Uncover the Forgotten Tale of Paul McCartney's Sci-Fi Musical
Section 1: The Birth of the Idea
After the success of The Beatles, Paul McCartney formed Wings, which became one of the bestselling bands of the 1970s. With hits like Mull of Kintyre, McCartney wanted his new band to star in a film. He came up with a story about aliens landing on Earth and morphing into Wings members, challenging the real band. Spanning almost 400 words, his treatment began with a "flying saucer" landing and five creatures transforming into "us" (Wings). This loose plot outline had dialogue fragments and plot turns intended to incorporate his new songs. Among the eccentric details was a reference to Laurel and Hardy, adding an unexpected touch.McCartney's vision for this film was truly unique, showing his creative genius even outside of The Beatles era. The idea of aliens taking over Earth in a supergroup style was both captivating and imaginative.
It was a project that held great potential but unfortunately never got off the ground, leaving behind a fascinating story that has now been discovered.
Section 2: McCartney's Collaboration with Asimov
In 1974, hoping to collaborate on a script, McCartney went to New York to see Isaac Asimov. Asimov, known for his Foundation novels, expanded and reshaped McCartney's treatment. He turned the aliens into "energy-beings" from a dying planet, with a different goal of occupying rather than cloning the Wings musicians. They communicate through "thought-waves" and are affected by music, deciding to use it to unlock human emotion.The collaboration between McCartney and Asimov was an interesting juxtaposition of two creative minds. McCartney's pop sensibilities met Asimov's sci-fi expertise, creating a unique blend.
However, McCartney didn't particularly like Asimov's version, and the project was abandoned by early 1975. This shows the challenges and differences in creative visions between the two.
Section 3: The Discovery and Significance
The treatment for this film and an expanded version by Asimov have been unearthed in a US archive by Allan Kozinn and Adrian Sinclair while researching a forthcoming book. The discovery of these film treatments is a significant event, as they had been overlooked among Asimov's papers.It's amazing to think that these documents have been sitting there for so long, waiting to be discovered. They offer a unique insight into McCartney's creative process and his attempts at branching out into the sci-fi genre.
The fact that McCartney turned down Asimov's version also adds an interesting layer to the story, showing the complexity of creative decisions and the differences in artistic perspectives.
Section 4: The Legacy of the Project
The new book, The McCartney Legacy, Volume 2: 1974-80, follows the success of Volume I and provides a detailed look at McCartney's post-Beatles life and career. The inclusion of these film treatments adds another dimension to the story, showing the breadth of his creative output.For fans and researchers alike, these discoveries are a treasure trove of information. They allow us to see McCartney in a different light and understand his continued influence on the music industry.
The story of this abandoned sci-fi musical is a reminder of McCartney's enduring creativity and his ability to dream up extraordinary concepts that have the potential to captivate audiences.