Tuesday 9 August 1977 | Low Ranachan Farm, Campbeltown, Scotland
On 9 August 1977, Paul McCartney fired guitarist Jimmy McCulloch from Wings at Low Ranachan Farm near Campbeltown, Scotland. The dismissal came the morning after a destructive drinking session that proved to be the final straw in a long-running pattern of erratic behaviour.
A History of Trouble
McCulloch had joined Wings in the summer of 1974 as a young and talented guitarist, but had been something of a loose cannon throughout his time with the band. His infractions included:
- An arrest in Nashville for reckless driving
- The trashing of a Winnebago in Palm Springs
- A night of drinking in Paris with David Cassidy during which McCulloch fell and broke a finger, forcing a delay to Wings’ US tour in 1976
The rest of Wings were no strangers to hard living, but they mostly managed to remain on the right side of civility. McCulloch’s behaviour repeatedly crossed that line.
The Breaking Point
The breaking point came on the night of 8 August 1977, following a drinking session in Campbeltown. After returning to the farmhouse at Low Ranachan, McCulloch smashed crockery, broke the dishwasher, and threw food and sauces at the walls.
The following morning, Denny Laine was first on the scene. He quickly went to High Park Farm to warn McCartney. Given McCulloch’s track record, there was no doubt as to the culprit. A furious McCartney went to McCulloch’s room, ordered him to leave the farm, and told him never to return.
The timing was particularly striking: on the very same day, 9 August 1977, the remaining members of Wings were in the studio recording the bagpipes and drums for ‘Mull Of Kintyre’ with the Campbeltown Pipe Band — a session that would produce Wings’ biggest-ever hit.
The Announcement
McCulloch’s departure from Wings was announced to the press in September 1977, when he joined The Small Faces for a series of live performances. The press statement from MPL contained quotations from both McCartney and McCulloch that touched upon the tensions within the band.
“Jimmy has been playing some great guitar recently and it’s a pity he is leaving, but problems have been building up for quite a while now and so the rest of us are happy to carry on without him.”
— Paul McCartney
“I enjoyed playing with Wings and I learned a lot from Paul, but I felt it was time for a change and the ideal change for me was The Small Faces. They are old friends of mine whose music I have always enjoyed.”
— Jimmy McCulloch
Wings — officially licensed merch
Paul McCartney Wings Logo Baseball Cap in red and black.
Key Facts
| Date of dismissal | Tuesday 9 August 1977 |
| Location | Low Ranachan Farm, Campbeltown, Scotland |
| Joined Wings | Summer 1974 |
| Immediate cause | Destructive drinking session on night of 8 August 1977 |
| Departure announced | September 1977 |
| Next band | The Small Faces |
| Same-day event | Wings recorded ‘Mull Of Kintyre’ bagpipes session with Campbeltown Pipe Band |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Jimmy McCulloch fired from Wings?
Jimmy McCulloch was fired from Wings on 9 August 1977 following a destructive drinking session on the night of 8 August at Low Ranachan Farm in Scotland, during which he smashed crockery, broke the dishwasher and threw food at the walls. It was the culmination of a long pattern of erratic behaviour during his time with the band.
When did Jimmy McCulloch join Wings?
Jimmy McCulloch joined Wings in the summer of 1974 and was fired on 9 August 1977, having been with the band for approximately three years.
What did Jimmy McCulloch do after leaving Wings?
After leaving Wings, Jimmy McCulloch joined The Small Faces for a series of live performances. His departure from Wings was publicly announced in September 1977.
→ Recording: Mull Of Kintyre by Wings – 9 August 1977
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