portrait of this blog's author - by Stephen Blackman 2008

Friday, June 09, 2017

PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGS: BAND ON THE RUN

another in the series of albums or sounds bought when they came out and this is a classic and whilst I left them after a while this was Wings in their peak performing and writing phase with probably their biggest hit album - still members of the fan club by this . . . . . . . love it



On this day in music history: June 8, 1974 - “Band On The Run” by Paul McCartney & Wings hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week. Written by Paul & Linda McCartney, it is the third solo chart topper for the former Beatle. The song is inspired by a statement made by McCartney’s former Beatle band mate George Harrison. Often bored and frustrated by long business meetings at Apple, Harrison would utter the words “if we ever get out of here” under his breath. Paul (along with Linda) takes that line, and uses it to form the songs concept of a band escaping from a “prison” and going on the run. The basic track is recorded at the EMI Studio in Lagos, Nigeria during a three week stay in the African country during August and September of 1973. Vocals and orchestral overdubs are completed at Abbey Road Studios in London. Released in the US as the third single (second in the UK) from the album on April 8, 1974, it quickly races up the chart. Entering the Hot 100 at #68 on April 20, 1974, it climbs to the top of the chart seven weeks later. “Band On The Run” helps drive the album to number one on the Top 200 for four weeks (non-consecutive) also on the same date. The single also wins a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1975. “Band On The Run” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

with thanks to Jeff Harris' wonderful blog 'Behind The Grooves  On this day in Music History   
although the 'official' video came from elsewhere . . . . . . !

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