Being an international celebrity inherently puts your life in danger. Why that is revolves around a plethora of facts, though it mainly, and seemingly, revolves around the themes of influence and power. Two things that carry a lot of weight in society, and two things that the majority of people don’t have. That being so, even the ever-so innocent and unhostile Paul McCartney was nearly murdered while in Europe in 1972. Luckily, Paul McCartney had a Northern Irish guardian angel looking out for him, Henry McCullough.
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Henry McCullough is not one of the more notable members of Paul McCartney’s Wings. McCullough joined Wings in 1972 and exited only a year later in 1973 due to creative differences. Given his short stint with the group, McCullough was not around for the band’s peak success, which came shortly after his departure with the single “Band On The Run”.
In his brief time with the band, McCullough did make some very important musical contributions, particularly on the hit album, Red Rose Speedway. However, he arguably made the largest contribution to the band when he saved Paul McCartney’s life in a bold act of admirable and selfless courage.
When Paul McCartney Was in Danger, Henry McCullough Came Running
As told in the book, Man On The Run: Paul McCartney In The 1970s, when Paul McCartney and Wings were on their European tour in 1972, a French individual approached him, said he had a gun, and was planning to shoot him. McCullough heard about the situation, grabbed band member Denny Laine, and ran to McCartney’s aid.
Once the two arrived on the scene, McCullough reportedly pulled a knife from his boot, subdued the Frenchmen, searched him, and turned him away after discovering that he was not in possession of a firearm. Regardless, a frightening situation that could have turned bad, gun or not.
Recalling the harrowing incident, McCullough stated, “[It was] one of those incidents that happens a thousand times on a Saturday night in any given city.” “I felt very protective of Paul because of his vulnerability. He needed a strong helping hand from whoever was around him,” added Henry McCullough, per the Man on the Run.
After this history-changing act of bravery and his departure from Wings, McCullough went on to continue his career as a sought-after session musician. He also joined The Frankie Miller Band in 1975 and Dr. Feelgood in 1977.
Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage
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