Recording Name and Address: Wings finish the London Town rocker – 27 October 1977

Thursday 27 October 1977 | Final recording overdubs | Studio Two, Abbey Road Studios, London

Wings finished recording Name and Address on 27 October 1977, completing another track for London Town. Paul McCartney produced the session at Abbey Road’s Studio Two, with Geoff Emerick engineering.

The final additions were a double-tracked guitar solo played by Paul and backing vocals by Paul, Linda McCartney and Denny Laine. Hank Marvin of the Shadows visited the studio that day, although he did not play on the song.

Completing the guitar solo

Paul supplied the lead-guitar work for Name and Address, and the final overdubs included a double-tracked solo. The guitar fitted the song’s straightforward rock ’n’ roll approach, a style Paul later described in terms of early records and a direct, energetic feel.

With the solo added, the song’s instrumental finishing work formed part of the October push on London Town. The previous day had included work on I’m Carrying, placing two contrasting songs from the album on consecutive dates in the studio chronology.

Paul, Linda and Denny’s backing vocals

The session also brought together Paul, Linda and Denny Laine for backing vocals. Their vocal additions and Paul’s guitar overdub completed the recording of Name and Address.

These were finishing touches to an existing track. By the end of the day, the song had reached the end of its recording work and was ready to take its place within the album’s continuing production.

A visitor from the Shadows

Hank Marvin, the Shadows’ guitarist, called in at the studio. Paul later remembered Marvin visiting the control room while the recording was under way.

The guitar on Name and Address remained Paul’s own work. Marvin’s role in the day’s story was as a visitor, not a player on the recording.

Paul’s love of early Elvis records

In a 1978 BBC Radio 1 interview, Paul explained that Name and Address drew on his longstanding admiration for Elvis Presley, particularly the early recordings. He described the song as a return to straight, three-chord rock ’n’ roll, with tape echo on the voice and an Elvis-like vocal approach.

“So this is like a throwback to the old days of straight, three-chord rock ’n’ roll, straight tape echo on the voice, and kind of very Elvis-y sounding.”

Paul also made the chronology clear: he had written the song several months before Elvis died. Its style reflected an influence he had carried for years, rather than a song written in response to Elvis’s death.

His explanation brings the guitar playing, vocal sound and uncluttered approach together. He wanted to capture the force and immediacy of the old records he loved.

To explore the artist behind that influence, browse the Elvis Presley merchandise collection at Wonderhaul, our sister store.

Explore London Town merchandise

For an album-related piece, browse the Paul McCartney London Town T-shirt.

From the October session to London Town

Name and Address became part of London Town, released in Britain on 31 March 1978. The album brought together material developed across its extended recording period, with the October Abbey Road work contributing to the finished record.

Follow the next stage in our London Town UK release article, or explore the surrounding recording story through I’m Carrying on 26 October 1977.

For more of Paul’s music and career, visit the Paul McCartney artist hub. An additional artist-focused choice is the McCartney Photo T-shirt.

Studio Two at Abbey Road

The final Name and Address overdubs were recorded in Studio Two at Abbey Road Studios, 3 Abbey Road, St John’s Wood, London NW8 9AY. The map targets the studio building, not London as a whole.

Open the Abbey Road Studios location in Google Maps.

Frequently asked questions

When did Wings finish recording Name and Address?

They completed the recording on 27 October 1977 at Abbey Road Studios.

Who played the guitar solo?

Paul McCartney played the double-tracked guitar solo.

Who sang the backing vocals?

Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney and Denny Laine added the backing vocals.

Did Hank Marvin play on the song?

No. He visited the studio that day but did not perform on the recording.

Was Name and Address written after Elvis died?

No. Paul said he had written it several months earlier. Its sound reflected his longstanding love of early Elvis records.

Which album includes Name and Address?

It appears on London Town, released in Britain on 31 March 1978.

I’m Carrying: the previous day’s session · London Town UK album release · More On This Day in Beatles History

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