Imagine a world where Paul McCartney’s plans are derailed by a single moment—a moment that changes the trajectory of one of music’s most iconic bands. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was it Paul’s infamous 1980 marijuana bust in Japan or John Lennon’s tragic murder later that year that truly spelled the end for Wings? Let’s dive into this pivotal chapter in music history, as told through the eyes of Laurence Juber, the guitarist who stood beside McCartney during these tumultuous times.
Before Laurence Juber became a celebrated writer, producer, and fingerstyle guitar virtuoso, he spent three transformative years (1978–1981) as a member of Wings. His journey to the band began in London, where he was already a sought-after session guitarist. A casual jam session with Wings’ Denny Laine took an unexpected turn when Paul and Linda McCartney joined in. After playing a few blues and reggae tunes, Paul turned to Juber and asked, ‘What are you doing for the next few years?’
‘In that instant, your entire life flashes before you,’ Juber recalls. ‘I’d spent my teenage years and beyond mastering studio work, and here was Paul McCartney offering me a gig. On one hand, you wonder what you’re giving up. On the other, it felt like the universe was guiding me toward this moment. How could I say no?’
Juber’s contributions to Wings were immediate and impactful. He lent his guitar prowess to the 1979 album Back to the Egg, delivering a fiery solo on the punk-rockabilly track ‘Spin It On.’ He also joined the band on their 19-date U.K. tour that year. But plans for more extensive touring in 1980 were abruptly halted when McCartney was arrested for marijuana possession on January 16, 1980, at the start of their Japan tour.
‘I was standing right next to him,’ Juber recalls. ‘We’d flown from London to New York, spent the weekend there, and then headed to Tokyo. At customs in Narita, the officer opened the last suitcase, patted a jacket, and found a bag of weed.’ Despite hopes that the tour might continue—as was sometimes the case for reggae bands in Japan—Paul was jailed for 10 days, effectively ending the tour.
And this is the part most people miss: Even after the bust, Wings wasn’t immediately disbanded. Juber reflects, ‘We were in a holding pattern, wondering what would happen next. Paul’s work ethic never wavered—he went straight back to the studio to mix the Glasgow concert recordings. But by the end of 1980, John Lennon’s murder added another layer of complexity. I’m certain both events had a cumulative impact on Paul’s decision to eventually dissolve Wings.’
Juber’s time with Wings was a launching pad for his diverse career. He transitioned into composing, producing, and exploring fingerstyle guitar, which became his signature niche. Recently, he scored the documentary Everywhere Man: The Lives and Times of Peter Asher, blending electric and acoustic guitar with a string quartet. ‘It was a joy to return to scoring,’ he says. ‘With today’s technology, it’s easier than ever—a far cry from syncing 24-track consoles to video machines in the old days.’
Controversial question for you: Do you think Wings would have continued if not for these two events? Or was the band’s dissolution inevitable? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going!
