July 6th 1957 at Woolton Church, Liverpool was one of the most famous days in rock and roll history, the day Paul McCartney and John Lennon met for the first time.
In 1971 WNO 481 was acquired by Paul McCartney for the upcoming now famous 1972 Wings Over Europe Tour. Paul wanted the bus painted in a Magical Mystery Tour / Yellow Submarine theme and tasked Tom Salter, the Tour Manager and Promoter and owner of the very famous Gear boutiques in Carnaby St. to do this.
In this video Tom Salter talks about setting up the Wings Over Europe Tour Bus and the tour
Tom thought it was a fantastic idea and enlisted the help of Neil Dean, the well-known artist who was asked to come up with a magical mystery design for the bus. Also enlisted was his pal fellow Ipswich art student Geoffrey Cleghorn, friend of Pink Floyd, The Who, The Stones to paint the bus with him. Georgina Dean, Neil’s wife painted the outlines between the colours.
Update: Tom is now connected with us and says, “Hello, delighted to discover this endeavour as I was part of the team in the beginning. I used to have shops (Gear Boutiques) in Carnaby St and Kings Rd back in the 60’s and 70’s, and was partners with John Morris of Woodstock and The Rainbow fame, and was on the (1972 Wings Over Europe) Tour for a while, and helped get it all off the ground. I’ve lived in the USA for a number of years but now back in London. Good Luck with the project.”
Charlie Smith made the wooden version of the Wings logo that was bolted to the back of the bus.
Aircraft seats were fitted downstairs with bunks for the children including one who was just under a year old at the time, Stella McCartney, now a famous designer.
The artwork served especially important functions; it said to the members of the band as they travelled along the highway (of life?), ‘look at us, we are surrounded by the love and peace depicted in this artwork.” it said to everyone else, “we come in peace and we bring the gifts of love, peace, music and harmony… and a good time will be had by all we meet.”
The work was carried out over 3 days at Staines Transport Garage. Paul and Linda visited to see the work ongoing and give approval.
Soon WNO 481 would be ready to embark on the greatest adventure with the biggest rock star in the world, ever.