Sir Paul McCartney leads tributes as Wings guitarist Henry McCullough who played on Live and Let Die Bond theme dies aged 72 

  • Henry McCullough joined wings as a guitarist in 1971 before leaving in '73
  • The guitarist from Portstewart, Co Antrim had been ill for several years 
  • McCullough and Paul McCartney made up in later years following their row
  • He suffered a serious heart attack four years ago and never recovered  

By Darren Boyle for MailOnline

Published: 12:53 EST, 14 June 2016 | Updated: 14:09 EST, 14 June 2016

Sir Paul McCartney has led the tributes to former Wings guitarist Henry McCullough who has died aged 72 following a long illness.

His live music agent Nigel Martyn said McCullough passed away on Tuesday. He said the guitarist never fully recovered from a severe heart attack suffered four years ago.

McCullough played with the Grease Band with Joe Cocker at Woodstock, and worked at various times with Marianne Faithfull and Donovan, and he also appeared on the original cast recording of 'Jesus Christ Superstar'.

McCartney said: 'He was a pleasure to work with, a super talented musician with a lovely sense of humour.' 

Sir Paul McCartney, pictured, led the tributes for his former Wings band mate Henry McCullough, who died

Sir Paul McCartney, pictured, led the tributes for his former Wings band mate Henry McCullough, who died

McCullough, left, pictured here with Wings, died earlier today following a long illness, his agent announced

McCullough, left, pictured here with Wings, died earlier today following a long illness, his agent announced

McCullough, from Portstewart, Co Antrim, pictured right along with Jimi Hendrix, left, joined Wings in 1971

McCullough, from Portstewart, Co Antrim, pictured right along with Jimi Hendrix, left, joined Wings in 1971

The Northern Ireland native was recruited to join the second version of Wings in 1971, and his guitar solo on 'My Love' on the album 'Red Rose Speedway' marked a career peak. He improvised it in a single take.

'With music, sometimes you come across something and it's a gift from God and it's channeled through you,' he said in a 2011 interview with the website Pennyblackmusic.

'I swear, I never heard those notes before that way.'

McCullough, who also played on the single of 'Live and Let Die,' walked out of Wings in July 1973 after clashing with McCartney.

The rift was patched up in later years. 'Just because there's a little hiccup along the way, it doesn't take away from what you've built up,' he said in a 2011 interview with the website Musiclegends.

McCullough also worked with George Harrison's Dark Horse label, which produced his solo album 'Mind Your Own Business' in 1975.

McCullough, left, described the row with McCartney, right, as 'a little hiccup along the way' 

McCullough, left, described the row with McCartney, right, as 'a little hiccup along the way' 

McCullough, right, suffered a heart attack four years ago from which he never fully recovered 

McCullough, right, suffered a heart attack four years ago from which he never fully recovered 

McCullough played guitar on the theme to the James Bond movie Live and Let Die featuring Roger Moore 

McCullough played guitar on the theme to the James Bond movie Live and Let Die featuring Roger Moore 

McCullough, left, appearing in concert with Joe Cocker, centre, suffered a heart attack four years ago 

McCullough, left, appearing in concert with Joe Cocker, centre, suffered a heart attack four years ago 

During his time with Wings, McCullough was one of the people whose voices are heard answering questions at the end of Pink Floyd's song 'Money' from the album 'Dark Side of the Moon.' His contribution: 'I don't know, I was really drunk at the time.'

McCullough grew up in Portstewart on the north coast of Northern Ireland, and one of his earliest musical memories was of the power of the singing at his mother's church.

'The choir would be singing all these harmonies and it would scare me half to death,' he said.

His reaction to the church was summed up in 'Failed Christian,' one of the few songs he composed. In the song he said: 'I'm going to meet my maker / A firm believer / Of spirit in music / There's a prayer in a song.'

McCullough remained active on the music scene until the heart attack in November 2012.

'Always open for offers, you know,' he told Musiclegends. 'It's the only way I know to make any money, to be honest with you.' 

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