Wings’ single ‘Live And Let Die’ was released in the United Kingdom on 1 June 1973.
Although Wings’ early releases had received mixed critical and commercial responses, ‘Live And Let Die’ established the band as a potent force, able to compete against rock’s premier league of performers. Although they subsequently underwent personnel changes, by the end of 1973 Wings had released Band On The Run, their most commercially successful album.
‘Live And Let Die’ was released in the UK as Apple R 5987. It spent 14 weeks on the single chart, peaking at number nine.
In the US it was issued on 18 June as Apple 1863, and topped two of the three main singles charts. The b-side on both occasions was ‘I Lie Around’, written by Paul McCartney but sung by Denny Laine.
‘I Lie Around’ was a Ram outtake completed during the Red Rose Speedway sessions. It was Laine’s only lead vocal on a Wings single.
Also on this day...
- 2018: Ringo Starr live: Music Box, Borgata, Atlantic City, New Jersey
- 1981: US album release: Somewhere In England by George Harrison
- 1969: John Lennon and Yoko Ono record Give Peace A Chance
- 1969: John Lennon argues with Al Capp in Montreal
- 1969: George and Pattie Harrison holiday in Sardinia
- 1967: Recording: Untitled
- 1967: UK album release: Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
- 1966: Recording: Yellow Submarine
- 1964: Recording: Matchbox, I’ll Cry Instead, Slow Down, I’ll Be Back
- 1963: Live: Granada Cinema, Tooting, London
- 1963: Radio: Pop Go The Beatles
- 1961: Live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
