Denny Seiwell was the first drummer in Wings, Paul McCartney’s band, post-Beatles, that was his vehicle to prove to the world that he was not finished musically despite the disbanding of the world’s most successful and influential entertainment phenomenon!!! Denny Seiwell, in September of 2025 will be issuing a memoir detailing his background in jazz music and his time as the drummer with Paul McCartney’s band. The Amazon details of the book are noted below:
A signed Wings drumhead by Denny Seiwell that I acquired many years ago on eBay!
Denny Seiwell The Best and Worst of Times- Paperback
by Denny Seiwell (Author), Robyn Flans (Author) Released on September 23, 2025 Published by Hudson Music
From Amazon:
About the Authors
Denny Seiwell is a drummer and founding member of Wings with Paul McCartney. He appears on all the band’s recordings from their inception until 1973, including the single “Live and Let Die.” A prolific session drummer, he has also recorded or performed with Billy Joel, Rick Danko, Art Garfunkel, Joe Cocker, Kai Winding, John Denver, Janis Joplin and many others. He is the author of What Not to Play!: A Drummer’s Guide to Crafting a Drum Part (Alfred Music).
Robyn Flans is a journalist and author whose books include It’s About Time: Jeff Porcaro – The Man and His Music and Jeff Porcaro: A Moment in Time (Hudson Music). She is a longtime columnist and journalist who has been published in many major magazines including Modern Drummer and Mix.
AMAZON BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Denny Seiwell: The Best and Worst of Times is the autobiography of the original drummer for Paul McCartney & Wings. Co-written with bestselling author Robyn Flans (Jeff Porcaro: It’s About Time), the book chronicles the life of Denny’s successful career as a studio drummer, his time in Wings, and much more.
In 1971, busy New York session drummer Denny Seiwell received a life-changing phone call to audition for the most coveted gig in the world at the time: the drum chair with Paul McCartney. As the first non-Beatle to be chosen to play with McCartney, Seiwell embarked on a three-year rollercoaster ride through making three albums and touring with the former Beatle and securing his own place in classic rock history.
In The Best and Worst of Times, Seiwell tells the story of how his life and career unfolded through his time in the Navy, performing and recording in New York City and Los Angeles, becoming a first-call studio drummer, and joining Wings. The making of the albums RAM, Wild Life, Red Rose Speedway, and the classic single “Live and Let Die” are recounted in detail, along with all of Denny’s tours and travels with Wings, including the University, Wings Over Europe, and U.K. Tours of 1972-73. Seiwell reveals the inner workings of the band—from both a musical and personal perspective—and his ultimate decision to walk away from working with one of the biggest names in music history.
Following his departure from Wings, Seiwell immediately resumed his freelance career, working with various artists including Rick Danko (The Band), Joe Cocker, and Leon Russell, doing film score work with James Newton Howard, and taking on other projects. Through it all, Denny recounts his work, music, relationships, and his struggle with alcohol. He weaves a compelling story of riding a rocket to the stars, then coming to grips with the realities of the music business and his own frailties and addiction—and his ultimate recovery and happiness.
The Best and Worst of Times will put you behind the drum chair with Paul McCartney and give you an inside look at the many ups and downs of Seiwell’s six decades of surviving and thriving in music.
“’Live and Let Die’ alone tells you almost everything you need to know about Denny’s playing.” – Jim Keltner
“Out of all the guys I saw who I asked to do pretty much the same things I asked Denny to do, I thought he was the one who handled it best… he could do anything I asked him to do.” – Paul McCartney on Denny’s audition.
The book is 180 pages, printed in full color, with rare photographs throughout, including images from the Paul McCartney collection.
Amazon US link for the book:
An interview with Denny Seiwell on the Things We Said Today program featuring Ken Michaels and several other ntable Beatle experts:
Things We Said Today #219 – Denny Seiwell
Volume 10 Issue 1 of Classic Drummer featuring Denny on the cover of the magazine:
The 50th anniversary edition tribute to the McCartney Ram album on which Seiwell played drums. This features interpretations of the material 50 years later
Ram On: 50th Anniversary Tribute To Paul & Linda Mccartney’s Ram
by PERDOMO,FENANDO & DENNY SEIWELL | May 28, 2021
Amazon.com : Denny Seiwell Ram
Another Denny Seiwell book and dvd:
What Not to Play!: A Drummer’s Guide to Crafting a Drum Part, Book & DVD Paperback – July 1, 2015
by Denny Seiwell (Author)
- Alfred Music
- Publication date July 1, 2015
A few Wings tracks that featured the drumming talents of Mr. Seiwell from YouTube:
Live And Let Die (2018 Remaster)
Give Ireland Back To The Irish
I am looking forward to purchasing a copy of Denny Seiwell’s The Best and Worst of Times soon!
Be healthy and be happy!
Buzz
