What Are the Members of Wings Now? Here's What Happened to Paul McCartney's Post-Beatles Band
What Are the Members of Wings Now? Here's What Happened to Paul McCartney's Post-Beatles Band
Samantha StutsmanFri, February 27, 2026 at 12:30 PM UTC
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Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Jimmy McCulloch, Denny Laine and Geoff Britton of Wings in 1974.Credit: Michael Putland/Getty -
Wings was founded by Paul McCartney in 1971
McCartney recruited his wife, Linda McCartney, and musicians Denny Laine, Denny Seiwell and Henry McCullough to join the band
The Beatles alum discussed the formation of Wings in his new documentary Paul McCartney: Man on the Run
Paul McCartney’s musical career didn’t end with The Beatles’ 1970 breakup.
A year later, Paul formed Wings, according to his website. He recruited guitarist Denny Laine and drummer Denny Seiwell, while his wife, Linda McCartney, joined on keyboards and backing vocals, despite early criticism.
He came up with the band's name during the complicated birth of their daughter, Stella, later saying he prayed for “wings” to carry them through, per Far Out Magazine. Wings' debut album, Wild Life, arrived in December 1971.
Rather than launch with major fanfare, Wings played surprise university gigs across the U.K. in 1972, building from the ground up. Guitarist Henry McCullough soon joined, expanding the lineup heard on 1973’s Red Rose Speedway.
The band’s origins are explored in the Prime Video documentary Paul McCartney: Man on the Run, which premiered on Feb. 27.
"The Beatles had been my whole life, really. When we split up, I thought, 'I'll never write another note of music ever,' " Paul said in the trailer. "We started Wings from square one. It was about trying to do something different. People thought we were totally crazy, but that was our way. When we started Wings, it was about freedom."
So, where are the members of Wings now? Here's a look back at the band founded by Paul McCartney in 1971.
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Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney performs on November 20, 1974 in London, England ; Paul McCartney performs on December 04, 2024 in Nanterre, France.Credit: David Redfern/Redferns ; Kristy Sparow/Getty
Paul began his career as a teenager in Liverpool, co-founding The Beatles in the late 1950s. As the band’s bassist, co-lead vocalist and primary songwriter alongside John Lennon, he helped shape modern pop music, penning classics like “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be” and “Yesterday.”
After The Beatles disbanded in 1970, Paul launched a solo career and formed Wings in 1971 with his wife. Serving as the group’s leader, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, he guided Wings to global success with albums like Band on the Run and hits including “Live and Let Die.”
Over the decades, Paul has continued to write, record and tour, earning multiple Grammy Awards and becoming one of the best-selling songwriters in history. He was knighted in 1997 for his services to music.
Paul was married to Linda until her death in 1998, and the couple had four children. He is now married to Nancy Shevell.
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Linda McCartney
Linda McCartney performs on July 13th, 1972 in Arles, France ; Linda McCartney in 1995.Credit: Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns ; James Keyser/Getty
Linda began her career as a photographer, rising to prominence in the 1960s with candid portraits of rock musicians. She became the first woman to have a photograph featured on the cover of Rolling Stone.
After marrying Paul in 1969, Linda transitioned into music. She co-founded Wings in 1971, serving as the band’s keyboardist and backing vocalist. Though initially criticized for her lack of formal training, she remained a steady presence in the group throughout its decade-long run.
Beyond music, Linda became a passionate animal rights activist and entrepreneur. She launched the Linda McCartney Foods brand in the early 1990s, helping popularize vegetarian products in the U.K. and beyond.
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Linda was married to Paul until her death from breast cancer on April 17, 1998, at age 56. Together, they had four children.
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Denny Laine
Denny Laine in December 1980 ; Denny Laine performs on March 14, 2023 in New York City.Credit: Michael Putland/Getty ; Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Laine, born Brian Frederick Hines, began his career in the early 1960s as a founding member of The Moody Blues, serving as the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist.
He left The Moody Blues after the release of their 1965 debut LP, The Magnificent Moodies. Laine spent several years pursuing solo projects and playing in various bands before joining Wings in 1971.
Following Wings’ dissolution in 1981, Laine returned to solo work and touring, often performing both The Moody Blues and Wings material for longtime fans. In 2018, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Moody Blues.
Laine died of interstitial lung disease on Dec. 5, 2023, at age 79. He was married to his second wife, Elizabeth Hines, at the time of his death and welcomed five children over the course of his life.
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Denny Seiwell
Denny Seiwell on July 13th 1972 ; Denny Seiwell on August 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.Credit: Mark Ellidge/Mirrorpix via Getty ; Brandon Williams/Getty
Seiwell began his career as a jazz-influenced session drummer, working throughout the 1960s with a range of artists in New York’s studio scene. His versatile playing style led to high-profile collaborations, including work on Paul's album, Ram, according to Seiwell's website.
In 1971, Seiwell became a founding member of Wings, serving as the band’s original drummer. He played on their debut album Wild Life, and contributed to the early sessions for Red Rose Speedway before departing the group in 1973.
Since leaving Wings, Seiwell has continued to work as a session musician and touring drummer, collaborating with artists across rock, pop and jazz genres while also releasing solo material.
He's currently living in Los Angeles and continues to be in touch with Paul, he told American Songwriter in September 2025.
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Henry McCullough
Henry McCullough performs on July 13th, 1972 in Arles, France ; Henry McCullough on April 8, 2004 in London.Credit: Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns ; Brian Rasic/Getty
McCullough began his career in the 1960s as part of the Irish showband circuit before gaining wider recognition as a member of The Grease Band, backing Joe Cocker, according to the BBC. They performed at Woodstock in 1969.
McCullough eventually joined Wings, adding a blues-rock edge as the band’s lead guitarist. He contributed to Red Rose Speedway and is best remembered for his distinctive guitar solo on “My Love."
After leaving Wings in 1973, McCullough pursued a solo career. He died on June 14, 2016, at age 72, four years after experiencing a heart attack, per The New York Times.
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