MGK’s Top 10 Rock Albums From May 18, 1974
The day before the Flyers became the first NHL expansion team to win a Stanley Cup, Patty Hearst was still on the run with the SLA, and the House began…
The day before the Flyers became the first NHL expansion team to win a Stanley Cup, Patty Hearst was still on the run with the SLA, and the House began formal hearings on impeaching President Nixon, these rock albums topped the charts!
10. Bridge Of Sighs - Robin Trower
He left the fantastic lead vocals to a guy named James Dewar, but former Procol Harum member Robin Trower was the songwriting and guitar playing power behind the classic "Bridge Of Sighs," the title track his biggest selling album, and the #10 rock album on the countdown. Incidentally, the album was recorded by longtime Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick.
9. Pretzel Logic - Steely Dan
On the cover, a photo of a New York street vendor, taken at the Miner's Gate entrance of Central Park (at 79th and 5th Av). Inside, the third album by Steely Dan, the last they'd make with their original touring band. Pretzel Logic was #9 on May 18, 1974, and it leads off with this Dan classic.
8. On The Border - Eagles
For the third Eagles album, the band and their producer, Glyn Johns, didn't musically see eye to eye. Right in the middle of the sessions, they sacked him and replaced him with Bill Szymczyk. Szymczyk would go on to work with the band through their most successful period. On The Border is the #8 rock album on this week's Thursday Top 10 Countdown.
7. BTO II - Bachman-Turner Overdrive
After their debut album sold modestly well, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, helmed by The Guess Who's Randy Bachman, returned with a strong sophomore album called BTO II. After peaking at #4, it drops a few here to #7 on May 18, 1974.
6. What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits - Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brother's John Hartman got the idea of the lettering for the cover of the band's fourth album from the yearbook of his high school alma mater in Virginia! What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits was the #6 rock album in the country on May 18, 1974, and it contains the groups' first #1 single.
5. Court And Spark - Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell did not put out an album in 1973, rather spending her time exploring new musical paths and writing songs. The result was a stunning effort called Court And Spark, her sixth album and the #5 rock album on this week's countdown.
4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John
On May 18, 1974, Elton John played a benefit concert at Royal Festival Hall to benefit children's charities in the UK. As that went on, his stellar album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was still hanging at the upper end of the charts. It was #4 on May 18, 1974.
3. Chicago VII - Chicago
Chicago delved into some experimental sounds of their own, with the first few tracks on their seventh album being instrumental jazz-tinged songs. The rest of the album was pure Chicago and, on its way to the #1 spot, Chicago VII is #3 this week.
2. Band On The Run - Paul McCartney And Wings
If there is one argument for Wings to be in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, it's this album alone, Band On The Run. An amazing work, done under some pretty stressful conditions, it drops one to #2 on May 18, 1974 after peaking at #1.
1. Shinin' On - Grand Funk
Topping the charts this week is the eighth studio album by a band from Flint, Michigan who have the distinction of being the only band to sell out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles. This album marked a return to working with producer Todd Rundgren, and for fans, the cover was 3-D and the package came with a pair of 3-D glasses! #1 on May 18, 1984 was Shinin' On by Grand Funk.
