Paul McCartney Remembers Getting “Totally Blasted” on Weed with Fela Kuti

Paul McCartney opens up about the unforgettable night he shared with Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti during the making of 'Band On The Run' in Lagos.

A Legendary Meeting in Lagos

It was 1973, and Wings had touched down in Lagos, Nigeria, to record what would become the iconic album Band On The Run. Paul McCartney, always one to soak in local vibes, noticed a curious newspaper headline back then. It implied that Wings planned to “steal” the musical style of none other than Fela Kuti—the Afrobeat icon whose rhythms were reshaping the music landscape.

McCartney wasn’t having any of it. Instead of shrugging it off, he took a proactive step: tracking down Fela’s number and giving him a ring. “I’m not doing that at all. Come around to the studio. I’ll prove it to you,” he said. And Fela did just that. The encounter wasn’t just a meeting of two musical worlds — it sparked a genuine friendship.

“I persuaded him, and so we became really good friends.” – Paul McCartney

From Studio Sessions to a Night to Remember

That first night together, McCartney was cautious about indulging in weed. But when Fela offered some to Ginger Baker — the drummer famously known for never refusing a smoke — Paul found himself outnumbered. “I thought, ‘Aw shit, I’m the guy who’s refused to smoke,’ so I said, ‘Go on then.’” And just like that, McCartney was “totally blasted,” as he puts it.

The experience was intense and a bit overwhelming. Feeling “pretty nervous and paranoid” is putting it mildly, but music became his anchor. Listening to Fela and his band eased Paul’s mind, even bringing him to tears. That night wasn’t just about getting high; it was a profound moment of connection through shared art and culture.

Paul McCartney during the Lagos recording sessions in 1973

The Documentary and McCartney’s Drug History

This fascinating story is revisited in the new documentary Man On The Run, which delves into McCartney’s time recording in Lagos and the complexities of his relationship with drugs. The documentary also touches on an infamous incident in 1980 when McCartney was arrested in Japan after customs found about half a pound of cannabis in his luggage. He was detained for nine days, forced to cancel his Wings tour, and deported.

McCartney hasn’t shied away from discussing his past struggles and experiences with substances. He’s admitted that after The Beatles split, he “self-medicated” with whiskey, and in the 1960s, he even believed he saw God after taking the psychedelic drug DMT during a trip with an art dealer.

Why Paul Walked Away from Weed

By 2015, McCartney had stopped smoking weed altogether. His reason? A desire not to be a bad influence on his children and grandchildren. This decision reflects a cautious nature that McCartney credits with helping him avoid the destructive pitfalls of addiction.

“I’m a bit cautious by nature, I’m a little bit careful with things,” he said in 2018. “Whereas a lot of my mates weren’t the cautious types and were more just, ‘Yeah, go for it.’”

Celebrating Band On The Run

The legacy of Band On The Run continues to be celebrated. Morgan Neville’s documentary Band On The Run streams on Amazon Prime Video, offering fans a deeper glimpse into the making of the album and the times surrounding it. Alongside this, the book Wings: The Story Of A Band On The Run was released, providing an intimate behind-the-scenes look.

Fans of Wings also received a definitive anthology collection last November, making it a perfect time to revisit the magic of McCartney’s post-Beatles band and their groundbreaking work.

FAQ

• How did Paul McCartney and Fela Kuti first meet?
  McCartney reached out after seeing a newspaper headline suggesting Wings were “stealing” Kuti’s style. He invited Fela to the studio in Lagos, and they quickly became friends.
• What made Paul McCartney decide to smoke weed with Fela Kuti?
  Initially reluctant, Paul gave in after seeing Fela offer weed to Ginger Baker, who never refused a smoke. Paul didn’t want to be the only one who said no.
• How did listening to Fela Kuti’s music affect Paul that night?
  The music calmed him down, bringing him to tears and helping alleviate his nervousness and paranoia.
• What happened to Paul McCartney in Japan in 1980 regarding drugs?
  He was arrested after customs found cannabis in his luggage. McCartney spent nine days in jail before being released and deported, forcing Wings to cancel their tour.
• Why did Paul McCartney stop smoking weed?
  He wanted to avoid being a bad influence on his children and grandchildren and has a naturally cautious nature that helped him steer clear of addiction.

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