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Andre Gardner

MGK’s Top 10 Rock Albums From September 14, 1974

Avatar photo By Andre Gardner

Every Thursday at 5, 102.9 MGK plays back the Top 10 Rock Albums from a particular year. I’ve been lucky enough to host this feature for the last 13 years, and it’s one of my favorite times of the week! This week, we covered the top 10 rock albums from September 14, 1974.

This Day In History

President Ford formally pardoned his predecessor, Richard Nixon, Billie Jean King defeated Yvonne Goolagong in three sets to win the women’s singles championship at the U.S. Open, and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter left Steely Dan to join The Doobie Brothers, all in September, 1974.

Memories of September, 1974

Man, do a lot of memories come back when I see that list of albums. I was just starting high school at Shawnee High School in Medford, NJ, and meeting so many new friends. At home, my pirate FM radio station was ramping up in Medford Lakes, NJ, as my dad helped increase our power to over a mile radius. We actually started to get listeners and the requests would come in fast and furiously. Not bad for a radio station in my bedroom! Check this shot below of my pirate setup from September, 1974! I’m sitting by the big black request line phone, waiting for calls to come in, and my friend Tom does his shift on my station, WAVG!

Andre Gardner and friend at the controls of his pirate radio station

Andre Gardner looks on as Tom Tracey does his DJ shift on Andre’s pirate radio station, WAVG, July, 1974.

Before we show you the albums, here are some of the top pop singles from September 14, 1974. I’m certain my pirate station was playing these hits, as well as the albums:

“Rock Me Gently” – Andy Kim
“I’m Leaving (It) All Up To You” – Donny And Marie Osmond
“Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe” – Barry White
“Rock Me Gently” – Andy Kim
“(You’re) Having My Baby” – Paul Anka f. Odia Coates

See what memories they bring back for YOU!

  • 10. Moontan - Golden Earring

    This album originally came out in 1973 in Europe, with a cover deemed unsuitable for the U.S. audience! Moontan by Golden Earring, with it’s less racy cover, was the #10 rock album on September 14, 1974.

  • 9. Second Helping - Lynyrd Skynyrd

    Lynyrd Skynyrd’s popularity continued to increase with their sophomore album, Second Helping. It’s #9 on the countdown, and features this great cover of a J.J. Cale song.

  • 8. Band On The Run - Paul McCartney And Wings

    It’s regarded as Paul McCartney’s finest solo effort and, nine months after it was released, Band On The Run held a firm grip in the top 10, this week holding at #8.

  • 7. Bridge Of Sighs - Robin Trower

    Robin Trower saw success both as a founding member of the legendary band Procol Harum, and as a solo artist.  His biggest hit as a solo performer was Bridge Of Sighs, the #7 rock album on September 14, 1974.

  • 6. Not Fragile - Bachman-Turner Overdrive

    It’s the first of two appearances by Bachman-Turner Overdrive on the countdown this week.  The first is an album that was only on the charts for three weeks.  On its way to the top spot, Not Fragile is the #6 rock album on this week’s Thursday Top 10 Countdown.

  • 5. Caribou - Elton John

    Interestingly, neither Elton, the band or their producer were very happy with Caribou, Elton’s eighth album.  They all felt it was rushed, as it had to be quickly recorded and mixed before Elton was to head out for a tour of Japan.  The fans didn’t object – it was another chart topper for Sir Elton, and on September 14, 1974 it dropped to #5.

  • 4. Chicago VII - Chicago

    Of all the hit songs in the huge Chicago catalog, only one was written by their trumpet player, Lee Loughnane.  It was “Call On Me,” sung not by Loughnane but by Peter Cetera, and it’s off of Chicago VII. The album is #4 on this week’s countdown.

  • 3. BTO II - Bachman-Turner Overdrive

    Event though Not Fragile was quickly climbing the chart, BTO’s second album BTO II was still holding onto the top 5. It was #3 on September 14, 1974.

  • 2. 461 Ocean Boulevard - Eric Clapton

    Eric Clapton’s “comeback” album was one of the biggest of his career. Recorded in the sun in beautiful Miami, 461 Ocean Boulevard is the #2 rock album on MGK’s Thursday Top 10 Countdown.

  • 1. Bad Company - Bad Company

    Topping the charts this week is the debut album by the first band signed to Led Zeppelin’s newly-formed Swan Song Records.  In making the album the band took advantage of a break in Zeppelin recording sessions, and took up shop at Headley Grange, where they solidified themselves instantly as a force to be reckoned with.  The #1 rock album on September 14, 1974 was Bad Company by Bad Company.

Catch MGK’s Thursday Top 10 Countdown Thursday afternoons at 5, and a repeat airing Sunday nights at 8, on 102.9 MGK!

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