Ram On - Paul and Linda | O My Soul

Because . . . . . . a favourite album (of ALL time)

thanks for the reminder from Alice over at O My Soul

The Wings Fun Club Newsletter from before the launch of Venus and Mars, the party on the Queen Mary (feat. Prof Longhair) Spring 1975

Look what I found!

sorry about the quality but my scanner packed up so these are shot with my iPhone . . . . . I will improve them when I get a new printer!

Worth a read though hey? 

 

50 years later . . . . . 

Fess - Mess Around (Live on the Queen Mary (MPL Productions 1978)

Venus and Mars Rehearsals 1975

Paul McCartney & Wings - Bon Voyageur (New Orleans 1975)

Bon Voyageurs . . . . . . . 

53rd ANNIVERSARY | Macca’s First Gold record after THE BEATLES! (U.S.A.) | Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey

FAVOURITE SONGS  - REVISITED!

On this date this week, September 4, 1971, 53 years ago, this single took over the #1 position on the USA Billboard Hot 100 chart.

• After the breakup of THE BEATLES, "UNCLE ALBERT / ADMIRAL HALSEY" became PAUL McCARTNEY's first gold record. It was his first US #1 hit, marking the start of a string of singles written by McCartney after the Beatles that peaked at the top of the US pop chart in the 1970s and 1980s.

"UNCLE ALBERT / ADMIRAL HALSEY" - PAUL & LINDA MCCARTNEY

• Songwriters and Producers: Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney

• Recorded: November 1970

• Released: August 1971 (US only)

• Certified Gold single 

• Billboard Top 40 Chart Chronology:

- Date song debuted in the Top 40: August 21, 1971

- Highest charted (a.k.a. peak) position: 1 (1 week, September 4 - 10, 1971)

- Total weeks charted in the Top 40: 12

• Label & No.: Apple Records 1837

• From the album "Ram"

Paul McCartney – vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, bass and xylophone

Linda McCartney – backing vocals

Hugh McCracken – acoustic and electric guitar

Denny Seiwell – drums

Paul Beaver – synthesizer

David Nadien, Aaron Rosand – violin

Marvin Stamm, Mel Davis, Ray Crisara, Snooky Young – brass

New York Philharmonic Orchestra – orchestral backing

George Martin – orchestral arrangement

Eirik Wangberg – mix engineer, thunder sound effect 

Album Track:

https://youtu.be/UvUkPtSheyg?si=o6cZtR0nSrg528_A

Music Video:

https://youtu.be/XI6C7L66zq8?si=2VbWMHdoBGCeyaYt

Lancashire Butter Pie

#paulmccartney #PaulMcCartneyGotBack #Macca #mccartney #lindamccartney #UncleAlbertAdmiralHalsey #Ram #georgemartin #70smusic #70srockmusic #progressivepop #AppleRecords

It wasn’t released in the UK but we took it as staple diet prime McCartney those fans who stuck with Paul ( and Linda) post Beatles and ‘Ram' remains one of my and my wife’s favourite albums of all time

Hands across the water / Heads across the sky

Hard To Believe That The “Lovely Linda” McCartney Has Now Been Gone 26 Years : TWO DATES | April 17, 1970, - April 17, 1998.

Two very different dates. One is a story of happiness, and one of sadness. One proves that love can conquer all, and one is of losing that love to sickness and death. In the past I have written many times about coincidences in music history. Here is one of those examples. 

On this day in 1970 former Beatle Paul McCartney would release his first solo album after announcing the break up of The Beatles. What many people didn't know at the time was how difficult this record was for Paul to make, and how if it wasn't for his wife Linda it might've never happened. 28 years later in 1998 this would also be the day that Paul would lose Linda when she would die of breast cancer in Tucson, Arizona. 

In September of 1969 right after releasing the legendary Beatles album "Abbey Road" the band would meet for a meeting where John Lennon would announce that he wanted out of the band. 

Previous months all three members had threatened to quit only to be coached back by Paul. This situation would be different though. Paul knew things were about to get very ugly in the coming months. 

After doing personal audits of the band's financial situation with new manager Allen Klein he became very worried at the way Klein had been handling the band. He had never wanted him in the first place, but was outvoted by the other three Beatles, because Paul wanted his father in law, and the others thought he would favor him. Once he was presented with this information he was told there was only one way out. That was to sue the other three Beatles to bring the partnership with Klein to an end. 

History would prove Paul's suspicions correct, and the other three Beatles would be very thankful years later that he did this. Especially after it was proven that Klein was involved in many illegal activities, and could've eventually owned The Beatles. But as it was happening they were furious with Paul. 

It got so bad that Paul would take Linda and his stepdaughter Heather to his secluded farm in Scotland. This would be a very bad time for him. For one he was broke, because all of his money was tied up in the Beatles’ Corporation Apple. He also felt worthless and would become very depressed. Drinking and getting drunk day after day, going weeks without a bath. Feeling he couldn't make it as a songwriter without the band, especially John. It would finally be Linda who would not only use "tough love" on Paul, but offer him the love and encouragement he would need to start writing again. 

It would be through Linda's encouragement that Paul would begin to make a new record. Using just a 4 track tape machine, he would record most of the record at home, where he would play all of the instruments. When you hear the album you sense that "homemade feel" it has. You hear noises and doors in the background etc. Linda would also provide backing vocals when Paul needed the help. 

This album "McCartney" released in 1970 would kickstart Paul's solo career. And through the album you feel the influence from Linda. Songs like "The Lovely Linda”, “Every Night” and especially “Maybe I'm Amazed" show the inspiration Linda was to Paul during this time.

The next 28 years Linda would always be by Paul's side. She didn't want to be part of his band, but Paul told her he needed her to regain confidence in himself. Even though she would be attacked by critics because of her amateur musical skills she still was there for Paul. 

She was a woman who loved her family, raised her kids to learn the value of a dollar. Giving them all household chores, not allowing them to rely on the privileged lifestyle. They all went to public school. She loved animals, and fought for animal rights. She was an amazing photographer in her own right, even before she met Paul. 

She got to go every place all over the world, and her favorite place ?

It was Tucson, Arizona. 

She had gone to the University Of Arizona as a "Fine Arts Major". That's  where she wanted to spend her last days, watching the sunrise, and sunsets, looking at the mountains, riding her horses. It’s one of the big reasons that Paul mentioned “Tucson, Arizona” in his song “Get Back”. 

It's hard to believe she has already been gone over 26 years. Paul has had to move on, getting remarried, but never has forgotten his "Lovely Linda". 

Paul has always dedicated two of his most popular songs to her "My Love”, and “Maybe I'm Amazed" when he plays them live . Beautiful songs for a beautiful woman inside and out.

 Well that’s a weird day and couldn’t find anything from any of the sites I visit that was new!? Where is everybody?

All on a break? Half term? Holidays? . . . . still, time for a catch up on some piccies maybe and if I find some music along the way I’ll let ya know!

Jimmie Rodgers - The Singing Brakeman

Paul and Heather on holiday in Portugal (prolly taken by Linda)

Grace and Spenser Dryden Golden Gate Park SF 

copyright the legendary photographer Jim Marshall 1967

Wonder what the atmosphere was like? A rare photo of George dropping in to see his ex with Eric and the guys! George Harrison visiting Pattie Boyd and Eric Clapton at Hurtwood Edge with Jenny Boyd and Carl Radle, late 1974. Ahem!

Linda and Paul strutting their London stuff - happy days, glad he’s found those happy days again!

Blind Willie McTell in case you wondered what he looked like

We miss these guys and if ever we were in need of the peacemakers its now!

Jim Morrison in Griffith Park, Los Angeles. 1969

Oor Wullie

Bob [‘Alias'] on set with Sam Peckinpah - Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid

More Alias

Frank!

my favourite line up of Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band - Art Tripp III, Captain, Mark Boston, Bill Harkleroad, John French. 

We featured Paramore t’other day and this is their singer and founder and really only constant member Hayley Williams, in action - we like her!

more Hayley in Paramore

Tom Waits by perhaps my favourite rock photographer and fellow artist Anton Corbijn, Santa Rosa, 2004. 

As per usual, if you own the picture and want a copyright tag or acknowledgment just drop by and let me know, happy to credit (or remove if you must insist!?) just don’t be threatening with Web Sherriffs and Marshalls and all! It’s demeaning!

Massive Macca Missive Message | When Paul Met Linda

“Linda and I met in a club in London called the Bag of Nails, which was right about the time that the club scene was going strong in London. She was down there with some friends. I think she was down there with Chas Chandler and some other people, and I was down there with some friends, including a guy who used to work at the office. I was in my little booth and she was in her little booth and we were giving each other the eye you know. Georgie Fame was playing that night and we were both right into Georgie Fame.”

“I realised I wanted to marry Linda about a year later. We both thought it a bit crazy at the time, and we also thought it would be a gas. Linda was a bit dubious, because she had been married before and wasn’t too set on settling. In a way, she thought it tends to blow things, marrying ruins it. But we both fancied each other enough to do it. And now we’re glad we did it, you know. It’s great. I love it.”

 

- Paul McCartney January 1974

Denny Laine (29th October, 1944 – 5th December, 2023.)

 WINGS - GO NOW* :  featuring Denny Laine

So sad to hear of the passing of Denny Laine [79] who died peacefully yesterday surrendered by his loving family. An extraordinary musical life, surrounded by chaos and including founder membership of The Moody Blues and Paul and Linda McCartney with Wings!

His widow’s announcement was truly moving and heartfelt and beautifully written. Our thoughts go out to her and his friends and family at this time

*Go Now was written by Larry and Bessie Banks

and Guess I’m Dumb shares this too this morning . . . . 

• Track Name

  Say You Don't Mind

• Artist

  Denny Laine

guessimdumb:

Denny Laine - Say You Don’t Mind (1967)

After leaving the Moody Blues in late 1966, Denny Laine recorded this single with his Electric String Band (years before ELO - fellow Brummies).  Of course Denny went on to other things, and later Colin Blunstone had a hit with this same song. [Note that Denny wrote it! Andy]

R.I.P. Denny Laine

Paul McCartney - COMING UP!

 IT's FRIDAY LETS HAVE ANOTHER

SONG OF THE DAY and continuing the singles bought when they came out . . . .. as I have said before my wife and I were avid fan club members at this time , . . . . . . . . . . . . its COMING UP!

The music video was directed by Keith McMillan and features McCartney playing ten roles (himself, two guitarists, a bassist, a drummer, a keyboard player, and four saxophone players) and Linda McCartney playing two backup singers (one female and one male). The “band” identified as “The Plastic Macs” on the drum kit (a homage to Lennon’s conceptual Plastic Ono Band), features Paul and Linda’s imitations of various rock musician stereotypes, as well as a few identifiable musicians. In his audio commentary on the 2007 video collection The McCartney Years,  Paul identified characters that were impersonations of specific artists: Hank Marvin (guitarist from the Shadows), Ron Mael of Sparks (keyboards), a ’Beatlemania-era’ version of himself (bass), and a drummer inspired by John Bonham from Led Zeppelin.  Other identifiable impersonations appear to be Frank Zappa and Buddy Holly, which McCartney said were “comic relief” thrown in to fill out the stage.

The video, which was created a year before the premiere of MTV, made its debut on Saturday Night Live in the US and The Kenny Everett Video Show in the UK.

again thanks to Retro Pop Cult! 

MACCA - Paul McCartney a portrait - Rock Star as family man

Paul's first meeting with Linda!

Paul by Linda

More . . . 

Practice practice practice . . . . . 

Paul carrying Julian upon his shoulders! As all good uncles should, Paul was incredibly close to a young Julian

He also showed his mettle as a man IMHO when showing his care for Linda's daughter Heather when they first got together and anyone who is adopted by a child later in life and acknowledges as her dad over her birth father says a heck of a lot about his level of love and care for his step daughter.

Heather out of view bottom right as they go shopping - shot by Linda

We're so sorry . . . . .Uncle Albert

 

PAUL: Apart from riding for fun, there were so many jobs having to do with the farm itself. I actually learnt to shear the sheep with hand clippers – not something one sees much these days, and certainly not something that, when I was a kid in Liverpool, I ever thought I’d end up doing. I was able to shear about fourteen to twenty in a day, and my farm manager, Duncan, would do a hundred. Just getting the sheep on its back is a hard enough trick to pull off. An image of me about to flip a sheep ended up as the cover of RAM […]. That was part of Linda’s record of one shearing session. Linda made an individual portrait of each and every one of our flock. 

The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present.

In the back seat of my car . . . . . . 

“Did you know Paul sent a telegram to Margaret Thatcher in 1982? He did. It wasn’t friendly. He lost his temper over her treatment of health workers and fired off a long outraged message, comparing her to Ted Heath, the prime minister (tweaked in “Taxman”) felled by the 1974 coal strike. McCartney warned, “What the miners did to Ted Heath, the nurses will do to you.” This controversy is a curiously obscure footnote to his life—it seldom gets mentioned in even the fattest biographies. He doesn’t discuss it in Many Years from Now. I only know about it because I read it as a Random Note in Rolling Stone, not exactly a hotbed of pro-Paul propaganda at the time. (The item began, “Reports that Paul McCartney is intellectually brain-dead appear to have been premature.”) But the telegram was a major U.K. scandal, with Tory politicians denouncing him. In October 1982, Thatcher was at the height of her power, in the wake of her Falkland Islands blitz. Many rock stars talked shit about Maggie—Elvis Costello, Morrissey, Paul Weller—but Paul was the one more famous than she was. He had something to lose by hitting send on this, and nothing to gain. What, you think he was trying for coolness points? This is Paul McCartney, remember? He was in the middle of making Give My Regards to Broad Street. He could have clawed Thatcher’s still-beating heart out of her rib cage, impaled it on his Hofner on live TV, and everybody would have said, “Yeah, but ‘Silly Love Songs’ though.” Why did he feel so intensely about the nurses? He didn’t mention his mother in the telegram, but he must have been thinking of Mary McCartney’s life and death. So he snapped, even though it was off-message. (He was busy that week doing interviews for the twentieth anniversary of “Love Me Do”—the moment called for Cozy Lovable Paul, not Angry Paul.) He didn’t boast about it later, though fans today would be impressed that any English rock star of that generation—let alone Paul—had the gumption to send this. You can make a case that it was a braver, riskier, and more politically relevant move than John sending his MBE medal back to the Queen in 1970. Still, John’s gesture went down in history and Paul’s didn’t, though his fans would probably admire the move if they knew about it. He couldn’t win. He was Paul. All he could do was piss people off.”

— Rob Sheffield, Dreaming the Beatles. (2017)

La la la la lovely Linda

Paul & Martha by Linda

Paul shows off his 8 (EIGHT!) grandchildren

Paul and his beautiful girls Mary and Stella

The Wings gang!

For me Paulie's attitude to fatherhood is best summed up here with this picture by Linda with their first child together, Mary

 

                        WINGS - 'WILD LIFE'

                                                                  'Dear Friend'

Fans can listen to the previously unreleased ‘Indeed I Do’ and two versions of the John Lennon-inspired closing track 'Dear Friend - 2018 Remaster' and ' Dear Friend - Home Recording II' now.

                                                                     For JOHN!



The re-issue of 'Wild Life' one of my very favourite Paul and Linda and Wings albums of all time . . . . . .   

where it not for the price of £130 I would buy this in a heartbeat                

"whatever happened to . . . . . ."