Paul McCartney’s Dream Team: A Rock Supergroup Fit for the Ages
Sir Paul McCartney, the legendary musician who helped redefine popular music with The Beatles, has seen countless musical movements rise and fall. His six decades in the industry have provided him with a unique perspective and the experience to assemble a truly exceptional supergroup.
In a 2019 interview, McCartney revealed to the Brazilian newspaper Estadão the musicians who, in his opinion, would compose the ultimate rock band. Forget ego clashes or artistic differences; this lineup was about pure musical talent.
"It’s interesting to see how nicely people behave when you bring a guest in because they don’t want everybody to know they’re so bitchy,” George Harrison had remarked once on the arrival of Billy Preston to the Beatles. McCartney clearly prizes that blend of talent and collaborative spirit.
He saw John Bonham, Led Zeppelin’s legendary drummer, as the backbone of the band. They had collaborated on Wings’ "Beware My Love" (released in 2014), a testament to Bonham’s raw power and musical affinity. "Bonham was always on my top-five drummer list and a great friend and ballsy drummer," McCartney said.
On keyboards, McCartney tapped the soulful talents of Billy Preston, who had brought a ray of sunshine to a fractured Beatles in the late ’60s.
The Who’s John Entwistle, with his unique and influential bass style, earned the bassist slot. On guitar, McCartney needed no debate; it had to be Jimi Hendrix.
McCartney vividly remembers the impact Hendrix’ cover of ‘Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ had on him just two days after the song’s release:
"He must have been so into it because normally it might take a day for rehearsal, and then you might wonder whether you’d put it in, but he just opened with it," he told Stephen Colbert in another interview.
"It’s a pretty major compliment in anyone’s book," McCartney continued. "I put that down as one of the great honours of my career. I mean, I’m sure he wouldn’t have thought of it as an honour, I’m sure he thought it was the other way round, but to me, that was like a great boost.”
Finally, the mantle of lead vocalist fell to none other than Elvis Presley.
McCartney declared Presley "immortal", instantly raising the band’s energy and star power.
While imagining these musical titans collaborating defers to our wildest rock and roll fantasies, McCartney’s choices speak volumes about his own musical journey and his understanding of what truly makes a band great.
This dream supergroup might never grace the world stage, but the possibility, however distant, sparks the imagination and reminds us of the enduring power and influence of these musical legends.
