Paul McCartney Films James Paul McCartney TV Special – 24 March 1973

Filming ‘James Paul McCartney’ TV Special – Elstree Studios, 24 March 1973

Saturday 24 March 1973 | Paul McCartney, Television, Wings

On 24 March 1973, Paul McCartney and Wings continued filming the television special James Paul McCartney at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire.

The production was part of McCartney’s effort to reintroduce himself to a global television audience following the breakup of The Beatles, showcasing both Wings material and classic songs from his catalogue.

Filming Key Sequences

During this day of filming, several important segments of the special were completed.

One of the most notable sequences was for ‘Big Barn Bed’, which would later serve as the opening number of the programme. The band mimed to a pre-recorded track while performing in front of a visually striking bank of television screens.

The audio for this performance had been recorded earlier in the month at Elstree.

The finale of the show was also filmed on this day, featuring:

• ‘Yesterday’ – Paul McCartney’s iconic Beatles-era composition
• An improvisation titled ‘Well, That’s The End Of Another Day’

Audio Touch-Ups and Production Work

Alongside filming, time was spent refining the audio recordings made by Wings during February and early March.

The original recordings were considered unsuitable for broadcast quality, leading to a dedicated session to improve the sound.

This work was overseen by producer Richard Perry, who was brought in to assist with the musical aspects of the television production.

The Connection to Ringo Starr’s ‘Ringo’ Album

At the time, Richard Perry was also producing Ringo Starr’s third solo album, Ringo, creating an overlap between the two projects.

During the Elstree sessions, Perry approached McCartney about contributing to Starr’s recording of ‘I’m The Greatest’, a song written by John Lennon.

McCartney declined to appear on the track, largely due to lingering tensions between himself and Lennon. However, he expressed willingness to contribute in another way.

This conversation led directly to McCartney agreeing to write a new song for Starr, provided he was given a deadline.

The Creation of ‘Six O’Clock’

Following Perry’s request, McCartney quickly composed ‘Six O’Clock’, which would later appear on Starr’s Ringo album.

The backing track for the song was recorded at Apple Studios in London on 28 March 1973, with both Paul and Linda McCartney contributing to the session.

This collaboration marked one of the most notable post-Beatles musical connections between the former band members during the early 1970s.

The James Paul McCartney Special

The James Paul McCartney television special combined performance footage, interview segments and visual sequences, offering audiences a comprehensive look at McCartney’s post-Beatles career.

Filming sessions such as the one on 24 March 1973 were central to shaping the final programme, blending studio production with creative staging techniques.

Location

FAQs

What was ‘James Paul McCartney’?

It was a television special showcasing Paul McCartney and Wings, featuring performances, interviews and visual segments.

What songs were filmed on this day?

Sequences for ‘Big Barn Bed’ and the finale featuring ‘Yesterday’ were filmed.

How did this session connect to Ringo Starr?

Producer Richard Perry asked McCartney to contribute to Starr’s album, leading to the creation of the song ‘Six O’Clock’.

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