1 / 7Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run
Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run is an illustrated oral history of Paul McCartney's musical reinvention and the band he formed after The Beatles. It follows Wings from its early years through its stadium tours, with interviews, photographs, timelines and discography material.
At a glance
- Chronological account organised around McCartney, RAM and nine Wings albums.
- Draws on interviews with McCartney, family, band members and other participants.
- Includes 150 black-and-white and colour photographs, alongside timelines, gigography and discography.
- Covers the band's formation, early performances, tours and stadium shows.
Often bought together
Pros and cons
Pros
- Combines oral-history accounts with a chronological overview of Wings and McCartney's post-Beatles career.
- The photographs and reference sections add visual and discography context beyond the narrative.
- Customer feedback describes the book as engaging, informative and well-researched.
Cons
- At 576 pages and a listed weight of 840 g, it is a substantial book rather than a compact read.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Allen Lane |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 4 Nov. 2025 |
| Edition | 1st |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 576 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0241758572 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0241758571 |
| Dimensions | 16.2 x 4.8 x 23.7 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight listed | 840 g |
What to know before buying
- The description calls this an oral history based on interviews and says the photographs include previously unseen images. These are publisher claims.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in Paul McCartney, Wings and the musical period after The Beatles.
- Fans looking for a substantial illustrated music-history book with timelines and discography reference material.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a short, lightweight account or a conventional single-author memoir.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
69% 69% - 4 stars
16% 16% - 3 stars
7% 7% - 2 stars
4% 4% - 1 star
4% 4%
Customer feedback is broadly positive about the engaging, interesting and informative account, with reviewers also highlighting its research and insight into McCartney's reinvention after The Beatles. The listing's extensive interviews and visual reference material fit those interests, though some feedback is mixed on the book's construction and value for money. That matters for buyers weighing a substantial illustrated volume rather than a shorter music biography.
Positive themes
- Customers describe the content as engaging, interesting and informative.
- Feedback highlights the narrative and its insights into McCartney's post-Beatles musical reinvention.
Mixed feedback
- Feedback is mixed on construction and value for money.
Frequently asked questions
What period does the book cover?
It follows the formation and career of Wings from the early 1970s through the band's dissolution about a decade later.
What extra material is included?
The description lists 150 black-and-white and colour photographs, timelines, a gigography and a full discography.
Is this a conventional autobiography?
The listing describes it as an oral history assembled from interviews, with a foreword by McCartney, rather than solely a first-person autobiography.
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