1972 in music: Difference between revisions
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**[[Sammy Davis, Jr.]] makes a guest appearance on the television show ''[[All in the Family]]''. |
**[[Sammy Davis, Jr.]] makes a guest appearance on the television show ''[[All in the Family]]''. |
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*February 23 – [[Elvis Presley|Elvis]] and [[Priscilla Presley]] separate. |
*February 23 – [[Elvis Presley|Elvis]] and [[Priscilla Presley]] separate. |
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*February 29 – [[John Lennon]]'s |
*February 29 – [[John Lennon]]'s US immigration visa expires, beginning his three-and-a-half year fight to remain in the country. |
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*March 15 – L.A. disc jockey [[Robert W. Morgan]] plays [[Donny Osmond]]'s "Puppy Love" non-stop for 90 minutes. Police are called, but no arrests are made. |
*March 15 – L.A. disc jockey [[Robert W. Morgan]] plays [[Donny Osmond]]'s "Puppy Love" non-stop for 90 minutes. Police are called, but no arrests are made. |
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*March 21 - [[Terry Knight]] announces he is launching a $5 million lawsuit against [[Grand Funk|Grand Funk's]] new manager John Eastman, one week after being fired as Grand Funk's manager. It triggers a series of suits and counter-suits between Knight and the band throughout the coming months. |
*March 21 - [[Terry Knight]] announces he is launching a $5 million lawsuit against [[Grand Funk|Grand Funk's]] new manager John Eastman, one week after being fired as Grand Funk's manager. It triggers a series of suits and counter-suits between Knight and the band throughout the coming months. |
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*May 2 – [[Stone the Crows]] lead guitarist [[Leslie Harvey|Les Harvey]] is electrocuted on stage during a show in [[Swansea]], [[Wales]] after touching a poorly connected microphone. Harvey died in a hospital a few hours later. The band's lead singer, [[Maggie Bell]], Harvey's longtime girlfriend, was also hospitalized. Bell collapsed on stage after the incident. |
*May 2 – [[Stone the Crows]] lead guitarist [[Leslie Harvey|Les Harvey]] is electrocuted on stage during a show in [[Swansea]], [[Wales]] after touching a poorly connected microphone. Harvey died in a hospital a few hours later. The band's lead singer, [[Maggie Bell]], Harvey's longtime girlfriend, was also hospitalized. Bell collapsed on stage after the incident. |
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*May 8 – [[Billy Preston]] becomes the first rock performer to headline at [[New York]]'s [[Radio City Music Hall]] |
*May 8 – [[Billy Preston]] becomes the first rock performer to headline at [[New York]]'s [[Radio City Music Hall]] |
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*May 27 - The [[Opryland |
*May 27 - The [[Opryland US]] country music [[theme park]] opens in [[Nashville, Tennessee]]. |
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*June - Founding member [[Roy Wood]] exits the [[Electric Light Orchestra]] line-up just as the band scores its first hit single. |
*June - Founding member [[Roy Wood]] exits the [[Electric Light Orchestra]] line-up just as the band scores its first hit single. |
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*June 3 - [[The Rolling Stones]] open their North American tour in [[Vancouver, Canada]]. |
*June 3 - [[The Rolling Stones]] open their North American tour in [[Vancouver, Canada]]. |
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*November 3 - [[James Taylor]] and [[Carly Simon]] are married in a tiny ceremony in Simon's Manhattan apartment. |
*November 3 - [[James Taylor]] and [[Carly Simon]] are married in a tiny ceremony in Simon's Manhattan apartment. |
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*November 12 - 51,778 fans pack [[Qualcomm Stadium|San Diego Stadium]] for a concert promoted by [[KLSD|KGB-AM]] to see [[J. Geils Band]], [[Quicksilver Messenger Service]], [[Foghat]] and [[Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show]]. |
*November 12 - 51,778 fans pack [[Qualcomm Stadium|San Diego Stadium]] for a concert promoted by [[KLSD|KGB-AM]] to see [[J. Geils Band]], [[Quicksilver Messenger Service]], [[Foghat]] and [[Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show]]. |
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*November 26 – [[Family (band)|Family]], touring North America as the warmup act for [[Elton John]], play their last concert on |
*November 26 – [[Family (band)|Family]], touring North America as the warmup act for [[Elton John]], play their last concert on US soil in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]]. |
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*December 31 - The first [[Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest|New Year's Rockin' Eve]], with host [[Dick Clark]], airs on ABC with [[Three Dog Night]] as the featured act. [[Blood, Sweat & Tears]], [[Helen Reddy]] and [[Al Green]] also perform. |
*December 31 - The first [[Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest|New Year's Rockin' Eve]], with host [[Dick Clark]], airs on ABC with [[Three Dog Night]] as the featured act. [[Blood, Sweat & Tears]], [[Helen Reddy]] and [[Al Green]] also perform. |
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*[[Herbert Howells]] becomes a [[Companion of Honour]]. |
*[[Herbert Howells]] becomes a [[Companion of Honour]]. |
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! Chart Entries |
! Chart Entries |
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| 1 || [[Harry Nilsson]] || [[Without You (Badfinger song)#Harry Nilsson version|Without You]] || 1972 || {{flagicon|US}} || UK - 1 for 5 weeks, , Australia - 1 for 5 weeks, |
| 1 || [[Harry Nilsson]] || [[Without You (Badfinger song)#Harry Nilsson version|Without You]] || 1972 || {{flagicon|US}} || UK - 1 for 5 weeks, , Australia - 1 for 5 weeks, US - 1 for 4 weeks, Ireland - 1 for 3 weeks, New Zealand - 1 for 2 weeks, Canada - 1 for 1 week, South Africa - 2, Italy - 3, Brazil - 9 of 1972, Holland - 10, Germany - 12, Belgium - 14 |
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| 2 || [[Don McLean]] || [[American Pie (song)|American Pie]] || 1972 || {{flagicon|US}} || Australia - 1 for 5 weeks, |
| 2 || [[Don McLean]] || [[American Pie (song)|American Pie]] || 1972 || {{flagicon|US}} || Australia - 1 for 5 weeks, US - 1 for 4 weeks, CAN - 1 for 5 weeks, New Zealand - 1 for 3 weeks, UK - 2, Poland - 4, Norway - 9, Germany - 9, Holland - 11 , Belgium - 20 |
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| 3 || [[Hot Butter]] || [[Popcorn (instrumental)|Popcorn]] || 1972 || {{flagicon|South Africa}} || Switzerland - 1 for 10 weeks, Norway - 1 for 9 weeks, Australia - 1 for 8 weeks, Holland - 1 for 7 weeks, France - 1 for 3 weeks, Germany - 1 for 3 weeks, Canada 3 – September 1972, UK - 5, |
| 3 || [[Hot Butter]] || [[Popcorn (instrumental)|Popcorn]] || 1972 || {{flagicon|South Africa}} || Switzerland - 1 for 10 weeks, Norway - 1 for 9 weeks, Australia - 1 for 8 weeks, Holland - 1 for 7 weeks, France - 1 for 3 weeks, Germany - 1 for 3 weeks, Canada 3 – September 1972, UK - 5, US - 9, Austria - 10, South Africa - 13, Italy - 19 |
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| 5 || [[Dr. Hook]] || [[Sylvia's Mother]] || 1972 || {{flagicon|US}} || Ireland - 1 for 7 weeks, New Zealand - 1 for 5 weeks, Australia - 1 for 3 weeks, South Africa - 1, UK - 2, Canada - 2, Italy - 3, Switzerland - 3, Holland - 3, |
| 5 || [[Dr. Hook]] || [[Sylvia's Mother]] || 1972 || {{flagicon|US}} || Ireland - 1 for 7 weeks, New Zealand - 1 for 5 weeks, Australia - 1 for 3 weeks, South Africa - 1, UK - 2, Canada - 2, Italy - 3, Switzerland - 3, Holland - 3, US - 5, Norway - 5, Germany - 9, Belgium - 9 |
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| 5 || [[Neil Young]] || [[Heart of Gold (song)|Heart of Gold]] || 1972 || {{flagicon|Canada}} || |
| 5 || [[Neil Young]] || [[Heart of Gold (song)|Heart of Gold]] || 1972 || {{flagicon|Canada}} || US - 1 for 1 weeks, CAN - 1 for 1 week, Norway - 4, Germany - 6, Holland - 9, UK - 10, Australia Goset - 15, Belgium - 25 |
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*"[[I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing]]" – [[The New Seekers]] |
*"[[I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing]]" – [[The New Seekers]] |
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*"[[I'd Love You to Want Me]]" – [[Lobo (musician)|Lobo]] |
*"[[I'd Love You to Want Me]]" – [[Lobo (musician)|Lobo]] |
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*"[[I'll Be Around (The Spinners song)|I'll Be Around]]" – [[The Spinners ( |
*"[[I'll Be Around (The Spinners song)|I'll Be Around]]" – [[The Spinners (US band)|The Spinners]] |
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*"[[I'll Take You There]]" – [[The Staple Singers]] |
*"[[I'll Take You There]]" – [[The Staple Singers]] |
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*"[[I'm Still in Love with You (Al Green song)|I'm Still in Love with You]]" – [[Al Green]] |
*"[[I'm Still in Love with You (Al Green song)|I'm Still in Love with You]]" – [[Al Green]] |
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*"[[Tiny Dancer]]" – [[Elton John]] |
*"[[Tiny Dancer]]" – [[Elton John]] |
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*"[[Too Late to Turn Back Now (song)|Too Late to Turn Back Now]]" – [[Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose]] |
*"[[Too Late to Turn Back Now (song)|Too Late to Turn Back Now]]" – [[Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose]] |
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*"[[Top of the World (The Carpenters song)|Top of the World]]" – [[The Carpenters]] ''(in Japan; it became a hit in the |
*"[[Top of the World (The Carpenters song)|Top of the World]]" – [[The Carpenters]] ''(in Japan; it became a hit in the US and the UK the following year) |
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*"Troglodyte (Cave Man)" – [[Jimmy Castor Bunch]] |
*"Troglodyte (Cave Man)" – [[Jimmy Castor Bunch]] |
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*"[[Trouble Man]]" – [[Marvin Gaye]] |
*"[[Trouble Man]]" – [[Marvin Gaye]] |
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Revision as of 09:51, 25 October 2011
 | The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (November 2009) |
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| +... |
| Years in music: | 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 |
| Centuries: | 19th century · 20th century · 21st century |
| Decades: | 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s |
| Years: | 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 |
Events
- January 17 – Highway 51 South in Memphis, Tennessee is renamed "Elvis Presley Blvd"
- January 20 – Pink Floyd debuts Dark Side of the Moon during a performance at The Dome, in Brighton, but due to technical difficulties, is halted during the song 'Money'. Dark Side of the Moon would be played in its entirety the next night. It would be a full year before the album was released.
- January 21 - Keith Richards jumps onstage to jam with Chuck Berry at the Hollywood Palladium, but is ordered off for playing too loud. Berry later claims that he did not recognize Keith and would not have booted him if he did.
- January 29–31 – The first Sunbury Music Festival is held in Sunbury, Victoria. Performers include Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs, Wendy Saddington, Chain and The La De Das.
- January 31 – Over 40,000 mourners file past Mahalia Jackson's open casket to pay their respects in Chicago's Great Salem Baptist Church.
- February 9 – Paul McCartney's new band, Wings, make their live debut at the University of Nottingham in England. It's McCartney's first public concert since The Beatles' 1966 US tour.
- February 13 – Led Zeppelin's concert in Singapore is canceled when government officials will not let them off the airplane because of their long hair.
- February 14 – "Steppenwolf Day" is declared in Los Angeles, California.
- February 14–18 – John Lennon and Yoko Ono co-host an entire week of The Mike Douglas Show.
- February 15 – The United States gives federal Copyright protection to sound recordings. Prior to this, phonograph records were only protected at state level, and not in all states.
- February 19
- Paul McCartney's single "Give Ireland Back to the Irish" (which was inspired by the "Bloody Sunday" massacre in Ireland on January 30, 1972) is banned by the BBC. The controversy caused by the banning only increases the song's popularity and it ends up in the Top 20 in England.
- Sammy Davis, Jr. makes a guest appearance on the television show All in the Family.
- February 23 – Elvis and Priscilla Presley separate.
- February 29 – John Lennon's US immigration visa expires, beginning his three-and-a-half year fight to remain in the country.
- March 15 – L.A. disc jockey Robert W. Morgan plays Donny Osmond's "Puppy Love" non-stop for 90 minutes. Police are called, but no arrests are made.
- March 21 - Terry Knight announces he is launching a $5 million lawsuit against Grand Funk's new manager John Eastman, one week after being fired as Grand Funk's manager. It triggers a series of suits and counter-suits between Knight and the band throughout the coming months.
- March 25 – The 17th Eurovision Song Contest, held in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland, is won by German-based Greek singer Vicky Leandros, representing Luxembourg with the song Après Toi. The song is subsequently released around Europe, having been recorded in several languages, including in English as Come What May.
- March 31 – Official Beatles fan club closes down.
- April 2 – John Lennon and Yoko Ono hold a press conference in New York. The Lennons discuss their appeal of the US Immigration Department's decision to deport John.
- April 9 – First solo concert of Valery Leontiev.
- April 16 – Electric Light Orchestra make their live debut at the Fox and Greyhound pub in Park Lane, Croydon, England.
- April 28 – Wishbone Ash release their third album, Argus which is named album of the year by readers of Sounds and Melody Maker, ahead of albums by more widely-known artists such as David Bowie and Deep Purple.
- April 29 – New York City mayor John Lindsay announces that he is supporting John Lennon and Yoko Ono in their fight to remain in the United States.
- May 2 – Stone the Crows lead guitarist Les Harvey is electrocuted on stage during a show in Swansea, Wales after touching a poorly connected microphone. Harvey died in a hospital a few hours later. The band's lead singer, Maggie Bell, Harvey's longtime girlfriend, was also hospitalized. Bell collapsed on stage after the incident.
- May 8 – Billy Preston becomes the first rock performer to headline at New York's Radio City Music Hall
- May 27 - The Opryland US country music theme park opens in Nashville, Tennessee.
- June - Founding member Roy Wood exits the Electric Light Orchestra line-up just as the band scores its first hit single.
- June 3 - The Rolling Stones open their North American tour in Vancouver, Canada.
- June 10 – Elvis does the first of four concerts at the Madison Square Garden in New York City. He sells out all the shows in one day.
- June 14 - Simon & Garfunkel reunite briefly to perform live at Madison Square Garden at a campaign benefit for Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern. Other performers include Peter, Paul and Mary and Dionne Warwick.
- July 24 – Bobby Ramirez, the drummer for Edgar Winter's White Trash, is beaten to death in a Chicago bar fight, reportedly because his hair was too long.
- August 5 – Clive Davis signs Aerosmith to Columbia Records at Max's Kansas City in New York, NY.
- August 30 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono headline the "One To One Concert" at Madison Square Garden to benefit mentally handicapped children. Elephant's Memory, Roberta Flack, Stevie Wonder and Sha Na Na also perform.
- September 21 - ABC premieres the new TV series In Concert. The first episode features Alice Cooper.
- September 29 - Miles Davis unveils his new nine-piece band at the Lincoln Center Philharmonic Hall.
- October 12 – Diana Ross has her acting debut in the wildly successful film Lady Sings the Blues and garners her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
- October 16 - Creedence Clearwater Revival announces it is breaking up.
- November 3 - James Taylor and Carly Simon are married in a tiny ceremony in Simon's Manhattan apartment.
- November 12 - 51,778 fans pack San Diego Stadium for a concert promoted by KGB-AM to see J. Geils Band, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Foghat and Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show.
- November 26 – Family, touring North America as the warmup act for Elton John, play their last concert on US soil in St. Petersburg, Florida.
- December 31 - The first New Year's Rockin' Eve, with host Dick Clark, airs on ABC with Three Dog Night as the featured act. Blood, Sweat & Tears, Helen Reddy and Al Green also perform.
- Herbert Howells becomes a Companion of Honour.
- Billy Ray Hearn founds Myrrh Records.
- Joseph Hoo Kim founds Channel One Studios in Kingston, Jamaica
Bands formed
Bands disbanded
Albums released
January
February
March
April
| Day | Album | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Rio Grande Mud | ZZ Top | - |
| 5 | Graham Nash David Crosby | Crosby & Nash | - |
| 11 | Mardi Gras | Creedence Clearwater Revival | - |
| 12 | Manassas | Stephen Stills and Manassas | - |
| 14 | Three Friends | Gentle Giant | UK |
| 20 | Dr. John's Gumbo | Dr. John | - |
| 28 | Argus | Wishbone Ash | - |
| - | Annie | Anne Murray | - |
| Arthur Alexander | Arthur Alexander | - | |
| Bare Trees | Fleetwood Mac | - | |
| Bolan Boogie | T. Rex | Compilation | |
| Cat Mother | Cat Mother & the All Night Newsboys | - | |
| Comin' Thru | Quicksilver Messenger Service | - | |
| David Clayton-Thomas | David Clayton-Thomas | - | |
| He Touched Me | Elvis Presley | - | |
| Henry the Human Fly | Richard Thompson | - | |
| Hobo's Lullaby | Arlo Guthrie | - | |
| The Island of Real | The Rascals | - | |
| Lou Reed | Lou Reed | - | |
| Merrimack County | Tom Rush | - | |
| Moonshot | Buffy Sainte-Marie | - | |
| Mountain Live: The Road Goes Ever On | Mountain | Live | |
| #1 Record | Big Star | - | |
| A Possible Projection of the Future / Childhood's End | Al Kooper | - | |
| Procol Harum Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra | Procol Harum | Live | |
| A Thing Called Love | Johnny Cash | - |
May
June
| Day | Album | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Obscured by Clouds | Pink Floyd | - |
| 6 | Looking Glass | Looking Glass | - |
| The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars | David Bowie | - | |
| 9 | Earthbound | King Crimson | Live |
| 12 | Some Time in New York City | John Lennon and Yoko Ono | - |
| 13 | A Song for You | Carpenters | - |
| 14 | Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits | Simon & Garfunkel | Compilation |
| 16 | Roxy Music | Roxy Music | - |
| 17 | Eagles | Eagles | - |
| 18 | Elvis: As Recorded at Madison Square Garden | Elvis Presley | Live |
| 23 | Living in the Past | Jethro Tull | Compilation |
| - | Amazing Grace | Aretha Franklin | - |
| Bless Your Heart | Freddie Hart | - | |
| Carney | Leon Russell | - | |
| Feel Good | Ike and Tina Turner | - | |
| Foghat | Foghat | - | |
| Free at Last | Free | - | |
| If an Angel Came to See You, Would You Make Her Feel at Home? | Black Oak Arkansas | - | |
| Let Me Tell You About a Song | Merle Haggard | - | |
| School's Out | Alice Cooper | - | |
| There It Is | James Brown | - | |
| Toulouse Street | The Doobie Brothers | - |
July
August
| Day | Album | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Jazz at Santa Monica Civic '72 | Ella Fitzgerald | Live |
| 4 | Ben | Michael Jackson | - |
| 14 | Play the Blues | Buddy Guy and Junior Wells | - |
| 15 | Rock of Ages | The Band | Live |
| 25 | Everybody's in Show-Biz | The Kinks | Double LP; one studio, one live |
| 28 | 'Ot 'n' Sweaty | Cactus | - |
| - | And the Hits Just Keep on Comin' | Michael Nesmith | - |
| Back Stabbers | The O'Jays | - | |
| Bustin' Out | Pure Prairie League | - | |
| Elf | Elf | - | |
| Free Will | Gil Scott-Heron | - | |
| Full Circle | The Doors | - | |
| Irrlicht | Klaus Schulze | - | |
| Live at the Paramount | The Guess Who | Live | |
| Roy Buchanan | Roy Buchanan | ||
| Smokin' O.P.'s | Bob Seger | - | |
| Summer Breeze | Seals and Crofts | - |
September
| Day | Album | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | All the Young Dudes | Mott the Hoople | - |
| 13 | Close to the Edge | Yes | - |
| 15 | Phoenix | Grand Funk Railroad | - |
| Rocky Mountain High | John Denver | - | |
| 25 | Vol. 4 | Black Sabbath | - |
| 26 | Live Full House | The J. Geils Band | Live |
| 27 | Catch Bull at Four | Cat Stevens | - |
| 29 | Glorified Magnified | Manfred Mann's Earth Band | - |
| 30 | Barnstorm | Joe Walsh | - |
| - | At Home with Their Greatest Hits | The Partridge Family | Compilation |
| Bandstand | Family | - | |
| Below the Salt | Steeleye Span | - | |
| Crazy Horses | The Osmonds | - | |
| Give It Up | Bonnie Raitt | - | |
| Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes | Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes | - | |
| Heads | Osibisa | - | |
| Hot Butter | Hot Butter | - | |
| My Time | Boz Scaggs | - | |
| Nervous on the Road | Brinsley Schwarz | - | |
| Rolling Thunder | Mickey Hart | - | |
| Sandy | Sandy Denny | - | |
| Styx | Styx | - | |
| Tequila Sunrise | David Clayton-Thomas | - |
October
November
December
| Day | Album | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Trouble Man | Marvin Gaye | Soundtrack |
| 9 | Hot August Night | Neil Diamond | Live |
| 11 | More Hot Rocks (Big Hits & Fazed Cookies) | The Rolling Stones | Compilation |
| 15 | Piledriver | Status Quo | - |
| - | The Best of Top of the Pops '72 | Top of the Poppers | Compilation |
| Framed | The Sensational Alex Harvey Band | - | |
| The Grand Wazoo | Frank Zappa | - | |
| Gypsy Cowboy | New Riders of the Purple Sage | - | |
| It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad) | Merle Haggard | - | |
| Made In Japan | Deep Purple | Live | |
| Octopus | Gentle Giant | UK | |
| R.E.O./T.W.O. | REO Speedwagon | - | |
| The Sweet's Biggest Hits | Sweet | Compilation | |
| Who's Gonna Play This Old Piano? | Jerry Lee Lewis | - | |
| World Woven | The Ides of March | - |
Release Date Unknown
Biggest hit singles
The following songs achieved the highest chart positions in the charts of 1972.
| # | Artist | Title | Year | Country | Chart Entries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harry Nilsson | Without You | 1972 |  |
UK - 1 for 5 weeks, , Australia - 1 for 5 weeks, US - 1 for 4 weeks, Ireland - 1 for 3 weeks, New Zealand - 1 for 2 weeks, Canada - 1 for 1 week, South Africa - 2, Italy - 3, Brazil - 9 of 1972, Holland - 10, Germany - 12, Belgium - 14 |
| 2 | Don McLean | American Pie | 1972 | |
Australia - 1 for 5 weeks, US - 1 for 4 weeks, CAN - 1 for 5 weeks, New Zealand - 1 for 3 weeks, UK - 2, Poland - 4, Norway - 9, Germany - 9, Holland - 11 , Belgium - 20 |
| 3 | Hot Butter | Popcorn | 1972 |  |
Switzerland - 1 for 10 weeks, Norway - 1 for 9 weeks, Australia - 1 for 8 weeks, Holland - 1 for 7 weeks, France - 1 for 3 weeks, Germany - 1 for 3 weeks, Canada 3 – September 1972, UK - 5, US - 9, Austria - 10, South Africa - 13, Italy - 19 |
| 5 | Dr. Hook | Sylvia's Mother | 1972 | |
Ireland - 1 for 7 weeks, New Zealand - 1 for 5 weeks, Australia - 1 for 3 weeks, South Africa - 1, UK - 2, Canada - 2, Italy - 3, Switzerland - 3, Holland - 3, US - 5, Norway - 5, Germany - 9, Belgium - 9 |
| 5 | Neil Young | Heart of Gold | 1972 |  |
US - 1 for 1 weeks, CAN - 1 for 1 week, Norway - 4, Germany - 6, Holland - 9, UK - 10, Australia Goset - 15, Belgium - 25 |
American and/or British hit singles
- "10538 Overture" – Electric Light Orchestra
- "A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done" – Sonny & Cher
- "A Horse with No Name" – America
- "All the Young Dudes" – Mott the Hoople
- "Alone Again (Naturally)" – Gilbert O'Sullivan
- "Amazing Grace" – Pipes and Drums and Military Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
- "America" – Simon & Garfunkel
- "American Pie" – Don McLean
- "Anticipation" – Carly Simon
- "Apache" – The Shadows (re-issue)
- "Baby Blue" – Badfinger
- "Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me" – Mac Davis
- "Back Off Boogaloo" – Ringo Starr
- "Back Stabbers" – The O'Jays
- "Bang a Gong" – T. Rex
- "Beautiful Sunday" – Daniel Boone
- "Been to Canaan" – Carole King
- "Beg, Steal or Borrow" – The New Seekers
- "Ben" – Michael Jackson
- "Best Thing" – Styx
- "Betcha By Golly, Wow" – The Stylistics
- "Black and White" – Three Dog Night
- "Black Dog"- Led Zeppelin
- "A Brand New Song" – Cliff Richard
- "Brand New Key" – Melanie
- "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" – Looking Glass
- "Burning Love" – Elvis Presley
- "California Man" – The Move
- "The Candy Man" – Sammy Davis, Jr.
- "Children of the Revolution" – T.Rex
- "Circles" – The New Seekers
- "The Cisco Kid" – War
- "The City Of New Orleans" – Arlo Guthrie
- "Clair" – Gilbert O'Sullivan
- "Clean Up Woman" – Betty Wright
- "Coconut" – Harry Nilsson
- "Changes" – David Bowie
- "Come What May (Après Toi)" – Vicky Leandros
- "Conquistador" – Procol Harum
- "The Cover of the Rolling Stone" – Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show
- "Crocodile Rock" – Elton John
- "Daddy, Don't You Walk So Fast" – Wayne Newton
- "Day After Day" – Badfinger
- "Day by Day" – Godspell
- "The Day I Found Myself" – Honey Cone
- "Day Dreaming" – Aretha Franklin
- "Diary" – Bread
- "Do It Again" – Steely Dan
- "Doctor My Eyes" – Jackson Browne
- "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" – James Taylor
- "Don't Say You Don't Remember" – Beverly Bremers
- "Drowning in the Sea of Love" – Joe Simon
- "Everybody Plays the Fool" – The Main Ingredient
- "Everything I Own" – Bread
- "Eye Level" – Simon Park Orchestra
- "Family Affair" – Sly & the Family Stone
- "The Family of Man" – Three Dog Night
- "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" – Roberta Flack
- "Footstompin' Music" – Grand Funk Railroad
- "Freddie's Dead (Theme From Superfly)" – Curtis Mayfield
- "Garden Party" – Rick Nelson
- "Geronimo's Cadillac" – Michael Martin Murphy
- "Get on the Good Foot pt.1" – James Brown
- "Give Ireland Back to the Irish" – Wings
- "Go All the Way" – Raspberries
- "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" – Danny O'Keefe
- "Goodbye to Love" – The Carpenters
- "Got to Be There" – Michael Jackson
- "Gudbuy T'Jane" - Slade
- "Guitar Man" – Bread
- "The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA" – Donna Fargo
- "Happy" – The Rolling Stones
- "Happy the Man" – Genesis
- "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" – John Lennon & Yoko Ono, the Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir
- "He Is Your Brother" – ABBA
- "Heart of Gold" – Neil Young
- "Hi, Hi, Hi"/"C Moon" – Wings
- "Hold Your Head Up" – Argent
- "Honky Cat" – Elton John
- "Hot Rod Lincoln" – Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
- "How Do You Do" – Mouth & MacNeal
- "Hurting Each Other" – The Carpenters
- "I Am Woman" – Helen Reddy
- "I Can See Clearly Now" – Johnny Nash
- "I Get the Sweetest Feeling" – Jackie Wilson
- "I Gotcha" – Joe Tex
- "I Need You" – America
- "I Saw The Light" – Todd Rundgren
- "I Wanna Be Where You Are" – Michael Jackson
- "I Want To Be With You" – Raspberries
- "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" – The New Seekers
- "I'd Love You to Want Me" – Lobo
- "I'll Be Around" – The Spinners
- "I'll Take You There" – The Staple Singers
- "I'm Still in Love with You" – Al Green
- "I'm Stone in Love With You" – The Stylistics
- "I've Been Lonely for So Long" – Frederick Knight
- "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right" – Luther Ingram
- "If You Don't Know Me by Now" – Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
- "Immigration Man" – Crosby & Nash
- "In the Rain" – The Dramatics
- "Isn't Life Strange" – The Moody Blues
- "It Never Rains in Southern California" – Albert Hammond
- "It's Going to Take Some Time" – The Carpenters
- "Jesus" – Cliff Richard
- "Jesus Is Just Alright" – The Doobie Brothers
- "John, I'm Only Dancing" – David Bowie
- "Join Together" – The Who
- "Joy" – Apollo 100
- "Jump Into the Fire" – Harry Nilsson
- "Jungle Fever" – The Chakachas (Roland Klywger under an assumed group name)
- "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep At All" – The 5th Dimension
- "Layla" – Derek and the Dominos
- "Lean on Me" – Bill Withers
- "Legend In Your Own Time" – Carly Simon
- "Let's Stay Together" – Al Green
- "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" – Robert John
- "Listen to the Music" – The Doobie Brothers
- "Living in Harmony" – Cliff Richard
- "Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)" – The Hollies
- "Look What You Done For Me" – Al Green
- "Loop di Love" – Shag [Jonathan King under a pseudonym]
- "Love Theme From "The Godfather" – Andy Williams
- "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" - Slade
- "Mary Had a Little Lamb" – Wings
- "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" – Paul Simon
- "Me and Mrs. Jones" – Billy Paul
- "Metal Guru" – T.Rex
- "Mother and Child Reunion" – Paul Simon
- "Motorcycle Mama" – Sailcat
- "Mouldy Old Dough" - Stavely Makepeace Enterprises dba "Lieutenant Pigeon" (classic Dortmund Breakbeat track)
- "My Ding-a-Ling" – Chuck Berry
- "Never Been to Spain" – Three Dog Night
- "Nice to Be With You" – Gallery
- "No One to Depend On" – Santana
- "Oh Girl" – The Chi-Lites
- "Old Man" – Neil Young
- "One Monkee Don't Stop No Show" – Honey Cone
- "Operator" – Jim Croce
- "Outa-Space" – Billy Preston
- "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" – The Temptations
- "Paper Plane" – Status Quo
- "People Need Love" – ABBA (in Japan)
- "Pieces of April" – Three Dog Night
- "Precious and Few" – Climax
- "Puppy Love" – Donny Osmond
- "Respect Yourself" – The Staple Singers
- "Rock and Roll Part 1 + 2" – Gary Glitter
- "Rock Me Baby" – Sacha Distel (dubbed)
- "Rocket Man" – Elton John
- "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" – Johnny Rivers
- "Rockin' Robin" – Michael Jackson
- "Roundabout" – Yes
- "Run to Me" – Bee Gees
- "Saturday In the Park" – Chicago
- "School's Out" – Alice Cooper
- "Scorpio" – Dennis Coffey & The Detroit Guitar Band
- "Seaside Shuffle" – Terry Dactyl & the Dinosaurs
- "Signs" – The Drifters
- "Small Beginnings" – Flash
- "Solid Gold Easy Action" – T.Rex
- "Someday Never Comes" – Creedence Clearwater Revival
- "Something's Wrong With Me" – Austin Roberts.
- "Song Sung Blue" – Neil Diamond
- "Spaceman" – Harry Nilsson
- "Speak To The Sky" – Rick Springfield
- "Starman" – David Bowie
- "Stay with Me" – Faces
- "Suavecito" – Malo
- "Sugar Daddy" – The Jackson 5
- "Summer Breeze" – Seals and Crofts
- "Sunshine" – Jonathan Edwards
- "Superstition" – Stevie Wonder
- "Sweet Seasons" – Carole King
- "Sweet Surrender" – Bread
- "Sylvia's Mother" – Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show
- "Take It Easy" – Eagles
- "Take Me Bak 'Ome" - Slade
- "Taxi" – Harry Chapin
- "Telegram Sam" – T.Rex
- "Thunder and Lightning" – Chi Coltrane
- "Tight Rope" – Leon Russell
- "Tiny Dancer" – Elton John
- "Too Late to Turn Back Now" – Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
- "Top of the World" – The Carpenters (in Japan; it became a hit in the US and the UK the following year)
- "Troglodyte (Cave Man)" – Jimmy Castor Bunch
- "Trouble Man" – Marvin Gaye
- "Tumbling Dice" – The Rolling Stones
- "Two Divided By Love" – The Grass Roots
- "Use Me" – Bill Withers
- "Ventura Highway" – America
- "Vincent" – Don McLean
- "Virginia Plain" – Roxy Music
- "Walkin' in the Rain With the One I Love" – Love Unlimited
- "The Way of Love" – Cher
- "Where Is the Love?" – Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
- "Without You" – Harry Nilsson
- "Witchy Woman" – Eagles
- "Woman Is the Nigger of the World" – John Lennon
- "You Are Everything" – The Stylistics
- "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" – Jim Croce
- "You Ought to be With Me" – Al Green
- "You Turn Me On I'm a Radio" – Joni Mitchell
- "You Wear It Well" – Rod Stewart
- "You're So Vain" – Carly Simon
- "Your Mama Don't Dance" – Loggins and Messina
Published popular music
- "Alone Again (Naturally)" w.m. Raymond O'Sullivan
- "Alone At A Drive-In Movie" w.m. Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey
- "American Pie" w.m. Don McLean
- "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" w.m. Jim Croce
- "Beautiful Through and Through" w. Bob Merrill m. Jule Styne from the musical Sugar
- "Beauty School Dropout" w.m. Warren Casey & Jim Jacobs from the musical Grease
- "The Beauty That Drives Men Mad" w. Bob Merrill m. Jule Styne from the musical Sugar
- "Bein' Green" w.m. Joe Raposo from the television series Sesame Street.
- "Blues for Newport" m. Dave Brubeck
- "Born to Hand Jive" w.m. Warren Casey & Jim Jacobs from the musical Grease
- "Burning Love" w.m. Dennis Linde
- "C is for Cookie" w.m. Joe Raposo
- "Clair" w.m. Raymond O'Sullivan
- "Come Dream With Me" w. Sammy Cahn m. Jimmy Van Heusen
- "Corner of the Sky" w.m. Stephen Schwartz from the musical Pippin
- "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" – Simon & Garfunkel
- Greased Lightning w.m. Warren Casey & Jim Jacobs from the musical Grease
- "I Can See Clearly Now" w.m. Johnny Nash
- "Killing Me Softly with His Song" w. Norman Gimbel m. Charles Fox
- "Liza With A Z" w. Fred Ebb m. John Kander from the television production Liza With A Z
- "Magic To Do" w.m. Stephen Schwartz. Introduced by Ben Vereen in the musical Pippin
- "Maybe This Time" w. Fred Ebb m. John Kander from the musical film Cabaret
- "Mooning" w.m. Warren Casey & Jim Jacobs from the musical Grease
- "The Morning After" w.m. Joel Hirschhorn & Al Kasha from the film The Poseidon Adventure
- "No Time at All" w.m. Stephen Schwartz from the musical Pippin
- "The Old Fashioned Way" w. Charles Aznavour, Joel Hirschhorn & Al Kasha m. George Garvarentz
- "Ring Them Bells" w. Fred Ebb m. John Kander from the television production Liza with a Z
- "Rock and Roll" – Led Zeppelin
- "Shakin' at the High School Hop" w.m. Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey
- "Sing" w.m. Joe Raposo. Introduced by Bob McGrath on Sesame Street
- "Speak Softly, Love" w. Larry Kusik m. Nino Rota from the film The Godfather
- "Summer Nights" w.m. Warren Casey & Jim Jacobs from the musical Grease
- "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" w.m. Warren Casey & Jim Jacobs from the musical Grease
- "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Old Oak Tree" w.m. L. Russell Brown & Irwin Levine
- "Vincent" w.m. Don McLean
- "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" w.m. Stevie Wonder
Classical music
- Arthur Bliss – Metamorphic Variations
- Friedrich Cerha – Spiegel
- George Crumb – Makrokosmos, Volume I for amplified piano
- Mario Davidovsky – Transientes for orchestra
- Paul Le Flem – Symphony No. 4
- Dmitri Kabalevsky – A Letter to the 30th Century (oratorio)
- György Ligeti – Double Concerto for Flute, Oboe and Orchestra
- Theo Loevendie – Horn Concerto, "Orbits"
- George Rochberg – Recordanza (Soliloquy for Cello and Piano)
- Veljo Tormis – Curse Upon Iron (Raua needmine)
Opera
- Peter Maxwell Davies – Taverner
- Thomas Pasatieri – Black Widow
- Charles Wilson – Héloise and Abelard
Musical theater
- Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill Broadway revue opened at the Theatre de Lys on October 1 and ran for 152 performances
- Company (Stephen Sondheim) – London production opened at Her Majesty's Theatre on January 18 and ran for 344 performances
- Cowardy Custard London production opened at the Mermaid Theatre on July 10
- Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope Broadway revue opened at the Playhouse Theatre on April 19 and ran for 914 performances
- Don't Play Us Cheap Broadway production opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on May 16 and ran for 164 performances
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Stephen Sondheim) – Broadway revival
- The Good Old, Bad Old Days (Music, Lyrics & Book: Anthony Newley & Leslie Bricusse) London production opened at the Prince of Wales Theatre on December 20 and ran for 309 performances
- Jesus Christ Superstar (Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice) – London production opened at the Palace Theatre on August 9 and ran for 3358 performances
- Grease Broadway production
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Lloyd Webber & Rice) – London production opened at The Roundhouse on November 8 and ran for 43 performances
- Man of La Mancha Broadway revival
- Pippin Broadway production opened at the Imperial Theatre on October 23 and ran for 1944 performances
- Sugar Broadway production
Musical films
Musical television productions
Births
- January 17 – Aqualung, singer-songwriter
- January 26 – Christopher Boykin, American rapper
- January 27 – Mark Owen, British singer (Take That)
- February 2 – Dana International, Israeli Eurovision-winning singer
- February 11 – Craig Jones, sampler/keyboardist for Slipknot
- February 14 – Rob Thomas, singer (Matchbox Twenty)
- February 16 – Taylor Hawkins, American rock musician (Foo Fighters)
- February 17 – Billie Joe Armstrong, American rock musician (Green Day)
- February 20 – K-os, rapper/musician
- February 24 – Chris Fehn, percussionist/backing vocalist for Slipknot
- March 4 – Alison Wheeler, British singer (The Beautiful South)
- March 6 – Jaret Reddick, American musician (Bowling for Soup)
- March 8 – Angie Hart, Australian pop singer
- March 9 – AZ, rapper
- March 10 – Douglas Ardito (Puddle of Mudd)
- March 11 – UA, singer
- March 15 – Mark Hoppus, American rock musician (blink-182)
- March 17 – Melissa Auf der Maur (Hole)
- March 20 – Alexander Kapranos, British rock singer and guitarist (Franz Ferdinand)
- April 1 – Sukshinder Shinda, bhangra singer-songwriter and record producer
- April 8 – Paul Gray, bassist for Slipknot
- April 10 – Sami Yli-Sirniö, Finnish rock and metal guitarist
- April 12 – Şebnem Ferah, Turkish singer and song-writer
- April 13 – Aaron Lewis, American nu metal musician (Staind)
- April 20 – Stephen Marley, reggae musician
- April 28 – Violent J, American rapper
- May 4 – Mike Dirnt (Green Day)
- May 7 – Felix da Housecat, American house music DJ and record producer
- May 19 – Jenny Berggren, Swedish singer (Ace of Base)
- May 21
- Adriano Cintra (Cansei de Ser Sexy)
- The Notorious B.I.G., rapper (d. 1997)
- May 27 – Ivete Sangalo, Brazilian female singer
- June 12 – Bounty Killer, reggae/dancehall singer
- June 21 – Christopher Matthews, English musician
- June 25 – Mike Kroeger, Canadian rock bass guitarist (Nickelback)
- June 26 – Garou, singer
- July 4
- Rogue, lead singer of The Crüxshadows
- Brett Reed (Rancid)
- July 26 – Wayne Wonder, reggae singer
- July 29 – Anssi Kela, Finnish rock musician
- August 6 – Geri Halliwell, British singer (Spice Girls)
- August 8 – Lüpüs Thünder (Bloodhound Gang)
- August 9 – A-mei, singer
- August 12
- Del tha Funkee Homosapien, American hip-hop artist
- Demir Demirkan, Turkish rock musician and songwriter
- August 15 – Mikey Graham, Irish singer (Boyzone)
- August 16 – Emily Robison, American country music performer (Dixie Chicks)
- August 27 – Jimmy Pop, American musician (Bloodhound Gang)
- September 4 – Carlos Ponce, singer and composer
- September 21 – Liam Gallagher, British singer (Oasis)
- September 23 – Jermaine Dupri, rapper
- September 26 – Shawn Stockman, American singer (Boyz II Men)
- September 30 – Shaan, Indian singer
- October 17
- Wyclef Jean (Fugees)
- Eminem, American rapper
- Tarkan, Turkish singer
- October 6 – Anders Iwers, Swedish musician
- October 19 – Pras Michel (Fugees)
- October 20 – Snoop Dogg, American rapper and producer
- October 27 – Elissa, Lebanese singer
- October 28 – Brad Paisley, American country music performer
- November 17 – Kimya Dawson, American singer/songwriter
- November 28 – Jesper Strömblad, Swedish musician
- December 1 – Greg Upchurch (Puddle of Mudd)
- December 9 – Tré Cool, drummer (Green Day)
- December 10
- Scot Alexander, Dishwalla
- Brian Molko, British rock singer (Placebo)
- December 11 – Easther Bennett, British singer Eternal
- December 13
- Niki Evans, English actress and singer
- Mark Morton, American musician
- December 16
- Michael McCary, American singer (Boyz II Men)
- Ben Kowalewicz, Canadian rock lead singer (Billy Talent)
- December 18 – DJ Lethal, Latvian-born rock musician (Limp Bizkit, House of Pain)
- December 19 – Alyssa Milano, singer and actress
- December 22 – Vanessa Paradis, French singer and actress
- December 27 – Matt Slocum (Sixpence None the Richer)
- December 31 – Joey McIntyre, American singer (New Kids on the Block)
Deaths
- January 1 – Maurice Chevalier, 83, French singer and actor
- January 16 – David Seville, 52, voice of the Chipmunks
- January 19 – Michael Rabin, 35, violinist (fell downstairs)
- January 23 - Big Maybelle, 47, singer and pianist
- January 24 – Gene Austin, 69, singer-songwriter
- January 27 – Mahalia Jackson, 61, gospel singer
- February 19 - Lee Morgan, 33, hard bop trumpeter
- February 21 – Marie Dubas, 77, French music-hall singer
- March 17 – Linda Jones, 27, soul singer (diabetic coma)
- March 27 – Sharkey Bonano, 67, jazz musician and bandleader
- April 4 – Stefan Wolpe, 69, composer
- May 2 – Les Harvey, 25, guitarist (Stone the Crows) (electrocuted on stage)
- May 5 - Reverend Gary Davis, 76, blues and gospel singer and guitarist
- June 8 - Jimmy Rushing, 70, blues and jazz singer
- June 13 - Clyde McPhatter, 39, R&B singer
- July 3 – "Mississippi" Fred McDowell, 68, blues musician
- July 24 – Bobby Ramirez, drummer (Edgar Winter's White Trash)
- August 2 – Brian Cole, 29, bass player in The Association (drug overdose)
- August 14 – Oscar Levant, 65, pianist and composer
- August 29 – Lale Andersen, 67, Danish singer
- September 28 - Rory Storm, 33, English singer
- November 3 – Harry Richman, 77, US singer, actor and composer
- November 6 – Billy Murcia, 21, drummer of New York Dolls (suffocation)
- November 11 – Berry Oakley, 24, bass player (The Allman Brothers Band) (motorcycle accident)
- November 12 – Rudolf Friml, 92, Rose-Marie composer
- November 18 – Danny Whitten, 29, guitarist (Crazy Horse) (drug overdose)
- November 28 – Havergal Brian, 96, composer
Awards
Grammy Awards
- Grammy Awards of 1972
- Grammy Album of the Year: The Concert for Bangladesh
- Grammy Best New Artist: America
- Grammy Best Album Design: "School's Out" – Alice Cooper
- Grammy Best Pop Duo or Group: "Where Is the Love" – Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway
- Grammy Best Pop Female Vocal: "I Am Woman" – Helen Reddy
- Grammy Best Pop Male Vocal: "Without You" – Harry Nilsson
- Grammy Record of the Year: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" – Roberta Flack
- Grammy Song of the Year: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" – Roberta Flack
Country Music Association Awards
Eurovision Song Contest
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