there was not much publicity but Paul was getting used to playing live again and was honing his stage performances. In 1973 the new album “Red Rose Speedway“ was far better received and it spawned a hit single ‘My Love’. Things were looking up and in 1973 as Paul undertook a full 20-date tour of the UK, his first since 1965. The crowning glory came the following year with the release of the highly acclaimed “Band on the Run” album which was a number one hit all over the world. Demand to see Wings was huge and the bands first World Tour began in autumn and continued throughout 1976. Wings released another hugely successful album ‘Venus and Mars’ and by the time they reached the USA in early summer, Wings were the biggest and most popular band on the planet. Paul had re-invented himself, even feeling confident enough to sing a number of Beatles songs in his repertoire including “Yesterday”, “Blackbird,” “Lady Madonna”, and “The Long And Winding Road”. The tour immediately sold out and Paul had climbed back to the top of the tree. Unfortunately, Wings (who went through a number of personnel changes) came crashing to earth with a thud when Paul was imprisoned for ten days in Tokyo in January 1980 for smuggling marijuana into the country at the start of his (soon to be aborted) Japanese Tour. When Paul was eventually released, much to the shock of the other members of Wings (Denny Laine, Steve Holley and Laurence Juber) he decided that he would now pursue a solo career without the band. Wings had dominated pop music in the mid to late seventies, at a time when John’s had become a virtual recluse in the Dakota Buildings.
Artwork painted and owned by ©SHANNON
WINGS (Room 506)
On John’s birthday in 1971, it was announced that Paul’s new band would be called ‘Wings’ and that the band would embark upon a low-key tour of Europe. The initial album release was ‘Wild Life’ and Paul would admit it wasn’t his best work. It was a difficult time for him as George, Ringo, and John were all receiving great critical acclaim but Paul was on the end of a constant media bashing. “Imagine” was the number one album in the UK when the Wings album was released. Lennon’s album contained a very hurtful and spiteful song called ‘How Do You Sleep?’ which was a thinly disguised attack on Paul, with lyrics that included “The only thing you did was Yesterday and since you’ve gone you’re just another day!” However Paul was to have the last laugh. The band went on an unannounced tour of the UK universities, just turning up and asking to play, something that Paul had suggested to The Beatles a couple of years earlier which had been laughed out of court. As gigs were surprises and unannounced there was not much publicity but Paul was getting used to playing live again and was honing his stage performances. In 1973 the new album “Red Rose Speedway“ was far better received and it spawned a hit single ‘My Love’. Things were looking up and in 1973 as Paul undertook a full 20-date tour of the UK, his first since 1965. The crowning glory came the following year with the release of the highly acclaimed “Band on the Run” album which was a number one hit all over the world. Demand to see Wings was huge and the bands first World Tour began in autumn and continued throughout 1976. Wings released another hugely successful album ‘Venus and Mars’ and by the time they reached the USA in early summer, Wings were the biggest and most popular band on the planet. Paul had re-invented himself, even feeling confident enough to sing a number of Beatles songs in his repertoire including “Yesterday”, “Blackbird,” “Lady Madonna”, and “The Long And Winding Road”. The tour immediately sold out and Paul had climbed back to the top of the tree. Unfortunately, Wings (who went through a number of personnel changes) came crashing to earth with a thud when Paul was imprisoned for ten days in Tokyo in January 1980 for smuggling marijuana into the country at the start of his (soon to be aborted) Japanese Tour. When Paul was eventually released, much to the shock of the other members of Wings (Denny Laine, Steve Holley and Laurence Juber) he decided that he would now pursue a solo career without the band. Wings had dominated pop music in the mid to late seventies, at a time when John’s had become a virtual recluse in the Dakota Buildings.
Artwork painted and owned by ©SHANNON