Paul McCartney & Wings - Rockshow

Rockshow (1980)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

The title to this concert film is quite fitting as it covers the 1976 U.S. tour by Paul McCartney and Wings. I've seen countless shows of The Beatles as well as McCartney solo but this was the first time I had ever seen a complete (or near complete) show by Wings. I wasn't really sure what to expect especially since I've read some negative things about this film but for the most part I thought the documentary was highly entertaining and the concert was great. I've read a few people complain about the actual look of the concert and while it isn't nearly as well filmed as shows today, for its time the thing still looks pretty good. If you watch many concert films recorded from this era they pretty much look like this. With that out of the way, the music is what's really important and we've got some major winners here. The entire concert is a blast with many great hits, some lesser known tunes and everything from loud rock to some quieter ballads. The best way to see this film is in its uncut, 139-minute glory, which was remastered and re-released in 2013. This includes several great songs that were missing from the previous theatrical version including a wonderful and touching version of "Blackbird." Other great tunes include "Maybe I'm Amazed," "Let Me Roll It," "My Love," "Silly Love Songs" and the rocking "Band on the Run," which has quickly become my favorite song from McCartney. McCartney and the band show a lot of energy throughout the show and I especially liked the softer, acoustic side.

...at a theatre--but not a movie theatre. For some reason this played at a huge concert hall in Boston for one week only. I was a little disappointed by it.

I mostly loved it. Paul McCartney and Wings were a great group and (I heard) always put a good show on. McCartney is always full of energy and charisma and it shows in this movie. Also the sound, where I saw it, was fantastic. They had TWENTY speakers set up so it was VERY loud but clear. Still, I can only give the movie a 7. Why? It was horribly directed. Half the time it was filmed too far away and during "Live and Let Die" (with strobe lights) I couldn't tell what was going on. There's also no directoral credits which should tell you something. Also the film was very grainy--they seem to have spent most of the money on the sound recording.

So, it is worth seeing if you're a Wings fan. Otherwise you might not like it.

I've had this movie on a VHS tape that I burned from a laser disk in the early 1980s. This is the closest you are going to get to seeing the Wings Over America Tour in 1976 - The sound surpasses almost all 1970s concert films. I have the digitally remastered WOA CD and it sounds like it was recorded yesterday - please release this film in a digitally remastered DVD! The direction is sadly...lacking (which is true of many 70s concert films).

This is what Paul McCartney wanted to do with the Beatles at the end - become a touring performing band.

This movie shows that dream realized nicely.

Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Denny Laine,Jimmy McCulloch and Joe English - the most recognisable Wings lineup - are at the peak of their powers during this concert film (that spawned the excellent Wings Over America live album) showcasing the best of their 1976 American tour.

As far as set lists go, this is an incredibly good one, well curated by the producers: all the Wings songs you know and love (not just the ones McCartney sings, either), Denny Laine singing 'Go Now' that he made famous with his previous band, The Moody Blues (not bad, going from one iconic band to another) and Beatles classics as well.

Wings at their zenith. A time capsule of 1970's rock awesomeness. Band on the Run, indeed.

What a show!, what a performance, the restoration, the look, the color, the light, and the sound, all perfectly well done, McCartney and Denny Laine at it's best, Jimmy McCulloch in his electrifying guitar, Linda with her always pleasant present on the stage, the sax and trumpet boys were having fun, and last but not least Joe English in the drum, Rockshow is a beautiful looking concert film, and it's definitely a real Rockshow folks!