A fascinating yet unfinished chapter in Paul McCartney’s career has come to light in The McCartney Legacy, Volume 2: 1974–80. The book, released today (Dec. 10) via HarperCollins, dives into McCartney’s ambitious collaboration with iconic sci-fi author Isaac Asimov on a surreal film project tentatively titled Five and Five and One.
The Sci-Fi Concept That Never Was
- Plot Overview: The story featured Wings, McCartney’s post-Beatles band, as alien invaders who shape-shift into the band’s likeness to “take over Earth by taking America by storm.” Back in Britain, the original Wings members are unaware their identities have been stolen.
- Asimov’s Expansion: Asimov reimagined the aliens as “energy-beings” from a dying planet who struggle to understand human emotions like love, adding depth to the quirky narrative.
Behind the Collaboration
- Origins: McCartney personally approached Asimov in 1974 to collaborate on the script. The two met in New York due to Asimov’s fear of flying, which McCartney humorously commented on.
- Why It Stalled: By 1975, the project was shelved. Asimov reportedly critiqued McCartney’s creative vision, noting, “Nothing ever came of this because McCartney couldn’t recognize good stuff.”
The McCartney Legacy Series
This new volume continues the in-depth chronicle of McCartney’s life and career post-Beatles. Authors Adrian Sinclair and Allan Kozinn interviewed former Wings members and music industry insiders to paint a vivid picture of McCartney’s creative ventures between 1974 and 1980.
McCartney’s Unmatched Billboard Feats
While the sci-fi project didn’t take off, McCartney’s legacy in music remains untouchable:
- Billboard Hot 100 Record: McCartney has written or co-written a record 32 chart-topping songs.
- Year-End No. 1s: He’s the only artist to have the No. 1 song of the year three times:
- “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (1964)
- “Hey Jude” (1968)
- “Silly Love Songs” (1976)
McCartney’s brief foray into sci-fi adds yet another layer to his storied career, offering fans a glimpse into his relentless creativity—even in the face of unfinished ideas.
Source: Billboard
