A year to year guide to 1970’s music charts
1970: Remembers Woodstock and Rewards Camp
1970 was full of echos of the 1960’s, one of the top albums was the soundtrack to Woodstock. Other top albums included; Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkle, and Paul McCartney’s self titled record. On the more innovative side were albums by Credence Clearwater Revival and Santana. The Billboard top song charts were full of campy songs by the Partridge Family and the Jackson Five.
1971: Jesus versus Joplin
The was world still reeling from the breakup of the Beatles, George Harrison’s solo work replaced McCartney’s on the album charts and made it all the way to the top. Public taste continued to tend toward wholesomeness, with the Osmonds having the number three song, and the Jesus Christ Super Star soundtrack was number two on the album charts.
Any cultural movement is bound to have a backlash, and the intricate guitar work of Santana prevailed on the charts alongside the more sugary offerings, holding down a top spot on both the song and album charts. The late 1970 death of Janis Joplin created immense 1971 popularity for her last album, Pearl.
1972: Americana and the First Glimmers of Glam
From 1969 to 1974 the country rock songs of Three Dog Night held a steady spot on the top singles charts, and 1972 was no exception. Although, folk artist America’s self-titled album took the top spot on the record charts. Don McLean’s album American Pie took the number two spot, cementing the trend toward Americana folk tunes.
Other notable top bands included the Moody Blues, Chicago, and the Temptations. Glamor began to replace campiness, and Elton John’s record Honky Chateau bent the pubic perception of both genre and gender.
1973: The Birth of AC/DC
1973 was a significant year for hard core Rock fans all over the world because the widely popular band, AC/DC was formed. Though they refer to their music as Rock, it leans more to the Heavy Metal Genre of which they are considered pioneers of. Top of the chart hits included Angie by The Rolling Stones and Tie a Yellow Ribbon ’round the Old Oak Tree by Tony Orlando & Dawn.
1974: Kung Fu Fighting and 1970’s Music Bonanza
Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas dominated the British and American music charts in the year 1974. It was also the year Van Halen was formed while The Moody Blues and The Stooges disbanded.
1975: The Beginning of Something Big
1975 was the year that Bruce Springsteen released his third album which was “Born to Run.” Here was an album that was widely seen as one of the greatest albums of all time. Fox on the Run by The Sweet and SOS by ABBA dominated the music charts in 1975.
1976: The Emergence of U2
This is the year that the group U2 first brought its music to the world. Led by Bono, U2 were more successful as live acts than they were at selling records. That was until they came out with the album “The Joshua Tree”. According to Rolling Stones Magazine, this was the album that took them from mere heroes to superstars. Top of the charts was the hit 1970’s music classic; Dancing Queen by ABBA. Dancing Queen is still regarded as one of the more successful singles of the 70’s.
1977: Bee Gees Rival Beatles
In 1977, the movie Saturday Night Fever came out and its’ enormously successful soundtrack had songs done mostly by the Bee Gees. This made them one the most successful artists of the 70’s and one of the Best Selling Artists since the Beatles. With Saturday Night Fever, Disco soon emerged as a 70’s music favorite and remained so for the next couple of years. Groups that disbanded during the year include T. Rex, Medicine Head and The Supremes.
1978: Saturday Night Live equals One Million Copies a Week
Yes, one million copies a week was still being sold of the Saturday Night Live Soundtrack. It continued to dominate the music scene and further pushed the legacy of the Bee Gees. Here was the year that the Sex Pistols played their final show on January 14 in the San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom. One of the most successful reggae bands of all time was also formed in 1978, UB40. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John’s song, You’re the One That I Want, for the 1978 movie Grease was also a 70’s music hit and one of chart toppers for the year.
1979: Disco Rules
Disco ruled the music charts in the year 1979 with top hits from Donna Summer and the Bee Gees. This was also the year that Stevie Wonder used Digital Audio Recording technology for his album, Journey through the Secret Life of Plants. 1979 will also be remembered as the year the Runaways were disbanded.
