On this day in music history: September 4, 1971 - “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” by Paul & Linda McCartney hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week. Written and produced by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney, it is the first solo chart topper for the former Beatles bassist. The first number one single for Paul McCartney following the break up of The Beatles come from a number of different sources. It is pieced together from various unfinished song fragments McCartney has lying around. Paul’s uncle, Albert Kendall (married to his Aunt Milly) is also an inspiration while the song is being written. The track is recorded at Columbia Studios in New York City in November of 1970, and features Paul on electric and acoustic guitars, bass, piano, lead and background vocals, Linda McCartney on harmony vocals, Denny Seiwell on drums, Hugh McCracken on electric and acoustic guitars, with members of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra playing brass and strings. George Martin actually co-writes the orchestral arrangement for the song with Paul, but is not credited at the time of its original release. After the initial sessions, more overdubs are recorded and final mixing takes place over the next five months. “Uncle Albert” is rush released as a single in the US on August 2, 1971, nearly three months after the album “Ram”, when heavy airplay by American radio stations forces its release. Entering the Hot 100 at #65 on August 14, 1971, it leaps to the top of the chart just three weeks later, making an impressive jump from #12 to #1. The single wins a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) in 1972. “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.


Now of course we bought 'Ram' when it came out and adored it too. Poring over every song, every nuance and detail of the cover and this track was (and still is) a favourite. I wouldn't have chosen it for a single and am astonished it did so well in the States as it sounds so unrelentingly British to me. I am surprised they 'got it' but still the whole album is a masterpiece and a classic showing who had the greater talent amongst the boys at every turn and IMHO continued to do so. Check out the vid too it is so sweet featuring Linda of course but also her daughter Heather and their first born Mary snuggled in Paul's jacket and playing around on the farm, horseback rides and Martha the dog. Happy days!

"we're so sorry . . . . . . . . . .a butter pie?


                                                                             .....the butter wouldn't melt so we put it in the pie"



hands across the water                                                                                         . . . . . . . heads across the sky

thanks to the most excellent Jeff Harris' blog 'Behind The Grooves  On this day in Music History