Paul McCartney Releasing 50th Anniversary Half-Speed-Mastered Vinyl Version of Wings’ Chart-Topping ‘Venus and Mars’ Album

This May marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. release of Venus and Mars, Paul McCartney’s fourth studio album with his post-Beatles band Wings. To commemorate the milestone, McCartney will release a half-speed-master vinyl version of album on March 21.

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Venus and Mars topped the Billboard 200 for one week in July of 1975, becoming Wings’ third consecutive No. 1 album in the U.S., following Red Rose Speedway in 1973 and Band on the Run in 1974.

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The album yielded three Top-40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including the chart-topping “Listen to What the Man Said.” The other hit singles on Venus and Mars were “Letting Go” and “Venus and Mars/Rock Show,” which reached No. 39 and No. 12, respectively.

The 50th anniversary vinyl edition of the album was created using a high-resolution transfer of the original 1975 master tapes by engineer Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios in London. The reissue features a recreation of U.K. version’s packaging, including a gatefold sleeve, with artwork by Hipgnosis. The LP comes packaged with two posters featuring photography by Aubrey Powell and Sylvia de Swaan.

The first-ever Dolby Atmos version of Venus and Mars, created by Giles Martin and Steve Orchard, also will be available.

More About Venus and Mars

Wings began recording Venus and Mars at Abbey Road with their post-Band on the Run lineup of Paul and Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, guitarist Jimmy McCulloch and drummer Geoff Britton. During the making the album, tensions between Britton and McCulloch led to Geoff quitting Wings. The drummer was replaced by Joe English.

The sessions then shifted to New Orleans and later to Los Angeles. In New Orleans, recorded was done at legendary New Orleans musician, songwriter, and producer Allen Toussaint’s Sea-Saint Studio.

“Listen to What the Man Said” featured guest guitar work by former Traffic member Dave Mason. Acclaimed session saxophonist Tom Scott also played on the track.

Toussaint played piano on “Rock Show.”

In 1991, Venus and Mars was certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of 1 million copies in the U.S.

You can pre-order the Venus and Mars vinyl reissue now. According to a press release, more “exciting celebratory Wings’ activities and announcements” will follow the reissue.

Venus and Mars Track List:

Side One

1. “Venus and Mars”
2. “Rock Show”
3. “Love in Song”
4. “You Gave Me the Answer”
5. “Magneto and Titanium Man”
6. “Letting Go”

Side Two

1. “Venus and Mars (Reprise)”
2. “Spirits of Ancient Egypt”
3. “Medicine Jar”
4. “Call Me Back Again”
5. “Listen to What the Man Said”
6. “Treat Her Gently – Lonely Old People”
7. “Crossroads”

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