The very month the Vietnam War ended, The Godfather Part II became the first sequel to win the Oscar for Best Picture, and the Phillies were on their way to their first winning season in eight years, these 10 albums topped the rock charts:

• 10. Styx II - Styx

  This album originally came out in July, 1973, but it wasn’t until a Chicago DJ heard a song from it on a jukebox, played it on the air, and it took off, before the album followed suit. Styx II from Styx is the #10 rock album, kicking off the countdown, and here is the song that DJ heard on the jukebox.

• 9. War Child - Jethro Tull

  Sometime after Thick As A Brick, Jethro Tull recorded an album’s worth of material in Paris, and never released it. A few songs did appear on this, their seventh album and the #9 rock album on April 6, 1975, War Child.

• 8. On The Border - Eagles

  In a rare occurrence, a band fired their producer midway through sessions for an album.  The Eagles did it, while recording On The Border, replacing Glyn Johns with Bill Szymczyk. The album is #8 on this week’s Thursday Top 10 Countdown.  Here’s the first track Bill worked on with the band:

   

• 7. Eldorado - Electric Light Orchestra

  With a cover designed by none other than Sharon Osbourne, the fourth album from E.L.O. was the one that got them noticed, at least here in the U.S.  Eldorado peaked here at #7 on April 6, 1975.

• 6. Young Americans - David Bowie

  A source of pride in this town, as much of the album was recorded here, Young Americans, Bowie’s ode to Philly soul, surprisingly peaked here at #6 on April 6, 1975.

• 5. Heart Like A Wheel - Linda Ronstadt

  The fifth solo album by Linda Ronstadt was her breakthrough, peaking at #1 and giving her four Grammy nominations and one win!  At #5 on the countdown this week, Heart Like A Wheel.

• 4. Rock And Roll - John Lennon

  Released as part of a lawsuit filed by Morris Levy, and because Levy had bootlegged a copy of the album and tried releasing it though mail order, Rock And Roll by John Lennon was the official release of songs that influenced Lennon.  It even had Phil Spector as producer!  The album was #4 on April 6, 1975.

• 3. What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits - The Doobie Brothers

  In a case similar to “Lady” by Styx, which we featured earlier on the countdown, this next album by the Doobie Brothers was actually going DOWN the charts until a radio DJ started playing “Black Water.”  Both the song, and the album, What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits, took off and, on April 6, 1975, the album was at #3.

   

   

• 2. Blood On The Tracks - Bob Dylan

  Though he denied the songs on this album were a reflection of his personal life, Bob Dylan’s masterwork, Blood On The Tracks, contains lyrics focusing on a relationship in trouble.  After hitting #1, the album drops one to #2.

• 1. Physical Graffiti - Led Zeppelin

  Topping the chart this week is the sixth album by one of the biggest classic rock bands of all time.  It was an album that was not without its drama – the band’s keyboardist almost quit the group to join the Winchester Cathedral as its organist, the album was delayed because the cover was a bit too complicated to produce, and since the group didn’t have enough material for the double album they wanted to make, they went back to their vaults and grabbed outtakes from previous sessions!  The result was a varied selection of acoustic, blues, and hard rock classics.  The album debut at #3, hit #1 the next week, and stayed there for six weeks.  #1 on April 6, 1975 was Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin.

Sign Up For The WMGK Classic Rock Notes Newsletter

Classic Rock & entertainment news, what's happening in Philly, exclusive contests, games and more sent right to your inbox.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.