“What happens when you wake up the morning after leaving the most important rock band of all time? In April 1970, Paul released his first solo album, McCartney, alongside a shocking press release that announced the beloved band had split. When asked what he’d do next, he said his only plan… was to grow up. Man on the Run captures Paul’s transformative decade in the wake of The Beatles’ break-up. Through stunning archival footage, Linda McCartney’s exceptional photographs, and interviews with Mick Jagger, Chrissie Hynde, Sean Ono Lennon, Mary and Stella McCartney, all the living Wings members, and of course Paul himself, the film examines this time through a uniquely vulnerable lens.” — ROTTEN TOMATOES
Back in the time of Beatlemania, my sister Karen fell in love with Paul McCartney. My sister Eileen fell in love with John Lennon. I liked George Harrison…because his name was George. None of us were keen about Ringo.
Over the years, I’ve read about a dozen books about the Beatles and as a result, I’ve come to admire Paul McCartney more and more. In my opinion, bolstered by many of these Beatle books, McCartney was the real creative force behind the Beatles. He wrote many of their best songs. He has a distinctive voice. Paul tried to keep the Beatles together when Yoko tore them apart.
This documentary on AMAZON PRIME Plus shows sides of Paul McCartney I’ve never seen before. If you’re a Beatles fan, if you’re a Paul McCartney fan, if you love great music and want to know more about Wings–actually more successful than The Beatles–don’t miss wonderful Man on the Run. Do you have a favorite Beatle? GRADE: A
I think McCartney was the one who most wanted the Beatles to achieve all they could, and in disappointment, got to be the wrecker. Wings indeed made more money, and Denny Laine was the best member of the Moody Blues, who were consistently dull as hell after he left, to land in Wings. But the discography wasn’t as good as the Beatles’…
I will forgive Starkey “The No No Song” and the cover of “You’re Sixteen”…”It Don’t Come Easy” was the best song about the breakup, if coded, and the first post-Beatles hit for any of them. And “Early 1970” wasn’t coded at all.
Todd, you’re right about Wings making tons of money on tours and album sales–but not achieving the quality of music of The Beatles. McCartney continues to tour and his fans show up.
Fave Beatle gets to be George Martin.
Todd, George Martin is an underrated factor in The Beatles success.
In all fairness to Yoko, John was not just a puppet, he played a role in the Beatles breakup too. There’s a book by Francine Prose called THE MUSES; the chapter on John & Yoko really exposes the sort of pretentious self-delusive folie-a-deux their dynamic was.
On to McCartney: he was my favorite Beatle because he was so cute. As I’ve aged, I also see him as the most centered. I’ve seen him in concert twice: once during his “Flowers in the Dirt” tour (in all honesty, the last time he was musically relevant, when he was writing songs like “My Brave Face” with Elvis Costello) and again last October. It was a great show, but very much one of nostalgia. The audience sort of drifted during the more recent songs—but we sang along to every Beatles/Wings/solo song.
Deb, your recent McCartney experience was reenacted when he came to Buffalo to sing those old and new songs. Plenty of audience participation with the oldies, crickets for the new songs.
The question for the ages. Stu Sutcliffe or Peter Best?
Jerry, Good Question!
Mostly Paul, though I turned more to John later. My brother is a George fan.
Wings is not for me, though. Never was.
Jeff, I’m with you on Wings. But apparently many Beatles fans transferred their record buying to their albums.
How about the Top 10 Beatles covers?
Jeff, here are TOP 10 Beatle Covers:
1. Joe Cocker – “With A Little Help From My Friends” (1968): A soulful, gritty reimagining that became an anthem.
2. Aretha Franklin – “Eleanor Rigby” (1970): A funk-driven version that transforms the somber ballad.
3. Johnny Cash – “In My Life” (2002): A poignant, raw, and deeply emotional take on the classic.
4. Stevie Wonder – “We Can Work It Out” (1970): A harmonica-heavy, funky rendition that added new energy to the song.
5. Fiona Apple – “Across the Universe” (1998): A hauntingly beautiful version for the Pleasantville soundtrack.
6. Earth, Wind & Fire – “Got to Get You Into My Life” (1978): A high-energy, horn-filled disco cover.
7. Wilson Pickett – “Hey Jude” (1969): Featuring Duane Allman, this soul version brings an entirely different fervor to the song.
8. Elton John – “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” (1974): A flamboyant glam-rock cover that topped the charts.
9. Bill Withers – “Let It Be” (1971): A soulful, sparse rendition that highlights the song’s gospel roots.
10. The Carpenters – “Ticket to Ride” (1969): A slowed-down, melancholy pop ballad interpretation.
I love the Joe Cocker.
Also like Rufus Wainwright’s version of “Across the Universe” and Sergio Mendes’s “The Fool On the Hill” and Jake shimabukuro’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” on ukulele.
Jeff, there have been a lot of good covers of Beatle songs…also a bunch of duds, too!
Paul was my favorite. My first concert was the Beatles first Hollywood bowl. My mom and a friend drove us up. I went with a neighbor boy, country singer Ferlin Husky s son Danny. Planning a May trip, hopefully, to the RocknRoll HOF to see the new Paul McCartney and wings exhibit.
Maggie, you saw a historic concept at the Hollywood Bowl! My sister Karen adored Paul and still plays his music all of the time!
Sorry, shrug, ancient history. I like the music but have no interest in McCartney himself. George and Jeff, great lists of notable covers.
Fred, I was more of a Rolling Stones fan, but I occasionally break out some Beatle CDs to enjoy the nostalgia.
No lack of other good music from the ’60s…Fairport Convention or the Zombies might well’ve become my favorite rock band of the decade, and War was among the others not too far behind. And Aretha Franklin and Miriam Makeba and others mostly just on the edge of rock, or in other music that would fruitfully interact with it. But, then, jazz has been my “home base” for most of my life.