McCartney talks of Wings reinvention in new book

As many people ask Sir Paul McCartney about his second band Wings as they do The Beatles, the veteran musician has said.

"Suddenly Wings has found its moment," said 83-year-old McCartney. "There's a generational shift at play and it's like being transported back on a magic carpet."

Speaking ahead of the launch of the book Wings: The Story Of A Band On The Run, which McCartney has written alongside American historian Edward "Ted" Widmer, he said he found many people tell him Band On The Run is their favourite album.

Wings had 12 UK top 10 singles, including the Christmas number one Mull Of Kintyre, as well as eight UK top 10 albums, including two number ones.

The band is best known for songs such as Jet, Silly Love Songs and Live And Let Die, the theme to the 1973 James Bond film.

McCartney said he "didn't really know how to be in a band" after The Beatles split up in 1970.

"It was a complete blank canvas," he said.

"We would go on the road with no plans, no hotels booked, no gigs lined up and we thought the only place we might find a captive audience was at a university - a completely off-the-wall idea but I'm glad we did it."

McCartney started Wings in 1971 with his late wife Linda McCartney and former Moody Blues guitarist Denny Laine.

"The times with Wings were exciting because we built up to it and eventually we hit the big time," he said.

"There was a particular kind of excitement in achieving that goal."

The singer and bassist explained: "I don't spend a lot of time looking back in general.

"I like to live in the moment. Like everything else, it's a timing thing.

"In recent years, I noticed I'd be asked just as many questions about Wings in interviews as I would about The Beatles.

"People would tell me that the first thing they heard of mine was Band On The Run or Jet, or that their favourite album was a Wings one.

"The reception for these songs in our live shows often takes me by surprise too."