Gary Watton: commentator and satirist

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Essential-Guide-Music-1970s/dp/0955575656
 

     The song of the month for January 1977

     Isn’t She Lovely by David Parton (peak chart position: No.4)

Not to be confused with Dolly Parton, Mr. David Parton took hold of a Stevie Wonder composition and promptly escorted it into a lofty position in the British singles lists. Wonder had originally recorded the track for his highly acclaimed 1976 album ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’. The item was written to celebrate the birth of his daughter, Aisha. Meanwhile David Parton (real name Des Parton) was enjoying his brief flirtation with fame, courtesy of this one-hit wonder. Having said that, he had previously written Sweet Sensation’s ‘Sad Sweet Dreamer’.

     The song of the month for February 1977

    Sound And Vision by David Bowie (peak chart position: No.3)

David Bowie made a welcome return to the UK Top Three, thanks to the repetitive, yet highly infectious ‘Sound And Vision’, which was a product of his ‘Low’ project. Bowie at this time had been laid low by substance abuse which had threatened to undermine his renowned creativity. Hence, the Thin White Duke found himself ensconced in Berlin, rather strung out and waiting for the gifts of sound and vision to return to his consciousness. They clearly did, judging by the popularity of this single, decorated by the guitar of Carlos Alomar.

     The song of the month for March 1977

    Nightclubbing by Iggy Pop (album track)

Iggy Pop was yet another artist to benefit from the assistance of David Bowie. The artist formerly known as Ziggy Stardust took on the role of producer for Iggy Pop’s album, ‘The Idiot’, which was released in March 1977. The wacky Mr.Pop proved himself no idiot with the cool yet delightfully sleazy ‘Nightclubbing’ recording. The item would later be used in the opening sequence of the film ‘D.O.A.’ which recounted the Sex Pistols’ ill-fated tour of North America. Iggy and Bowie were very much a mutual appreciation society and the latter would later cover the former’s ‘China Girl’ with considerable success in 1983 as well as produce his next long player, ‘Lust For Life’.

     The song of the month for April 1977

    Police And Thieves by The Clash (album track)

Whenever the Sex Pistols kicked down the door of rock and pop, their fellow west London punk rockers, the Clash were among the first to rush in. This formidable foursome were acknowledged as arguably the most talented of the new wave of working class three minute heroes. Their first album surfaced in April 1977, having been recorded with much haste and little expense. The frantic material with an anti-capitalist agenda contained a decent reggae cover version of Junior Murvin’s ‘Police And Thieves’, sang by the late Joe Strummer.

     The song of the month for May 1977

    Peaches by The Stranglers (peak chart position: No.8)

The Stranglers were another new wave act that were able to successfully cash in on the punk explosion. They were denounced by that nice Johnny Rotten as “short-haired hippies”, but the Stranglers found favour with the teenage punk audience when their single ‘Peaches’ ventured into the British Top Ten. Hugh Cornwell and the gang had a sound that was reminiscent of the Doors and they were able to enjoy chart success much longer than their peers and contemporaries. The quirky ‘Peaches’ was responsible for laying such foundations.

     The song of the month for June 1977

    God Save The Queen by The Sex Pistols (peak chart position: No.2)

The mischievous Malcolm McLaren always had a nose for publicity and he jumped at the opportunity to seize upon the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II to issue what would be regarded as the most controversial single to hit the airwaves. Johnny Rotten had originally intended for this raucous composition to be entitled ‘No Future’ (a summation of his view of life in Britain for the disenfranchised youth), but he acquiesced in the change of song title. This recording did have a future in the hit parade though it is commonly believed that it was denied a place at Number One in a deliberate attempt to spare her Royal Lowness (or “moron”) any embarrassment.

     The song of the month for July 1977

    I Feel Love by Donna Summer (peak chart position: No.1)

The disco genre was now fighting off the challenge of punk rock for the attentions of the teenage pop market. However, one new release soon towered over all its competitors when Donna Summer finally sailed to the top of the British singles list with the dancefloor favourite, ‘I Feel Love’. This smash hit showcased the synthesizer sound as Giorgio Moroder supervised the creation of this modern pop classic. Summer’s semi-orgasmic vocals are a key component in an item which must be a candidate for the best chart-topper of the decade.

     The song of the month for August 1977

    Nobody Does It Better by Carly Simon (peak chart position: No.7)

American songbird, Carly Simon, had previously tasted chart-topping success in the United States with the excellent ‘You’re So Vain’. She eventually stepped forth with another commendable single when ‘Nobody Does It Better’ journeyed into the UK Top Ten in the late summer of 1977. This release was the signature tune for the latest James Bond movie, ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ (starring Roger Moore and Barbara Bach). Carly Simon was not a regular visitor to the hit parade but when she did appear, the song was worth writing about.

     The song of the month for September 1977

    Yes Sir I Can Boogie by Baccara (peak chart position: No.1)

Baccara scored another notable success for disco music with the hugely likeable ‘Yes Sir I Can Boogie’. The artists in question hailed from Spain and were a female duo called Mayte Mateos and Maria Mendiola. This eye-catching pair eventually evicted David Soul from the British chart summit in late October, but their triumph proved to be short-lived and they failed to find anything to match this smash hit, although their follow-up single, ‘Sorry I’m A Lady’ did sneak into the UK Top Ten in early 1978.

     The song of the month for October 1977

    You Make Loving Fun by Fleetwood Mac (peak chart position: No.45)

Singer-songwriter and keyboardist Christine McVie was responsible for arguably the best track of 1977, yet when ‘You Make Loving Fun’ was issued as a single in the autumn of this year, it failed to make a splash in the UK. McVie’s soft rock masterpiece features a fine guitar contribution from Lindsey Buckingham as Christine pays tribute to a current boyfriend. The harmonies are of the highest quality, as indeed is the magnificent rhythm. Why this release did not achieve more airplay and subsequent sales is beyond all understanding.

     The song of the month for November 1977

    White Punks On Dope by The Tubes (peak chart position: No.28)

This remarkably eccentric recording is described as a punk song, by virtue of the word punk in the title, but quite frankly this gem of a single simply occupies its very own planet. The Tubes sing of poor little Californian rich kids desperately in search of street credibility, and if the fusion of guitars and piano seldom works better than here, the social comment lyrics are equally worthy of note, with such pearls as “Sounds real classy living in a chateau/ So lonely all the other kids will never know.” This is one of pop music’s finest five minutes.

     The song of the month for December 1977

    Jamming by Bob Marley And The Wailers (peak chart position: No.9)

Bob Marley had been a regular on the Caribbean music scene since the mid-sixties but he eventually began to conquer Babylon when the ‘Exodus’ album enjoyed critical acclaim and decent record sales in 1977. One of the tracks from the album would yield Marley his first British Top Ten single when ‘Jamming’ coupled with ‘Punky Reggae Party’ was released towards the end of the year. Although this third item to be issued as a single from ‘Exodus’ has its merits, it is a bit peculiar that it proved more popular than its predecessor, ‘Waiting In Vain’, which seemed more likely chart material. Anyhow, British audiences were now beginning to warm to the charming Robert Nesta.

Listed Below are the Top 10 Best Selling UK Singles of 1977

1     Mull of Kintyre                       Wings

2     Don’t Give Up On Us                 David Soul

3     Don’t Cry For Me Argentina        Julie Covington

4     When I Need You                       Leo Sayer

5     Silver Lady                     David Soul

6     Knowing Me Knowing You              Abba

7     I Feel Love                           Donna Summer

8     Way Down                                Elvis Presley

9     So You Win Again                     Hot Chocolate

10    Angelo                                  Brotherhood of Man

                        1977’s CONCERTS OF THE YEAR

Now firmly established as Public Enemy Number One, the loveable Sex Pistols found their concert ambitions curtailed by numerous local councils who all got stage fright at the prospect of entertaining the fearsome foursome in their town centres. This didn’t stop the likes of the Clash, Joy Division, and the Stranglers acting as punk missionaries, bringing their anthems of doomed youth to youngsters throughout the UK. Speaking of missionaries, Bob Marley was back in London town, enchanting the assembled masses at the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park. Marley and his Wailers were displaying new tracks from the aptly-titled ‘Exodus’ album, including ‘Jamming’ and an awesome rendition of ‘The Heathen’. On the subject of jamming heathen, Led Zeppelin were conquering the United States for an eleventh time. A record-breaking seventy-six thousand attended their treat at the Pontiac Silverdome on the 30th of April; yet three months later their performance at Oakland would prove to be their last on American soil, as personal tragedies took centre stage instead. Back in London, the River Thames was the unlikely host of the decade’s most peculiar public performance, when those oh so patriotic Pistols performed their very own ‘God Save The Queen’ to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of her Royal Lowness.

                        1977’s ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Rumours by Fleetwood Mac

                        (released in February; reached No.1 in the UK)

By the mid-seventies Fleetwood Mac had become more renowned for changes in personnel than for their music. However, the recruitment of Lindsey Buckingham and his partner, Stevie Nicks, transformed the fortunes of the group. The new Anglo-American quintet made an impressive start with their first album together in 1975, but it was the follow-up, ‘Rumours’, which launched the band into the superstardom stratosphere. Ironically, the new project (or at least some of its material) was a product of emotional strife amongst the five protagonists. Amongst other things, the love affairs between Christine and John McVie, and between Buckingham and Nicks came to an end, as the behind-the-scenes ‘proceedings’ ressembled a soap opera. For all the apparent tension, the music was of the highest quality. ‘Go Your Own Way’ is the obvious example of the angst that circulated both inside and outside the recording studio. Nevertheless, with such foundations as the under-rated guitar work of Lindsey, the splendid vocals and songwriting of Christine and Stevie, underpinned by the tried and trusted rhythm section of John and Mick, the recipe for a tremendously durable commercial success was in existence. That said, it is almost inconceivable that the resulting long player should sit in the UK album charts for the best part of the ensuing decade! There again, just listen to ‘Dreams’, ‘The Chain’, ‘Songbird’, and ‘Gold Dust Woman’, and suddenly the record’s phenomenal triumph makes perfect sense.

                        SPORT IN 1977

English Division One football champions: Liverpool; runners-up: Manchester City

English FA Cup final: Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1

English League Cup Final: Aston Villa 3 Everton 2 (after extra time, in a replay)

Scottish Premier Division football champions: Glasgow Celtic; runners-up: Glasgow Rangers

Scottish FA Cup final: Glasgow Celtic 1 Glasgow Rangers 0

Scottish League Cup final: Aberdeen 2 Glasgow Celtic 1

Irish League football champions: Glentoran; Irish Cup final: Coleraine 4 Linfield 1

League Of Ireland football champions: Sligo Rovers; cup winners: Dundalk

European Cup final: Liverpool 3 Borussia Moenchengladbach 1

European Cup-Winners’ Cup final: Hamburg 2 Anderlecht 0

UEFA Cup final: Juventus beat Athletico Bilbao on away goals rule (2-2 on aggregate)

English county cricket champions: Kent shared with Middlesex

Five Nations’ rugby union champions: France (the Grand Slam); runners-up: Wales

Formula One world drivers’ champion: Niki Lauda (Austria) in a Ferrari car

Gaelic football All-Ireland champions: Dublin; runners-up: Armagh                     

British Open golf champion: Tom Watson (at Turnberry)

US Masters golf champion: Tom Watson

US Open golf champion: Hubert Green

USPGA golf champion: Lanny Wadkins

Rugby league Challenge Cup final: Leeds 16 Widnes 7

Wimbledon men’s singles tennis final: B Borg beat J Connors 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4

Wimbledon ladies’ singles tennis final: V Wade beat B Stove 4-6, 6-3, 6-1

World snooker final: John Spencer (England) beat Cliff Thorburn (Canada) 25-21

The Aintree Grand National steeplechase winner: Red Rum; price 9-1

The Epsom Derby winner: The Minstrel; jockey - Lester Piggott; price 5-1

The Ryder Cup golf contest: Great Britain And Ireland 7.5 United States 12.5

                        1977’s DEATHS

January 14th: Robert Anthony Eden (ex-British Prime Minister), aged 79

January 14th: Peter Finch (British actor), aged 60

January 14th: Anais Nin (US author), aged 69

January 17th: Gary Gilmore (US murderer), aged 36

February 19th: Charles Anthony Raven Crosland (British Foreign Secretary), aged 58

March 20th: Peter Houseman (British footballer), aged 31

April 11th: Jacques Prevert (French poet), aged 77

May 10th: Joan Crawford (US actress), aged 69

June 3rd: Roberto Rossellini (Italian film director), aged 71

June 16th: Wernher von Braun (German scientist), aged 65

July 2nd: Vladimir Nabokov (Russian writer), aged 78

August 3rd: Archbishop Makarios (Cypriot President), aged 63

August 16th: Elvis Aaron Presley (US singer), aged 42

August 19th: Julius ‘Groucho’ Marx (US actor), aged 86

September 4th: Ernst Friedrich Schumacher (German economist), aged 65

September 12th: Steve Biko (South African political activist), aged 30

September 13th: Leopold Stokowski (British conductor), aged 95

September 16th: Marc Bolan (British musician), aged 29

September 16th: Maria Callas (Greek soprano), aged 53

October 14th: Harry ‘Bing’ Crosby (US actor), aged 73

October 20th: Ronnie Van Zant (US musician), aged 29

November 18th: Kurt von Schuschnigg (ex-Austrian Chancellor), aged 79

November 30th: Sir Terence Mervyn Rattigan (British playwright), aged 66

December 12th: Clementine Ogilvy Spencer Churchill (Winston Churchill’s wife), aged 92

December 25th: Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin (British actor), aged 88

        The song of the month for January 1975
         January by Pilot (peak chart position: No.1)
It was wholly appropriate that this song should be released in January and find itself in the upper echelons of the UK singles list before the month’s end. Before long it was at the pop summit, which is not surprising as this radio-friendly light rocker couldn’t fail to arouse the interest of pop aficionados. Unfortunately for Pilot, they could not navigate their next 2 singles into the British Top Thirty and thus any hopes of a durable pop career crash landed when January ‘disappeared’ in March. 
    
              The song of the month for February 1975
         Number Nine Dream by John Lennon (peak chart position: No.23)
Released a few months previously on his ‘Walls And Bridges’ album, John Lennon’s under-rated masterpiece made an all-too-brief appearance in the British singles chart in early 1975. With the help of Phil Spector, Lennon draws attention to the significance of the number 9 in his life. He was born on the ninth of October 1940 in the midst of a Luftwaffe air raid upon Liverpool. Fortunately the Luftwaffe missed Julia Lennon, or we would never have been treated to this piece which surely surpasses the hyped ‘Imagine’. 

               The song of the month for March 1975
         Honey by Bobby Goldsboro (peak chart position: No.2)
‘Honey’ had previously made its sweet presence felt back in the spring of 1968 when it fell agonisingly short of the Number One position. History actually repeated itself when this beautiful item again came close to the coveted top spot. As a consequence of these two chart runs, this popular single spent a total of 27 weeks in the British singles lists. It was clearly Bobby Goldsboro’s most successful release. Regrettably, the folks ‘back then’ had a stronger preference for ‘Bye Bye Baby’ by the Bay City Rollers. Dear oh dear.
 
                   The song of the month for April 1975
         Lovin’ You by Minnie Riperton (peak chart position: No.2)
Loving this is easy ‘cos it’s beautiful. Minnie Riperton excels here with a vocal performance that takes the breath away. Aside from the notable singing, the song is remembered for the bird constantly chirping in the background. For all the incurable romantics for whom flowers and chocolates are the order of the day, this American chart-topper would have been essential listening. Tragically, Minnie Riperton passed away in July of 1979 at the age of 31, a victim of breast cancer. What a waste.
 
                 The song of the month for May 1975
         I’m Not In Love by 10CC (peak chart position: No.1)
10CC had been among the most consistent hit-makers in the last few years, having previously climbed onto the UK singles summit with ‘Rubber Bullets’ in 1973. It therefore came as little surprise when they reached the pop heights again, though the material this time was radically different. ‘I’m Not In Love’ is a deliciously mellow recording which would have found favour with both young and old. It sounded considerably more mature and sophisticated than their previous Number One and it is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the 1970s.

                The song of the month for June 1975
         Tears On My Pillow by Johnny Nash (peak chart position: No.1)
American singer Johnny Nash had previously had an association with Bob Marley so it was hardly surprising that he should flirt with reggae music. Yet again the British singles-buyers were clearly feeling sorry for themselves as they took a shine to this tearjerker which enjoyed one week at the ‘top of the pops’. This was the sixth time that a Nash release had invaded the UK Top Ten but hereafter the absence of any further successes would have been reason enough for more tears on his pillow.

              The song of the month for July 1975
         Barbados by Typically Tropical (peak chart position: No.1)
British music lovers engaged in a flight of fancy as they warmed on that hot summer to the sounds of ‘Barbados’ which nudged the Bay City Rollers off the Number One perch. The artists responsible were Typically Tropical who can lay a credible claim to having provided one of the best tunes from a ‘one hit wonder’. The song includes a mock address from the aeroplane pilot at the start of the ‘flight’ as the singer shares his excitement at the prospect of travelling to the attractive island in the Caribbean. 
 
               The song of the month for August 1975
         Sailing by Rod Stewart (peak chart position: No.1)
Not a year seemed to go by without Rod Stewart making his presence felt in the world of pop. This time he stepped forth with a song whose popularity probably eclipses his ‘Maggie May’ offering. This smash hit demonstrated his knack of sourcing a good song from elsewhere - in this instance from the Sutherland brothers. The musical accompaniment is first class as Rod sings from the heart. This is one of the few records that emerge in any era which retains its appeal through the march of time. Its sales figures speak for themselves.

            The song of the month for September 1975
         Shine On You Crazy Diamond Parts 1 to 5 by Pink Floyd (album track)
The album opener to the newly-released ‘Wish You Were Here’ represents the very best of the Floyd. It evolves in characteristically languid style with a fine contribution from Dave Gilmour’s guitar. The ‘hero’ of the song, one Roger ‘Syd’ Barrett just happened to venture into the Abbey Road recording studios during its creation for a brief and typically bizarre reunion with his former ‘colleagues’. Barrett explained to his horrified (former) friends that his overweight condition was due to the large pork chops that he had in his fridge - a crazy diamond indeed. 

              The song of the month for October 1975
         Space Oddity by David Bowie (peak chart position: No.1)
It was indeed something of an oddity that David Bowie’s first hit single from six years ago should land once more on planet pop and then soar into orbit - or to Number One to be precise. Such a success for the ever-changing Bowie was overdue, though this ‘sixties artefact was a surprise package. Bowie had also previously tasted American charts glory in collaboration with John Lennon on ‘Fame’ and Bowie’s own fame was enhanced by this ‘new’ success. Bowie remained a chart regular over the next few years in spite of a spiralling drug habit. 

             The song of the month for November 1975
         Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen (peak chart position: No.1)
Freddie Mercury and his troops took the British charts by storm at the end of 1975 when ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ took up a phenomenal nine-week residence at the top of the pop tree. Not since the 1950s had any single monopolised the lists to such an extent. It was widely accepted that the exposure of the song’s video was a major factor in its success. The tune itself typified the eccentric brand of rock that Queen represented, with piano one moment and electric guitar the next, culminating in a gong being hit at the tune’s conclusion. This was predictably the lead single from the ‘A Night At The Opera’ project which is only narrowly defeated by ‘Wish You Were Here’ for album of the year.
  
             The song of the month for December 1975
         Mamma Mia by Abba (peak chart position: No.1)
After the triumph of ‘Waterloo’, Sweden’s finest foursome experienced a couple of false starts before their pop career resumed in earnest. It took the success of ‘S.O.S’ to indicate that Abba had more to offer than merely a ‘one-hit wonder’. The next item in the Abba assembly line of smash hits was ‘Mamma Mia’. This single mercifully relieved ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ of its occupation of the British pop summit whilst laying the foundations for a year of world domination. The song (or at least its title) has since inspired both a musical and a popular film. 

Listed Below are the Top 10 Best Selling UK Singles of 1975
1  Bye Bye Baby                 The Bay City Rollers
2  Sailing                         Rod Stewart
3  Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love)The Stylistics
4  Whispering Grass                 Windsor Davies and Don Estelle
5  Stand By Your Man                 Tammy Wynette
6  Give A Little Love                 The Bay City Rollers
7  Hold Me Close                 David Essex
8  I Only Have Eyes For You         Art Garfunkel
9  The Last Farewell                 Roger Whittaker
10 I’m Not In Love              10CC

                        1975’s CONCERTS OF THE YEAR
A new rock group called the Sex Pistols shocked audiences in London with an unprecedented display of amateurism and aggression that kick started punk rock in the United Kingdom. Punk was held aloft as the yoof generation’s challenge to the rock dinosaurs who had taken live shows away from the intimacy of clubs and concert halls in favour of stadium venues. The biggest culprits were perhaps the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Both outfits were ‘back by popular demand’ in the United States as the former introduced their new team member, Ronnie Wood, whilst the latter were trying to market their acclaimed double album, ‘Physical Graffiti’. After completing their tenth invasion of Uncle Sam’s home, Zeppelin took Earls Court in west London by storm, with five gigs there in the spring. Punk rock and the new wave may have just been around the corner, but they would have to wait until the Zeppelin exited the stage. Meanwhile, Bob Marley and the Wailers entertained the assembled mass at the Lyceum in London, thereby confirming them as one of the hottest acts on planet pop. The accompanying live album provided Robert Nesta with another incursion into the UK album charts, whilst ‘No Woman No Cry’ (performed live) would be his first British hit single.

                        1975’s ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
                         (released in September; reached No.1 in the UK)
After ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ began to accumulate record sales that were beyond anyone’s wildest dreams, the Floyd became victims of their own success. Just how, after all, were they supposed to match or improve upon their ‘dark moon’ project? Indeed in many quarters, ‘Wish You Were Here’ was indeed viewed as a case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’, but it is held in high regard by most Pink Floyd aficionados. Once again the group (and Roger Waters in particular) were expressing their negative outlook of how society was evolving, or indeed deteriorating. ‘Welcome To The Machine’ was the obvious example of a band that was both world-weary and bored with the trappings of ‘stardom’. ‘Meanwhile ‘Have A Cigar’ (with lead vocals from Roy Harper) is a more amusing but ironic swipe at the music industry. The title track is simply an exquisite acoustic guitar track. The centre piece of the album is ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’, which is characteristically divided into nine ‘parts’. It isn’t so much a case of the foursome pining for the impossible return of the unhinged Syd Barrett, but more a case of the quartet offloading their guilt at jettisoning their former friend several years previously when he became something of an ‘acid casualty’. ‘Wish You Were Here’ is not instantly likeable, but it grows in appeal with every listen.

                        SPORT IN 1975
English Division One football champions: Derby County; runners-up: Liverpool
English FA Cup final: West Ham United 2 Fulham 0 
English League Cup Final: Aston Villa 1 Norwich City 0
Scottish Division One football champions: Glasgow Rangers; runners-up: Hibernian
Scottish FA Cup final: Glasgow Celtic 3 Airdrieonians 1 
Scottish League Cup final: Glasgow Celtic 6 Hibernian 3
Irish League football champions: Linfield; Irish Cup final: Coleraine 1 Linfield 0 (in a replay)
League Of Ireland football champions: Bohemians; cup winners: Home Farm
European Cup final: Bayern Munich 2 Leeds United 0 
European Cup-Winners’ Cup final: Dynamo Kiev 3 Ferencvaros 0
UEFA Cup final: Borussia Moenchengladbach beat Twente Enschede 5-1 on aggregate
English county cricket champions: Leicestershire
Five Nations’ rugby union champions: Wales (six points)
Formula One world drivers’ champion: Niki Lauda (Austria) in a Ferrari car
Gaelic football All-Ireland champions: Kerry; runners-up: Dublin                         
British Open golf champion: Tom Watson (at Carnoustie)
US Masters golf champion: Jack Nicklaus
US Open golf champion: Lou Graham
USPGA golf champion: Jack Nicklaus
Rugby league Challenge Cup final: Widnes 14 Warrington 7
Wimbledon men’s singles tennis final: A Ashe beat J Connors 6-1, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4
Wimbledon ladies’ singles tennis final: B-J King beat E Cawley 6-0, 6-1
World snooker final: Ray Reardon (Wales) beat Eddie Charlton (Australia) 31-30
The Aintree Grand National steeplechase winner: L’Escargot; price 13-2
The Epsom Derby winner: Grundy; jockey - Pat Eddery; price 5-1
The Ryder Cup golf contest: United States 21 Great Britain And Ireland 11

                        1975’s DEATHS
February 4th: Louis Jordan (US musician), aged 66
February 14th: Sir Julian Sorell Huxley (British scientist), aged 87
February 14th: Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse (British author), aged 93
February 24th: Nikolai Bulganin (Soviet statesman), aged 79
February 28th: Sir John Frederick Neville Cardus (British writer), aged 85
March 14th: Susan Hayward (US actress), aged 56
March 15th: Aristotle Onassis (Greek tycoon), aged 69
March 16th: T-Bone Walker (US musician), aged 64
March 28th: Sir Arthur Edward Drummond Bliss (British composer), aged 83
April 5th: Chiang Kai-shek (Chinese statesman), aged 87
April 12th: Josephine Baker (US entertainer), aged 68
April 15th: Michael Henry Flanders (British actor), aged 53
April 24th: Pete Ham (British musician), aged 27
May 6th: Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty (from Hungary), aged 83
May 20th: Dame Jocelyn Barbara Hepworth (British sculptor), aged 72
July 2nd: James Robertson Justice (British actor), aged 70
August 9th: Dmitri Shostakovich (Soviet composer), aged 68
August 15th: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Bangladesh’s President), aged 55
August 27th: Emperor Haile Selassie (of Ethiopia), aged 83
August 29th: Eamon de Valera (ex-Irish Taoiseach), aged 92
October 1st: Al Jackson (US musician), aged 39
October 22nd: Arnold Joseph Toynbee (British historian), aged 86
November 7th: Cardinal Heenan (ex-Archbishop of Westminster), aged 70
November 20th: General Francisco Franco (Spain’s dictator), aged 82
November 27th: Ross McWhirter (British journalist), aged 50
November 29th: Norman Graham Hill (British Formula 1 driver), aged 46
December 7th: Thornton Wilder (US author), aged 78

   

                    The song of the month for January 1972
         Let’s Stay Together by Al Green (peak chart position: No.7)
Perhaps immortalised from its inclusion on the ‘Pulp Fiction’ movie, Al Green’s magnificent love song, decorated by an excellent horns section, deservedly climbed to the top of the tree in the Billboard singles list. British record-buyers were slightly less appreciative, but few observers and listeners three decades later can argue that this is perhaps the greatest soul recording to emerge from North America in the 1970s.
      
                    The song of the month for February 1972
         Without You by Nilsson (peak chart position: No.1)
This tearjerker is steeped in tragedy.The composer, Pete Ham (from the group Badfinger) took his own life a few years later, whilst the singer Harry Nilsson also died rather prematurely in the mid-1990s after his hard living caught up with him. Nevertheless, this ‘bad luck charm’ proved to be one of the most successful sad songs of all time, as it proceeded to sit on the top perch of the charts on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
 
                 The song of the month for March 1972
         Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple (peak chart position: No.21 in 1977)
This album track from the newly-released ‘Machine Head’ never featured prominently in the hit parade, but it unquestionably rates as one of the great rock songs of the twentieth century. Recounting the story of their appearance at Montreux where the casino was wrecked by a fire, Deep Purple treat the listener to one of the greatest instrumental breaks in popular music as well as a memorable intro. Some songs are just too good for the charts, and this rock milestone was clearly one of them.

                  The song of the month for April 1972
    Amazing Grace by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (peak chart position: No.1)
It was certainly one of the most unexpected of chart-toppers, but an instrumental version of the Christian hymn, ‘Amazing Grace’, dominated the British hit parade throughout the spring of 1972. Five weeks at Number One and a mere 27 weeks on the singles chart tells its own story. Long before the likes of the Bay City Rollers and Rod Stewart popularized tartan fashion, the Pipes And Drums Of The Military Band Of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards got there first!

    The song of the month for May 1972
         Happy by The Rolling Stones (album track)
After the critical success of ‘Sticky Fingers’, the Fab Five delivered an hour of music in a similarly murky vein that would comprise the ‘Exile On Main St.’ album. Whilst many of the songs were a bit seedy, there were a few rays of light. One such item was ‘Happy’ in which Keef has another bash at lead vocals, having previously sang ‘You Got The Silver’ on the ‘Let It Bleed’ project. Richards was singing “I need your love to keep me happy”, but if this was directed at his partner, Anita Pallenberg, it would be closer to the truth to suggest that they had a mutual suicide pact, given their dangerous flirtation with hard drugs.
 
        The song of the month for June 1972
         American Trilogy by Elvis Presley (peak chart position: No.8)
As the 1970s unfolded, the behaviour and performances of Elvis Presley became increasingly erratic. However, what was good was exceptionally good. The King’s rendition of an ‘American Trilogy’ simply takes the breath away and helps to explain why this ‘has-been’ remained one of the greatest live attractions. Sourcing ‘Dixieland’, ‘All My Trials’, and ‘The Battle Hymn Of The Republic’, Elvis sings straight from the depths of his soul. Only the coldest heart could fail to be moved or impressed by four and a half minutes of this emotional piece.

        The song of the month for July 1972
         All The Young Dudes by Mott The Hoople (peak chart position: No.3)
Flavour of the month David Bowie stepped in to rescue the flagging career of Mott The Hoople by offering a composition of his own which he then produced for the combo. Not content with this, he weighed in with backing vocals. The group for their part rose to the challenge with a landmark rock song which opens wonderfully and goes from strength to strength, culminating in a formidable arms-swaying outro, during which Ian Hunter ad-libs “Hey you with the glasses/ I want you/ I want you up at the front.” They just don’t make them like this anymore.
 
        The song of the month for August 1972
         Virginia Plain by Roxy Music (peak chart position: No.4)
Former teacher Bryan Ferry joined forces all too briefly with Brian Eno as their new combo Roxy Music were at the forefront of art rock. The new act hit the ground running with the marvel that was ‘Virginia Plain’ which ought to be short-listed for the best debut single of all time. The song possesses a plethora of amusing lyrics featuring “you’re so chic/teenage rebel of the week” with references to flamingoes, a studebaker, and a rollercoaster ride. What a pity that Eno subsequently jumped ship, but the rest of the crew coped more than adequately in his subsequent absence.

          The song of the month for September 1972
         Mouldy Old Dough by Lieutenant Pigeon (peak chart position: No.1)
British record-purchasers have always been logic-defying suckers for novelty records, and good old Lieutenant Pigeon stepped forth with the mother of all novelty singles. Featuring a marching drum,a flute, and a fabulous piano contribution, this home-made recording stomped to the top of the UK charts. It was the kind of record that would have driven music critics to distraction, but I do confess to a liking for this bizarre smash hit.
 
         The song of the month for October 1972
         Clair by Gilbert O’Sullivan (peak chart position: No.1)
Gilbert O’Sullivan was a prolific hit-maker in the early ‘seventies. His finest four minutes are almost certainly ‘Clair’. I have an ambiguous attitude to this chart-topper. On a purely naive level, this is a sweet piece with beautiful strings music, but in the changed times of the twenty-first century it is doubtful whether O’Sullivan would get away with a song in which his intense affection for his niece Clair is perhaps questionable: “Nothing means more to me than hearing you say I’m going to marry you/ Will you marry me, Uncle Ray?”
 
              The song of the month for November 1972
Long Haired Lover From Liverpool by Little Jimmy Osmond (peak chart position: No.1)
Having allowed the likes of Rolf Harris, Clive Dunn, and Benny Hill to reach Number One, it was hardly surprising that Britain’s record-buyers were bowled over by Little Jimmy Osmond’s delightful little ditty. It was perhaps fitting that the year of Osmond mania should finish with the youngest of their clan sitting on the top chart perch. In one crazy December week, the Osmonds and their rivals in the Jackson family were responsible for no fewer than five of the UK Top Ten singles. Little Jimmy himself was only nine years of age and thus made history as the youngest act to perform a British chart-topper!
 

      The song of the month for December 1972
         The Jean Genie by David Bowie (peak chart position: No.2)
David Bowie followed his friend Marc Bolan down the path of re-inventing himself from previous mod and then hippie into a fictional glam rock star, Ziggy Stardust. Bowie’s very own version of glam rock was critically better received than the less arty offerings from the likes of Slade and the Sweet. Ironically, Bowie’s great rocker, ‘The Jean Genie’ contained a fabulous riff from the great Mick Ronson which appeared to re-surface shortly afterwards on the Sweet’s ‘Block Buster’. Although ‘The Jean Genie’ didn’t quite match the heights of the Sweet’s effort, it remains one of the very best recordings from arguably the decade’s most important act.

             1972’s CONCERTS OF THE YEAR
Whilst Ziggy Stardust and his Spiders From Mars were thrilling British concert-goers, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones resumed their sonic onslaught of North America. Back in the United Kingdom, teenage audiences were in near hysteria at Marc Bolan and T. Rex, while Mr.Paul McCartney took his new band Wings out on the road as they traversed the university circuit, a far cry from Shea Stadium and Candlestick Park. McCartney’s estranged musical partner, John Lennon, also took to the stage in his adopted home of New York, performing live for the first time in six years (an Apple rooftop appearance aside). Meanwhile in London an altogether different rock group, Pink Floyd, were introducing the assembled mass at Earl’s Court to some new sounds which would later form the bedrock of ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’, released a year later. The rest is history. 
 
          1972’s ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Harvest by Neil Young
                        (released in February; reached No.1 in the UK)
Canada’s Neil Young had emerged in recent years as one of the most respected singer-songwriters, both as a solo artist and in collaboration with Crosby, Stills, and Nash. His reputation was cemented by his appearance at Woodstock and further enhanced by the success of the ‘After The Goldrush’ album. Young’s ‘Harvest’ project drew upon the assistance of his Stray Gators backing band as the singer veered off in the direction of country music as he attempted to follow the path of Gram Parsons in bringing country music to a rock audience. This big-selling long player is characterised by mellow music, though the theme is frequently one of loneliness, as illustrated on ‘A Man Needs A Maid’, ‘Out On The Weekend’, and ‘Old Man’. Young actually recorded this cycle of songs from a wheelchair, as a result of a car accident. Whatever physical pain he was in perhaps doesn’t compare with the emotional anguish he lays bare on ‘The Needle And The Damage Done’ as he sings of his departed guitarist Danny Whitten who was fighting a losing battle against heroin addiction. Harvest’s massive commercial success was due in no small part to the fact that it contained ‘Heart Of Gold’ which provided Young with a rare presence amongst the higher echelons of the singles charts on both sides of the ‘big pond’.

                        SPORT IN 1972
English Division One football champions: Derby County; runners-up: Leeds United
English FA Cup final: Leeds United 1 Arsenal 0 
English League Cup Final: Stoke City 2 Chelsea 1
Scottish Division One football champions: Glasgow Celtic; runners-up: Aberdeen
Scottish FA Cup final: Glasgow Celtic 6 Hibernian 1 
Scottish League Cup final: Partick Thistle 4 Glasgow Celtic 1
Irish League football champions: Glentoran; Irish Cup final: Coleraine 2 Portadown 1
League Of Ireland football champions: Waterford; cup winners: Cork Hibernians
European Cup final: Ajax Amsterdam 2 Inter Milan 0
European Cup-Winners’ Cup final: Glasgow Rangers 3 Dynamo Moscow 2
UEFA Cup final: Tottenham Hotspur beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 on aggregate
English county cricket champions: Warwickshire
Five Nations’ rugby union champions: none, due to the troubles in Ireland
Formula One world drivers’ champion: Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil) in a Lotus car
Gaelic football All-Ireland champions: Offaly; runners-up: Kerry                         
British Open golf champion: Lee Trevino (at Muirfield)
US Masters golf champion: Jack Nicklaus
US Open golf champion: Jack Nicklaus
USPGA golf champion: Gary Player
Rugby league Challenge Cup final: St Helens 16 Leeds 13
Wimbledon men’s singles tennis final: S Smith beat I Nastase 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
Wimbledon ladies’ singles tennis final: B-J King beat E Goolagong 6-3, 6-3
World snooker final: Alex Higgins (Northern Ireland) beat John Spencer (England) 37-32
The Aintree Grand National steeplechase winner: Well To Do; price 14-1
The Epsom Derby winner: Roberto; jockey - Lester Piggott; price 3-1F
European Championship final: West Germany 3 USSR 0

                        1972’s DEATHS
January 1st: Maurice Chevalier (French singer), aged 83
January 14th: King Frederik IX of Denmark, aged 72
February 5th: Marianne Moore (US poet), aged 84
February 15th: Edgar Snow (US writer), aged 66
April 9th: James Byrne (US judge), aged 92
April 27th: Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana’s ex-President), aged 62
May 2nd: John Edgar Hoover (US FBI chief), aged 77
May 22nd: Cecil Day Lewis (British poet laureate), aged 68
May 22nd: Dame Margaret Rutherford (British actress), aged 80
May 28th: Duke of Windsor, aged 77
June 8th: Jimmy Rushing (US singer), aged 69
June 13th: Clyde McPhatter (US singer), aged 39
August 26th: Sir Francis Chichester (British yachtsman), aged 70
August 28th: Prince William of Gloucester, aged 30
August 29th: Lale Andersen (German singer), aged 67
September 14th: Geoffrey Fisher (Archbishop of Canterbury), aged 85
October 1st: Dr Louis Leakey (British anthropologist), aged 69
October 26th: Igor Sikorsky (Russian aviation pioneer), aged 83
November 1st: Ezra Pound (US poet), aged 86
November 11th: Berry Oakley (US musician), aged 24
November 18th: Danny Whitten (US musician), aged 29
November 30th: Sir Compton Mackenzie (British author), aged 89
December 23rd: Andrei Tupolev (Soviet aviation pioneer), aged 84
December 26th: Harry S. Truman (ex-US President), aged 88

                     Song of the month for January 1970
         The Only Living Boy In New York by Simon And Garfunkel
The 1970s could hardly have made a more impressive start with the release of Simon and Garfunkel’s farewell project, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’. The album not surprisingly climbed to the summit of the American and British charts, assisted in no small way by the success of the title track in the singles listings. In truth, there are at least half a dozen songs which could have coped more than adequately in the hit parade. Chief among them is perhaps ‘The Only Living Boy In New York’. This item was decorated by spectacular harmonies as Paul Simon takes centre stage on a composition that is quite breath-taking. The tune is undoubtedly a strong contender for the best album track of the ‘seventies.

                   Song of the month for February 1970
         Instant Karma by John Lennon
‘Instant Karma’ was instant by name and instant by nature as it was recorded and released in a mere three weeks. Remarkably, whilst this marvellous single proceeded into a lofty position in the Transatlantic charts, many folk still harboured the illusion that John Lennon was simply taking a little sabbatical from the Beatles. However, the success of Lennon’s third solo single would have fortified his desire to obtain his ‘divorce’ from the Fab Four. The bespectacled one even appeared on ‘Top Of The Pops’ with his previously long hair cropped off - further signs of a soul desperately keen to break from his past and plot new territory. As for ‘Instant Karma’, it was another of those sing-along anthems that John Lennon turned into an art form.
 
                       Song of the month for March 1970
         Young Gifted And Black by Bob And Marcia
‘Young Gifted And Black’ was the latest success story for Jamaica’s Trojan Records. One half of the performing duo was Marcia Griffiths who would later provide harmonies as a member of Bob Marley’s backing band, the I-Threes. She was assisted in this duet by the American, Bob Andy. The song’s subject matter was unashamedly an anthem of black consciousness, exhorting young black people to step forth and embrace the changing world with pride and confidence. Whatever the worthy sentiments, the single was sufficiently enjoyable to attract record buyers of all races and colours, hence its lofty chart position.

                      Song of the month for April 1970
         Back Home by The England World Cup Squad
It is peculiar to think that the England football team’s World Cup 1970 rallying call should have been composed by a Scotsman (Bill Martin) and a Northern Irishman (Phil Coulter). Although the current world football champions were agonisingly evicted at the quarter-finals by West Germany, Bobby Moore and the rest of the squad found themselves reaching the summit of the singles chart. The trouble was that the success of this record prompted other football teams to subsequently cash in on their cup final appearances and irritatingly release their own signature tunes. Meanwhile, the celtic songwriting duo of Coulter and Martin would find further chart success when their material was performed by the likes of Elvis Presley and Slik.

                    Song of the month for May 1970
         The Long And Winding Road by The Beatles
It is remarkable to think that Paul McCartney did not actually approve of the final released version of his own composition. Originally conceived as an acoustic piece, Macca’s ballad was then given the ‘Spector treatment’, as North America’s ace producer applied his trademark ‘wall of sound’, assisted by a ‘heavenly choir’. The result was a monumental recording that climbed to the top of the American Billboard chart. Although amazingly not released in the United Kingdom as a single, this item was clearly one of the highlights of the Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ album which saw the light of day at the beginning of May.

                      Song of the month for June 1970
                   All Right Now by Free
Free’s first hit single has stood the test of time as one of the most enduring of all rock anthems. The music is of the highest quality, notably the guitar work of the tragic Paul Kossoff. This monster hit also benefits from amusing lyrics delivered by the throaty singing of Paul Rodgers. Unfortunately for Free, the fabulous foursome were very young and consequently their immaturity ruined any possibility of stability and durability. As a result, the group peaked with their debut hit, even if some of their subsequent recordings were equally impressive. 

               Song of the month for July 1970
         The Wonder Of You by Elvis Presley
In 1968 the King of rock and roll mercifully turned his back on his mediocre movie career and went back to basics, to do what he did best - performing. Over the next few years, the result was a spectacular return to form for Elvis which culminated in the American Number One, ‘Suspicious Minds’, and the United Kingdom chart-topper, ‘The Wonder Of You’. Regrettably each hit would be the King’s last chart-topper in his lifetime as personal excess and self abuse destroyed the promise that had flowed from the wondrous ‘The Wonder Of You’ live recording.
 
                  Song of the month for August 1970
         Wild World by Jimmy Cliff
Sandwiched between the emergence of Desmond Dekker and the arrival of Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff was Jamaica’s latest singing sensation. ‘Wild World’ would propel Cliff into the British Top Ten, which he had previously visited a year earlier with the more positive ‘Wonderful World, Beautiful People’. Just what led Cliff to travel from a ‘wonderful world’ to a ‘wild world’ in less than a year is open to question, although a clue may lie in an intervening hit, the majestic ‘Vietnam’. Anyhow, ‘Wild World’ (written by Cat Stevens) was not so much a global critique as words of caution uttered to a former sweetheart. 

                   Song of the month for September 1970
         Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Diana Ross
Diana Ross took the bold step of casting off the umbilical cord of her supremely successful Supremes career in favour of a solo journey. This decision paid handsome dividends with the marvellous American Number One, ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’. The British record-buying public however let themselves down by only helping this disco and love song crossover to a brief stay in the Top Ten. This romantic recording had previously surfaced on princess Diana’s debut solo album which also contained the equally beautiful ‘Reach Out And Touch (Somebody’s Hand)’.

               Song of the month for October 1970
         Ride A White Swan by T.Rex
Although Tyrannosaurus Rex had been in existence for a few years, Marc Bolan was a virtual stranger to the singles chart. However, ‘Ride A White Swan’ would prove to be his ‘road to Damascus moment’ as he made the transition from cult hippy hero to glam rock star. The excellent ‘Ride A White Swan’ lingered in the British Top Ten for many weeks at the end of 1970 and the beginning of the following year. This smash hit was the first example of T. Rex’s fusion of pop and rock. It worked like a charm, even if the likes of his former champion John Peel were less amused.

                    Song of the month for November 1970
         Voodoo Chile by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Two months after the premature death of arguably popular music’s greatest guitarist, ‘Voodoo Chile’ (alternatively known as ‘Slight Return’) would provide Jimi Hendrix with a slight and hugely successful return to the British singles chart. This five-minute closing track to the 1968 ‘Electric Ladyland’ double album must surely rate as one of the most unlikely of chart-toppers. It certainly showcased the guitar prowess of Hendrix. Incidentally, this rock song has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Chile!

                       Song of the month for December 1970
         Layla by Derek And The Dominos
After the relative failure of his Blind Faith venture, Eric Clapton ‘disguised’ himself in Derek And The Dominos. This new combo’s debut offering was entitled ‘Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs’, which was released in December, whereupon it failed mysteriously to make much of a splash in the album charts. Whilst ‘Bell Bottom Blues’ has a credible claim for being the best item on the album, pride of place must surely go to ‘Layla’. With the considerable assistance of Duane Allman’s guitar, Clapton reveals his intense yearning for ‘Layla’ (or his future wife Pattie Harrison, to be precise). If the track’s first part is a perennial rock favourite, then part two’s instrumental interplay between guitar, piano, and drums is simply out of this world.

Listed Below are the Top 10 Best Selling UK Singles of 1970
1  The Wonder Of You                 Elvis Presley
2  Yellow River                  Christie
3  In The Summertime                 Mungo Jerry
4  Band Of Gold                  Freda Payne
5  Something                     Shirley Bassey
6  Wanderin’ Star                 Lee Marvin
7  Spirit In The Sky                 Norman Greenbaum
8  Bridge Over Troubled Water         Simon and Garfunkel
9  Back Home                     England World Cup Squad
10 All Right Now                Free

                        1970’s CONCERTS OF THE YEAR
Perhaps the first historic concert of the new decade was the farewell outing for Diana Ross and The Supremes, during which the audience were introduced to Miss Ross’s replacement, Jean Terrell. Meanwhile on St.Valentine’s Day, the Who cemented their reputation as a formidable live act with their performance at Leeds University, which would be thereafter immortalised on the ‘Live At Leeds’ album. The Rolling Stones too avoided a studio album, in favour of the live recordings of ‘Get Yer Ya-Yas Out’. Gig of the year was arguably the Isle of Wight festival at the end of August. This now annual shindig featured the likes of the Doors and the Jimi Hendrix Experience (or ‘Band of Gypsies’). However, within three weeks, the virtuoso guitarist would be dead, whilst Jim Morrison of the Doors would be going through life’s departure lounge a mere ten months later.

                        1970’s ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Led Zeppelin III by Led Zeppelin
                        (released in October; reached No.1 in the UK) 
The mighty Zep took the most peculiar step of retreating from their fearsome onslaught upon Californian five-star hotels in favour of some quality time in the depths of rural, north-west Wales. The fab four’s self-imposed exile in the rustic setting of the hamlet of Bron-Y-Aur, in Snowdonia, would be commemorated in the jaunty track ‘Bron-Y-Aur Stomp’ which would surface in the group’s third album. Yet again choosing to avoid an album title, Led Zeppelin proceeded to confuse fans and critics further still with several tracks which were a far cry from the heavy rock that had stamped its considerable presence upon the band’s first two projects. The acoustic guitar was very much to the fore as Robert Plant and Jimmy Page indulged in their passion for folk music. ‘Gallows Pole’ is a case in point, whilst the item ‘Friends’ showcased the group’s desire to extend into eastern music. The long player still possessed its moments of sonic mayhem, courtesy of ‘Out On The Tiles’ and the stirring curtain-raiser, ‘Immigrant Song’. Pride of place perhaps goes to the epic blues of ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’ which represents seven and a half minutes of a combo at the very peak of their artistic development. Sandwiched in between the towering giants of Led Zeppelin II and IV, the third offering has never quite received its due recognition, but it can make a strong case for being the outstanding album of 1970, even ahead of Simon And Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’.

                        SPORT IN 1970
English Division One football champions: Everton; runners-up: Leeds United
English FA Cup final: Chelsea 2 Leeds United 1 (after extra time, in a replay)
English League Cup Final: Manchester City 2 West Bromwich Albion 1
Scotiish Division One football champions: Glasgow Celtic; runners-up: Glasgow Rangers
Scottish FA Cup final: Aberdeen 3 Glasgow Celtic 1
Scottish League Cup final: Glasgow Celtic 1 St Johnstone 0
Irish League football champions: Glentoran; Irish Cup final: Linfield 2 Ballymena United 1
League Of Ireland football champions: Waterford; cup winners: Bohemians
European Cup final: Feyenoord 2 Glasgow Celtic 1
European Cup-Winners’ Cup final: Manchester City 2 Gornik Zabrze 1
European Fairs Cup final: Arsenal beat Anderlecht 4-3 on aggregate
English county cricket champions: Kent
Five Nations’ rugby union champions: France and Wales (both 6 points)
Formula One world drivers’ champion: Jochen Rindt (Austria) in a Lotus car
Gaelic football All-Ireland champions: Kerry; runners-up: Meath
British Open golf champion: Jack Nicklaus (at St. Andrews)
US Masters golf champion: Billy Casper
US Open golf champion: Tony Jacklin
USPGA golf champion: Dave Stockton
Rugby league Challenge Cup final: Castleford 7 Wigan 2
Wimbledon men’s singles tennis final: J Newcombe beat K Rosewall 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
Wimbledon ladies’ singles tennis final: M Court beat B-J King 14-12, 11-9
World snooker final: Ray Reardon (Wales) beat John Pulman (England) 37-33
The Aintree Grand National steeplechase winner: Gay Trip; price 15-1
The Epsom Derby winner: Nijinsky; jockey - Lester Piggott; price 11-8F
Football World Cup final: Brazil 4 Italy 1 

                        1970’s DEATHS
January 29th: Sir Basil Henry Liddell Hart (British historian), aged 74
February 2nd: Bertrand Arthur William Russell (British philosopher), aged 97
February 11th: Henry Mayo Bateman (British cartoonist), aged 82
February 15th: Air Chief Marshal Dowding (of the RAF), aged 87
February 25th: Mark Rothko (US artist), aged 66
June 7th: Edward Morgan Forster (British author), aged 91
June 11th: Alexander Kerensky (ex-Russian leader), aged 89
June 21st: Ahmed Sukarno (ex-Indonesian President), aged 69
July 8th: Sir Allen Lane (British publisher), aged 67
July 8th: Dame Laura Knight (British artist), aged 92
July 20th: Iain Macleod (British politician), aged 56
July 27th: Antonio de Oliveira Salazar (Portugal’s dictator), aged 81
July 29th: Sir John Barbirolli (British conductor), aged 70
September 5th: Jochen Rindt (Austrian Formula 1 driver), aged 28
September 18th: Jimi Hendrix (US musician), aged 27
September 25th: Erich Maria Remarque (German author), aged 72
September 28th: Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt’s President), aged 81
September 28th: John Dos Passos (US author), aged 74
October 4th: Janis Joplin (US singer), aged 27
October 10th: Edouard Daladier (French statesman), aged 86
November 9th: General Charles de Gaulle (ex-French President), aged 79
November 25th: Yukio Mishima (Japanese author), aged 45
December 14th: Field Marshal William Slim (British soldier), aged 79
December 26th: Lillian Board (British athlete), aged 22  

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Celtic-Fringe-Westminster-Elections-1970-2010/dp/0956272576

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