GORDON BATHGATE'S SEVENTIES SLAMMER |
THE SEVENTIES - A RETROSPECTIVE
1974
Personally speaking, 1974 was a watershed year for me as this is when I left school to make my way in the big wide world. The world didn't seem all that interested.
The three-day working week was introduced on Jan 2 due to power shortages caused by the miners strike.
Harold Wilson became Prime Minister in February
We have the technology. We can rebuild him! Lee Majors became Steve Austin the Six Million Dollar Man.
Chris Tarrant’s TISWAS (Today Is Saturday Watch And Smile) revolutionised Saturday morning television.
Arnold Schwarzenegger made his film debut in the documentary that fuelled a bodybuilding craze - Pumping Iron.
"Delicious and light ... Angel Delight" the frothy dessert was introduced.
McDonald’s opened its first UK restaurant in London.
Ceefax was transmitted for the first time on BBC1.
Gillette launched the first disposable razor.
President Richard Nixon resigned from his post over what was termed as the 'Watergate affair'.
US boxer Muhammad Ali defeated George Forman and became only the second boxer in history to regain a heavyweight title.
In November, detectives hunting for murder suspect Lord Lucan, discover a heavily bloodstained Ford Corsair at Newhaven. It was the car that Lucan had earlier borrowed.
FILMS OF THE YEAR BLAZING SADDLES
THE RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER
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THE BEST SELLING SINGLES OF 1974 1) MUD - TIGER FEET 2) TERRY JACKS - SEASONS IN THE SUN 3) PAPER LACE - BILLY DON'T BE A HERO 4) THE THREE DEGREES - WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN 5) GEORGE McCRAE - ROCK YOUR BABY 6) DAVID ESSEX - GONNA MAKE YOU A STAR 7) CHARLES AZNAVOUR 8) CARL DOUGLAS - KUNG FU FIGHTING 9) KEN BOOTHE - EVERYTHING I OWN 10) THE RUBETTES - SUGAR BABY LOVE |
MUSIC
1974 saw the chart debuts of Sparks and Queen. Unfortunately it also saw chart entries for Carl Douglas (Kung Fu Fighting) and 'Y Viva Espana' by Sylvia. Reggae saw a boost in popularity with hits from John Holt and Ken Boothe and age proved to be no barrier with hits for Charlie Rich and Charles Aznavour. Alvin Stardust consolidated his career with three more hits but the years chart champions came from north of the border.
| Scotland's Bay City Rollers had first entered the charts in 1971 with 'Keep On Dancing' but had kept a low profile since that first outing. However their fortunes were about to change and they would spend most of 1974 on the chart with hits such as 'Remember', 'Summerlove Sensation' and 'All Of Me Loves All of You'. |
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The New Seekers gave us our first brand-new number one of the year on 19th January. 'You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me' had already been around for a while having originally charted in November. It subsequently only lasted for a week at the top. |
| It was replaced by a cracker written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. Mud's 'Tiger Feet' was the group's fourth hit record and it gave them a month at the top. Another Chinn and Chapman number dislodged it, This time though it was that leather-clad rocker Suzy Quatro's 'Devil Gate Drive'. It gave the pocket dynamo a two-week residency at the top. Alvin Stardust came along and removed Suzy Q on 9th March with 'Jealous Mind', and lasted a week before being replaced by Nottingham group Paper Lace with 'Billy Don't Be a Hero'. |
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Away from the coveted number one slot there were plenty of records to hold our interest. 'Love On A Mountain Top' by Robert Knight was another Northern Soul re-release. Roy Wood's solo career was on the ascendant and seemed like it may go on 'Forever'. Lulu had taken a David Bowie song into the chart on Jan 26, and turned 'The Man Who Sold The World' into a number 3 hit. Bowie himself scored another chart entry with 'Rebel Rebel'. February saw the chart entry of the classic "The Air That I Breathe" by the Hollies. The song gasped its way to the number 2 slot. .
March 2 saw a song enter the chart that was destined to achieve far-far-far greater things. The song was 'Candle in the Wind' by Elton John and was written as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. Years later Elton sang an adapted version of the song at the funeral of Princess Diana and consequently became the biggest seller of 1997. In 1974 it managed a paltry number 11 before snuffing out after 9 weeks. On this very same week, US one hit wonders Brownsville Station entered the chats with one of my favourites 'Smokin' in the Boy's Room' and surprisingly only reached a disappointing 27th position. March also saw the Doobie Brothers chart for the first time in the UK with their offering 'Listen to the Music'.
On the 6th of April Canadian singer Terry Jacks reached the top with 'Seasons in the Sun', which stood proud on the summit for a month. Terry was no stranger to the UK charts having been with the Poppy Family who charted in 1970 with 'Which Way You Goin' Billy', a number 7 hit of that year.
| The song that replaced Terry heralded the UK chart debut of Swedish super-group Abba. They had just won the Eurovision Song Contest with their song 'Waterloo', and were about to become the second most successful group in UK chart history. The phenomenon had begun and the song stayed on top for 2 weeks. |
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On May 18 The Rubettes scored a number one with 'Sugar Baby Love'. The song had originally been offered to up and coming act Showaddywaddy who rejected it. The song remained on top for 4-weeks and Showaddywaddy had to be contented with a number 2 hit with their debut song 'Hey Rock and Roll' which entered the chart on 18 May.
There followed 2 minor number ones. First Ray Stevens returned with another novelty song, cashing in on the craze sweeping the nation at the time, titled 'The Streak'. This was followed by another number one for Gary Glitter called 'Always Yours'. Both made it for one week in late June. Finally Charles Aznavour warbled his way to number one with a song entitled "She".
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Away from the top, on May 5th, one of my favourite groups shot their way into the chart. Brothers Ron and Russell Mael were Sparks and 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For the Both of Us' gave them their biggest UK hit, peaking at No 2. In April Genesis debuted with 'I Know What I Like In Your Wardrobe'. In May Harry Chapin charted with his song dedicated to ageing DJ's everywhere, 'W.O.L.D'. |
| In June Bad Company entered the chart listings with 'Can't Get Enough'. The group featured ex-Free lead singer Paul Rogers on vocals. This month also saw the multi-talented Roy Wood try his hand at playing bagpipes on 'Going Down the Road', which peaked at number 13. |
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Wings were setting the album charts alight with their LP, 'Band on the Run'. To round things off Canada's R. Dean Taylor spirited his way back into the UK chart on May 11 with 'There's a Ghost in my House'. The song was a huge favourite of the Northern Soul Scene.
The first Knebworth Rock Festival was held on the 20th of July featuring, amongst others, Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers, The Doobie Brothers and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Hippies and police clashed at the illegal Windsor Pop Festival in August. Afterwards there were calls for a national enquiry when hundreds of people had been arrested for drug offences and breaches of the peace. First Class had a huge summer hit with the Beach Boys influenced 'Beach Baby'. Around this time things were looking bleak for the ambassadors of Glam Rock. Slade's 'Bangin'Man' and 'The Sixteens' by the Sweet failed to set the chart alight.
On 27 July, George McRae's song 'Rock Your Baby' reached the summit and remained there for 3-weeks. It was replaced by yet another soul classic. The Three Degrees and 'When Will I See You Again'. Prince Charles was a big fan of the girls from Philadelphia. The sales dried up two weeks later and teenage heart-throbs the Osmonds stepped into the void with their latest offering 'Love Me For a Reason'. They spent the next 3-weeks in pole position before being kicked off by Carl Douglas with 'Kung Fu Fighting'.
| Elsewhere on the charts Cockney Rebel were experiencing their first taste of success with 'Judy Teen'. The Wombles took the UK charts by storm and appeared on Top Of The Pops. Singer/songwriter Mike Batt came up with the idea and managed to rack up over eight Top Ten hits. Their hits included the famous Wombling Song, Remember You’re A Womble and Wombling Merry Christmas. |
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On the 12th October, the late John Denver scored a number one with the beautiful 'Annie's Song', but failed to hang on to the spoils for more than just one week. He was replaced by another one-week number one hit, 'Sad Sweet Dreamer' by UK act Sweet Sensation.
Elsewhere fans of more melodic sounds were being well catered for. Gary Shearston experienced his one shot at superstardom with 'I get a kick out of you'. He was destined never to bother the chart compilers again. 50's chart veteran Slim Whitman decided to grace the top 20 with his presence. 'Happy Anniversary' proved to be a favourite with the older record buying public
Jamaican born Ken Boothe covered a Bread song and took 'Everything I own' on a 3-week stint at the top starting on October 26th. David Essex then claimed pole position with 'Gonna Make You a Star#. The song remained on top for a further 3 weeks taking us up to Dec 7. Then the man they call the "Walrus of Love" arrived at the top spot with his 4th UK hit 'You're the First, the Last, My Everything'. It took a Christmas song to shift him from the throne. This time it was Mud who cashed in with Les Gray doing one of his famous Elvis impersonations on 'Lonely This Christmas'. The song took us merrily out of another year.
Away from the top, Smashey & Nicey favourites Bachman-Turner Overdrive made their UK chart debut with the classic 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet'. The song carried them to as high as the second spot. Billy Swan entered the UK chart on Dec 14th with his classic song 'I Can Help', a song that was to be covered by the "King" himself, Elvis Presley.
FASHION HOLIDAY FASHIONS Package holidays became affordable for the average person in 1974. Trips to Spain were the most fashionable and holiday makers needed new gear for the hot weather. Bikinis, sun glasses, hats and shorts all made their way back to Britain along with painful sunburn and the obligatory papier-mâché donkey. Chiffon was popular amongst women- often being used to create a fluid layer for capes, ponchos and wraps, worn over evening dresses and pyjamas. Bead chokers, handmade out of elastic cord, and knotted to become a tight necklace, began to find favour with younger women. STREAKING
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LITTLE OBJECTS OF DESIRE THE WOMBLES As mentioned elsewhere on this page Britain went Womble crazy. As well as kick starting Mike Batt's musical career Womblemania spawned a plethora of merchandise and products. There were cuddly Wombles, bendy plastic Wombles, edible Wombles, Wombles bins, Wombles jumpers…the list went on and on. You could also collect your pennies in a Womble moneybox. PONG
LEGO
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TELEVISION
The television year began with a 10.30p.m. curfew imposed by the Government following industrial action by miners and power engineers. The curfew ended in February after Edward Heath handed the keys of power to Harold Wilson. Ceefax was transmitted for the first time on BBC1. Tom Baker replaced Jon Pertwee in the role of Doctor Who.
It was fairly lean pickings on the drama front. Lee Remick played the title role in the glossy drama series 'Jennie, Lady Randolph Churchill'. This series marked Churchill Centenary Year. John Mills and Lilli Palmer were among the international stars in 'The Zoo Gang'. This series followed the exploits of French Resistance workers after the war. Within These Walls starred Googie Withers as governor of Stone Park HM Prison for Women. You can see where the Australians got the idea for 'Prisoner from Cell Block H'.
| Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais followed up 'The Likely Lads' with 'Thick as Thieves' John Thaw and Bob Hoskins played two ex convicts sharing a house. It wasn't the only comedy to appear this year with a prison flavour. 'Porridge' grew out of a play called Prisoner Escort, from the Seven Of One anthology series in 1973. The series was apparently popular in jails around Britain and was even made into a feature-length film in 1979. Ronnie Barker played habitual criminal Norman Stanley Fletcher who is sentenced to prison for five years His cellmate was played by Richard Beckinsale as first-time offender Lennie Godber. |
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ITV ran a couple of pilot shows that were destined for great things. Rising Damp with Leonard Rossiiter and Oh No! It's Selwyn Frogitt with Bill Maynard were given the green light after their pilot shows were well received. John Alderton, fresh from his success in 'Please Sir!, starred with his wife Pauline Collins in 'No Honestly'.
'It Ain’t Half Hot Mum' was a comedy based in India during the Second World War that focused on the exploits of the Royal Artillery Concert Party as they entertained the active men. The entertainers included drag artist Bombardier Gloria Beaumont, intellectual pianist Mr. ‘Lah-de-Da’ Gunner Graham and vertically challenged vocalist Gunner ‘Lofty’ Sugden. Sergeant Major Williams kept everyone in check.
Thames Logo - See TV Ident Page |
Charlie Williams, like Bob Monkhouse and Norman Vaughan before him, became the host of The Golden Shot. BBC 1 saw Cilla Black have her own show while 'The Waltons' made their first appearance on British television. Meanwhile, 'Frost's Weekly' was David Frost's attempt to recreate the success of TW3. Sunday afternoon television saw the hirsute botanist David Bellamy present The Animal Game. |
BBC 2 saw a very young Delia Smith showing you how to do some simple and attractive dishes in 'Family Fare'. 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' was a late night alternative to 'Top of the Pops'.
The following is a typical BBC line up for Saturday 27th April 1974 taken from the pages of the Radio Times.
| BBC1 COLOUR 9.00am Along the Seashore 9.15 The Brady Kids 9.35 Chingachook and the Lone Hunter 10.00 Zarabanda Spanish for beginners 10.25 Developments in Social Work (Black and white) 10.50 Pie in the Eye (Black and white) 11.05 Cat Feud Warner Brothers cartoon 11.15 FILM: Dangerous Mission 12.25pm Weather with Michael Fish 12.30 Grandstand introduced by Frank Bough 4.55 Sportsreel 5.05 Goofy 5.15 News 5.30 Doctor Who starring Jon Pertwee with Elisabeth Sladen in The Monster of Peladon 5.55 Clunk-Click (as it happens): Jimmy Savile meets his friends either in the studio or wherever they live or work 6.40 FILM: The Pink Jungle 8.20 The Black and White Minstrel Show 9.05 Cannon William Conrad stars as private investigator Frank Cannon 9.55 News with Kenneth Kendall 10.10 Sportsreel 11.10 That's Life with Esther Rantzen, featuring Kieran Prendeville, Glyn Worsnip and oddities of the week with Cyril Fletcher 11.50 Phil Silvers in Sergeant Bilko (Black and White) 12.15am-12.20 Weather |
BBC2 COLOUR 7.40am-1.05 Open University 3.00pm-4.40 FILM: I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now 7.10 News and Sport 7.30 Rugby Special 8.20 The Pallisers 26-part serial starring Susan Hampshire and Philip Latham 9.10 The Life Game An exciting new account of evolution in action, with David Attenborough 11.40 News on 2 11.45-1.30am FILM: Jigsaw (Black and White) RADIO 1 5.00am Bruce Wyndham (as Radio 2) 8.06 Ed Stewart with Junior Choice 10.00 Stuart Henry 12.00 Rosko 2.00pm Radio 5 with Eric Idle 3.00 Alan Freeman Not 'arf! 5.00 David Simmons 6.30 In Concert featuring King Crimson 7.32 Radio 2 Top Tunes (as Radio 2) 8.30 Saturday Night with the BBC Radio Orchestra (as Radio 2) 10.02 Alan Black with Rock On 12.00 Ray Moore (as Radio 2) 2.00am News summary and closedown |
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