Paul McCartney reveals what it was like taking his kids on tour
He brought his three daughters on tour in 1972
Last updated 17th Mar 2022
Following his time with The Beatles, music legend Paul McCartney founded the band Wings in 1971, which included his wife Linda on keyboard. Paul has spoken out about what it was like taking his family on tour with the band.
Wings went on their first tour in February 1972, and Paul and Linda brought their three daughters with the band on the legendary trip. Known as the Wings University Tour, it was Paul's first tour since The Beatles' 1966 US tour, and involved several impromptu shows at universities across the UK.
On the blog on his website, Paul answered a fan's question: 'What was it like raising a family on tour?'. He responded: 'It was great for us, and I think it was great for them. It meant that we didn’t have to worry about them, because they were right there with us. And we figured if you want to know geography, actually going to all these places was helpful - it was part of their education. So yeah, it was interesting!'.
Elaborating on why he decided to bring his daughters Heather, Mary and Stella with him on the tour, he said: 'Our main reason was, we worried about leaving the kids at home and then getting a nanny or somebody ringing up saying ‘oh they’ve gone into hospital’ or ‘they’re very ill’, and we’d be far away in Australia or something.'
The music icon also explained how they ensured the children didn't fall behind in school: 'When we decided to bring them along we tried to be very careful about the sensible stuff like their education. We did things like going to their school and asking the teachers what the class are going to be doing while we’re away, and then we had a tutor that came with us - the kids hated him! They did not like being told in the afternoon that it was ‘school time!’. They’d protest: ‘No, we wanna go to the beach!’.'
In a career spanning more than 60 years, Paul has gone on countless tours with The Beatles and Wings, and as a solo artist. He is set to tour across the US in April, May, and June 2022. His 'Got Back' tour will see him perform classic songs from his entire music catalogue including hits like 'Hey Jude', Live and Let Die’, ‘Band on the Run', and ‘Let It Be'.
He was also announced as a headline act at Glastonbury 2022 and will take to the Pyramid stage on 25th June. Paul was meant to perform at the 2020 festival, but it was cancelled due to Covid-19, and fans can't wait to see him play live at the event later this year.
Check out these amazing tours happening this year:
ABBA - 'ABBA Voyage'
ABBA's virtual tour 'ABBA Voyage' started on 27th May 2022. The tour sees the ABBA avatars accompanied by a 10-piece live band, all taking place in a custom-built arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.
Rod Stewart - UK Tour
In support of his 31st studio album 'The Tears of Hercules', released on the 12th November 2021, Sir Rod will be stopping off at arenas in Nottingham, London, Glasgow, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle, in November and December.
The Cure - Tour Euro 22
The Cure will be embarking on their Tour Euro 22 which will take them across Europe in October and November 2022, before heading to the UK and Ireland. Throughout December, they will visit Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff and London.
Robbie Williams - 'The XXV Tour'
Robbie Williams announced 'The XXV Tour', the tour will support his album 'XXV' which he announced in June 2022.
Starting in October 2022, it sees Robbie perform across the country including London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow.
Al Stewart - UK tour
Al Stewart will take to the road in October and November 2022 with The Empty Pockets and saxophonist Marc Macisso.
Elton John - 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour'
Elton's 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour' is set to return to the UK, March - June 2023.
Speaking about the tour, Elton commented that: "It's the last time I will be touring and travelling the world… and I can't wait to see you all one last time. I want to go out with a bang and say thank you and leave people thinking, 'God I saw the last tour and it was fantastic'".
The Who - UK tour 2023
The Who's Pete Townshend has confirmed that The Who are still planning to tour the UK - however we will have to wait until in 2023! The band will be returning with rescheduled dates from their previously cancelled tour (which was halted due to restrictions put in place from the global pandemic).
Peter Gabriel 'i/o - The Tour'
Peter Gabriel will be bringing his 'i/o - The Tour' to the UK in June 2023. He will be performing in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham.
Pet Shop Boys - 'Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live' tour
Pet Shop Boys are touring around the UK in 2023. They will be performing at London OVO Arena Wembley, Aberdeen P&J Live, Liverpool M&S Bank Arena and Leeds First Direct Arena in June 2023.
Cliff Richard - 'Blue Sapphire Tour'
Cliff Richard announced he would be heading on the 'Blue Sapphire Tour' in November 2023 to celebrate 65 years in the music industry. His shows include dates in London, Blackpool and Glasgow, where he will play hits from his extensive music catalogue.
Madness
Madness are heading on a UK and Ireland in June and July 2023, with shows in Rudeley, Middlesborough, Cheshire, Halifax, and Swansea.
Shania Twain - 'Queen of Me'
Country legend Shania Twain is heading on tour in September 2023 and recently added even more dates to the tour due to popular demand.
The tour is in support of her sixth studio album 'Queen of Me' which comes out on 3rd February 2023.
Matt Goss - 'The Matt Goss Experience'
In 2023, Matt will be touring The Matt Goss Experience across the UK. He will be joined by the MG Big Band and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra as he plays some of his greatest hits and pays tribute to songwriter Cole Porter.
Celine Dion - 'Courage' tour
Celine Dion was due to bring her 'Courage World Tour' to the UK in March and April 2023. The tour had already been postponed due to ongoing health issues, and she has now pushed the tour dates to 2024.
She shared the news about the tour rescheduling with her fans as she revealed her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome which has been causing her to have uncontrollable muscle spasms.
Now Read:
The Beatles notebook containing handwritten lyrics donated to museum
Paul McCartney still feels emotional about song he wrote about John Lennon
Paul McCartney explains why he will no longer sign autographs