Wings by Paul McCartney review – a brilliant story of post-Beatles revival

Wings by Paul McCartney - A Brilliant Story of Post-Beatles Revival

The Guardian’s review of Wings by Paul McCartney offers a compelling exploration of the emotional and creative journey that followed the Beatles’ breakup, focusing on McCartney’s reinvention through his band Wings.

Written as an oral history, the book captures the rise of one of the most successful bands of the 1970s, tracing its roots to a period of personal and professional upheaval for McCartney.

After the Beatles disbanded in 1970, each member faced the daunting task of redefining themselves outside the collective identity that had shaped their lives. For Paul McCartney, this transition was particularly fraught.

The emotional fallout from the group’s acrimonious split left him reeling, and he retreated with his wife Linda and their children to a remote Scottish farm. There, amid the quiet of rural life, McCartney began to heal and experiment musically.

Linda McCartney, despite having no formal musical training, became Paul’s closest collaborator. Their partnership was born not out of strategy but necessity and intimacy.

As Linda later reflected, Paul simply needed someone to play with, someone close. Their first joint album, Ram, was commercially successful but critically panned, deepening McCartney’s crisis of confidence.

The book chronicles how Wings emerged from this crucible of doubt and isolation. It wasn’t just a band, it was a lifeline. McCartney’s insistence on involving Linda, and later building a new ensemble from scratch, was a radical act of reinvention. 

The narrative captures the band’s evolution, its triumphs and missteps, and the resilience that propelled it to global fame.

Through interviews and archival insights, the review highlights how Wings became a vehicle for McCartney’s post-Beatles revival. It wasn’t about recapturing past glory but forging a new path.

The story is as much about personal healing and artistic courage as it is about music. The Guardian praises the book for its emotional depth and historical richness, framing it as a brilliant testament to McCartney’s enduring spirit and creative drive.