UK album release: Tripping The Live Fantastic by Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney’s first solo live album, Tripping The Live Fantastic, was released in the United Kingdom on 5 November 1990, a day ahead of its US release.

A single containing live versions of two Beatles songs, ‘Birthday’ and ‘Good Day Sunshine’, was released prior to Tripping The Live Fantastic. The single was issued on 8 October 1990 in the UK, the day before John Lennon’s birthday, and peaked at number 29. In the US it was released on 16 October, and failed to chart.

Tripping The Live Fantastic followed a month later, and reached number 17 in the UK and 26 in the US. A 12″ square booklet accompanied the three-disc LP version, whereas the double CD set came with two booklets.

An abridged edition, titled Tripping The Live Fantastic – Highlights!, was also issued on 26 November 1990 in the UK, and on 20 November in the US. It contained one song, ‘All My Trials’, not on the longer album.

A film of the world tour, directed by Richard Lester and Aubrey Powell, was also made. Get Back, was not released until 25 October 1991, and received a limited cinema run prior to a full release on VHS video.