1976-77
Mal Evans, the Beatles roadie and general assistant during their entire career, is shot and killed
by LA policeman after Mal pointed a rifle at him. He was 40 yo
By the end of Feb 1976: The Beatles nearly decade-old contract with EMI/Capitol expires. Only
Paul resigns with the US Capitol Records. George decides to release his music on his Dark Horse
Records, distributed by A&M, Ringo signs to Atlantic (US) and Polydor (elsewhere) and John
remains unsigned for the time being.
At Abbey Road Studios in London, Paul and Wings continue recording songs for their next LP,
Wings at the Speed of Sound. Produced by Paul, with his songs written after his Hawaiian
vacation, this record was put together quickly. One critic says it’s his weakest album to date. But,
in the wake of his world tour success audiences liked the record which spawned two top 20
singles, Sill Love Songs and Let em in.
Silly Love Songs: one of Paul’s most successful solo singles I the commercial music market.
Originally reggae style, but redone as a dance-oriented disco style track. The sound of an anvil
chains, and a squeak over an acoustic pian oset the tempo with ac piano, bass and drums
establishing the disco feel. “I love you” lyrics repeated. Added horn lines and upper register
counter melody. Band and horn accents and harmonies and strings building into next section. Sax
and horns play lines over strings and band as this interlude repeats, leading to latered chorus.
Chorus begins a series of repeats with additive textures-new material being introduced each time.
Starting with piano, bass, drums and Paul’s high melody the next repeat features vocal company.
Let em in: The doorbell chime heard on the intro was a gift from the drummer Joe English to
Paul and Linda. Bass plays every beat as the intro continues with drums and an ac piano playing
a back and forth pattern throughout most the song, specifically on the verses. Paul’s vocals are
relaxed and in higher register, and on the verse repeat, harmonies enter and a creaking door is
heard. A military style snare drum pattern and flutes are featured on the repeat of the verse
music. The contrasting bridge is where Paul sings his list of visitors with harmony, followed by
trombone solo on the verse melody. The bridge returns as sax and trumpets are heard. Verse
returns with parallel harmony , the military snare and flutes returns alogn with mumbling and
talking voices.
Feb 1976: Promoter Bill Sargent offers the Beatles $50 million to reunite for a twenty-minute
show, but they do not bite. George travels to the US from the UK to work on his next album.
EMI re-releases the entire 23-single Beatles catalog recorded between 1962 and 1970.
March: Wings begins rehearsing in a North London studio. Promoter Bill Sargent doubles his
offer plus adds percentage of the profits, but Paul’s spokesman says, “no comment.”
March 18: Paul’s dad died at age 73 from pneumonia.
March 20-26: Wings World Tour part 2 covers 5 European dates. Compenhagen – France. Wings
at the Speed of Sounds released in US.
