Doc shows McCartneys banding together

Paul McCartney said he just wanted to be in a band. But it was clear to everyone — except perhaps the former Beatle himself — that such a thing was impossible. That's a big takeaway from "Man on the Run," a documentary directed by Morgan Neville about McCartney's first 10 years — musically and otherwise — after the Fab Four broke up. McCartney's post-Beatles work is a major part of the film, which relies on personal videos and interviews with musicians. There's also a lot about his post-Beatles relationship with John Lennon. McCartney and Lennon famously feuded in the early 70s, even taking subtle — and not-so-subtle — jabs at each other in their music. John's son Sean is interviewed in the film, talking about the rivalry between the two, which became much more friendly before Lennon's death in 1980. There were, of course, two other Beatles. We see Ringo Starr backstage at a concert. I'm not sure George Harrison is even mentioned. Now, being that the Beatles and their history have spawned countless films, books and merchandise, much of this information is not new. But the film is captivating, mainly because of the home videos of Paul and his wife Linda, their family and band members. It's always fascinating to watch musicians interact with each other, in the studio or on stage. And it's in those moments where Paul is at his most interesting. He clearly wanted to move on from the Beatles and take his life and career in a new direction. At the same time, he missed the camaraderie of working with a group. After a debut solo album where Paul and Linda played all the instruments themselves, McCartney set about putting together a band called Wings. The group started with the former Beatle and Linda, a photographer with no real music background. Then, they filled things out with other musicians. McCartney maintained he wanted all members of the band to be equal — in the way the Beatles were. The other members of Wings — and other musicians — all but laughed at the concept. Nick Lowe is interviewed. He played in a band that opened for Wings on one of their tours, and mentioned that when traveling together, Paul wouldn't even leave the bus to go to a public bathroom, for fear of being recognized while at a urinal. Paul told Lowe he's simply learned to hold it. Lowe assured the audience that HE had never had to do that. Wings' first drummer, Denny Seiwell, said that McCartney "wanted us to be like John, Paul George and Ringo, but really it was Paul McCartney and these other guys that played with him." It's kind of like any front man (or woman) in a band. It's Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band or Janis Joplin and Big Brother. Fans shorten the name to the lead performer, sometimes without even realizing it. If you say "American Girl" is a Tom Petty song, few will scold you for excluding the Heartbreakers. Only with Paul, the difference is even more pronounced. McCartney was one of the creative forces for the biggest music group in the world. He was always going to be out front in any project after that, no matter how much he tried not to be. McCartney himself acknowledged that being a Beatle made it hard for people to tell him when he had a bad idea. That made for some strange material at times. There was also great material, such as Wings' 1973 album "Band on the Run." The album is credited to Wings, though two members left the group just before they were due to go to Nigeria to record the songs. The record was done, primarily, by Paul, Linda and Denny Laine, a former lead singer for the Moody Blues. McCartney's workaholic tendencies are on full display during this period. He and Linda were mugged in Africa, and the robbers not only took money, but tapes of songs for the record. Back at the studio, someone told McCartney he was lucky he wasn't killed. McCartney just wanted to talk about making a record, and immediately got back to work. That focus is probably why McCartney has thrived so much. But it also makes him come off oddly at times. He seems almost flippant when talking about the drug overdose death of Wings' second guitarist, Jimmy McCulloch. And he didn't give a ton of time to the revolving players in his band. Now, some 46 years after Wings dissolved, it's easier to appreciate the work of the band. Even if it's hard to see it as a band. Linda — a lightning rod for criticism in the '70s, but someone who comes across very well in the film — died in 1998. Laine passed three years ago. "Man on the Run" is still a Paul McCartney film — he's an executive producer — and it's his story. No matter what he wanted, or said he wanted, he will always be out front. Way out front. Zach Baker is sports editor and music columnist for The Courier.