Video: 'Paul McCartney and Wings - Live in Borehamwood (September 6th, 1975)'

(Saturday, September 6, 1975, 7:45 p.m. British Summer Time) — Former Beatle Paul McCartney and his band Wings performed a full-scale dress rehearsal today at Elstree Film Studios in Hertfordshire, England, ahead of their upcoming Wings Over the World tour, playing to an invited audience of about 900 that included music executives, friends, family, and celebrities such as fellow ex-Ringo Starr, Elton John, Twiggy, and Dave Mason.

The group ran through a 29-song set that mixed new material, solo favorites and a handful of Beatles classics.

The show opened with “Venus and Mars” and “Rock Show,” ran through Wings staples like “Jet,” “Let Me Roll It” and “Live and Let Die,” and included acoustic turns on “Blackbird” and “Yesterday.” Beatles hits “Lady Madonna” and “The Long and Winding Road” also drew cheers.

Video: 'Wings at Elstree 1975 Tour Rehearsals' (July-August 1975)

The performance was the culmination of weeks of rehearsals leading into the world tour, which will carry the Anglo-American band across Europe, North America and beyond.

Opinions on the preview were divided: McCartney himself called the band “terrible” and said nerves got the better of them, while bandmate Denny Laine described the show as “over-rehearsed but necessary” to prepare for the demands of touring.

Despite the jitters, the rehearsal ended with encores of “Band on the Run” and “Hi, Hi, Hi,” capped by pyrotechnics and a standing ovation. Afterward, Elton John hosted a birthday party for his manager, John Reid, on another Elstree soundstage, where McCartney and wife Linda made a brief appearance.

The tour, McCartney’s largest since The Beatles’ 1970 split, was expected to reach millions of fans worldwide.