Wings held the first of two consecutive days of auditions to find a new drummer on 29 April 1974.
The band had been without a drummer since Denny Seiwell quit shortly before the Band On The Run album. Paul McCartney was keen to go back on tour, and needed a full line-up to do so.
The auditions were held from 2pm at the Albery Theatre in London. Fifty-two drummers took part, and included Mitch Mitchell, Jo, Russell, John ‘Twink’ Adler, and Wings guitarist Jimmy McCulloch’s brother Jack.
Session musicians – a guitarist, keyboard player, and bass guitarist – were on stage to play with each drummer, and Wings watched and evaluated the players from the stalls. Each audition involved performing five songs, including ‘Caravan’ by Duke Ellington, ‘Green Onions’ by Booker T and the MGs, and ‘Kansas City’ by Leiber and Stoller.
Five of the drummers were selected for the second round, which took place on 8 and 9 May. They were Geoff Britton, Roger Pope, Rob Townsend, Micky Waller, and David ‘Pick’ Withers.
Britton became the eventual victor, but almost missed out on the initial auditions. He had called MPL after hearing that Wings were looking for a new drummer, but was told by Alan Crowder that he was too late. They continued talking, and Crowder eventually changed his mind, agreeing to put him on the list of players.