The University of Nottingham

Memories of Paul McCartney’s debut Wings gig at the University came flooding back for alumni after our e-newsletter appeal. Many alumni contacted us – a flavour of their comments are published here. And we speak to the Students Union’s social secretary at the time, Elaine Woodhams, about the day she met Macca…

www.youtube.com/Wings

“I was in the chemmy block running an experiment at the time when a mate told me about Paul. I was reluctant to potentially lose a morning’s work but said “Stuff it”, turned the Bunsen off and went – I was a rebel in
those days.”
Dudley George (Chemistry 1973), Derby Hall, married a Pharmacist from same year, still married!  Best present Notty ever gave me.

“I can confirm that I was one of the 200 or so people who turned up that lunchtime to see Paul McCartney and his new band, and I’ve dined out on the story ever since. The concert was fantastic, a real rockin’ event.  Afterwards, as I was leaving the building, I noticed a van parked in front of the main steps.  A familiar figure was sat in the driving seat so I took the opportunity to ask Paul for his autograph — he obligingly signed ‘Paul and Linda McCartney’ on a scrap of paper I managed to find in my pocket. I still have that autograph, locked away amongst my most prized possessions, a souvenir of a fantastic day that I will never forget.”
Trevor Morkham (BA Law 1972)

“It was one of those days that I’ve often talked about, a very memorable day. Every time I hear Paul McCartney talk about the University tours I still feel that excitement after all these years.”
Jean Troy, née Eales (Sociology 1974)

“I remember that day very well as I had an interview for the medical school in the morning.  Afterwards I was walking around the campus to get a feel for the place with a couple of other interviewees when we heard the concert rumour. We were at the very back of the hall and couldn’t see well but we could hear. It certainly helped me make the decision that Nottingham was a fun university to go to and I was pleased to start there in September of 1972. Thanks again for the memory.”
Sheila Pritchard (Medicine 1975)

“The audience was very attentive and far too sophisticated to be screaming and shouting. Because of this, Linda McCartney was less than generous. At one point, she asked us why we hadn’t brought our knitting.”
Graham Pearson (Chemical Engineering 1972), Fredericksburg, Texas

“I was there! The Wings gig was different and special. Even in those days, long before mobile phones and the internet, word had got around the Halls that McCartney had been seen drinking in the Buttery on the evening of the 8th. By the time we got to lectures on the 9th, the rumour had turned into the reality that (the then unknown) Wings would be playing in the Ballroom. Needless to say, the University’s “intensive morning study plan” was just about to take a hit. At least in Metallurgy, lectures after 10am were abandoned to allow us to get to the gig. I’m not sure of the entry cost, but 40p doesn’t sound unrealistic. What do I recall of the gig? Well, most vividly, Linda playing keyboards and singing surrounded by an entourage of babies and young children…..Stella would have been there, I’m sure, but only just! I recall Denny Laine and Henry McCullough, who I’m sure had both played with Joe Cocker at one stage. I don’t recall the drummer, but I do remember his playing being sufficiently hard to turn a crash cymbal inside out! A lot of the set I recall being of Rock n’ Roll standards. I was sitting on the sprung wooden floor, very close to the stage. We must have stood up at some stage…uncool!”
Dr Brian R Pearson (Metallurgy 1974)

“I missed the article about the Wings concert in last month’s Alumni e-newsletter but saw it mentioned in this month’s copy. I’ve sent you a copy of a flyer advertising the Wings concert that I kept as a souvenir. I was having a drink with a couple of friends when somebody distributed the flyers to us. We didn’t believe it was true but turned up at lunchtime anyway just in case. I’m really glad we did!”
Chris Burrows (BSc Hons Physics 1974)

I was in Portland Building at the time — as I recall sitting on a sofa on the floor below where the concert was due to take place. Can’t remember what time of day – but the memory feels like a lunchtime and I was taking a break from lectures. Word went round that Paul McCartney was going to play with his new band, but in typical student fashion I decided that they’d sold out on their rock credentials some time previously and couldn’t be bothered to wander up to see them (even at 40p a ticket). So I may have heard the concert from the floor below – but wasn’t actually there.
Julie Gadsden, née Seymour, (Mathematics 1972).

Archive material of University performances by some of the biggest names in rock and pop music has been lost over the years. If you have memories of a great gig or memorabilia connecting a band to the University, please contact Simon Harvey at: simon.heath-harvey@nottingham.ac.uk. Social Secretary Elaine Woodhams and guitarist Henry McCullough share their memories of the gig at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M867xnURnlw