From Rolling Stone · Andy Greene · · 1m 40s
Paul McCartney's 1976 Wings Tour Finale
Paul McCartney's Wings deliver a triumphant finale at Wembley Pool after four years of evolution.
In brief
Paul McCartney's Wings deliver a triumphant finale at Wembley Pool after four years of evolution. Paul McCartney's Wings performed a highly acclaimed concert at Wembley Pool on Oct 19, 1976, marking their first successful tour after early struggles. Originally reported by Rolling Stone.
Wings' Early Struggles
Wings played small shows in 1972 to test new material after the Beatles' 1966 tour ended.
“It was one of the most depressing, almost embarrassing concerts I can remember”
Guardian Review
Robin Denselow called early Wings shows 'depressing' and 'embarrassing' with Linda McCartney's nervousness.
“Linda McCartney’s nervousness and her obvious lack of talent seem contagious”
Band Evolution
Wings gained hits from 1973's Band on the Run and 1975's Venus and Mars by 1976.
Wembley Pool Show
Paul McCartney and Wings performed a two-hour concert at Wembley Pool on Oct 19, 1976.
Beatles Songs
McCartney played three Beatles songs: 'I've Just Seen a Face', 'Blackbird', and 'Yesterday'.
Wings' Success
The show was praised as 'one of the happiest, most exhilarating, and most brilliant rock concerts London has seen in recent years'.
“They played nonstop for more than two hours and gave one of the happier, most exhilarating, and most brilliant rock concerts London has seen in recent years”
Band's Growth
Wings had performed 62 concerts across 13 months by the Wembley Pool show on Oct 19, 1976.
Beatles Song Context
McCartney played 'The Long and Winding Road' after the Beatles' 1966 tour ended.
Wings' Final Set
The show ended with 'Band on the Run', 'Hi, Hi, Hi', and 'Soily' after a Beatles set.
Post-Show Impact
The concert was described as 'staggering' with Wings becoming a band that 'knows exactly where it’s at, without forgetting where it’s been'.
“The band’s control of their material was staggering”
Band Challenges
Linda McCartney's pregnancy and Jimmy McCulloch's departure disrupted Wings' 1977 album sessions.
The key point
Paul McCartney's Wings performed a highly acclaimed concert at Wembley Pool on Oct 19, 1976, marking their first successful tour after early struggles.
