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Album Chart of 1977 |



DEATH TO THE SEX PISTOLS
“More feared than Russian Communism”, Britain's Punk Rock movement – which essentially consisted of energetic adolescents with spiky hair and ripped jeans who were out for a laugh – were public enemy #1 in Britain ‘77.
Yeah, never mind the Racist police, the high unemployment, the three-day working weeks, the power cuts, the raging taxation, the food shortages and the endless strikes.
What Britain really needs, thought the “intelligentsia”, is to come down like a ton of bricks on Colin from Bedford for spitting on the pavement outside Woolworths last Tuesday. And that Sandra from Walsall, what with her scary eyeliner, she’s clearly high risk to old age pensioners with weak heart conditions. Punk filth and scum, read all about it!
As any free-thinker would surely surmise, the hysteria from Britain’s media, councillors, parents and grandparents was wildly inappropriate:
“Most of these groups would be vastly improved by sudden death. The worst of the punk rock groups I suppose currently are the Sex Pistols. They are unbelievably nauseating. They are the antithesis of humankind. I would like to see somebody dig a very, very large, exceedingly deep hole and drop the whole bloody lot down it.” ~ Bernard Brook-Partridge, Conservative member of the Greater London Council, chairman of the Arts committee
On Christmas Day 1977, Bernard's “antithesis of humankind” performed a benefit matinee in Huddersfield for the children of striking firemen, laid-off workers and one-parent families (there was also an evening concert for the big kids!)
What did Brook-Partridge ever do for any of that lot? Naffin’. Hopelessly out-of-touch, that rancid old sausage was well past his sell-by date.
A few months earlier, almost unbelievably, the police had taken the word “bollocks” to court. Yes, that really happened in Britain in 1977. The three magistrates who heard the case in Nottingham were unanimous with their verdict:
“Much as my colleagues and I wholeheartedly deplore the vulgar exploitation of the worst instincts of human nature for the purchases of commercial profits by both you and your company, we must reluctantly find you not guilty of each of the four charges.”
Rarely, can the police of any state have made such a public exhibition of themselves; such foolishness, such incompetence, such a waste of resources.
The truth of the matter is that in mid-70s Britain, a huge number of teenagers were bored with the blandness of the music, were disillusioned with the state of the nation and had worries about their life prospects. Someone had to say bollocks to it, Punk had to happen.
And, boy oh boy, did it spill out. The Damned, The Jam and The Stranglers all had two new albums out this year, as did Ultravox!, David Bowie, Ramones and Iggy Pop (who had three).
The Jam are calling out the government as liars, you've got the Sex Pistols calling for destruction and The Clash are itching for a revolution.
It did become a battle, and all of a sudden, British white kids out for a laugh knew how it felt to be a persecuted minority. They were united, never divided, and history shows that they were victorious. Whilst Punk, the fashion statement, soon faded, the floating nebulae of the explosive victory has never stopped, and can felt to this day in musical sub-genres, fashion and attitude not only in Britain, but in countless cutting-edge music-loving scenes the world over.
The British kids of ’77 – who were more than twice my age – are now retro-heroes to me. They were the ultimate Jukebox Rebels, and made things better for you and I today.
Long live our noble Punks.
The Jukebox Rebel
25-Aug-2016

Sex Pistols
Virgin V-2086


Jukebox picks: “Anarchy In The UK” (10) • “Bodies” (10) • “E.M.I.” (10)


Kraftwerk
Kling Klang 1C-064-82 306


Jukebox picks: “Europa Endlos” (10) • “Spiegelsaal” (10) • “Schaufensterpuppen” (9.7)


Mahotella Queens
Gumba Gumba BL-111


Jukebox picks: “Zibuyile Nonyaka” (10) • “Ziyatshitshimba Izintombi” (9.6) • “Uthuli Lwezichwe” (9.5)


Bob Marley and The Wailers
Island Records ILPS-9498


Jukebox picks: “One Love / People Get Ready” (10) • “Exodus” (10) • “Jammin’” (10)


Ramones
Sire SR-6042


Jukebox picks: “Rockaway Beach” (10) • “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker” (10) • “I Wanna Be Well” (9.7)


Suicide
Red Star Records RS-1


Jukebox picks: “Frankie Teardrop” (10) • “Cheree” (9.7) • “Ghost Rider” (8.7)


Ramones
Sire SA-7528


Jukebox picks: “Suzy Is A Headbanger” (9.8) • “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment” (9.5) • “Pinhead” (9.2)


Iggy Pop
RCA Victor AFL1-2488


Jukebox picks: “The Passenger” (9.7) • “Fall In Love With Me” (9.4) • “Lust For Life” (9.3)


The Stranglers
United Artists Records UAG-30045


Jukebox picks: “Peaches” (10) • “(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)” (9.6) • “Hanging Around” (8.7)


The Stranglers
United Artists Records UAG-30200


Jukebox picks: “No More Heroes” (9.4) • “I Feel Like A Wog” (9.3) • “Something Better Change” (8.5)


Francis The Great
C-C Records CC.3.302


Jukebox picks: “Ravissante Baby (Négro Phasing)” (8.5) • “Look Up In The Sky (Négro Nature)” (6.8)


Elvis Costello
Stiff Records SEEZ-3


Jukebox picks: “Less Than Zero” (10) • “Welcome To The Working Week” (9.3) • “(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes” (8.7)


Culture
Joe Gibbs Record Globe


Jukebox picks: “Pirate Days” (8.4) • “Black Starliner Must Come” (8.3) • “Get Ready To Ride The Lion To Zion” (7.8)


Television
Elektra 7E-1098


Jukebox picks: “Venus” (9.6) • “Marquee Moon” (8.2) • “See No Evil” (7.6)


The Clash
CBS CBS-82000


Jukebox picks: “Police And Thieves” (9.4) • “White Riot” (9.2) • “Career Opportunities” (8.2)


The Queens
Yashingoma YGA-301


Jukebox picks: “Keba Bone” (9.1) • “Sukuma Ndoda” (8.4) • “Ikhubalo” (8.1)


Peter Tosh
Columbia PC-34670


Jukebox picks: “Get Up, Stand Up” (8.9) • “Downpressor Man” (8.2) • “Stepping Razor” (7.3)


The Jam
Polydor 2383-447


Jukebox picks: “In The City” (10) • “Away From The Numbers” (8.7) • “Slow Down” (7.5)


Ultravox!
Island Records ILPS-9505


Jukebox picks: “Distant Smile” (7.9) • “Hiroshima Mon Amour” (7.3) • “Artificial Life” (7.2)


Prince Far I
Joe Gibbs Music JGML-0023


Jukebox picks: “Big Fight” (8.7) • “Rain A Fall” (7.5) • “Boz Rock” (7.0)


The Saints
EMI EMC-2570


Jukebox picks: “Erotic Neurotic” (8.0) • “(I’m) Stranded” (7.9) • “Messin' With The Kid” (7.7)


David Bowie
RCA Victor PL-12522


Jukebox picks: “"Heroes"” (9.9) • “V2 Schneider” (8.4) • “Sense Of Doubt” (7.4)


David Bowie
RCA Victor PL-12030


Jukebox picks: “Sound And Vision” (9.7) • “Be My Wife” (7.7) • “Warszawa” (7.3)


Wire
Harvest SHSP-4076


Jukebox picks: “Pink Flag” (8.3) • “Lowdown” (8.1) • “Three Girl Rhumba” (7.9)


Ikenga Super Stars of Africa
RAS ASALPS-12


Jukebox picks: “Ego Di Nogwu” (6.9) • “Late Celestine Ukwu Special” (6.5)


The Damned
Stiff Records SEEZ-1


Jukebox picks: “New Rose” (8.9) • “1 of the 2” (7.2) • “Born To Kill” (7.1)


A Roda
Movieplay 17.1258/8


Jukebox picks: “Pousa, Pousa” (9.8) • “Cantiga De Montefurado” (8.0) • “Cantinela Do Piepe” (7.8)


Iggy Pop
RCA Victor PL-12275


Jukebox picks: “China Girl” (8.7) • “Nightclubbing” (8.5) • “Sister Midnight” (6.6)


The Jam
Polydor 2383-475


Jukebox picks: “The Modern World” (8.5) • “Life From A Window” (7.7) • “The Combine” (7.4)


Talking Heads
Sire SR-6036


Jukebox picks: “Psycho Killer” (9.4) • “Pulled Up” (8.5) • “Tentative Decisions” (6.8)


Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl
Blackthorne Records BR-1055


Jukebox picks: “The Ballad Of Sharpeville [live '77]” (7.1) • “Up In Wisconsin [live '77]” (7.0) • “The Blakleg Miner [live '77]” (6.9)


Dr. Feelgood
United Artists UAS-30075


Jukebox picks: “Paradise” (9.3) • “You'll Be Mine” (6.6) • “Walking on the Edge” (6.5)


Orchestre Le Peuple and Trio Ce.Pa.Kos
Pathé 2C064-15952


Jukebox picks: “Malata” (7.4) • “Tango Ya La Vie” (6.3) • “Sonia” (6.2)


Brian Eno
Polydor 2302-071


Jukebox picks: “By This River” (7.9) • “No One Receiving” (7.1) • “Energy Fools the Magician” (6.8)


Ian Dury
Stiff Records SEEZ-4


Jukebox picks: “My Old Man” (7.3) • “Plaistow Patricia” (7.0) • “Blackmail Man” (6.8)


The Vibrators
Epic EPC-82097


Jukebox picks: “Baby Baby” (8.0) • “Whips & Furs” (6.9) • “I Need A Slave” (6.6)


Bobby Ellis and The Professionals meet The Revolutionaries
Third World TWS-921


Jukebox picks: “Skanking Rockers” (8.2) • “Rocking Jamboree” (6.4) • “Hot Lava” (6.4)


Joe Tex
Epic PE-34666


Jukebox picks: “Ain’t Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)” (9.4) • “We Held On” (8.5) • “Jump Bad” (6.8)


John Martyn
Island Records ILPS-9492


Jukebox picks: “Couldn't Love You More” (8.2) • “Dancing” (7.8) • “Certain Surprise” (6.2)


Tom Waits
Asylum Records 7E-1117


Jukebox picks: “Potter’s Field” (8.3) • “Barber Shop” (6.9) • “A Sight For Sore Eyes” (6.2)


Tom Paxton
Vanguard


Jukebox picks: “Mister Blue / White Bones Of Allende [live]” (8.4) • “Bring Back The Chair [live]” (7.5) • “Born On The Fourth Of July [live]” (7.3)


Motörhead
Chiswick Records WIK-2


Jukebox picks: “Motörhead” (7.5) • “Train Kept A Rollin’” (7.1) • “Lost Johnny” (6.6)


T. Rex
T. REX BLN-5005


Jukebox picks: “Jason B. Sad” (6.7) • “Soul Of My Suit” (6.5) • “Hang Ups” (6.2)


Ouza et Les 4 Femmes Dans Le Vent
Disques Griot GR-7605


Jukebox picks: “Duuga” (6.7) • “Pompiéé” (6.2) • “Mbaana” (5.9)


Bryan Ferry
Polydor 2302-055


Jukebox picks: “Tokyo Joe” (6.8) • “This Is Tomorrow” (6.7) • “In Your Mind” (5.8)


Dennis Wilson
Caribou Records PZ-34354


Jukebox picks: “Farewell My Friend” (8.7) • “Thoughts Of You” (7.9) • “Time” (6.7)


Leonard Cohen
Warner Bros. Records BS-3125


Jukebox picks: “I Left A Woman Waiting” (8.0) • “Don’t Go Home With Your Hard On” (7.0) • “True Love Leaves No Traces” (6.8)


Webert Sicot et son Ensemble
Mini Records MRS-1058


Jukebox picks: “Caponage” (6.8) • “Gina” (6.5) • “Gladys” (6.2)


Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson
Arista AB-4147


Jukebox picks: “We Almost Lost Detroit” (6.7) • “Racetrack In France” (5.7) • “Vildgolia (Deaf, Dumb And Blind)” (5.5)


Parliament
Casablanca NBLP-7084


Jukebox picks: “Flash Light” (7.5) • “Funkentelechy” (6.5) • “Bop Gun (Endangered Species)” (5.9)


ABBA
Polar POLS-282


Jukebox picks: “The Name Of The Game” (9.2) • “Take A Chance On Me” (8.4) • “I’m A Marionette” (6.0)


The Boomtown Rats
Ensign ENVY-1


Jukebox picks: “Lookin’ After Number 1” (6.5) • “Joey’s On The Street Again” (5.9) • “(She’s Gonna) Do You In” (5.3)


Electric Light Orchestra
Jet Records UAS-1100


Jukebox picks: “Mr. Blue Sky” (7.0) • “It's Over” (5.8) • “Believe Me Now” (5.7)


Bra Sello
Soweto SWA-14018


Jukebox picks: “Washa” (4.6) • “Call And Go” (4.4)


The Original Animals
Barn Records Ltd 2314-104


Jukebox picks: “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” (5.2) • “Lonely Avenue” (5.1) • “As The Crow Flies” (5.0)


Billy Joel
Columbia JC-34987


Jukebox picks: “Only The Good Die Young” (7.4) • “She’s Always A Woman” (6.4) • “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” (4.5)


Rod Stewart
Riva Records RVLP-5


Jukebox picks: “Hot Legs” (6.7) • “You Got A Nerve” (5.3) • “You’re In My Heart” (4.3)


Peter Gabriel
Charisma CDS-4006


Jukebox picks: “Solsbury Hill” (7.8) • “Down The Dolce Vita” (4.8) • “Moribund The Burgermeister” (4.7)


Crosby, Stills and Nash
Atlantic SD-19104


Jukebox picks: “Cathedral” (5.9) • “Fair Game” (4.8) • “Cold Rain” (4.7)


The Kinks
Arista SPARTY-1002


Jukebox picks: “Life Goes On” (5.0) • “Brother” (4.7) • “Sleepwalker” (4.6)


Meat Loaf
Epic PE-34974


Jukebox picks: “Bat Out Of Hell” (5.7) • “Paradise By The Dashboard Light: I. Paradise; II. Let Me Sleep On It; III. Praying for the End of Time” (4.5) • “All Revved Up With No Place To Go” (3.6)


Steely Dan
ABC Records AB-1006


Jukebox picks: “Peg” (3.8) • “Josie” (3.7) • “Deacon Blues” (3.0)


Björk Guðmundsdóttir
Fálkinn FA-006


Jukebox picks: “Bænin (Christopher Robin)” (5.5) • “Alta Mira” (3.6) • “Búkolla (Your Kiss Is Sweet)” (3.0)


Fleetwood Mac
Warner Bros. Records K-56344


Jukebox picks: “Second Hand News” (5.0) • “Don’t Stop” (4.8) • “Never Going Back Again” (3.8)


Weather Report
Columbia PC-34418


Jukebox picks: “Rumba Mamá [live]” (4.4) • “Birdland” (4.0) • “The Juggler” (3.5)


Grace Jones
Island Records ILPS-9470


Jukebox picks: “La Vie En Rose” (4.4) • “Send In The Clowns” (2.3) • “Sorry” (1.7)

see also: (B-list) Album Chart of 1977 |
Album Charts by year
“A-list”
1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
“B-list”
1943 1945 1946 1950 1951 1952 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
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“A-list”
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