Abba – Super Trouper

The decade of the 70’s was nearly a year gone when on November 29, 1980 Abba, one of the biggest international pop artist, scored their ninth and last UK No.1 single with ‘Super Trouper’.

While the song and the Album with the same name was a big seller in the UK in the United States the single only managed to reach reached No. 45

It was their 25th Top 40 hit in the UK.

The name “Super Trouper” referred to the gigantic spotlights used in stadium concerts.

John Lennon’s Last Concert Appearance with Elton John

https://youtu.be/rf6sILrY8p4
It was on November 28, 1974 that John Lennon made his last ever concert appearance. Elton John was playing at Madison Square Gardens in New York City. Lennon joined him on stage and performed three songs; ‘Whatever Gets You Thru The Night’, ‘I Saw Her Standing There’ and ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.’

It was Thanksgiving Day and I’m sure that there were many fans that fondly remember that Thanksgiving Concert.

‘I Saw Her Standing There’ was the B side of Elton John’s hit ‘Philadelphia Freedom’

Genesis – Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

It was in 1974 on November 18th that Genesis released The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. The album was their sixth studio album and the last album with involvement of singer Peter Gabriel.

The concept album centres around a journey of self-discovery of Rael, a Puerto Rican youth living in New York City and the bizarre incidents and characters he meets along the way.

After the release of the album the group went on tour begins on November 20th in Chicago, and ended on May 22, 1975 in Besançon, France. The band knew that Peter Gabriel was planning on leaving the group at the end of the tour.

Even though it wasn’t a big hit for Genesis when it was first released it peaked at No. 10 on the UK Album Chart and No. 41 on the US Billboard 200, it is now considered one of their best albums.

Death of Duane Allman

On October 29, 1971, the world lost one of the great Rock guitarist, Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band. In Macon, Georgia he was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle while trying to swerve to avoid a tractor-trailer. The motorcycle bounced into the air, landed on Allman and skidded another 90 feet with Allman pinned underneath. He was three weeks shy of his 25th birthday.

Allman began his career as a session guitarist and worked with many artists, including Clarence Carter, King Curtis, Aretha Franklin, Laura Nyro, Wilson Pickett, Otis Rush, Percy Sledge, Johnny Jenkins, Boz Scaggs, Delaney & Bonnie, Doris Duke and jazz flautist Herbie Mann.

Slowly during 1969 he joined his brother, Gregg, to create the Allman Brothers Band. The brothers were joined by Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks, and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson (drums

The video is of the Allman Brothers Band preforming Whipping Post on 9/23/1970 at Fillmore East.

Chuck Berry’s “My Ding-a-Ling

1972 saw a number of artists who began charting during the infancy of Rock and Roll in the 1950’s. Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson and Chuck Berry. Berry’s ‘My Ding-A-Ling’ was the only Number 1 by the 50’s rocker. It began a two week run at Number 1 on the US singles chart on October 21, 1972. It was his first and only US and UK No.1, 17 years after his first chart hit.

Also on October 21, 1972, Curtis Mayfield soundtrack to the movie “Superfly began a a four-week run at No.1 on the US album chart.

Ben – Michael Jackson

During the week of October 14, 1972 “Ben” sung by Michael Jackson reached Number 1 on the Billboard Charts. Even though he had had a number of Number 1’s along with his brothers as the Jackson 5 this was was first solo number 1. Only two performers had a Billboard Number 1 at a younger age. Stevie Wonder, “Fingertips” and Donny Osmond with “Go Away Little Girl”.

Ironically Donny Osmond was offered the song, but since he and his brothers were on tour at the time, he was unable to record it.

Don Black and Walter Scharf wrote the song as the title song for the movie “Ben”, a sequel to “Willard”. Both Ben and Willard are rats.

The song was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song. This video was of his performance at the ceremony in 1973. “Ben” lost to “The Morning After” by Maureen McGovern from The Poseidon Adventure.

The song also reached number one on the Australian pop chart, spending eight weeks at the top, but only reached number seven on the British pop chart.

Cover of the Rolling Stone

“The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone'” was written by Shel Silverstein with Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show recording it. It was the band’s third single and peaked at number six on the U.S. pop chart for two weeks on March 17–24, 1973.

Dr Hook And The Medicine Show did get their picture on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine on March 29, 1973 issue. It was only a caricature of the band not a photograph and the band name was not mentioned. The caption was, “What’s-Their-Names Make the Cover.”

It’s been reported that they really did buy five copies for their mothers.