Video: 'Paul McCartney ~ TUG OF WAR Archive Collection' (first 12 clips constitute original album)

(Monday, April 26, 1982) — Tug of War, former Beatle Paul McCartney’s first studio album after the murder of former songwriting partner John Lennon, was released today in both the U.S. and UK.

The album includes “Ebony and Ivory,” a worldwide smash hit featuring a duet with Stevie Wonder, and “Here Today,” a tribute to Lennon, who was murdered by a deranged fan outside his New York apartment in December 1980.

The album, which also features performances by fellow ex-Beatle Ringo Starr and Carl Perkins, was also McCartney’s first LP after the dissolution of the English musician’s post-Beatles band, Wings, the previous year. Overall, it was his 11th album since the 1970 break up of The Beatles.

It was produced by former Beatles producer George Martin and was a number one hit in many countries, selling over one million copies in the United States in the year of its release, and over 4 million copies worldwide.

Some critics hailed it as a return to form for McCartney.