Paul McCartney + Wings' Laurence Juber: From Beatle Sideman to Guitar Legend

Paul McCartney + Wings' Laurence Juber: From Beatle Sideman to Guitar Legend

Author: Sandy Kaye February 25, 2026 Duration: 52:00

Laurence Juber is an acclaimed guitarist, composer, and former lead guitarist with Paul McCartney’s band Wings.

His journey began in London during the explosion of Beatlemania. Inspired by The Beatles’ revolutionary sound, he picked up the guitar as a child and quickly developed into a versatile and highly skilled musician.

His early ambition was to become a studio guitarist, and by his early twenties he was already working in some of London’s most prestigious recording studios alongside legendary producers and artists.

Everything changed in 1978 when Laurence received a call from Paul McCartney’s office inviting him to audition for Wings.

After impressing both McCartney and Denny Laine, he joined the band and contributed to the Back to the Egg album, touring and recording with one of the most influential musicians of all time.

Laurence reflects on what it was really like working with Paul and Linda McCartney, the creative environment within Wings, and the profound personal and professional impact of that experience.

Following Wings, Laurence moved to Los Angeles, where he built a remarkable career as a studio musician, contributing to iconic film soundtracks including Dirty Dancing, Good Will Hunting, and Pocahontas, and recording with artists such as Belinda Carlisle, Eric Carmen, and Al Stewart.

Over time, Laurence discovered his true artistic voice as a solo acoustic fingerstyle guitarist.

He has since released more than 30 solo albums, earned a Grammy Award, and become internationally recognised for his expressive, innovative guitar work — including his acclaimed acoustic interpretations of Beatles songs.

This conversation offers rare insight into life inside Wings, the creative genius of Paul McCartney, and Laurence’s lifelong dedication to music as both craft and calling.



There's a certain magic to the music that defined the '60s, '70s, and '80s, and it often lives in the stories behind the songs. In A BREATH OF FRESH AIR, host Sandy Kaye sits down for warm and candid conversations with the very artists who created those classic rock anthems and timeless hits. This multi award-winning podcast is built on in-depth interviews that feel more like a chat between old friends than a formal interrogation. You'll hear the personal anecdotes, the creative struggles, and the unexpected inspirations that fueled the soundtracks of entire generations. Sandy has a knack for drawing out those rare, behind-the-scenes moments, offering an intimate look at the lives of music legends beyond the stage and studio. Each episode invites you to relive the eras not just through the music, but through the memories of the people who made it. It's a chance to understand the human journey behind the iconic chords and lyrics. For anyone who wants to connect more deeply with the artists they've loved for decades, this podcast provides exactly that-a genuine and engaging portrait of musical history, told by the legends themselves.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 100

'60s '70s '80s - Warm, Candid, Classic, Rock Interviews with Music Legends - A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
Podcast Episodes
Dave Mason: The Untold Story. An Homage to the Late Guitar Legend [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:00
Sandy recently sat down with legendary guitarist, singer-songwriter and founding member of Traffic, Dave Mason, for a candid and often humorous look back at a remarkable life in music.Dave reflects on his early beginning…
Free & Bad Company's Simon Kirke: His Rock 'n Roll Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:00
Today’s guest is a true rock icon. Simon Kirke is the powerhouse drummer and co-founder of two of the most influential bands in classic rock history—Free and Bad Company. From the raw, blues-driven energy of Free to the…
Ross Wilson: The Story Behind Daddy Cool, Eagle Rock and Mondo Rock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:00
In this episode, Sandy Kaye sits down with one of the true pioneers of Australian rock music — Ross Wilson. With a career spanning more than six decades, Ross has shaped the sound of Australian music as a performer, song…
Ralph McTell: English Folk Icon, Songwriter and Storyteller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:00
Ralph McTell is one of Britain’s most enduring and respected singer-songwriters, a master storyteller whose songs have become woven into the fabric of English folk music. Born in Kent and raised in Croydon, McTell develo…
Johnny Townsend - The Voice Behind 'Smoke From A Distant Fire' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:00
Johnny Townsend is an American singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the lead vocalist and co-founder of the Sanford-Townsend Band, the group responsible for the timeless 1977 hit “Smoke from a Distant Fire.” Wi…
Status Quo’s John Coghlan: Founder, Drummer, Rock Survivor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:00
John Coghlan is one of British rock’s most instantly recognisable drummers — a powerhouse player whose relentless, no-nonsense beat helped define the sound and success of Status Quo, one of the UK’s most enduring and bes…