Denny Seiwell - The Best and Worst of Times - A Book Review

Paul with two of his favorite drummers:  Abe and Denny S. 

Paul and Denny recording Ram 

 

While I was at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame a few weeks ago, I picked up a signed copy of Wings' first drummer, Denny Seiwell's biography.   It was a pretty quick read (180 pages), and I found it very heartwarming, inspirational, and informative. 

Denny was a successful drummer prior to joining Paul McCartney in Wings.  He did a variety of jingles and sessions for all styles of music.  The one thing he did prior to Wings was play the drums for songs from Schoolhouse Rock!  Yes -- that is Denny Seiwell playing drums on "Conjunction Junction."  

Denny tells the story of how he auditioned for Paul and Linda and began working with them on what became the Ram album.  From there, he was asked to join Wings, and of course, he couldn't say no to the opportunity to be in a band with a Beatle, so he and his wife moved to Scotland and started rehearsing and recording with the new band, Wings. 

I appreciate how candid and honest Denny was about the challenges and struggles he faced being in Paul McCartney's band.  He didn't sugarcoat the experience, but he also didn't just talk about the negative aspects.  I enjoyed reading the excitement of that first Wings University tour and the humor in the first drug bust.  

Denny wasn't making money to make ends meet with Wings and made the decision to quit right before the band left for Lagos to record Band on the Run.  After that Denny went into a depression and turned to alcohol while still working as a Session drummer in California. 

The rest of the book is the story of Denny's recovery from alcoholism and how he basically turned his life around.  I found it to be very inspiring.  As part of doing the 12 steps, Denny decided to reconcile with Paul McCartney for quitting Wings.  The two of them were never on bad terms to begin with, but there was much left unsaid.  After the reconciliation from Denny writing Paul a letter, they have spent time together.  Last year Denny went to see Paul and the band rehearse for the Got Back tour and had the opportunity to play drums with Paul once again.   

I won't go into the entire story but it was so sweet and was an amazing way to end the book. 

This has been one of the best books I have read in quite a while.  I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates Wings.