Before his first 'suprise' tour of UK Universities in 1972, Paul McCartney had released three albums. 'McCartney' (1970), recorded amidst the turmoil of the Beatles break up, Ram (1971), recorded with Linda and session musicians in New York and 'Wild Life' (1971), the first album from his newly formed band Wings recorded with Linda, Denny Seiwell, a session drummer who previously worked on Ram and new recruit Denny Laine, formerly of the Moody Blues and about to become Paul's side-kick for the next decade.
In 1972 I was working for the Post Office in the UK, less than a mile away from Manchester University. We used to deliver telegrams in Manchester and it's surrounding areas.
Delivery could be by bicycle, moped, motorbike or if 'mechanical problems' ruled the day, random van drivers would be asked to cover while we were drove around in comfort, giving them directions.
On the 18th February 1972, I was sat in the office when a driver and colleague returned from their run.
Casually the driver John remarked, "guess who we've just seen outside Manchester University"?
"Who", I replied. "Paul McCartney". Now remember, this was a 'suprise University tour', the driver would have no way of knowing that Paul would be playing Manchester. As it happened, the gig took place at Salford University, Salford.
Of course, I shrugged it off as a joke, Paul McCartney outside Manchester University, yeah, right and I presume the Beatles are getting back together!
In 1972 I was working for the Post Office in the UK, less than a mile away from Manchester University. We used to deliver telegrams in Manchester and it's surrounding areas.
Delivery could be by bicycle, moped, motorbike or if 'mechanical problems' ruled the day, random van drivers would be asked to cover while we were drove around in comfort, giving them directions.
On the 18th February 1972, I was sat in the office when a driver and colleague returned from their run.
Casually the driver John remarked, "guess who we've just seen outside Manchester University"?
"Who", I replied. "Paul McCartney". Now remember, this was a 'suprise University tour', the driver would have no way of knowing that Paul would be playing Manchester. As it happened, the gig took place at Salford University, Salford.
Of course, I shrugged it off as a joke, Paul McCartney outside Manchester University, yeah, right and I presume the Beatles are getting back together!
WINGS UK UNIVERSITY TOUR 1972
Wings began their 11 date UK University tour in Nottingham on the 9th February 1972, ending in Oxford on the 23rd February 1972. They would turn up in the van and ask could they play that afternoon. "We used to charge 50p on the door and play cards for it" said Paul.
Line Up:
Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, Henry McCullough and Denny Seiwell.
Set List:
Lucille, Give Ireland Back To The Irish, Blue Moon Of Kentucky, Seaside Woman, Thank You Darling, Some People Never Know, The Mess, Bip Bop, Say Darling, Smile Away, My Love, Henry's Blues, Wild Life, Long Tall Sally
Sandwiched by two rock 'n' roll classics 'Lucille' and 'Long Tall Sally' incredibly the 14 song 'University Tour' set included only four songs released by Wings. The others were either cover versions, unreleased tracks or songs due to be released as singles or on their next album 'Red Rose Speedway'.
They performed the same songs on all 11 dates.
Line Up:
Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, Henry McCullough and Denny Seiwell.
Set List:
Lucille, Give Ireland Back To The Irish, Blue Moon Of Kentucky, Seaside Woman, Thank You Darling, Some People Never Know, The Mess, Bip Bop, Say Darling, Smile Away, My Love, Henry's Blues, Wild Life, Long Tall Sally
Sandwiched by two rock 'n' roll classics 'Lucille' and 'Long Tall Sally' incredibly the 14 song 'University Tour' set included only four songs released by Wings. The others were either cover versions, unreleased tracks or songs due to be released as singles or on their next album 'Red Rose Speedway'.
They performed the same songs on all 11 dates.
WINGS OVER EUROPE TOUR 1972
Paul McCartney wanted to make sure Wings were a tight little unit before he officially toured the UK or USA, hence the announcement of a 26 date Wings Over Europe tour on an open top bus!
It began at Centre Culturelle, Châteauvallon, France on the 9th July 1972, ending at the Deutschlandhalle, Berlin, Germany on the 24th August 1972.
Line Up:
Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, Henry McCullough and Denny Seiwell.
Set List:
Bip Bop, Smile Away, Mumbo, Give Ireland Back To The Irish, 1882, I Would Only Smile, Blue Moon Of Kentucky, The Mess, Best Friend, Soily, I Am Your Singer, Say You Don't Mind, Henry's Blues, Seaside Woman, My Love, Mary Had A Little Lamb, Maybe I'm Amazed, Wild Life, Hi Hi Hi, Long Tall Sally
As with the 1972 University tour, a number of songs still remained unreleased:
If you went to see Wings in Groningen in the Netherlands you were in for a treat as they played a 21 song set beginning with the newly introduced 'Eat at Home' from 'Ram' and a one off performance of 'Let The Circle Be Unbroken' a popular Christian hymn written in 1907.
On the downside 'Henry's Blues' a showcase for guitarist Henry McCullough was omitted from the set list.
Another change was in Antwerp where Wings included their version of Lead Belly's 'Cottonfields' a hit for the Beach Boys in November 1968.
I didn't get to see any of those tours but in 1973 it was all about to change....
It began at Centre Culturelle, Châteauvallon, France on the 9th July 1972, ending at the Deutschlandhalle, Berlin, Germany on the 24th August 1972.
Line Up:
Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, Henry McCullough and Denny Seiwell.
Set List:
Bip Bop, Smile Away, Mumbo, Give Ireland Back To The Irish, 1882, I Would Only Smile, Blue Moon Of Kentucky, The Mess, Best Friend, Soily, I Am Your Singer, Say You Don't Mind, Henry's Blues, Seaside Woman, My Love, Mary Had A Little Lamb, Maybe I'm Amazed, Wild Life, Hi Hi Hi, Long Tall Sally
As with the 1972 University tour, a number of songs still remained unreleased:
- 1882 - although recorded as a demo around 1970 for the McCartney album, it wasn't released until 2018 as part of the Red Rose Speedway Archive Collection.
- I Would Only Smile - available on Denny's album 'Japanese Tears' released in 1980, this live version wasn't released until 2018 as part of the Red Rose Speedway Archive Collection.
- The Mess - wasn't released until 1973 as the b-side of My Love
- Best Friend - a great rocker by Paul and the band but wasn't officially released until 2018 as part of the Red Rose Speedway Archive Collection.
- Soily - was introduced into the set list in 1972. A live version of the song recorded during their first World tour 1975/76 in Denver was released as the b-side of Maybe I'm Amazed
- My Love - Released as a single on the 23rd March 1973 with The Mess as the B-side
If you went to see Wings in Groningen in the Netherlands you were in for a treat as they played a 21 song set beginning with the newly introduced 'Eat at Home' from 'Ram' and a one off performance of 'Let The Circle Be Unbroken' a popular Christian hymn written in 1907.
On the downside 'Henry's Blues' a showcase for guitarist Henry McCullough was omitted from the set list.
Another change was in Antwerp where Wings included their version of Lead Belly's 'Cottonfields' a hit for the Beach Boys in November 1968.
I didn't get to see any of those tours but in 1973 it was all about to change....