James Paul McCartney (TV special)

James Paul McCartney
The opening title used for the special
Genre	Musical
Created by	Paul McCartney Linda McCartney
Developed by	ATV
Directed by	Dwight Hemion
Starring	Paul McCartney Linda McCartney Denny Laine Henry McCullough Denny Seiwell
Composer(s)	Paul and Linda McCartney except: • Paul McCartney (Maybe I'm Amazed) • Lennon–McCartney (Blackbird; Michelle; When I'm 64; A Hard Day's Night; Can't Buy Me Love; She Loves You; Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da; Yesterday; Yellow Submarine) • Louis Silvers (April Showers) • George Henry Powell (Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag) • Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell (You Are My Sunshine)
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language(s)	English
No. of episodes	1
Production
Executive producer(s)	Gary Smith, Dwight Hemion
Producer(s)	Gary Smith (ATV)
Running time	50 mins approx.
Release
Original network	ABC (US) ITV (UK)
Picture format	4:3
Original release	16 April 1973 (US) 10 May 1973 (UK)
Chronology
Related shows	Wings Over the World Back To The Egg

James Paul McCartney is the title of a 1973 television special produced by ATV and starring English musician Paul McCartney and his then current rock group Wings. It was first broadcast on 16 April 1973 in the United States on the ABC network, and was later broadcast in the United Kingdom on 10 May 1973. To date, the program has never been officially released on any home video format.

Paul McCartney agreed to star in a television special for the British ATV network in order to settle his two-year legal dispute with Sir Lew Grade. As the owner of the network and its music publishing division – and, by extension, the Beatles' Northern Songs catalogue – Grade had objected to McCartney crediting his wife Linda as his co-writer since 1971, citing her lack of professional experience as a songwriter and musician. McCartney's commitment to the television project allowed him to retain the second composer's publishing royalties, which otherwise would have been assigned to Grade's company.

James Paul McCartney was McCartney's first such special since the Beatles' 1967 television film Magical Mystery Tour and was intended to showcase his versatility as an artist and entertainer. Many of the portions featured his and Linda's band Wings; in others he would perform alone. ATV hired Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion as producer and director, respectively, although McCartney was assured full creative control over the program's content. Having recently completed their second album, Red Rose Speedway, Wings travelled to Marrakesh in early February 1973 to plan and rehearse for the show.

Part 1
The program opens with a live performance by Wings in front of an audience of television screens.
Song: "Big Barn Bed"