1977 in music

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This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1977. This year was the peak of vinyl sales in the United States, with sales declining year on year since then.[1][clarification needed]

Specific locations[edit]

Specific genres[edit]

Events[edit]

January–February[edit]

March–May[edit]

June–August[edit]

September–December[edit]

Also in 1977[edit]

Bands formed[edit]

Bands reformed[edit]

Bands disbanded[edit]

Albums released[edit]

January[edit]

Day Album Artist Notes
3 Queens of Noise The Runaways -
7 Flight Log Jefferson Airplane Compilation
10 Hard Again Muddy Waters -
Leave Home Ramones -
14 Ahh... The Name Is Bootsy, Baby! Bootsy's Rubber Band -
Low David Bowie -
18 Deep in My Soul Smokey Robinson -
An Evening with Diana Ross Diana Ross Live
Playing the Fool Gentle Giant Live
20 Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes Jimmy Buffett -
21 Animals Pink Floyd -
So So Satisfied Ashford & Simpson -
29 Spiral Scratch Buzzcocks EP
- Festival Santana -
Forever for Now April Wine -
Fountains of Light Starcastle -
The Last Gunfighter Ballad Johnny Cash -
The Light of Smiles Gary Wright -
Lost Without Your Love Bread -
Miracle Row Janis Ian -
Novella Renaissance US
Red Hot Don Harrison Band -
Sammy Hagar Sammy Hagar -
Cardiac Arrest Cameo Debut

February[edit]

Day Album Artist Notes
3 Cheap Trick Cheap Trick -
The World Starts Tonight Bonnie Tyler Debut
4 Ra Utopia -
Rumours Fleetwood Mac -
Love at the Greek Neil Diamond Live
8 Marquee Moon Television Debut
11 New Harvest – First Gathering Dolly Parton -
Songs from the Wood Jethro Tull -
15 Fingerprince The Residents -
18 Damned Damned Damned The Damned Debut
Glorious Gloria Gaynor -
21 (I'm) Stranded The Saints -
22 Unpredictable Natalie Cole -
25 Peter Gabriel Peter Gabriel Solo debut
Ultravox! Ultravox Debut
- In Your Mind Bryan Ferry -
Sleepwalker The Kinks -
Stay in Love Minnie Riperton -
Body Love Klaus Schulze Soundtrack
Don't Waste It Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons -
Sunshine Dragon -
Southern Nights Glen Campbell -
Freeways Bachman–Turner Overdrive -
Next Journey -
Victim of Romance Michelle Phillips -

March[edit]

Day Album Artist Notes
4 Live! Status Quo -
Malice in Wonderland Paice Ashton Lord -
8 Foreigner Foreigner US
Go for Your Guns The Isley Brothers -
11 Dandy in the Underworld T.Rex -
15 Islands The Band -
Live at the London Palladium Marvin Gaye Live
17 Welcome to My World Elvis Presley Compilation
18 The Idiot Iggy Pop -
Every Face Tells a Story Cliff Richard -
21 Let There Be Rock AC/DC Australia
Whatever Happened to Slade Slade -
25 Works Volume 1 Emerson, Lake & Palmer [5]
30 Commodores Commodores -
- Live: You Get What You Play For REO Speedwagon -
Jeff Beck with the Jan Hammer Group Live Jeff Beck and the Jan Hammer Group Live
Saw Delight Can -
Something Magic Procol Harum -
Trans-Europe Express Kraftwerk -
Heavy Weather Weather Report -
Harbor America -
Love Storm Tavares -
Angel Ohio Players -
Anytime...Anywhere Rita Coolidge -

April[edit]

Day Album Artist Notes
4 Clear Air Turbulence Ian Gillan Band [6]
Ask Rufus Rufus -
8 Even in the Quietest Moments Supertramp [7]
The Clash The Clash -
Sin After Sin Judas Priest -
11 Love You The Beach Boys -
13 Celebrate Me Home Kenny Loggins -
15 Rattus Norvegicus The Stranglers -
29 Lace and Whiskey Alice Cooper -
- Caught Live + 5 The Moody Blues Live + unreleased material, 1969
Phyllis Hyman Phyllis Hyman -
Detective Detective -
Future Games Spirit -
Get It Dave Edmunds -
Izitso Cat Stevens -
Let it Flow Dave Mason -
Mirage Klaus Schulze -
Moroccan Roll Brand X -
Off the Record Sweet -
Ol' Waylon Waylon Jennings -
Over Peter Hammill -
A Period of Transition Van Morrison -
VSOP Herbie Hancock -
Windy City Breakdown Jonathan Cain -

May[edit]

Day Album Artist Notes
4 The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl The Beatles Live 1964–'65
5 Live: P-Funk Earth Tour Parliament -
6 White Snake David Coverdale [8]
Holly Days Denny Laine -
13 I Remember Yesterday Donna Summer -
One of the Boys Roger Daltrey -
Overnight Angels Ian Hunter -
10 Right on Time The Brothers Johnson -
16 High Class in Borrowed Shoes Max Webster -
20 In the City The Jam -
Spot the Pigeon Genesis EP
27 Free Fall Dixie Dregs -
- Lights Out UFO -
Little Queen Heart -
38 Special 38 Special -
Barry Manilow Live Barry Manilow Live
Book of Dreams Steve Miller Band -
Cat Scratch Fever Ted Nugent -
Deceptive Bends 10cc -
Here at Last... Bee Gees... Live Bee Gees Live
Indian Summer Poco -
Love for Sale Boney M -
My Own Way to Rock Burton Cummings -
Nether Lands Dan Fogelberg -
Now The Tubes -
Playin' Up a Storm The Gregg Allman Band -
Prism Prism -
Rendezvous Sandy Denny -
Sneakin' Suspicion Dr. Feelgood -
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope John Williams Soundtrack
Time Loves a Hero Little Feat -
Travelin' at the Speed of Thought The O'Jays -

June[edit]

Day Album Artist Notes
3 I'm in You Peter Frampton [9]
Exodus Bob Marley & The Wailers -
8 Knock 'Em Dead Kid Trooper -
9 Monkey Island The J. Geils Band -
13 American Stars 'n Bars Neil Young -
17 CSN Crosby, Stills & Nash -
Quark, Strangeness and Charm Hawkwind -
29 Feel the Fire Jermaine Jackson -
30 Love Gun Kiss -
- Blowin' Away Joan Baez -
Full House Frankie Miller -
JT James Taylor -
Live at Last Bette Midler Live
Pure Mania The Vibrators -
Season of Lights Laura Nyro Live
Steve Winwood Steve Winwood -
Superman Barbra Streisand -
To Lefty from Willie Willie Nelson -
Tormé: A New Album Mel Tormé -

July[edit]

Day Album Artist Notes
8 I Robot The Alan Parsons Project [10]
11 Village People Village People mini-album debut
15 Going for the One Yes [11]
On Stage Rainbow Live[12]
22 From Here to Eternity Giorgio Moroder -
Leif Garrett Leif Garrett -
My Aim Is True Elvis Costello -
27 Terrapin Station Grateful Dead -
- The Grand Illusion Styx -
Daytime Friends Kenny Rogers -
It's a Game Bay City Rollers -
Knnillssonn Harry Nilsson -
Live! In the Air Age Be-Bop Deluxe Live
Moody Blue Elvis Presley -
Radios Appear Radio Birdman -
The Rambler Johnny Cash -
Simple Things Carole King -
The Whole Thing's Started Air Supply -

August[edit]

Day Album Artist Notes
1 Tasty The Shadows -
5 Dry & Heavy Burning Spear -
12 Motörhead Motörhead [13]
19 Foghat Live Foghat Live
Livin' on the Fault Line The Doobie Brothers -
Patti LaBelle Patti LaBelle Solo Debut
22 Pacific Ocean Blue Dennis Wilson -
29 Dizrythmia Split Enz -
30 Barry White Sings for Someone You Love Barry White -
- The Angels The Angels Australia
Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted The Animals -
Boats Against the Current Eric Carmen -
Brothers Taj Mahal Soundtrack
Donald Clark Osmond Donny Osmond -
Donovan Donovan -
Firing on All Six Lone Star -
Nothin' but the Blues Johnny Winter -
Showtime Ry Cooder -
Radio Special The Residents Promo only, officially released 1983

September[edit]

Day Album Artist Notes
1 Enigmatic Ocean Jean-Luc Ponty -
2 Bad Reputation Thin Lizzy -
7 A Farewell to Kings Rush -
Twilley Don't Mind Dwight Twilley -
9 Lust for Life Iggy Pop -
12 Chicago XI Chicago -
13 Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II Elton John Compilation
Foreign Affairs Tom Waits -
16 Baby It's Me Diana Ross -
Rough Mix Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane -
Talking Heads: 77 Talking Heads -
23 Aja Steely Dan -
Little Criminals Randy Newman -
Love You Live The Rolling Stones Live
No More Heroes The Stranglers -
Passage Carpenters -
27 Bright Lights & Back Alleys Smokie -
29 The Stranger Billy Joel -
30 New Boots and Panties!! Ian Dury -
Ringo the 4th Ringo Starr -
- Beauty on a Back Street Hall & Oates -
Dance Band on the Titanic Harry Chapin -
Blank Generation Richard Hell and the Voidoids -
The Boomtown Rats The Boomtown Rats -
Broken Heart The Babys -
Flowing Rivers Andy Gibb -
Hope Klaatu -
In Color Cheap Trick -
Motivation Radio Steve Hillage -
Simple Dreams Linda Ronstadt -
What a Long Strange Trip It's Been Grateful Dead Compilation

October[edit]

Day Album Artist Notes
3 Elvis in Concert Elvis Presley Live, Soundtrack
L.A.M.F. Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers -
7 Waitin' for the Night The Runaways -
3D – EP XTC EP
Midnight Wind The Charlie Daniels Band -
11 Point of Know Return Kansas -
14 Seconds Out Genesis Live[14]
Alive II Kiss Live + 5 new studio tracks
Ha!-Ha!-Ha! Ultravox -
"Heroes" David Bowie -
17 Street Survivors Lynyrd Skynyrd -
18 Goin' Places The Jacksons [15]
21 Bat Out of Hell Meat Loaf -
25 Once Upon a Time Donna Summer -
Watermark Art Garfunkel -
28 Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols Sex Pistols -
News of the World Queen -
Out of the Blue Electric Light Orchestra [16]
Decade Neil Young Compilation
31 Crosby–Nash Live Crosby & Nash Live
- Citadel Starcastle -
Commodores Live! Commodores -
The Golden Greats Sweet Compilation
Gone to Earth Barclay James Harvest -
Introducing Sparks Sparks -
Send It Ashford & Simpson -
Here You Come Again Dolly Parton -
Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars Levon Helm -
Moonflower Santana -
Musical Chairs Sammy Hagar -
Night After Night Nils Lofgren Live
Oops! Wrong Planet Utopia -
Show Some Emotion Joan Armatrading -
Stick to Me Graham Parker and the Rumour -
Thunder in My Heart Leo Sayer -
True to Life Ray Charles -
Whip It Out Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons
Young Loud and Snotty Dead Boys -

November[edit]

Day Album Artist Notes
3 Rock & Roll Machine Triumph -
4 Foot Loose & Fancy Free Rod Stewart -
One World John Martyn -
Rocket to Russia The Ramones -
10 Rock City Riot -
11 Gør det noget Gasolin' -
I'm Glad You're Here with Me Tonight Neil Diamond -
14 Manorisms Wet Willie -
15 Saturday Night Fever Bee Gees et al. Soundtrack
16 Thankful Natalie Cole -
17 Broken Blossom Bette Midler -
18 Livestock Brand X Live
This Is the Modern World The Jam -
21 All 'n All Earth, Wind & Fire -
22 Chic Chic -
25 Slowhand Eric Clapton -
The Best of ZZ Top ZZ Top Compilation
28 Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome Parliament -
- Works Volume 2 Emerson, Lake & Palmer -
Down Two Then Left Boz Scaggs -
Expect No Mercy Nazareth -
Galaxy War -
Greatest Hits, Etc. Paul Simon Compilation + 2 new tracks
Death of a Ladies' Man Leonard Cohen -
Further Temptations The Drones -
I Want to Live John Denver -
Innocent Victim Uriah Heep -
It Takes One to Know One Detective -
Joe Cocker's Greatest Hits Joe Cocker Compilation
Kill City Iggy Pop & James Williamson -
Race With the Devil Black Oak Arkansas -
Recycled Edgar Winter's White Trash -
Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record Rick Wakeman -
Rockin' All Over the World Status Quo -
Running Free Dragon -
The Second Annual Report Throbbing Gristle -
Spectres Blue Öyster Cult -
Storm Force Ten Steeleye Span -
Touch and Gone Gary Wright -

December[edit]

Day Album Artist Notes
6 The Belle Album Al Green -
Running on Empty Jackson Browne -
9 Draw the Line Aerosmith [17]
Scouse the Mouse Ringo Starr Children's
12 ABBA: The Album ABBA -
13 Blue Lights in the Basement Roberta Flack -
Don Juan's Reckless Daughter Joni Mitchell -
- The Alice Cooper Show Alice Cooper Live
Taken by Force Scorpions -
Björk Björk Guðmundsdóttir -
All in the Name of Love John Hartford -
Before and After Science Brian Eno -
The Best of Top of the Pops '77 Top of the Poppers Compilation
Body Love Vol. 2 Klaus Schulze Soundtrack
Eddie Money Eddie Money -
Mr. Mean Ohio Players -
Pink Flag Wire -
Suicide Suicide -

Release date unknown[edit]


Billboard Top popular records of 1977[edit]

Billboard's year-end Hot 100 for the year 1977, printed on December 24, 1977, was based on Hot 100 charts from the issue dates of November 6, 1976 through October 29, 1977. The decision to include the last two months of 1976 resulted in Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night" being listed as no. 1 record of 1977, despite seven of its eight weeks at #1 occurring in 1976 (keep reading).

The completed Billboard year-end list for 1977 is composed of records that entered the Billboard Hot 100 between November 1976 and December 1977. Records with chart runs that started in 1976 and ended in 1977, or started in 1977 and ended in 1978, made this chart if the majority of their chart weeks were in 1977. If not, they were ranked in the year-end charts for 1976 or 1978. If their weeks were equal, they were listed in the year they first entered. Appearing in multiple years is not permitted. Each week thirty points were awarded to the number one record, then nineteen points for number two, eighteen points for number three, and so on. The total points a record earned determined its year-end rank. The complete chart life of each record is represented, with number of points accrued. There are no ties, even when multiple records have the same number of points. The next ranking category is peak chart position, then weeks at peak chart position, weeks on Hot 100 chart, weeks in top forty, and finally weeks in top ten.

The chart presented here depicts the top 30 singles of 1977. In contrast with the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1977, this chart does not truncate or split chart runs between years. It does not add two months from 1976, delete two months from 1977 and then call itself the "Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1977", which it is obviously not. The true number one record of 1977 is Debby Boone's "You Light Up My Life", which spent the last 18 weeks of the year accumulating 362 points. The seven additional weeks it scored from 1978 were not even needed for the top prize. Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night" scored only 73 points in 10 weeks during 1977, so based on its 223 points from 13 weeks in 1976, its 296 total points made it the number one record of that year, not 1977. All chart rankings represented below for the Top Soul Singles, Top Country Singles, Top Easy Listening Singles, and Top CashBox pop singles were all calculated in the same manner.

The chart can be sorted by Artist, Song title, Recording and Release dates, Cashbox year-end ranking (CB) or units sold (sales) by clicking on the column header. Additional details for each record can be accessed by clicking on the song title, and referring to the Infobox in the right column of the song page. Billboard also has chart summaries on its website. Sales information was derived from the RIAA's Gold and Platinum database, the BRIT Certified database and The Book of Golden Discs,[18] but numbers listed should be regarded as estimates. Grammy Hall of Fame and National Recording Registry information with sources can be found on Wikipedia. Archived issues of Billboard from November 1976 to March 1978 and Hot 100 Year-End formulas were used to complete the 1977 year-end chart.

Rank Artist Title Label Recorded Release Date CB Sales Charts, Awards
1 Debby Boone "You Light Up My Life" Warner Bros. 8455 July 1977 August 16, 1977 1 4.00[19] US Billboard 1977 #1, Hot 100 # #1 for 10 weeks, 25 total weeks, 387 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 1998, National Recording Registry 2012
2 The Bee Gees "How Deep Is Your Love" RSO 882 April 1977 September 1977 2 2.00 US Billboard 1977 #2, Hot 100 #1 for 2 weeks, 33 total weeks, 323 points, Top Easy Listening Singles 1977 #1, Easy Listening Singles #1 for 6 weeks, 26 total weeks, 371 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 2011
3 Andy Gibb "I Just Want To Be Your Everything" RSO 872 October 1976 April 1977 3 3.00 US Billboard 1977 #3, Hot 100 #1 for 4 weeks, 31 total weeks, 321 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 2000
4 The Emotions "Best Of My Love" Columbia 10544 May 1977 June 9, 1977 15 5.00 US Billboard 1977 #4, Hot 100 #1 for 5 weeks, 23 total weeks, 105 points, Top Soul Singles 1977 #3, Hot Soul Singles #1 for 4 weeks, 22 total weeks, 282 points
5 Barbra Streisand "Love Theme From A Star Is Born (Evergreen)" Columbia 10450 1976 December 1976 9 3.00 US Billboard 1977 #5, Hot 100 #1 for 3 weeks, 25 total weeks, 256 points, Top Easy Listening Singles 1977 #2, Easy Listening Singles #1 for 6 weeks, 22 total weeks, 363 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 2004
6 Player "Baby Come Back" RSO 879 1977 October 13, 1977 5 1.50 US Billboard 1977 #6, Hot 100 #1 for 3 weeks, 32 total weeks, 219 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 2017
7 Eagles "Hotel California" Asylum 45386 March-October 1976 February 22, 1977 23 1.50 US Billboard 1977 #7, Hot 100 #1 for 1 weeks, 19 total weeks, 186 points
8 Stevie Wonder "Sir Duke" Tamla 54281 1976 March 22, 1977 33 3.00 US Billboard 1977 #8, Hot 100 #1 for 3 weeks, 17 total weeks, 180 points
9 ABBA "Dancing Queen" Atlantic 3372 August 4-5, 1975 August 15, 1976 17 1.50 US Billboard 1977 #9, Hot 100 #1 for 1 week, 22 total weeks, 178 points
10 Crystal Gayle "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" United Artists 1016 1976 August 1977 6 3.00 US Billboard 1977 #10, Hot 100 #2 for 3 weeks, 26 total weeks, Grammy Hall of Fame 1999, 77 points, Top Country Singles 1977 #3, Country Singles #1 for 4 weeks, 18 total weeks, 177 points
11 Mary MacGregor "Torn Between Two Lovers" Ariola America 7638 May 1976 Nov 1, 1976 4 1.00 US Billboard 1977 #11, Hot 100 #1 for 2 weeks, 22 total weeks, 175 points
12 Carly Simon "Nobody Does It Better" Elektra 45413 April 1977 July 1977 8 3.25 US Billboard 1977 #12, Hot 100 #2 for 3 weeks, 25 total weeks, 168 points, Top Easy Listening Singles 1977 #3, Easy Listening Singles #1 for 7 weeks, 25 total weeks, 322 points
13 Marvin Gaye "Got To Give It Up (Part 1)" Tamla 54280 March 18, 1977 July 16, 1977 25 2.25 US Billboard 1977 #13, Hot 100 #1 for 1 week, 18 total weeks, 167 points, Top Soul Singles 1977 #4, Hot Soul Singles #1 for 5 weeks, 21 total weeks, 288 points
14 Stevie Wonder "I Wish" Tamla 54274 Summer 1976 November 1976 20 3.00 US Billboard 1977 #14, Hot 100 #1 for 1 week, 17 total weeks, 166 points, Top Soul Singles 1977 #7, Hot Soul Singles #1 for 5 weeks, 18 total weeks, 274 points
15 Eagles "New Kid In Town" Asylum 45373 March-October 1976 December 7, 1976 31 1.50 US Billboard 1977 #15, Hot 100 #1 for 1 week, 15 total weeks, 165 points
16 Thelma Houston "Don't Leave Me This Way" Tamla 54278 March 1976 December 2, 1976 32 1.25 US Billboard 1977 #16, Hot 100 #1 for 1 week, 24 total weeks, 164 points
17 Fleetwood Mac "Dreams" Warner Bros. 8332 February-August 1976 March 1977 29 1.25 US Billboard 1977 #17, Hot 100 #1 for 1 week, 19 total weeks, 163 points
18 Linda Ronstadt "Blue Bayou" Asylum 45431 June-July 1977 August 23, 1977 27 2.00 US Billboard 1977 #18, Hot 100 #3 for 3 weeks, 23 total weeks, 162 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 1998
19 Glen Campbell "Southern Nights" Capitol 4376 October 2, 1976 January 17, 1977 14 1.50 US Billboard 1977 #19, Hot 100 #1 for 1 week, 21 total weeks, 160 points
20 Alan O'Day "Undercover Angel" Pacific 001 January 27, 1977 February 6, 1977 7 2.00 US Billboard 1977 #20, Hot 100 #1 for 1 week, 23 total weeks, 158 points
21 Heatwave "Boogie Nights" Epic 50370 1976 May 11, 1977 16 1.50 US Billboard 1977 #21, Hot 100 #2 for 2 weeks, 27 total weeks, 158 points
22 Barry Manilow "Looks Like We Made It" Arista 0244 1976 April 20, 1977 39 2.00 US Billboard 1977 #22, Hot 100 #1 for 1 week, 19 total weeks, 154 points, Top Easy Listening Singles 1977 #7, Easy Listening Singles #1 for 3 weeks, 20 total weeks, 291 points
23 Steve Miller Band "Fly Like An Eagle" Capitol 4372 1976 August 13, 1976 42 1.50 US Billboard 1977 #23, Hot 100 #2 for 2 weeks, 20 total weeks, 154 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 1998
24 Rita Coolidge "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" A&M 1922 1968 January 1977 11 2.00 US Billboard 1977 #24, Hot 100 #2 for 1 week, 27 total weeks, 154 points
25 Bill Conti "Gonna Fly Now (Theme From Rocky)" United Artists 940 June 13, 1977 August 21, 1977 36 2.00 US Billboard 1977 #25, Hot 100 #1 for 1 week, 20 total weeks, 152 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 1998
26 Peter Frampton "I'm In You" A&M 1941 April 1977 June 3, 1977 35 1.25 US Billboard 1977 #26, Hot 100 #2 for 3 weeks, 20 total weeks, 150 points
27 Daryl Hall & John Oates "Rich Girl" RCA 10860 June 1976 January 1977 12 1.25 US Billboard 1977 #27, Hot 100 #1 for 2 weeks, 20 total weeks, 148 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 2017
28 Leo Sayer "When I Need You" Warner Bros. 8332 Nov 4, 1976 February 6, 1977 13 6.00 US Billboard 1977 #28, Hot 100 #1 for 1 week, 20 total weeks, 146 points
29 K.C. and the Sunshine Band "I'm Your Boogie Man" TK 1022 January 26, 1977 May 11, 1977 18 1.50 US Billboard 1977 #29, Hot 100 #1 for 1 week, 23 total weeks, 145 points
30 Manfred Mann's Earth Band "Blinded By The Light" Warner Bros. 8252 Nov 4, 1976 August 16, 1977 38 6.00 US Billboard 1977 #30, Hot 100 #1 for 1 week, 20 total weeks, 143 points
31 Dolly Parton "Here You Come Again" RCA 11123 June 1977 September 26, 1977 43 1.00 US Billboard 1977 #31, Hot 100 #3 for 2 weeks, 19 total weeks, 141 points, Top Country Singles 1977 #2, Country Singles #1 for 5 weeks, 19 total weeks, 237 points
32 Fleetwood Mac "Don't Stop" Warner Bros. 8413 February-August 1976 April 1, 1977 24 1.25 US Billboard 1977 #32, Hot 100 #3 for 2 weeks, 18 total weeks, 139 points
65 The Floaters "Float On" ABC 12284 1977 June 1977 37 1.00 US Billboard 1977 #65, Hot 100 #2 for 2 weeks, 16 total weeks, 92 points, Top Soul Singles 1977 #1, Hot Soul Singles #1 for 6 weeks, 20 total weeks, 305 points
158 Waylon Jennings "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)" RCA 10924 January 1977 April 11, 1977 161 1.00 US Billboard 1977 #158, Hot 100 #25 for 2 weeks, 16 total weeks, 92 points, Top Country Singles 1977 #1, Country Singles #1 for 6 weeks, 18 total weeks, 247 points

Chronological table of US and UK number one hit singles[edit]

US number one singles and artist (weeks at number one) UK number one singles and artist (weeks at number one)
"Tonight's the Night" – Rod Stewart (7 weeks in 1976 + 1 week in 1977) "When a Child Is Born" – Johnny Mathis (1 week in 1976 + 2 weeks in 1977)
"You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)"- Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. (1) "Don't Give Up on Us" – David Soul (4)
"You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" – Leo Sayer (1) "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" – Julie Covington (1)
"I Wish" – Stevie Wonder (1) "When I Need You" – Leo Sayer (3)
"Car Wash" – Rose Royce (1) "Chanson D'Amour" – The Manhattan Transfer (3)
"Torn Between Two Lovers" – Mary MacGregor (2) "Knowing Me, Knowing You" – ABBA (5)
"Blinded by the Light" – Manfred Mann's Earth Band (1) "Free" – Deniece Williams (2)
"New Kid in Town" – The Eagles (1) "I Don't Want to Talk About It/The First Cut Is the Deepest" – Rod Stewart (4)
"Love theme from A Star Is Born (Evergreen)" – Barbra Streisand (3) "Lucille" – Kenny Rogers (1)
"Rich Girl" – Hall & Oates (2) "Show You the Way to Go" – The Jacksons (1)
"Dancing Queen" – ABBA (1) "So You Win Again" – Hot Chocolate (3)
"Don't Give Up on Us" – David Soul (1) "I Feel Love" – Donna Summer (4)
"Don't Leave Me This Way" – Thelma Houston (1) "Angelo" – Brotherhood of Man (1)
"Southern Nights" – Glen Campbell (1) "Float On" – The Floaters (1)
"Hotel California" – Eagles (1) "Way Down" – Elvis Presley (5)
"When I Need You" – Leo Sayer (1) "Silver Lady" – David Soul (3)
"Sir Duke" – Stevie Wonder (3) "Yes Sir I Can Boogie" – Baccara (1)
"I'm Your Boogie Man" – KC and the Sunshine Band (1) "The Name of the Game" – ABBA (4)
"Dreams" – Fleetwood Mac (1) "Mull Of Kintyre / Girls' School" – Wings, (5 weeks in 1977 + 4 weeks in 1978), best selling single of the year
"Got to Give It Up" – Marvin Gaye (1)
"Gonna Fly Now (Theme From Rocky)" – Bill Conti (1)
"Undercover Angel" – Alan O'Day (1)
"Da Doo Ron Ron" – Shaun Cassidy (1)
"Looks Like We Made It" – Barry Manilow (1)
"I Just Want to Be Your Everything" – Andy Gibb (4)
"Best of My Love" – The Emotions (5)
"Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band" – Meco (2)
"You Light Up My Life" – Debby Boone (10), biggest hit of the 1970s
"How Deep Is Your Love" – Bee Gees (2 weeks in 1977 + 1 week in 1978)

Top 40 Chart hit singles[edit]

Song title Artist(s) Release date(s) US UK Highest chart position Other Chart performance(s)
"2-4-6-8 Motorway" Tom Robinson Band October 1977 n/a 5 5 (United Kingdom) 13 (Australia)
"A Far L'amore Comincia Tu" Raffaella Carrà 1977 n/a n/a 1 (Belgium) 2 (Spain) - 3 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]), Switzerland) - 4 (West Germany)
"Another Star" Stevie Wonder August 1977 32 29 13 (Netherlands [Dutch] Single Top 100) 18 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 29 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 34 (Canada)
"April Sun in Cuba" Dragon October 1977 n/a n/a 2 (Australia) 9 (New Zealand)
"Ariel" Dean Friedman April 1977 26 n/a 19 (Canada, New Zealand) 17 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 91 (Australia)
"As" Stevie Wonder October 1977 34 n/a 36 (United States) 24 (U.S. Billboard Easy Listening) - 36 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles)

Other Chart hit singles[edit]

Notable singles[edit]

Song title Artist(s) Release date(s) Other Chart performance(s)
"Gary Gilmore's Eyes" b/w "Bored Teenagers" The Adverts September 1977 18 (UK Singles Chart)
"This Perfect Day" The Saints July 1977 34 (UK Singles Chart)

Other notable singles[edit]

Published popular music[edit]

Punk rock, new wave music, and mod revival[edit]

1977 marks the beginning of the punk rock movement.[20] Several albums associated with the development of punk music were released, including Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols by the Sex Pistols, The Clash by The Clash, Damned Damned Damned by The Damned, the Dead Boys' Young, Loud and Snotty, Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers' L.A.M.F., the Ramones' Rocket to Russia, Richard Hell and the Voidoids' Blank Generation, and Wire's Pink Flag.

The year saw the release of debut albums by bands associated with punk rock, though also with other new music genres, such as the mod revival and new wave music, including In the City by The Jam,[21][22] My Aim Is True by Elvis Costello, Suicide by Suicide, Marquee Moon by Television,[23] and Talking Heads: 77 by Talking Heads. It also saw the release of Iggy Pop's Lust for Life, his second record as a solo artist.

Classical music[edit]

  • John Adams
  • Samuel Adler
    • Aeolus, God of the Winds, for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano
    • Concerto for Flute and Orchestra
    • A Falling of Saints, for tenor, bass, chorus, and orchestra
    • It is to God I shall Sing, for chorus and organ
  • Kalevi Aho
    • Quintet, for 5 bassoons
    • Quintet, for flute, oboe, violin, viola, and cello
  • Necil Kazım Akses
    • Concerto for Orchestra
    • Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
  • Franghiz Ali-ZadehZu den Kindertotenlieder (In Memoriam Gustav Mahler), for clarinet, violin, and percussion
  • Birgitte AlstedStrygekvartet i CD, for string quartet
  • Javier ÁlvarezCanciones de la Venta, for soprano, violin, viola, and baroque guitar
  • William Alwyn
    • Invocations (song cycle), for mezzo-soprano and piano
    • A Leave-Taking (song cycle), for tenor and piano
  • Charles AmirkhanianDutiful Ducks, for tape with optional live voices
  • Gilbert Amy
    • Strophe, for soprano and orchestra (revised version)
    • Trois études, for flute
  • Beth AndersonJoan, for tape
  • Laurie Anderson
    • Audio Talk, performance art
    • On Dit, performance art
    • Some Songs, performance art
    • Stereo Decoy, performance art
    • That's Not the Way I Heard It, performance art
  • Ruth AndersonSound Portraits I–II, text pieces
  • Hendrik AndriessenRicercare, version for wind orchestra
  • Jurriaan Andriessen
    • Psalmen-trilogie, for baritone, chorus, and orchestra
    • Symphony no. 7, The Awakening Dream, for keyboard and electronics
    • Symphony no. 8, La celebrazione
  • Louis AndriessenHoketus, for two groups of 6 players each
  • Denis ApIvor
    • Chant Eolien, for oboe and piano, op. 65
    • Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, op. 64
  • Violet ArcherPlainsongs, for mezzo-soprano and piano
  • Malcolm Arnold
    • Sonata, for flute and piano, op. 121
    • Variations on a Theme of Ruth Gipps, for orchestra, op. 122
  • Larry AustinQuadrants: Event/Complex no. 11, for double bass and tape
  • Luciano Berio
  • Harrison BirtwistleSilbury Air
  • Rob du Bois
    • Skarabee, for orchestra
    • Zodiak, for one or more instruments or instrumental groups
  • John BullerProença for mezzo-soprano, electric guitar, and large orchestra
  • Enrique CrespoAmerican Suite No. 1
  • George CrumbStar-Child (1977, revised 1979) for soprano, antiphonal children's voices, male speaking choir, bell ringers, and large orchestra
  • Peter Maxwell Davies
    • A Mirror of Whitening Light, for chamber orchestra
    • Our Father Which in Heaven Art, for flute, clarinet, piano, percussion, violin, cello
    • Runes from a Holy Island, for flute, clarinet, piano, percussion, violin, cello
    • Westerlings, for SATB choir
  • Franco Donatoni
    • Algo, for guitar
    • Ali, for viola
    • Diario ’76, for four trumpets and four trombones
    • Portrait, for harpsichord and orchestra
    • Spiri, for flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, celesta, vibraphone, 2 violins, viola, and cello
    • Toy, for 2 violins, viola, and harpsichord
  • Morton Feldman
    • Instruments 3, for flute, oboe, and percussion
    • Spring of Chosroes, for violin and piano
  • Brian FerneyhoughTime and Motion Study I, for bass clarinet
  • Lorenzo Ferrero
    • Arioso
    • Romanza seconda
  • Frans Geysen
    • Muziek voor toetsenbord, for piano
    • Omtrent sib, for three oboes
    • Orgelstuk, for organ
    • Pentakel, for oboe
    • Stadssteeg, for 6 oboes, 4 trumpets, 2 trombones
  • Alberto Ginastera
    • Barabbas, opera (unfinished)
    • Concerto No. 1 for Cello and Orchestra, op. 36 (revised version)
    • Glosses sobre temes de Pau Casals, for orchestra, op. 48
  • Alexander GoehrRomanza on the Notes of Psalm IV, op. 38c
  • Sembiin GonchigsumlaaSymphony No. 2
  • Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen
    • Passacaglia for tabla, clarinet, violin, cello and piano
    • Symfoni, Antifoni for orchestra
  • Rodolfo HalffterSecuencia, op. 39, for piano
  • Bengt HambraeusAntiphonie: Cathedral Music for Organ
  • Alan Hovhaness
    • Ananda, piano sonata, op. 303
    • Celestial Canticle, for coloratura soprano and piano, op. 305
    • Dawn on a Mountain Lake, for double bass and piano, op. 393
    • Fred the Cat, piano sonata, op. 301
    • Glory Sings the Setting Sun, cantata for coloratura soprano, clarinet, and piano, op. 292
    • How I Love Thy Law, cantata for high soprano, clarinet, piano, op. 298
    • Mount Belknap, piano sonata, op. 299, no. 1 (revised version)
    • Mount Ossipee, piano sonata, op. 299, no. 2 (revised version)
    • Mount Shasta, piano sonata, op. 299, no. 3 (revised version)
    • A Presentiment, for coloratura soprano and piano, op. 304
    • Suite, for flute and guitar, op. 300 (1977)
    • Sonata, for oboe and bassoon, op. 302
    • Sonata, for 2 clarinets, op. 297
    • Sonata No. 1, for harpsichord, Op. 306
    • Sonatina ("Meditation on Mt. Monadnock"), for piano, op. 288
    • The Spirit's Map, for voice and piano, op. 391
    • Srpouhi, duet for violin and piano, op. 398
    • Symphony No. 31, for strings, op. 294
    • Symphony No. 32 ("The Broken Wings"), op. 296
    • Symphony No. 33 ("Francis Bacon"), op. 307
    • Symphony No. 34, for bass trombone and strings, op. 310
  • Maki Ishii
    • Black Intention, for recorder
    • Voices—Violet, for gidayū ensemble, shō, and percussion
  • David C. JohnsonArs Subtilior Electrica, electronic music
  • Mauricio Kagel
    • An Tasten, étude for piano
    • MM51, film score
    • Présentation für zwei
    • Quatre degrés (Schlagzeugtrio für Holzinstrumente)
    • Variété (Concert-Spectacle für Artisten und Musiker)
  • Jonathan Kramer
    • Renascence, for clarinet and tape (revised version)
    • Studies on Six Notes, for harpsichord
  • György Kurtág
    • Hommage à Mihály András (Twelve Microludes for String Quartet), op. 13
    • [untitled pieces], op. 15, for guitar (unpublished, withdrawn)
  • Helmut LachenmannSalut für Caudwell, music for two guitarists
  • André Laporte
    • Icarus' Flight, for piano and twelve instruments
  • Mario Lavista
    • Pieza para caja de música, for music box
    • Los inocentes, incidental music
  • Luca Lombardi
    • Tui-Gesänge, for soprano, flute, clarinet, piano, violin, and cello
    • Variazioni su ‘Avanti popolo alla riscossa’, for piano
    • Variazioni, for orchestra
  • John McGuirePulse Music II, for four pianos and small orchestra
  • Tomás Marco
    • Herbania, for harpsichord
    • Hoquetus, for 1, 2, or 3 clarinets, live and/or recorded
    • Sicigia, for cello
    • Sonata de Vesperia, for piano
    • Tormer, for harpsichord, violin, viola, and cello
  • Bo NilssonMadonna, for mezzo-soprano and instrumental ensemble
  • Pehr Henrik Nordgren
    • Violin Concerto No. 2, Op. 33
    • Summer Music for orchestra, Op. 34
    • Akinosuke-no-yume (安芸之助の夢; The Dream of Akinosuke) for piano, Op. 35
    • Jyūroku-zakura (十六ざくら) for piano, Op. 36
    • Jikininki (食人鬼) for piano, Op. 37
    • Häjyt (The Evil Braggarts), orchestral music for the television play, Op. 38
    • Butterflies for guitar solo, Op. 39
    • Tuolla mun heilani asuskeloo (Yonder Lives My Sweet Love) for string orchestra, Op. 40
  • Per Nørgård
    • Cantica, for cello and piano
    • Den afbrudte sang (Orfeus og Euridike), for chorus, percussion, harp, and other instruments ad lib.
    • Freedom, for tenor and guitar
    • Kredsløb, for SATB choir
    • Mating Dance, for flute (+ alto flute) and guitar
    • Recall, for accordion and orchestra (revised version)
    • Towards Freedom?, for orchestra
    • Twilight, for orchestra
  • Arvo Pärt
  • Henri Pousseur
    • Ballade berlinoise, for piano
    • Liège à Paris, electronic music
  • Einojuhani Rautavaara
    • Suomalainen myytti (A Finnish Myth), for string orchestra
    • Serenades of the Unicorn, for guitar
  • Aulis Sallinen
    • Simppeli Simme ja Hamppari, for mixed choir
    • Symphony No. 1
  • Dieter Schnebel
    • Canon (‘Diapason’)
    • Handwerke-Blaswerke I (Arianna), for 1 wind instrument, 1 string instrument, and 1 percussionist
    • Orchestra, for orchestra
    • Quintet in B major, for piano and strings
    • Rhythmen, for 2 guitars, organ, and percussion
  • Kurt Schwertsik
    • Concerto for Violin No. 1, op. 31
    • Wiener Chronik 1848, ballet op. 28
  • Gerald Shapiro
    • Dance Suite, for piano
    • For Nancy, wordless vocalise, for soprano and piano
    • Questions, for SATB choir
    • You are Your Own Energy Source, electroacoustic dance score
  • Makoto ShinoharaLiberation, for orchestra
  • Roger SmalleySeven Modulator Pieces, for 4 flutes
  • Karlheinz Stockhausen
  • Tōru Takemitsu
    • A Flock Descends into the Pentagonal Garden
    • Gitā no tame no jūni no uta, for guitar
    • Hanare goze Orin, film score
    • Ohan, incidental music for television
    • Quatrain II, for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano
    • Sabita honoo, film score
    • Saigō Takamori den, incidental music for television
    • Toono monogatari wo yuku: Yanagida Kunio no fūkei, incidental music for television
    • Water-ways for clarinet, violin, cello, piano, two harps, and two vibraphones
  • Michael Tippett – Symphony No. 4
  • Alexander VustinIn Memory of Boris Klyuzner
  • Iannis XenakisJonchaies
  • Isang Yun – Concerto for Flute and Small Orchestra

Opera[edit]

Jazz[edit]

Musical theatre[edit]

Musical films[edit]

Births[edit]

Deaths[edit]

Awards[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "U.S. Sales Database". Recording Industry Association of America.
  2. ^ "1977: EMI fires Sex Pistols". On This Day. BBC. February 6, 1977. Archived from the original on March 7, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  3. ^ About Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation. Accessed August 11, 2014.
  4. ^ "The Tragic Loss That Changed Led Zeppelin Forever". Ultimate Classic Rock. July 26, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  5. ^ "Brit certifications for ELP".
  6. ^ Popoff, Martin (2016). The Deep Purple Family (2nd ed.). Wymer Publishing. p. 220. ISBN 978-1-908724-42-7.
  7. ^ "BPI certification".
  8. ^ Popoff, Martin (2016). The Deep Purple Family (2nd ed.). Wymer Publishing. p. 221. ISBN 978-1-908724-42-7.
  9. ^ "BPI".
  10. ^ "BPI certifications".
  11. ^ "BPI certifications".
  12. ^ "News in brief" (PDF). Record Mirror. June 18, 1977. p. 5. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  13. ^ "Motörhead certification".
  14. ^ "Double elpee recorded at this gig, and Hackett leaves Genesis". New Musical Express. October 8, 1977. p. 3. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  15. ^ "Goin' Places". The Jacksons. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  16. ^ "BPI".
  17. ^ LTD, BubbleUp (December 9, 2021). "AeroHistory: Draw the Line". www.aerosmith.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  18. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The book of golden discs. Internet Archive. London : Barrie & Jenkins. ISBN 978-0-214-20512-5.
  19. ^ Blackwell, Earl (January 1, 1990). Earl Blackwell's Celebrity Register, 1990. Gale Research Incorporated. p. 45. ISBN 9780810368750. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  20. ^ Charles Aaron (September 20, 2007). "1977: The Year Punk Exploded". Spin.
  21. ^ Christine Jacqueline Feldman (2009). "We are the Mods": A Transnational History of a Youth Subculture. Peter Lang. p. 48. ISBN 9781433103698.
  22. ^ Dennis Munday (November 4, 2009). The Jam & Paul Weller: Shout to the Top. Omnibus Press. p. 122. ISBN 9780857120168.
  23. ^ "50 years of musical and sonic excellence". bowerswilkins50years.
  24. ^ Holden, Amanda (Ed.), The New Penguin Opera Guide, New York: Penguin Putnam, 2001. ISBN 0-14-029312-4
  25. ^ Frisius, Rudolf. 2008. Karlheinz Stockhausen II: Die Werke 1950–1977; Gespräch mit Karlheinz Stockhausen, "Es geht aufwärts". Mainz, London, Berlin, Madrid, New York, Paris, Prague, Tokyo, Toronto: Schott Musik International. ISBN 978-3-7957-0249-6.
  26. ^ "Morton Feldman: Neither". Universal Edition. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  27. ^ Kehr, Dave (March 22, 2002). "At the Movies". The New York Times. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
  28. ^ "Alumni Profile – Joanne Yeoh". Heriot Watt University. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  29. ^ Ehrlich, Dimitri (January 5, 1997). "A Message Far Less Pretty Than the Face". The New York Times.
  30. ^ Guralnick, Peter (1999). Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley. Back Bay Books. pp. 645–648. ISBN 978-0-316-33297-2.
  31. ^ "Groucho Marx, Comedian, Dead. Movie Star and TV Host Was 86. Master of the Insult. Groucho Marx, Film Comedian and Host of 'You Bet Your Life,' Dies". The New York Times. August 20, 2007. p. 1.
  32. ^ Allen Hughes, "Leopold Stokowski Is Dead of a Heart Attack at 95", The New York Times, 14 September 1977.
  33. ^ Bignell, Paul (September 16, 2012). "Mystery of Marc Bolan's death solved". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  34. ^ "Maria Callas, 53, Is Dead of Heart Attack in Paris". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved April 18, 2018.