1970: Led Zeppelin The Beatles were still ruling the charts in 1970 with “Let It Be” (both the single and album). But Led Zeppelin was conquering the world in every other way. The band spent the year on tour with two albums that would hit No. 1 on the charts.
Number ones
Rod Stewart remained at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 17 weeks during the 1970s. Elton John amassed the second-most number-one hits on the Hot 100 chart during the 1970s (6 songs).
1970s US Number 1 Facts
You Light Up My Life by Debby Boone (1977) spent the most number of weeks at Number 1 (10). Consequently, it was the biggest selling single of the decade in the US.
Deep Purple Concert – 117 dB
This 70s hard rock quintet can really blow the roof off a venue with its chunky guitar riffs and thunderous drum beats. At one point, it was recognized as the loudest band of all time by the Guinness Book of World Records after playing a famously noisy show at the Rainbow Theater in London.
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), often referred to mononymously as Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Known as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.
Simon & Garfunkel's farewell album, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was the top-selling album of the year. Its title track was the top-selling single.
The best-selling album in the United States is Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) by the Eagles.
1. The Rolling Stones. Firstly, this band is widely acclaimed as one of the best selling artists of all time and best rock band of all time. Led by the highly influential Sir Mick Jagger, the Stones as they were better known, came to prominence in the 1960s.
Bands like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin were the hardest rocking acts of the era while acts like Rush and King Crimson were standouts in the prog community, as limited and nebulous as it was at the time.
He invited Domino to the press conference and when one reporter referred to him as “The King of Rock 'n' Roll,” Elvis pulled the room's focus to Fats Domino, insinuating that he was the true King. “[Domino] was one of my influences from way back,” said Presley.
He says Elvis's favorite groups were the Harmonizing Four and Golden Gate Quartet and his favorite gospel singers included Jimmy Jones, Jake Hess (who sang with the Statesmen and later formed the Imperials) and Mahalia Jackson.
The Beatles break up permanently. The Nice disband. Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band split, with reunions in 1972, 1988, and 2006. Simon & Garfunkel – both members of the duo go on to solo careers, although they have reunited and performed together numerous times since breaking up.
1970: Led Zeppelin
The Beatles were still ruling the charts in 1970 with “Let It Be” (both the single and album). But Led Zeppelin was conquering the world in every other way. The band spent the year on tour with two albums that would hit No. 1 on the charts.
The 1970's saw the emergence of new genres and artists which changed the music scene permanently. The days of rock 'n' roll, blues and R&B dominating were over, replaced with a wide and interesting spectrum of genres, with disco, funk, and soul becoming arguably the most popular genres of the decade.
The Bee Gees had the most no. one singles with 9 and also had the decade's longest charting hit, How deep is your love, with 33 weeks. James Brown had the most Hot 100 songs with 36 and not one Top 10 hit!
In the 1970s, it was Sir Elton John, Fleetwood Mac and Queen who had the most streamed song. Sir Elton was the most popular in 1970 with Your Song and in 1972 for Tiny Dancer, while Fleetwood Mac's Go Your Own Way was most streamed in 1976 and Dreams in 1977.
Carole King, “It's Too Late” (1971)