60 YEARS OF THE ROCK ERA This update: 1972.

60 YEARS OF

ROCK

(1955-2015)

1972

 

 

 

-Big Maybelle (original singer of "Hound Dog") dies.

-Mahalia Jackson dies.

-Paul Simon releases his 1st solo single after years of working with Art Garfunkel.

-Pink Floyd previews songs from the forthcoming 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' songs live. 

-Wings' "Give Ireland Back To The Irish" is banned by the BBC.

-The Electric Light Orchestra debut on stage.

-Roberta Flack's 1969 song is a #1 hit thanks to its use in the film 'Play Misty For Me'.
-The musical "Grese" opens on Broadway.

-Paul McCartney hits back at critics with new single "Mary Had A Little Lamb".
-Smokey Robinson & The Miracles play a farewell concert. The former will be a soloist.
-Michael Jackson's "Ben" becomes the singer's first solo #1 hit.
-Chuck Berry finally reaches #1 on the US chart.
-James Taylor and Carly Simon marry.

    

 

Rock's momentum was slowing down as music splintered into various and separate subgenres. Heavy metal had its audience. Glam rock had its afficionados. The singer-songwriter era ushered in new stars such as Roberta Flack, Don McLean, Carly Simon and Gilbert O'Sullivan. Prog rock and MOR acts mesmerized with their studio skills. Even R&B saw funk take a back seat to lush productions, especially from Philadelphia and tender ballads. Amongst the "safer" crop were some notable daring exceptions. Wings' first single was banned by the BBC. Alice Cooper started shocking audiences. John Lennon & Yoko Ono released a single with the 'n' word in its title. Helen Reddy released her international anthem "I Am Woman".