In this section, I give very short biographies for some of the people that have played or written songs with Paul McCartney. If I've found a good web site, I've also linked to it, so you can find out even more about these musicians. I've tried to list the musicians in a more or less chronological order, although I begin with the Wings members.
Denny Laine
The longest-standing musical collaborator and a Wings founding member. He even got to write a couple of songs with Paul! :)
His career began in Denny Laine & the Diplomats, which he founded in 1962. Two years later, he became a founding member of Moody Blues. He sang lead vocals on their first no. 1 hit, "Go Now". However, when Moody Blues began having troubles finding hit songs, he left to start a solo career. He recorded a couple of singles, including "Say You Don't Mind" which was later to become a hit for Colin Blunstone, once singer in Zombies. Laine's experimental group The Electric String Band didn't find any success, and he joined first Birmingham group Balls, and later Ginger Baker's Airforce. When Paul offered him the chance to become a member of Wings, he accepted. He was the only member except the McCartneys to stay until the group's demise. He also played on a couple of McCartney solo records after that, and he started on a solo career, but nothing much came out of it.
Links:
Follow this link to get to a
Denny Laine fan page.
This link should get you to the official Moody Blues homepage.
Denny Seiwell
Seiwell was a relatively unknown New York session musician when he auditioned to play on Ram. He is the drummer on the whole album, and when Paul McCartney got the idea to start Wings in 1971, he was offered membership. He agreed, and played with the group for around 2 years. After leaving Wings, he reverted to session work.
Henry McCullough
Was a member of Joe Cocker's Grease Band from '68 to '71. He also played with Spooky Tooth around 1970, before he joined Wings in 1972. He played with them for one year, before leaving and going back to the Grease band for a while. He was later a member for a short time of Dr. Feelgood.
Links:
This is the official Henry McCullough page.
Jimmy McCulloch
Jimmy McCulloch's career as a professional musician began in Thunderclap Newman, where he played on the 1969 no. 1 hit "Something in the Air". The group failed to take off, however, and McCulloch instead became a member of Stone the Crows. He first hooked up with Wings in autumn 1973, doing some sessions with them, before becoming a full member one year later. He played during the Wings over America tour, and left during sessions for what was to become London Town. He then joined the Small Faces touring band. His death in 1979 was drug-related.
Links:
By clicking this link you'll
get to a Jimmy McCulloch fan page.
Geoff Britton
Britton became known in 1968, playing with British group East of Eden. He later was a member of White Angel, before auditioning for the place as Wings drummer in 1974. He lasted only 9 months, playing on for example the "Junior's Farm" single. After leaving Wings, he was a member of the first incarnation of Champion. He has also played with Manfred Mann's Earth Band.
Joe English
The second American drummer in Wings, English had formerly been a session musician, before he was asked to join Wings in early '75. He also played with them during the Wings over America tour. After leaving the band in 1977, he played with group Sea Level, but mainly reverted to session work.
Steve Holly
The fourth and final drummer in Wings, Steve Holly had earlier been a session musician, playing with e.g. Elton John. He is only featured on the Back to the Egg album, and when Wings was dissolved, Holly reverted to session playing.
Laurence Juber
Juber was a member of Wings at the same time as Steve Holly. He, too, had previously been a session player, and returned to doing this after his stint with Wings. In the 90s, he's become very well known for his accoustic guitar playing.
Links:
Official page
Dave Spinoza
One of the famous session musicians in early 70s New York, Spinoza has also played with John Lennon. He can be heard on the Ram and Red Rose Speedway albums.
Hugh McCracken
McCracken was one of the session players that Paul hired to do work on Ram. He can be heard on Tim Rose's first album, and was also a member of Roberta Flack's band.
Chet Atkins
One of the famous guitarists of the 50s, Atkins can be heard playing with Elvis Presley, Waylon Jennings, Don Gibson, Hank Snow, Jerry Reed and Perry Como, all in addition to all the music he has recorded on his own. He was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973, just prior to playing on the single "Walking in the Park with Eloise" with Wings. In the 90s, he has played with Mark Knopfler on the album "Neck and Neck".
Links:
Official homepage
Floyd Cramer
Also an experienced 50s session player, Cramer can be heard on a great number of Elvis Presley and Jim Reeves records. He's been long-time friends with Chet Atkins, together with whom he has often played. He, too, is featured on the "Walking in the Park with Eloise" single. In the 80s, Cramer enjoyed great success with the theme from TV soap "Dallas". Floyd Cramer passed away in December 1997.
Dave Mason
A founding member of Traffic, where he wrote many of the more commercial songs, Mason became a solo artists in the beginning of the 70s. He's recorded an album with Mama Cass (from the Mamas & the Papas), and he can be heard on records by many famous musicians, including George Harrison's All Things Must Pass.
Links:
Official page
Pete Townshend
A founding member of the Who, Townshend was their guitarist, main song-writer, and sometimes singer. He was a member of the Rockestra gathering in 1979, together with many other famous musicians. He also plays on McCartney's album Press to Play. Townshend has enjoyed a lot of success with his solo music after the Who's demise, although there seem to be farewell tours by the Who every third year or so. :)
Links:
Fan site
David Gilmour
Gilmour joined the Pink Floyd when his childhood friend Syd Barrett became too drugged-out to manage playing. He has remained with the band since, even taking control when Roger Waters wanted to finish it in the mid 80s. Gilmour has played with Paul both during the Rockestra sessions, and later during the mid 80s.
Links:
Fan site
John Paul Jones
Jones was a famous session musician in the 60s. He can be heard on records by Donovan and the Rolling Stones, for instance. He was later asked to join Led Zeppelin as their bassist, where he remained until they broke up following John Bonham's death in 1980. For some reason, he hasn't been invited to join the recent reunion between Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. Jones can be found on the Rockestra songs and on the Give my Regards to Broad Street album.
Links:
His page on Led-Zeppelin.com
John Bonham
John Bonham was also a studio musician during the 60s, and he too is featured on for example Donovan's records. He joined Led Zeppelin in 1968 and played with them until his death in 1980. He was also a member of the Rockestra line-up.
Links:
His page on Led-Zeppelin.com
Kenney Jones
Jones first found fame in the Small Faces. When the group broke up, he continued with the Faces, before the Small Faces re-formed in the mid 70s. He then joined the Who after Keith Moon passed away. Jones can be heard on the Rockestra songs.
Hank Marvin
Hank Marvin was one of the early 60s guitar heroes. He played with the Shadows, who enjoyed an excellent career both in their own name and as a back-up band to Cliff Richard. He is yet another famous musician who can be found in the Rockestra line-up.
Links:
Short biography
Stevie Wonder
Wonder became known as Little Stevie Wonder in the early 60s. He was one of Motown's bigger artists, where his multi-instrumental talents were allowed to blossom. He began (co-)writing his own songs towards the late 60s. In 1971, he left Motown to strike out entirely on his own. Wonder began experimenting with his music, and was the first person to use synthesizer in black music. He had a number of hit singles and albums in the 70s, such as "Superstition", "You are the Sunshine of my Life" and "Sir Duke". Towards the end of the 70s, Wonder took a break from releasing new records, but with the early 80s he came back again. He is featured on Paul's album Tug of War where he sings on "Ebony and Ivory" and "What's that you're Doing?", the latter of which he also co-wrote. He's gone on to release a number of big albums during the 80s and 90s, and is generally known as one of the biggest musicians of our time.
Links:
Fan site
Carl Perkins
One of the famous 50s musicians and song-writers, Perkins was one of the Beatles' heroes. The band recorded a couple of his tunes, and he was even allowed to listen in to their sessions. His songs include "Matchbox", "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Honey Don't". He is recognised as one of the best guitarists in the rockabilly style. He played with Paul on "Get It", found on the Tug of War album, and also on "My Old Friend", released on his own album Carl Perkins And Friends. On this album, all four Beatles are featured (although not on the same song).
Stanley Clarke
Clarke is one of the best known bass guitarists in the business. He has played with many different artists, like Jeff Beck, Santana and John McLaughlin. He can be heard on the Tug of War and Pipes of Peace albums, on the latter of which he is the co-writer of one song, Hey Hey.
Links:
Fan page
Steve Gadd
Gadd is a famous session drummer, and began his career in a UK hard rock band called Stray. You can find him playing on records by James Taylor, Georgie Fame, Joe Cocker and Steely Dan. He is featured on the following McCartney albums: Tug of War and Pipes of Peace.
Michael Jackson
Nicknamed the "King of Pop", Michael Jackson is possibly the most famous pop musician nowadays. His career started with his brothers in the Jackson 5, where he was the lead vocalist. The group evolved into the Jacksons, and the Jackson brothers began handling their own songwriting and production. Michael Jackson's first "real" solo record came towards the end of the 70s, and since then his album releases have kept on giving him bigger and bigger hits. He is also known for owning the publishing rights to Northern Songs, i.e. most of the Beatles' originals. He can be heard on Pipes of Peace, where he's co-written two songs, Say Say Say and The Man.
Links:
Official site
Eric Stewart
Stewart began his career in the Mindbenders, backing Wayne Fontana before the group struck out on their own. When the group folded, Stewart founded the Hotlegs with Kevin Godley and Lol Creme and went on to have a massive hit with "Neanderthal Man". Some time later, Graham Gouldman joined the band, which changed its name to 10cc. This group had a long string of hits, including "Rubber Bullets", "The Things We Do for Love" and "I'm Not in Love". The group folded in the early 80s, and Stewart began playing with Paul McCartney, and can be heard on albums Tug of War, Pipes of Peace, Give my Regards to Broad Street and Press to Play, on the latter of which he co-wrote the majority of songs. He's since returned to playing with 10cc.
Links:
Short bio
Dave Mattacks
Mattacks first became known through his playing with Fairport Convention, possibly the best British folk rock group. He stayed with them 5 years ('69 to '74) before moving on to the Albion Dance Band. He has always been a productive session player, featuring on records by e.g. Joan Armatrading and Chris Rea. Mattacks can be heard playing on Tug of War, Pipes of Peace, Give my Regards to Broad Street and Flowers in the Dirt. In the 80s, he was many times a member of a re-invented Fairport Convention, and in the 90s, he joined a new incarnation of Jethro Tull.
Links:
Official page
Ringo Starr
Does not really need an introduction. He joined the Beatles in 1962, soon after the band had secured a recording contract. After the group's demise in '70, Starr began a solo career, which has had its ups and downs. He's kept up a session career parallel with the solo one, and he can be heard on albums by all the other three Beatles, Nilsson, Eric Clapton and many more. He can be heard on the following McCartney albums: Tug of War, Pipes of Peace, Give my Regards to Broad Street and Flaming Pie. In the late 80s and early 90s, Starr toured with the All-Starr Band, which featured a number of well-known musicians.
Links:
Official page
Dave Edmunds
One of the many guitar heroes named Dave, Edmunds came to the fore when he played in Love Sculpture on their smash hit "Sabre Dance". He embarked on a solo career in the 70s. Among other things, he was a producer for the Flamin' Groovies. In the late 1970s, Edmunds founded Rockpile with fellow musicians Billy Bremner and Nick Lowe, which acted as Edmunds' studio band. In 1981 Edmunds Rockpile was dissolved, and he again embarked on a solo career as a musician and producer. He plays on McCartney's Give my Regards to Broad Street.
Links:
Fan site
Chris Spedding
A multi-instrumentalist, Spedding played with a number of groups in the 60s, playing with Alan Price, Paul Jones and Jack Bruce. In 1972, he founded the group Sharks, but this only lasted two years, and Spedding returned to session work, with among others Bryan Ferry. He also played on many early punk records. He is featured on Give my Regards to Broad Street.
Carlos Alomar
Alomar is probably most famous for his co-operation with David Bowie. He was guitarist in Bowie's band, and is one of the co-writers on the hit song Fame, together with Bowie and John Lennon. Alomar has also worked with Luther Vandross and different members of Duran Duran. He can be heard on McCartney's LP Press to Play.
Phil Collins
Phil Collins is one of the most famous musicians of our time. His professional musical career began when he joined Genesis in 1970. He played drums and did occasional vocals for them until Peter Gabriel left the group in 1975, when he took over all lead vocal duties. He also formed his own jazz group, Brand X, around this time. In the early 80s, Collins also began a solo career which he conducted parallel to his work with Genesis. He left the band in 1996 to concentrate wholly on his solo music. He plays on McCartney's Press to Play.
Links:
Fan site
Liberty DeVitto, David Brown, David Lebolt, Neil Jason
All these musicians were members of Billy Joel's band, and joined Paul McCartney during sessions which were held with Phil Ramone as a producer. These sessions only resulted in two B-sides, Loveliest Thing and the original version of Beautiful Night.
Chris Whitten
Whitten played in a number of small groups in the late 70s and early 80s. He also did a number of studio sessions, and can be heard on albums by the Waterboys, Julian Cope, Tracey Ullman and ABC. He began playing with Paul on the sessions for the Russian album, and he stayed with the band until after the world tour which is documented on Tripping the Live Fantastic. He is also featured on Flowers in the Dirt.
Mick Green
During the 60s, Green played with both Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas, Cliff Bennett and Johnny Kidd & the Pirates, the latter of which he tried to revive in the 70s. He was asked by Paul to join him for a session with mainly oldies. The songs from this session were later issued on the Russian album. Lately, Green has been a member of the British Invasion All-Stars.
Mickey Gallagher
Gallagher started his career in the 60s in relatively unknown groups The Chosen Few and Skip Bifferty. Later, he was invited to join Peter Frampton's Camel and during the 70s, he was a member of Ian Dury's band The Blockheads. He too participates on the Russian album.
Henry Spinetti
Spinetti was a famous session musician before he joined Eric Clapton's band in 1979. When Clapton folded this group in the early 80s, Spinetti returned to session work, appearing on albums by amongst others George Harrison. He is featured on the Russian album.
Nick Garvey
Garvey played in a number of smaller groups during the 70s, but only made a name for himself when founding the Motors, where he was a member between '77 and '82. He is also famous for writing a number of hit songs. He plays on the Russian album.
Elvis Costello
Born as Declan Patrick MacManus, Costello was an amateur country and folk singer in the early 70s, and during this time he tried to get a record contract by recording his own songs and sending them to variuos companies. He finally broke through at the time of punk rock, where his angry young man image fitted perfectly. His band, the Attractions, was formed in 1977, and Costello went on to have huge success. Costello's career has been very eclectic, and he has never been afraid of changing styles and concepts. His songs has been recorded by a number of artists, and he's been guesting on many albums. He plays on McCartney's Flowers in the Dirt, and is also the co-writer of a number of songs there, as he is on Off the Ground.
Links:
Fan site
Hamish Stuart
Stuart was a member of several soul/flower power groups in the late 60s, before he formed the Average White Band in the early 70s. This group was to have huge success, among other things playing on Eric Clapton's comeback gig, and having a number of number one records. The group folded in 1982, and Stuart went on to become a session musician, playing with and writing songs for Chaka Khan, the Temptations and Diana Ross, before he joined Paul's band in 1987. He played on both world tours and is featured on the following studio albums: Flowers in the Dirt and Off the Ground.
Robbie McIntosh
Robbie McIntosh played with a number of smaller bands during the 70s, before he was offered a part in the group Night, which was fronted by Chris Thompson, lead singer in Manfred Mann's Earth Band. He also played in Thompson's Islands before joining The Pretenders, and hitting the big time. He stayed there 5 years. After that, he had a hobby band, but this was put on the shelf when he was offered a place in Paul's touring band. He can be heard on the following studio albums: Flowers in the Dirt and Off the Ground.
Mitchell Froom
Froom is a famous producer, who has recorded with Pete Case, Crowded House, the Del Fuegos, Maria McKee and Montrose. He can be heard on the album Flowers in the Dirt.
Trevor Horn
Horn began his career in Tina Charles band in the 70s, before going on to playing in Buggles and the last incarnation of Yes. After this, he turned his hand to producing for example Grace Jones and managing Art of Noise.
Links:
Fan site
Steve Lipson
A famous producer, Lipson and Trevor Horn have often worked together. They have a rather distinct sound, which uses heavy programming. Their work can be heard on Flowers in the Dirt.
Links:
Short
info page
Paul "Wix" Wickens
Wix was a prodigious session musician in the 80s, playing with The The, Nik Kershaw, Status Quo, Tracey Ullman, Paul Young and the Pretenders (and many more). He had already met Robbie McIntosh while playing in the Islands, and was recommended to Paul as a keyboard player when the first world tour was going to be launched. He stayed with the band during both world tours, and can be heard on Off the Ground.
Blair Cunningham
Cunningham was a fairly unknown drummer, having played in smaller groups like Haircut 100, when he was invited to join the Pretenders in 1986. At the same time, Cunningham also played with Echo & the Bunnymen. He joined Paul's band just in time for the MTV Unplugged special and stayed with them during the New World Tour, which resulted in the album Paul is Live. He can be heard playing on Off the Ground.
Steve Miller
Miller began his career in music playing with Boz Scaggs in smaller groups during the early 60s. In 1966, he formed the Steve Miller (Blues) Band which has existed in many incarnations up to this very day. His collaborations with McCartney began already in the 60s, when Paul joined him to play on a single. He is featured on Flaming Pie.
Links:
Official site
Jeff Lynne
Lynne is one of the famous Birmingham musicians who came to the fore in the 60s. He began his career in Idle Race, where he was the chief song writer and one of the lead singers and guitarists. He was invited by Roy Wood to join the Move in '68, but wanted to take his chances with Idle Race first. However, when he was asked to join again, he did so in 1970. At the same time, Lynne and Wood harboured ideas to start a more experimental outfit, to "begin where "I am the Walrus" left off". This outfit turned out to be Electric Light Orchestra. Since there was too much talent for one group, Wood only stayed for one album, leaving Lynne to become the group's lead singer, guitarist and song-writer. ELO had a long string of hits during the 70s and early 80s, and when the group folded in 1986, Lynne became a very well-known producer. He's produced for Dave Matthews, Ringo Starr, Brian Wilson, Tom Jones, Del Shannon, Beatles, Roy Orbison, George Harrison and Tom Petty, the last three joining him and Bob Dylan in the Traveling Wilburys. He can be heard on Flaming Pie.
Links:
There seems to be no site dedicated especially to Jeff Lynne.
This is a link to an ELO fan
site.