Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney hosted a river cruise on the Mississippi on 13 February 1975.
Wings had been in New Orleans for several weeks working on the Venus And Mars album, and threw themselves enthusiastically into the city’s Mardi Gras celebrations.
The cruise was in two parts, with the first for members of the press, and the second for friends and local musicians.
The McCartneys were driven to the Canal Street docks in a white limousine. Upon their arrival, the Tuxedo Jazz Band played ‘When The Saints Go Marching In’, as Wings boarded the Voyageur.
Sausages, red beans and rice, ham hock, mustard greens, and wine were served on board the boat. Around 20 reporters had been invited, but around 50 showed up.
The McCartneys held a press conference, seated at a table with an array of microphones before them. The event was reported internationally.
The riverboat docked after 90 minutes, and the members of the press corps disembarked. They were replaced by guests including Allen Toussaint, Professor Longhair, Lee Dorsey, Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry, Robert Parker, Ernie K-Doe, and Mylon LeFevre. Also on board were Capitol Records executives and McCartney’s US publicists Lee Solters and Dennis Fine.
The three-hour cruise was soundtracked by a performance by The Meters and Chocolate Milk. K-Doe joined The Meters for versions of The Beatles’ ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’, ‘Get Back’, and ‘Come Together’.
The second cruise was photographed by Sidney Smith, whose bag containing several cameras and film rolls were stolen. He did manage to find three rolls of film, but remained bitter at the loss.
Following the event, Wings went to Sea-Saint Recording Studio to record ‘Baby Face’.