Photo shoot for Wings’ “Junior’s Farm” single

To promote their upcoming single “Junior’s Farm,” Wings held a photo session with photographer Clive Arrowsmith, who had previously shot the iconic “Band on the Run” album cover in late 1973. The session took place at the Park Tower Hotel and Casino in Knightsbridge, where the band members were photographed around a gaming table, dressed as characters from the song’s lyrics.

Paul McCartney appeared as a farmer, Denny Laine as an Eskimo, and drummer Geoff Britton as “the poker man.” Adding a whimsical touch, a live seal was included on set to represent the lyric, “When up popped a sea lion ready to go.“

The playful photographs were featured on the picture sleeve of the single in some countries and in promotional advertisements elsewhere. However, in the UK and US, the single was released in a standard Apple Records sleeve.

[The seal] looks very sedate in the picture but you should have seen it in reality. The table was all neatly arranged with stacks of cards until Julie, who was the seal, decided to re-arrange things. What’s more, we had to keep her and her boyfriend, who was there too, apart.

Paul McCartney – From Disc And Music Echo, December 7, 1974

We got them from some people who just happened to have seals for hire. They came along with this enormous van full of water and loads of fish. Throwing fish to them was the only way we could get the animals to do what we wanted, they weren’t really trained at all – and they had to be kept wet all the time.

No seals next time: I think we’ll put a bull in the next song or something easy like that!

Paul McCartney – From Disc And Music Echo, December 7, 1974

I was afternoon manager of The Cromwell’s Mint Casino along Cromwell Road in London and on that particular day, I arrived at work just before two to open up, but the doors were already unlocked.  I’d forgotten, the casino was to be used as the backdrop for Wings new single. 

Once I’d entered, mayhem confronted me, with what must have been a couple of dozen strangers wheeling costume trolleys, make-up artists and general hangers-on all appearing to know what they were doing.  Venturing amongst this hive of activity, the sight at the far end of the gaming floor was one I’ll always remember.  A poker table had been arranged where Denny Laine sat, dressed as a dealer.  Paul stood alongside attired as farmer/scarecrow, with a strand of straw in his mouth, whilst Linda stood at one end, dressed in a sequined scanty cocktail dress, one hand on her hip whilst the other displayed a fan of playing cards.  All were posing and taking directions from the photographer, Clive Arrowsmith.

It was very theatrical, so decided to part company with this action, and relaxed in the restaurant, being mindful I had a full staff huddled up in the staffroom, all taking an occasional peek at this circus going on within the realms of where they worked.  This went on all afternoon and occasionally I’d pop my head round to see how it was all progressing.  It was getting later when I popped my head round to witness Linda throwing a wobbly…”I’m not doing any more of this fucking bollocks” or words of that effect.  Arrowsmith attempted to appease…”Linda darling, only a few more shots, please…yes, that’s nice…hand back on your hip”…To which Linda returned a “Fuck off”.  Without a second pause, Paul cut in. “Linda…will you do what you’re fucking-well told.”

Silence…

Linda sauntered into her position, took up her stance whilst two performing seals clambered around on top of the table, enticed by a trainer lobbing sardines as an enticement to do tricks.  Hilarious.

I disappeared back to the restaurant and on my way, as an entire restaurant staff were hanging around doing nothing, got the ear of who I believed was the floor manager, and offered free lunch for whoever would like to sample some of the best Chinese cuisine in London.  The offer was duly taken up.

The shoot was coming to an end, with everything being packed away whilst I leant on one end of the bar, deservedly awarding myself a vodka, when Paul appeared, heading straight for me.  

“Are you David, the manager?”

Shit, was this happening?

“Yes…that’s me.”

“Can I thank you for putting this on…it’s a nice gesture…can I buy you a drink?”

By this time, the Chinese barman had sunk to the floor behind the bar, mumbling a version of Paul McCartney’s name.

Paul looked over the bar top at this quivering wreck.  

“Get up here you idiot and get a few drinks.”

Paul and I (I do like that phrase!) spent about an hour just talking about nothing really, and definitely not about music.  We bade our farewells and thanks when Paul ushered me outside to witness these two performing seals waddling along Cromwell Road, past a queue at a bus stop following their trainer.  The sight was hilarious.

Many years later, I met Paul again in a park in Hove on a Sunday morning.  He was walking with his son. I saw him approach and I stood.

“Sorry to interrupt Mr McCartney, but do you remember me?”

What a stupid question.

I then explained who I was and where we met.

“Oh…bloody hell…I remember.”

We talked for another ten minutes before saying goodbye.  What a really nice bloke.

David Spear – Afternoon manager of The Cromwell’s Mint Casino – Discussion with The Paul McCartney Project, 2025

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