1973 Music

Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd March 1

Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, one of rock's landmark albums, is released in the US. The Dark Side of the Moon was an immediate success, topping the Billboard Top LPs and Tapes chart for one week. It subsequently remained on the charts for 741 weeks, from 1973 to 1988, longer than any other album in history. With an estimated 50 million copies sold, it is Pink Floyd's most commercially success album and the #2 selling album worldwide, behind Michael Jackson's Thriller. Its release is often seen as a pivotal point in the history of rock music.

In 1972 and 1973 the Dark Side of the Moon tour occurred in the US, Japan, England and several cities in the rest of Europe. Prior to June '73 they were playing in theaters and auditoriums. However, starting in June, after the release of their album, they would begin playing in Stadiums and large arenas.

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin releases Houses of the Holy, their 5th album, and final release on Atlantic Records before creating Swan Song in 1974. March 28. The album is commercially successful spending 2 weeks at number 1 and 39 weeks overall on the Billboard 40. It is an 11X platinum selling album.

Led Zeppelin embarks on a US tour May 4 - July 29. They set the record for highest attendance for a concert, 56,800, at Tampa Stadium breaking the record previously held by the Beatles. Performances for The Song Remains the Same are also filmed, primarily at Madison Square Garden.

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones hold a benefit concert for Nicaraguan earthquake victims which raised over $350,000 (January 18). The group then embarks on a Pacific tour of Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand (January 21).

Rolling Stones in Concert Rolling Stones Poster

Goat's Head Soup is released by the Rolling Stones on August 31 and reached #1 worldwide. The hit single "Angie" also went #1. The band then tours Europe starting in Vienna on September 21.

The Who

The Who release Quadrophenia, on October 19, which reached #2 in the US. It was kept from #1 by Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The Who open their Quadrophenia US tour with a concert at San Francisco's Cow Palace, but drummer Keith Moon passes out and has to be carried off the stage. Scott Halpin, a 19 year old fan, is selected from the audience to finish the show at drums. November 20.

Stevie Wonder

In late 1972 Stevie Wonder releases the Talking Book album which contains two number 1 hits - "Superstition" and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life". He wins 3 Grammys for this album. Wonder also tours with the Rolling Stones opening the shows during their 1972 tour. Stevie Wonder releases the Innervisions album in 1973 with 2 #1 hits on the R&B charts - "Higher Ground" and "Living in the City". He earns 3 Grammys and Album of the Year. On August 6 Wonder is involved in a car accident after which he was in a coma for 4 days. Fortunately he recovers.

Elton John

Elton John releases two albums in 1973: First, Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player is released early in the year and contains the #1 hit "Crocodile Rock" as well as "Daniel", then Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is released and becomes the #1 album for 2 months. This album contains the #1 "Bennie and the Jets", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "Candle in the Wind", "Saturday Night's Allright for Fighting", "Funeral For a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding", and "Grey Seal". Elton John tours both the US and Britain in 1973 for a total of 57 concerts.

Summer Jam at Watkins Glen July 28

Summer Jam at Watkins Glen is held with Allman Brothers Band, The Band and the Grateful Dead playing. 600,000 people in attendance.

Jim Croce dies September 20

Jim Croce dies in a plane crash in Louisiana.

David Bowie retires Ziggy Stardust July 3

David Bowie retires his Ziggy Stardust stage persona in front of a shocked audience at the Hammersmith Odeon at the end of his British tour.

Midnight Special debuts February 2

The Midnight Special makes its debut as a regular series on NBC. Helen Reddy is the featured artist.

Don Kirshner's Rock Concert premieres September 27

Don Kirshner's Rock Concert premieres on syndicated television with a performance by the Rolling Stones.

LP Record Shortage October 17

The 1973 oil crisis causes shortages of the vinyl needed to manufacture records. A number of new albums are either delayed or only available in limited quantities until after the holiday season.

The Beatles' Greatest Hits April 2

The Beatles' greatest hits, The Beatles 1962-1966, the "Red Album", and The Beatles 1967-1970, the "Blue Album", are released. The Beatles 1967-1970 album goes #1 on May 26. The 67-70 album is #12 on the worldwide best selling albums list. The 62-66 album is #21 on the worldwide best selling list.

All Four Former Beatles Release Albums

John Lennon releases Mind Games, it reaches #9. Songs include Mind Games, Aisumasen, Out the Blue.

Paul McCartney releases Red Rose Speedway, it reaches #1, and Band on the Run, it reaches #1. Songs from both albums include My Love, Band on the Run, Jet, Helen Wheels, Let Me Roll It.

George Harrison releases Living in the Material World, it reaches #1. Songs include Give Me Love, Living in the Material World.

Ringo Starr releases Ringo, it reaches #2. Songs include Photograph, You're Sixteen, Oh My My.

Music Sales by Media 1973 - 2010

Popular music was at its peak in both diversity and quality in 1973. Hits and unique songs from a wide variety of musical styles graced the airwaves and dominated the charts: Pop, Rock, Soul, Funk, Reggae, R&B, Country, Folk, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Jazz were all represented with memorable tunes. The songs were played one after another with little regard to their style. Rock, Pop and Soul were maturing and artists were reaching their creative and artistic peak.

Great Songs on the Airwaves from a Wide Variety of Styles

Pop: You're So Vain, Dancing in the Moonlight, Kodachrome, Midnight at the Oasis

Rock: Crocodile Rock, Frankenstein, Over the Hills and Far Away, Rocky Mountain Way

Rhythm and Blues: Touch Me in the Morning, Could it Be I'm Falling in Love, Love Train

Soul: Let's Get it On, Killing Me Softly, Midnight Train to Georgia

Funk: Superstition, Will it Go Round in Circles

Country: Behind Closed Doors, My Maria

Folk: Bad Bad Leroy Brown, Rocky Mountain High

Reggae: I Shot the Sheriff, Stir It Up

Hard Rock: Smoke on the Water, The Ocean

Soft Rock: Peaceful Easy Feeling, Ventura Highway

Glam Rock: Ballroom Blitz, Suffragette City

Progressive Rock: Tubular Bells, Hocus Pocus

Blues Rock: La Grange

Jazz: Do It Again, Reelin' in the Years, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)

Novelty Songs: Monster Mash, Playground in Your Mind

Remakes: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Also Sprach Zarathustra (Classical song transposed into Jazz)

Other Memorable Songs: Dueling Banjos, Free Bird, Stuck in the Middle With You, Right Place Wrong Time, The Cisco Kid, Pillow Talk, Little Willy, Jungle Boogie, Rock On, Brother Louie, Funky Worm, Cover of Rolling Stone, Oh Babe What Would You Say, Money, Superfly, The Joker...

All Time 1973 Albums from a Compilation of 3600 Album Charts

Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd - #2 all time

Houses of the Holy, Led Zeppelin - #74

Quadrophenia, The Who - #110

Innervisions, Stevie Wonder - #138

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John - #188

Raw Power, The Stooges - #194

Selling England by the Pound, Genesis - #197

Band on the Run, Paul McCartney and Wings - #320 Houses of the Holy

Alladin Sane, David Bowie - #379

The Wild the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, Bruce Springsteen - #402

Berlin, Lou Reed - #432

(pronounced leh-nerd ske-nerd), Lynyrd Skynyrd - #446

For Your Pleasure, Roxy Music - #462 Innervisions

Tubular Bells, Mike Oldfield - #497

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Black Sabbath - #551

Catch the Fire, Bob Marley and the Wailers - #612

Bands Disbanding in 1973

The Byrds (1964-73)

The Doors (1965-73)

The Everly Brothers (1957-73)

Family (1966-73)

Bands Established in 1973

AC/DC

Bachman - Turner Overdrive

Bad Company AC/DC

Heart

Journey

KC and the Sunshine Band

Kiss

Los Lobos

Montrose

Pablo Cruise

Quiet Riot

The Tubes

Debut Albums

ABBA - Ring Ring

Aerosmith - Aerosmith

Rick Derringer - All American Boy

Brian Eno - Here Come the Warm Jets

Lynyrd Skynyrd - (pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd)

New York Dolls - New York Dolls

Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells ABBA Debut Album

Suzi Quatro - Suzi Quatro

Queen - Queen

Bruce Springsteen - Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ

Robin Trower - Twice Removed from Yesterday

Tom Waits - Closing Time

Top 10 Singles

1. "You're So Vain" ... Carly Simon

2. "Superstition" ... Stevie Wonder

3. "Crocodile Rock" ... Elton John

4. "Killing Me Softly With His Song" ... Roberta Flack

5. "Love Train" ... The O'Jays

6. "The Night Lights Went Out in Georgia" ... Vicki Lawrence Stevie Wonder - Superstition

7. "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" ... Dawn

8. "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" ... Stevie Wonder

9. "Frankenstein" ... Edgar Winter Group

10. "My Love" ... Paul McCartney

Billboard Top 100

1. Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Ole Oak Tree, Tony Orlando and Dawn

2. Bad Bad Leroy Brown, Jim Croce

3. Killing Me Softly With His Song, Roberta Flack

4. Let's Get It On, Marvin Gaye

5. My Love, Paul McCartney and Wings

6. Why Me, Kris Kristofferson

7. Crocodile Rock, Elton John

8. Will It Go Round In Circles, Billy Preston Marvin Gaye

9. You're So Vain, Carly Simon

10. Touch Me In The Morning, Diana Ross

11. The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia, Vicki Lawrence

12. Playground In My Mind, Clint Holmes

13. Brother Louie, Stories

14. Delta Dawn, Helen Reddy Edgar Winter Group

15. Me And Mrs. Jones, Billy Paul

16. Frankenstein, Edgar Winter Group

17. Drift Away, Dobie Gray

18. Little Willy, Sweet

19. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, Stevie Wonder

20. Half Breed, Cher

21. That Lady, Isley Bros. Sylvia

22. Pillow Talk, Sylvia

23. We're An American Band, Grand Funk Railroad

24. Right Place Wrong Time, Dr. John

25. Wildflower, Skylark

26. Superstition, Stevie Wonder

27. Loves Me Like A Rock, Paul Simon

28. The Morning After, Maureen McGovern The O'Jays

29. Rocky Mountain High, John Denver

30. Stuck In The Middle With You, Stealers Wheel

31. Shambala, Three Dog Night

32. Love Train, O'Jays

33. I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Barry White

34. Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose, Tony Orlando and Dawn

35. Keep On Truckin' (Pt. 1), Eddie Kendricks Monster Mash

36. Dancing In The Moonlight, King Harvest

37. Danny's Song, Anne Murray

38. Monster Mash, Bobby "Boris" Pickett and The Crypt Kickers

39. Natural High, Bloodstone

40. Diamond Girl, Seals and Crofts

41. Long Train Running, Doobie Brothers

42. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth), George Harrison Gladys Knight and the Pips

43. If You Want Me To Stay, Sly and The Family Stone

44. Daddy's Home, Jermaine Jackson

45. Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye), Gladys Knight and The Pips

46. I'm Doing Fine Now, New York City

47. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love, Spinners

48. Daniel, Elton John

49. Midnight Train To Georgia, Gladys Knight and The Pips Deep Purple

50. Smoke On The Water , Deep Purple

51. The Cover Of Rolling Stone, Dr. Hook and The Medicine Show

52. Behind Closed Doors, Charlie Rich

53. Your Mama Don't Dance, Loggins and Messina

54. Feelin' Stronger Every Day, Chicago

55. The Cisco Kid, War

56. Live And Let Die, Wings Stealers Wheel

57. Oh Babe What Would You Say?, Hurricane Smith

58. I Believe In You, Johnnie Taylor

59. Sing, Carpenters

60. Ain't No Woman (Like The One I Got), Four Tops

61. Dueling Banjos, Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandel

62. Higher Ground, Stevie Wonder

63. Here I Am (Come And Take Me), Al Green Curtis Mayfield

64. My Maria, B.W. Stevenson

65. Superfly, Curtis Mayfield

66. Get Down, Gilbert O'Sullivan

67. Last Song, Edward Bear

68. Reelin' In The Years, Steely Dan

69. Hocus Pocus, Focus

70. Yesterday Once More, Carpenters Dr. John

71. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Bette Midler

72. Clair, Gilbert O'Sullivan

73. Do It Again, Steely Dan

74. Kodachrome, Paul Simon

75. Why Can't We Live Together, Timmy Thomas

76. So Very Hard To Go, Tower Of Power

77. Do You Want To Dance?, Bette Midler Allman Brothers

78. Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu, Johnny Rivers

79. Ramblin' Man, Allman Brothers

80. Masterpiece, Temptations

81. Peaceful, Helen Reddy

82. One Of A Kind (Love Affair), Spinners

83. Funny Face, Donna Fargo

84. Funky Worm, Ohio Players Diana Ross

85. Angie, Rolling Stones

86. Jambalaya (On The Bayou), Blue Ridge Rangers

87. Don't Expect Me To Be Your Friend, Lobo

88. Break Up To Make Up, Stylistics

89. Daisy A Day, Jud Strunk

90. Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001), Deodato

Maria Muldaur

91. Stir It Up, Johnny Nash

92. Money, Pink Floyd

93. Gypsy Man, War

94. The World Is A Ghetto, War

95. Yes We Can Can, Pointer Sisters

96. Free Ride, Edgar Winter Group

97. Space Oddity, David Bowie

98. It Never Rains In Southern California, Albert Hammond

99. The Twelfth Of Never, Donny Osmond

100. Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Temptations

Other Songs Heard on the Radio in 1973

Free Bird, Lynyrd Skynyrd

Dream On, Aerosmith

Living For the City, Stevie Wonder

Piano Man, Billy Joel

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John

Bennie and the Jets, Elton John Aerosmith

The Joker, Steve Miller Band

Radar Love, Golden Earring

Higher Ground, Stevie Wonder

Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Bob Dylan

Get Up Stand Up, Wailers

Takin' Care Of Business, Bachman-Turner Overdrive

Time, Pink Floyd Bob Marley

Band On the Run, Wings

When Will I See You Again, Three Degrees

Long Train Runnin', Doobie Brothers

Over the Hills and Far Away, Led Zeppelin

You Make Me Feel Brand New, Stylistics

Jessica, Allman Brothers Band

Candle In the Wind, Elton John Billy Joel

Rosalita, Bruce Springsteen

Desperado, Eagles

Jet, Wings

China Grove, Doobie Brothers

La Grange, ZZ Top

Behind Closed Doors, Charlie Rich

I Shot the Sheriff, Wailers The Eagles

Ventura Highway, America

Love's Theme, Love Unlimited Orchestra

Feelin' Stronger Every Day, Chicago

Diamond Girl, Seals And Crofts

Ballroom Blitz, The Sweet

Rock On, David Essex

Rocky Mountain Way, Joe Walsh ZZ Top

For the Love Of Money, O'Jays

Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, Elton John

Loves Me Like a Rock, Paul Simon

She's Gone, Daryl Hall and John Oates

Come and Get Your Love, Redbone

Just You 'n' Me, Chicago

Jungle Boogie, Kool and the Gang Charlie Rich

Brain Damage/Eclipse, Pink Floyd

The Most Beautiful Girl, Charlie Rich

D'Yer Maker, Led Zeppelin

Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting, Elton John

I've Got To Use My Imagination, Gladys Knight and the Pips

Photograph, Ringo Starr

If You Want Me To Stay, Sly and the Family Stone Al Green

Gimme Three Steps, Lynyrd Skynyrd

Here I Am (Come and Take Me), Al Green

Rock And Roll Hoochie Coo, Rick Derringer

Us and Them, Pink Floyd

Love Reign O'er Me, The Who

Boogie Down, Eddie Kendricks

Doin' It To Death, Fred Wesley and the J.B.'s Jim Croce

I'll Have To Say I Love You In a Song, Jim Croce

Lady, Styx

Tubular Bells, Mike Oldfield

Nutbush City Limits, Ike and Tina Turner

I Got a Name, Jim Croce

I'll Always Love My Mama, Intruders

Tequila Sunrise, Eagles Mike Oldfield

Karn Evil #9, Emerson, Lake and Palmer

Blockbuster, The Sweet

Hooked On a Feeling, Blue Swede

Just Don't Want To Be Lonely, Main Ingredient

Get Down, Gilbert O'Sullivan

Midnight At the Oasis, Maria Muldaur

5:15, The Who Steely Dan

The Ocean, Led Zeppelin

Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker), Rolling Stones

Woman From Tokyo, Deep Purple

Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing, Stevie Wonder

No More Mr. Nice Guy, Alice Cooper

Let It Ride, Bachman-Turner Overdrive

You're Sixteen, Ringo Starr John Denver

The Payback, James Brown

Until You Come Back To Me, Aretha Franklin

I Can't Stand the Rain, Ann Peebles

Never Never Gonna Give Ya Up, Barry White

Show and Tell, Al Wilson

Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me, Gladys Knight and the Pips

Cum On Feel the Noize, Slade Bette Midler

20th Century Boy, T. Rex

The Love I Lost, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes

Jolene, Dolly Parton

Personality Crisis, New York Dolls

Search and Destroy, Stooges

Call Me, Al Green

Seasons In the Sun, Terry Jacks Johnny Nash

Hollywood Swinging, Kool and the Gang

So Very Hard To Go, Tower of Power

Can't You See, Marshall Tucker Band

The Way We Were, Barbra Streisand

Natural High, Bloodstone

Mind Games, John Lennon Led Zeppelin

Something's Wrong With Me, Austin Roberts

Don't Expect Me To Be Your Friend, Lobo

Pieces of April, Three Dog Night

Let's Pretend, Raspberries

One of a Kind Love Affair, Spinners

I'm Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band, Moody Blues

Living in the Past, Jetrho Tull

Jimmy Loves Mary Ann, Looking Glass

Why Don't We Get Drunk, Jimmy Buffett

My Ding-a-Ling, Chuck Berry

Stairway to Heaven, Led Zeppelin

School's Out, Alice Cooper

Critically Acclaimed Albums of 1973 as calculated from their overall rankings in over 3600 greatest album charts

1. Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd

2. Houses of the Holy, Led Zeppelin

3. Quadrophenia, The Who

4. Innervisions, Stevie Wonder

5. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John

6. Raw Power, The Stooges

7. Selling England By The Pound, Genesis Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

8. Band on the Run, Paul McCartney and Wings

9. Aladdin Sane, David Bowie

10. The Wild, The Innocent and The E Street Shuffle, Bruce Springsteen

11. Berlin, Lou Reed

12. (prounoucedlLeh-nerd skin-nerd), Lynyrd Skynyrd

13. For Your Pleasure, Roxy Music

14. Tubular Bells, Mike Oldfield Band on the Run

15. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Black Sabbath

16. Catch the Fire, Bob Marley and the Wailers

17. Brain Salad Surgery, Emerson Lake and Palmer

18. Closing Time, Tom Waits

19. Head Hunter, Herbie Hancock

20. Future Days, Can

21. Greetings from Asbury Park NJ, Bruce Springsteen Raw Power

22. The Harder They Come, Jimmy Cliff

23. New York Dolls, New York Dolls

24. Let's Get It On, Marvin Gaye

25. Countdown to Ecstasy, Steely Dan

26. Tales from Topographic Oceans, Yes

27. Tres Hombres, ZZ Top

28. Paris 1919, John Cale Aladdin Sane

29. Over-Nite Sensation, Frank Zappa

30. Desperado, Eagles

31. Larks Tongues In Aspic, King Crimson

32. Billion Dollar Babies, Alice Cooper

33. Faust IV, Faust

34. Ar taud, Pescado Rabioso

35. Queen , Queen The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle

36. Here Come the Warm Jets, Brian Eno

37. Beatles 1967 - 1970, The Beatles

38. Burnin', Bob Marley and the Wailers

39. Birds of Fire, Mahavishnu Orchestra

40. Solid Air, John Martyn

41. Grand Hotel, Procol Harum

42. Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh, Magma pronounced len-erd ski-nerd

43. Stranded, Roxy Music

44. Face Forward Voyagers, John Fahey

45. Call Me, Al Green

46. Brothers and Sisters, Allman Brothers Band

47. Beatles 1962 - 1966, The Beatles

48. Living in the Material World, George Harrison

49. Goat's Head Soup, Rolling Stones Catch a Fire

50. A Wizard, A True Star, Todd Rundgren

51. 3+3, Isley Brothers

52. Mott, Mott the Hoople

53. Aerosmith, Aerosmith

54. Dixie Chicken, Little Feat

55. There Goes Rhymin' Simon, Paul Simon

56. The Human Menagerie, Cockney Rebel Brain Salad Surgery

57. Yessongs, Yes

58. The Captain and Me, The Doobie Brothers

59. GP, Gram Parsons

60. Mind Games, John Lennon

61. Space Ritual, Hawkwind

62. Volumen 3, Pappo's Blues

63. Fresh, Sly and the Family Stone Closing Time

64. Funky Kingston, Toots and the Maytals

65. The Payback, James Brown

66. Tyranny and Mutation, Blue Oyster Cult

67. Wake of the Flood, Grateful Dead

68. Honky Tonk Heroes, Waylon Jennings

69. Piano Man, Billy Joel Houses of the HoHos

70. On the Third Day, Electric Light Orchestra

71. Live at Carnegie Hall, Bill Withers

72. The Roar of '74, Buddy Rich

73. Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player, Elton John

Rolling Stone Magazine 500 Greatest Albums /Albums from 1973

24. Innervisions, Stevie Wonder

43. Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd

91. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John

122. The Harder They Come, Reggae Soundtrack, Jimmy Cliff

126. Catch the Fire, Bob Marley and the Wailers

128. Raw Power, The Stooges

133. The Wild the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, Bruce Springsteen

148. Houses of the Holy, Led Zeppelin

165. Let's Get It On, Marvin Gaye

186. Fresh, Sly and the Family Stone

215. New York Dolls, New York Dolls

267. Quadrophenia, The Who

279. Alladin Sane, David Bowie

290. Call Me, Al Green

319. Burnin', Bob Marley and the Wailers

344. Berlin, Lou Reed

370. Mott, Mott the Hoople

396. For Your Pleasure, Roxy Music

403. (pronounced leh-nerd ske-nerd), Lynyrd Skynyrd

418. Band on the Run, Paul McCartney and Wings

423. Anthology, Diana Ross and the Supremes

432. Here Come the Warm Jets, Brian Eno

450. For Everyman, Jackson Browne

490. Tres Hombres, ZZ Top

Music in 1973