Wings live: Apollo Stadium, Adelaide – 4 November 1975

Tuesday 4 November 1975 | Live performance | Apollo Stadium, Adelaide, South Australia | By Beatles Fabdom

Wings performed at Apollo Stadium in Adelaide on 4 November 1975, playing the first of two consecutive concerts at the venue. It was the fifteenth night of the Wings Over the World tour and the second stop on the Australian leg, following the Perth concert on 1 November.

Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, Jimmy McCulloch and Joe English were joined by a four-piece horn section. Their programme combined songs from Venus And Mars and Band On The Run, earlier Wings hits, selected Beatles songs and featured performances by Laine and McCulloch.

Wings arrive in Adelaide during their 1975 Australian tour

The world tour had begun at Southampton’s Gaumont Theatre on 9 September 1975. Thirteen British concerts established the programme before Wings travelled to Australia. Their Australian itinerary opened in Perth on 1 November, followed by Adelaide on 4 and 5 November, Sydney on 7 and 8 November, Brisbane on 10 and 11 November and Melbourne on 13 and 14 November.

For McCartney, the visit brought him back to the country he had toured with The Beatles in 1964. Adelaide had played a prominent part in that earlier visit, including The Beatles’ Centennial Hall concerts on 12 June 1964. The Wings concerts took place at a different venue, Apollo Stadium in the suburb of Richmond.

By November 1975, Wings had a substantial catalogue of its own. Band On The Run and Venus And Mars supplied much of the show, while the Beatles selections formed a defined part of a broader Wings programme. McCartney’s official tour history describes the format as a combination of Wings songs, Beatles favourites, features for the other band members and a seated acoustic section.

The Wings lineup at Apollo Stadium

The five-piece band combined different lead voices and instrumental roles. McCartney moved between bass, guitar and keyboards. Denny Laine contributed vocals, guitar and bass, while Jimmy McCulloch played guitar and took a featured vocal on “Medicine Jar”. Linda McCartney supplied keyboards and vocals, with Joe English on drums.

The four additional players gave the touring arrangements the brass and reed parts needed for songs such as “Letting Go”, “Listen To What The Man Said” and “You Gave Me The Answer”. The band could move from amplified rock numbers to piano-led songs and the acoustic sequence without reducing the concert to a single style.

Adelaide concert setlist: 4 November 1975

1. Venus And Mars
2. Rock Show
3. Jet
4. Let Me Roll It
5. Spirits Of Ancient Egypt
6. Little Woman Love
7. C Moon
8. Maybe I’m Amazed
9. Lady Madonna
10. The Long And Winding Road
11. Medicine Jar
12. Picasso’s Last Words (Drink To Me)
13. Richard Cory
14. Bluebird
15. I’ve Just Seen A Face
16. Blackbird
17. Yesterday
18. You Gave Me The Answer
19. Magneto And Titanium Man
20. Go Now
21. Letting Go
22. Live And Let Die
23. Call Me Back Again
24. My Love
25. Listen To What The Man Said
26. Junior’s Farm
27. Band On The Run
28. Hi, Hi, Hi
29. Soily

Venus And Mars, Rock Show and Jet: the opening sequence

The concert began with the connected sequence “Venus And Mars”, “Rock Show” and “Jet”. The first two songs came from the band’s current album, while “Jet” returned to Band On The Run. The sequence would remain a defining opening for the tour’s later American concerts.

“Rock Show” had developed over several recording sessions before reaching the stage. Our archive follows Wings recording the song on 2 November 1974 and adding overdubs in Los Angeles in March 1975.

The US release of Venus And Mars on 27 May 1975 and its UK release on 30 May had preceded the tour. Adelaide’s set drew heavily from the album, including “Spirits Of Ancient Egypt”, “Medicine Jar”, “You Gave Me The Answer”, “Magneto And Titanium Man”, “Letting Go”, “Call Me Back Again” and “Listen To What The Man Said”.

The Beatles songs and the acoustic section

The Adelaide set included five Beatles songs: “Lady Madonna”, “The Long And Winding Road”, “I’ve Just Seen A Face”, “Blackbird” and “Yesterday”. They appeared alongside McCartney’s post-Beatles work, including “Maybe I’m Amazed” and “My Love”.

The central acoustic sequence brought together “Picasso’s Last Words (Drink To Me)”, “Richard Cory”, “Bluebird”, “I’ve Just Seen A Face”, “Blackbird” and “Yesterday”. McCartney’s official tour account describes the musicians seated in chairs at the front of the stage for this part of the show.

“Bluebird” and “Picasso’s Last Words” also linked the concert to Band On The Run. For the studio history behind that repertoire, explore the 25 October 1973 mixing session and the following day’s mixing and editing work.

Denny Laine and Jimmy McCulloch’s featured songs

The tour gave other members of Wings featured vocal performances as well as their work supporting McCartney. Denny Laine sang “Spirits Of Ancient Egypt” and “Go Now”, and “Richard Cory” provided another part of his contribution. Jimmy McCulloch’s “Medicine Jar” brought his own songwriting and voice into the programme.

These selections were part of the tour’s regular structure. The official McCartney tour history specifically identifies features for Laine and McCulloch alongside the McCartney-led numbers and acoustic set.

Junior’s Farm, Band On The Run and the closing songs

“Junior’s Farm” appeared near the end of the main programme, followed by “Band On The Run”. The former had been released the previous year: its US release fell on 4 November 1974, exactly one year before this Adelaide performance.

“Hi, Hi, Hi” and “Soily” completed the set. “Soily” was a concert number rather than a track from the band’s current studio album. It would later reach a much wider record-buying audience through the American live album.

The Australian leg before Wings Over America

The Australian concerts belong to the 1975 phase of the world tour. Wings At The Speed Of Sound followed in 1976, and songs from that album entered the programme later. The Adelaide sequence therefore includes “Little Woman Love”, “C Moon” and “Junior’s Farm”, without importing the later tour’s “Silly Love Songs” and “Let ’Em In” into this concert.

After Australia, Wings returned to the road in Europe in March 1976. The North American concerts followed in May and June. Performances from that later leg supplied the triple live album Wings Over America, rather than the Adelaide shows themselves.

The distinction can be followed through our coverage of Copenhagen on 21 March 1976, Seattle’s Kingdome on 10 June and the subsequent Wings Over America mixing work on 2 November 1976.

Apollo Stadium, Richmond: the historic venue

Apollo Stadium stood at 41 Kingston Avenue, Richmond, South Australia, in metropolitan Adelaide. McCartney’s official tour archive gives this address for both the 4 and 5 November concerts. The venue was also known as Apollo Entertainment Centre.

The stadium opened in 1969 and became an important local sports and entertainment venue. Its history is also remembered by the Adelaide 36ers, who played there before moving to a larger home. The old stadium site was subsequently redeveloped, so the map below identifies the historic Kingston Avenue location.

Open the historic Apollo Stadium address in Google Maps.

Complete Wings Over the World tour itinerary

The following itinerary lists the tour’s 65 concert dates, from the British opening in September 1975 to the final Wembley shows in October 1976.

Britain, September 1975

• 9 September 1975 — Gaumont Theatre, Southampton, England
• 10 September 1975 — Hippodrome, Bristol, England
• 11 September 1975 — Capitol Theatre, Cardiff, Wales
• 12 September 1975 — Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England
• 13 September 1975 — Hippodrome, Birmingham, England
• 15 September 1975 — Empire Theatre, Liverpool, England
• 16 September 1975 — City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
• 17 September 1975 — Hammersmith Odeon, London, England
• 18 September 1975 — Hammersmith Odeon, London, England
• 20 September 1975 — Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland
• 21 September 1975 — Apollo, Glasgow, Scotland
• 22 September 1975 — Capitol Theatre, Aberdeen, Scotland
• 23 September 1975 — Caird Hall, Dundee, Scotland

Australia, November 1975

• 1 November 1975 — Perth Entertainment Centre, Perth
• 4 November 1975 — Apollo Stadium, Adelaide
• 5 November 1975 — Apollo Stadium, Adelaide
• 7 November 1975 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
• 8 November 1975 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
• 10 November 1975 — Festival Hall, Brisbane
• 11 November 1975 — Festival Hall, Brisbane
• 13 November 1975 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
• 14 November 1975 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne

Europe, March 1976

• 20 March 1976 — Falkoner Theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark
• 21 March 1976 — Falkoner Theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark
• 23 March 1976 — Deutschlandhalle, West Berlin
• 25 March 1976 — Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
• 26 March 1976 — Pavillon de Paris, Paris, France

United States and Canada, May–June 1976

• 3 May 1976 — Convention Center, Fort Worth, USA
• 4 May 1976 — The Summit, Houston, USA
• 7 May 1976 — Olympia Stadium, Detroit, USA
• 8 May 1976 — Olympia Stadium, Detroit, USA
• 9 May 1976 — Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
• 10 May 1976 — Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, USA
• 12 May 1976 — Spectrum, Philadelphia, USA
• 14 May 1976 — Spectrum, Philadelphia, USA
• 15 May 1976 — Capital Centre, Landover, USA
• 16 May 1976 — Capital Centre, Landover, USA
• 18 May 1976 — Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, USA
• 19 May 1976 — Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, USA
• 21 May 1976 — Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, USA
• 22 May 1976 — Boston Garden, Boston, USA
• 24 May 1976 — Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA
• 25 May 1976 — Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA
• 27 May 1976 — Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, USA
• 29 May 1976 — Kemper Arena, Kansas City, USA
• 31 May 1976 — Chicago Stadium, Chicago, USA
• 1 June 1976 — Chicago Stadium, Chicago, USA
• 2 June 1976 — Chicago Stadium, Chicago, USA
• 4 June 1976 — Civic Center, St Paul, USA
• 7 June 1976 — McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, USA
• 10 June 1976 — Kingdome, Seattle, USA
• 13 June 1976 — Cow Palace, Daly City, USA
• 14 June 1976 — Cow Palace, Daly City, USA
• 16 June 1976 — Sports Arena, San Diego, USA
• 18 June 1976 — Community Center, Tucson, USA
• 21 June 1976 — The Forum, Inglewood, USA
• 22 June 1976 — The Forum, Inglewood, USA
• 23 June 1976 — The Forum, Inglewood, USA

Europe and Britain, September–October 1976

• 19 September 1976 — Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria
• 21 September 1976 — Dom Sportova, Zagreb, Yugoslavia
• 25 September 1976 — Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy
• 27 September 1976 — Olympiahalle, Munich, West Germany
• 19 October 1976 — Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England
• 20 October 1976 — Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England
• 21 October 1976 — Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England

Wings merchandise

The Paul McCartney Wings Collage T-shirt features a band portrait design. For more about the group’s development, read Paul McCartney and Wings: the comeback after The Beatles.

Frequently asked questions

When did Wings play Apollo Stadium in Adelaide?

Wings played Apollo Stadium on 4 and 5 November 1975. This article covers the first show, on 4 November.

Where was Apollo Stadium?

It stood at 41 Kingston Avenue in Richmond, South Australia, within metropolitan Adelaide.

Who was in Wings for the Adelaide concert?

Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, Jimmy McCulloch and Joe English, accompanied by Howie Casey, Tony Dorsey, Steve Howard and Thaddeus Richard in the horn section.

Which Beatles songs were played?

The set included Lady Madonna, The Long And Winding Road, I’ve Just Seen A Face, Blackbird and Yesterday.

Was the Adelaide concert recorded for Wings Over America?

Wings Over America drew on the 1976 North American leg, not the Adelaide concerts from November 1975.

How long did the Wings Over the World tour run?

Its 65 concert dates ran from 9 September 1975 to 21 October 1976, covering Britain, Australia, Europe, the United States and Canada.

Official tour archive: Paul McCartney: Wings Over the World. Venue history: Adelaide 36ers: Apollo Stadium.