From GENIUS COMPOSER to POP LIGHTWEIGHT: How the 1970s Rock Press Rebranded Paul McCartney
Dr. Allison Bumsted joins Phoebe and Daphne to discuss how rock journalism in the 1970s re-shaped Paul McCartney’s critical reputation for the next three decades (and beyond). Also discussed in this episode: authenticity, gatekeeping, rock aesthetics and rhetoric, hyper-masculinity and the inherent inclusivity of pop. SOURCES Paul McCartney interviewed on Radio Luxembourg May 12, 1973Something About the Beatles, “Critiquing the Critics” Episodes 176a and 176bA Women’s History of the Beatles, Christine Feldman-Barrett (2021)The Beatles and the Historians, Erin Torkelson-Weber (2016)Truant Boy: Art, Authenticity and Paul McCartney, Martin Shough (2017)Faking It: The Quest for Authenticity in Popular Music, Yuval Taylor and Hugh Barker (2007)“Main Lines, Blood Feasts, and Bad Taste: A Lester Bangs Reader,” Lester Bangs (2003)“Physical Graffiti” review by Jim Miller, Rolling Stone (March 27, 1975)John Landau reviews RAM, (July 8, 1971)Wildlife review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone (Jan 20, 1972)Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, written by Allen Evans, NME (May 20, 1967)“The Jefferson Airplane and the San Francisco Sound,” Ralph J Gleason (1969)“Just Two Superstars from Middle Rock,” NY Times (Aug 3, 1975)“Imagine” review by Ben Gerson (Oct 28, 1971)“The Former Beatle Gets Personal” Paul Gambincini, Rolling Stone (Jan 31, 1974)“Records: Paul McCartney and Wings” Band on the Run review by Dave Downing, Let it Rock (1974)Band on the Run review, Jon Landau (1974)“Paul and Linda McCartney: Bionic couple serves it your way” Lester Bangs, Creem: 34–39 and 72–73 (1976)“Yesterday, Today and Paul” Rolling Stone, Ben Fong-Torres (June 17 1976) "Paul McCartney & Wings" Rolling Stone page 14; Paul Gambaccini (June 21 1973) Life Magazine (November 7, 1969)“Man of the Year” Rolling Stone, Jann Wenner (February 7, 1970)“Sound effects: Youth, Leisure, and the Politics of Rock ‘n’ Roll” Simon Frith. New York: Pantheon Books (197.)"Rod Stewart’s Holiday Turkey: Blondes Have More Fun Review" Rolling Stone, Janet Maslin (Feb 8, 1979)"Every Picture Tells a Story" Review Rolling Stone, John Mendelsohn (July 8, 1971) OTHER WRITERS MENTIONEDPete Wiley, Robert Christgau, Matt Brennan, Holly Tessler, Leonard Feather, Leroy Jones, Barbara Gardner, Nat Hentoff, Simon Frith, Jim DeRogatis ALLISON’S LINKS My social (Inast and Twitter @Allison Bumsted) Website: www.allisonbumsted.com (I update it with what's happening) Book Link: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-85543-7 Chapter Link:: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-85543-7_5 (ask your local library to get a hold of the book!) PLAYLISTThe Mess (live at the Hague) WINGSBand on the Run PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGSWildlife WINGSToo Many People PAUL & LINDA MCCARTNEYI Am Your Singer WINGSUncle Albert/Admiral Halsey PAUL & LINDA MCCARTNEYMama’s Little Girl PAUL MCCARTNEY & WINGSLet Me Roll it PAUL MCCARTNEY & WINGSRockshow WINGS