Wednesday 12 June 1974 | Rehearsal | Curly Putman's Farm, Nashville, Tennessee
On Wednesday 12 June 1974, Wings rehearsed at the farm owned by Nashville songwriter Claude 'Curly' Putman Jr. in Tennessee. The band had rented the farm for $2,000 a week, staying on the property and rehearsing in the garage. On this day and the previous one, Wings primarily worked on two songs from their recently released album Band on the Run: 'Jet' and 'Band on the Run'.
The Nashville visit was part of Wings' preparations for their forthcoming world tour ā their first major touring campaign since the chaotic 1972 European tour. The band had recently been reconstituted with two new members: guitarist Jimmy McCulloch and drummer Geoff Britton, both of whom were breaking in their roles within the group during the Nashville rehearsals.
Geoff Britton's Secret Injury
Also on 12 June, drummer Geoff Britton had an X-ray on his right foot at a local Nashville hospital. He had broken it while karate training on 3 June ā nine days earlier ā but had resisted having a cast fitted, fearing it would interfere with his playing. Instead, he had bought a pair of stiff new shoes in the hope that they would provide enough support to allow the foot to heal naturally. He did not inform the rest of the band of his injury at this time.
Britton's decision to conceal the injury was characteristic of the pressures facing new members of Wings, for whom the stakes of the forthcoming tour were considerable. His tenure with the band would prove short-lived: he left Wings in early 1975 and was replaced by Joe English, who played on Venus and Mars (1975) and the Wings at the Speed of Sound world tour.
After the Rehearsal
The evening after the rehearsal offered a revealing snapshot of the band's internal dynamics. Paul McCartney, Denny Laine, and Geoff Britton jammed together before settling in to watch television. Jimmy McCulloch ā described as the heaviest drinker in the band ā went out to the local bars. McCulloch's drinking would become an increasing source of tension within Wings over the following years; he left the band in September 1977 and died of a drug overdose in September 1979, aged 26.
Curly Putman and Nashville
Claude 'Curly' Putman Jr. (1931ā2016) was one of Nashville's most celebrated country songwriters, best known for co-writing 'Green Green Grass of Home' (a worldwide hit for Tom Jones in 1966) and 'D-I-V-O-R-C-E' (a hit for Tammy Wynette in 1968). His farm provided Wings with a relaxed, rural environment for their rehearsals ā a deliberate contrast to the pressures of the studio and the road.
McCartney's choice of Nashville as a rehearsal base reflected his longstanding affection for American country music and his desire to absorb new musical influences. The visit to Putman's farm directly inspired the single 'Junior's Farm', released in October 1974, which referenced the Nashville stay in its title and atmosphere.
Wings in 1974
By June 1974, Wings were riding the success of Band on the Run ā recorded in Lagos, Nigeria in 1973 under extraordinary circumstances and released in December 1973. The album had been a critical and commercial triumph, reaching number one in both the UK and the US and restoring McCartney's reputation after the mixed reception of Red Rose Speedway (1973). It remains one of the most celebrated albums of McCartney's solo career.
The Nashville rehearsals were preparing Wings for a return to major touring. The lineup at this point comprised:
- Paul McCartney ā vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards
- Linda McCartney ā vocals, keyboards
- Denny Laine ā guitar, vocals
- Jimmy McCulloch ā lead guitar, vocals
- Geoff Britton ā drums
Key Facts: 12 June 1974
- Date: Wednesday 12 June 1974
- Location: Curly Putman's farm, Nashville, Tennessee
- Rental cost: $2,000 per week
- Rehearsal space: The farm garage
- Songs worked on: 'Jet'; 'Band on the Run'
- Geoff Britton: X-ray on broken right foot (injured karate training, 3 June); concealed from bandmates
- Evening: McCartney, Laine, Britton jammed and watched TV; McCulloch went to local bars
- Inspired: 'Junior's Farm' (single, October 1974)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Wings rehearse in Nashville in 1974?
Wings rehearsed at the farm owned by country songwriter Curly Putman (Claude 'Curly' Putman Jr.) in Nashville, Tennessee, in June 1974. They rented the property for $2,000 a week and rehearsed in the garage. The visit inspired the Wings single 'Junior's Farm', released in October 1974.
What songs did Wings rehearse in Nashville?
On 12 June 1974 and the previous day, Wings primarily worked on 'Jet' and 'Band on the Run' ā two tracks from their recently released album Band on the Run (December 1973).
Who was Curly Putman?
Claude 'Curly' Putman Jr. (1931ā2016) was a Nashville country songwriter best known for co-writing 'Green Green Grass of Home' (Tom Jones, 1966) and 'D-I-V-O-R-C-E' (Tammy Wynette, 1968). Wings rented his farm for their June 1974 rehearsals.
Did Geoff Britton have an injury during the Nashville rehearsals?
Yes ā Geoff Britton had broken his right foot while karate training on 3 June 1974. He had an X-ray at a Nashville hospital on 12 June but concealed the injury from the rest of the band, resisting a cast and buying stiff shoes instead. He left Wings in early 1975 and was replaced by Joe English.
What happened to Jimmy McCulloch?
Jimmy McCulloch was Wings' lead guitarist from 1974 to 1977. He left the band in September 1977 and died of a drug overdose in September 1979, aged 26. During the Nashville rehearsals he was noted as the heaviest drinker in the band.
What inspired Wings' song 'Junior's Farm'?
'Junior's Farm' ā released as a single in October 1974 ā was inspired by Wings' stay at Curly Putman's farm in Nashville in June 1974. 'Junior' was a nickname for Putman. The single reached number three in the UK and number three in the US.
ā 12 June in Beatles History
ā Paul McCartney | John Lennon | George Harrison | Ringo Starr
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