This was the first album that was a massive success for the Eagles in Australia, although they did achieve success in their native America during the first half of the decade meaning these guys were unfairly ignored here until Countdown came along. While their albums were inescapable, the same can’t be said for the songs themselves as they didn’t chart very well during the height of Abba and Sherbet.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
One of these nights #33
Lying eyes #34
Take it to the limit #30
Popular in 1975, 1976
If you’re wondering how this guy managed to thrive during the Countdown era in the Australian music scene, it might have something to do with this album being produced by Band lead singer Robbie Robertson, a true selling point of the album seeing as though this fact is plastered on the album cover.
Peak position #1×4
Hit singles
If you know what I mean #27
Popular in 1976
This was the first album from Led Zeppelin to not be self-titled, suffice to say that if the band was worried about giving their albums a different name prior to this album, then they had nothing to worry about given how inescapable it was upon its initial release.
Peak position #1×3
Popular in 1973
Yikes that is some seriously horrifying album art, it appears I’m not the only one who has this opinion as Pink Floyd were forced to issue another picture for the album art back in the day which while more generic, did the job in helping this album become a huge success for them. Nothing would top the success of their previous album Dark side of the moon, but they were really tempting fate with this picture, weren’t they?
Peak position #1×4
Popular in 1975, 1976
Not counting the greatest hits package from the brothers Gibb, we already looked at, this is the most successful Australian album on this list which goes to show how unpopular our local music scene had become during the first half of the decade and why Countdown’s premiere was so important towards its revival.
Peak position #1×7
Hit singles
Eagle rock #1
Come back #3
Popular in 1971
It could be just a coincidence; however, this album became popular worldwide around the time the Moody Blues scored a massive hit with a live rendition of “Nights in white satin” which would explain the success of this album given how it failed to spawn a hit single for them here.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I’m just a singer #39
Popular in 1973
After finding success with the likes of Axiom and the Twilights, keyboardist Brian Cadd finally branched out on his own with this album which proved to be a massive success for him and led to success with his next two albums, one of which we’ll look at in a bit.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Ginger man #17
Popular in 1972, 1973
Peak position #3
There was no stopping Black Sabbath during the first half of the decade given how this is the second of three appearances the death metal band will be making on this list, I guess a downside to Countdown was that the program unintentionally made prog and metal uncool during the second half of the decade.
Popular in 1973
This is the last album that Jimi Hendrix released in his lifetime, it was a live album from a concert he had during the final days of the 60’s which naturally meant it was guaranteed success upon its initial release that was no doubt boosted when he tragically passed away.
Peak position #3
Popular in 1970
I guess the danger with reinventing yourself as often as these guys did is that it’s difficult to retain a fanbase to your work, indeed this was the most successful album from 10cc who traded in the glam rock from their earlier work for more contemporary pop rock for this album which made it a huge success for them. They would incorporate reggae on their next album which did lead to their biggest hit.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
The things we do for love #5
Good morning judge #47
Popular in 1977
Years before Pink Floyd made a theatrical adaptation of their album the Wall, Hollywood managed to convince the Who to make a theatrical adaptation of their album Tommy several years after the London Symphony Orchestra made a symphonic version of their album. The film was a critical and commercial success, likely sparking people to check out the soundtrack which like the symphonic version, was more successful than the original album.
Peak position #6
Popular in 1975
This remains the second most successful album from the Rolling stones behind Tattoo you which they released almost a decade later, this is largely due to the success of its lead single which is also their second biggest hit behind that other albums lead single “Start me up.”
Peak position #1×4
Hit singles
Angie #1
Popular in 1973, 1974
Although Billy had a massive sleeper hit earlier in the decade with Piano man, this was the album which turned him from that guy who you would hear when driving around late at night on the radio to a household name due to the second single becoming his first genuine hit throughout the world. Many consider this to be his best album as the stories he tells throughout its runtime seem to resonate with audiences to this day.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Just the way you are #6
Popular in 1978
I’m sorry to say that the Who album this is based on won’t be appearing on this list due to being released in the 60’s, however it must have been a huge hit here in Australia given how this orchestral version performed by the London symphony orchestra was a genuine success here upon its initial release.
Peak position #4
Popular in 1973
This seemed to come out of nowhere for the Canadian band as while “Taking care of business” from their previous album has since become a staple on oldies stations, it wasn’t a big deal back in the day outside of their native Canada. I’m guessing this was a success for them in Australia due to us Aussies connecting with them on their big hit from this album and wanting to root for them to make it big.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
You ain’t seen nothing yet #4
Popular in 1975
This was a bit of a return to form following the slightly more mainstream appeal of his previous album, I guess Alice wanted to reassure fans that he wasn’t a complete sell-out before became as such with his next album. As such this didn’t have a huge hit on here like his previous album and subsequent albums did, which is perhaps why he sold out as he likely wanted to have that big hit single which he got.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
I never cry #23
Popular in 1976
This was released around the same time as Rod Stewart’s top entry on this list, meaning that this had to compete with the likes of “Maggie may” back in the day which makes its placement on this list all the more impressive in retrospect.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Stay with me #41
Popular in 1972
Another year, another highly successful album from an artist that with a few notable exceptions, I never particularly cared for his music. There doesn’t even seem to be any surprises on this track as this is what you would expect from a Rod Stewart album released this decade.
Peak position #1×9
Hit singles
You’re in my heart #1
Hot legs #42
Popular in 1977, 1978
Although he released a solo album prior to the breakup of the Beatles, this was George Harrison’s first taste of solo success he had in his career which is fitting given how this is a double album with material likely rejected from the other members of the band during their time together.
Peak position #1×8
Hit singles
My sweet lord #1
What is life #3
Popular in 1971
This was the album which took Chicago, a band previously known for their complex albums and instrumentation to a band who made music that would appeal to the same demographic that was into Rod Stewart. I guess it paid for them commercially as it spawned easily their biggest hit with the lead single, but fans have been disappointed ever since its initial release.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
If you leave me now #1
Popular in 1976, 1977
It had been several years since the demise of the Easybeats, however when lead singer Stevie Wright finally decided to release a solo album, it was as if no time had passed since his heyday with the band from almost a decade prior given how it spawned one of the biggest hits of the decade here in Australia in the form of its lead single. He would release one more album which wasn’t as popular but did spawn another huge hit for him before fading into obscurity.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Evie #1
Popular in 1974
It seems weird that these guys weren’t even bigger in Australia back in the day considering how well their music has persisted on oldies stations, I think this is because I was expecting their albums to be even bigger given how they didn’t really have much success with their singles back in the day.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Give a little bit #43
Popular in 1977
I’m not sure how big Tommy was here in Australia, however given how the Who’s follow-up album was a success as was not one but two albums inspired by that album throughout the decade, I think it’s safe to say that the band were as popular down under in the 70’s as they were in the 60’s.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Won’t get fooled again #14
Popular in 1971, 1972
This is the earliest album from David Bowie I’ll be featuring on this site, although his previous album Pin ups was his biggest album here in Australia until Let’s dance a decade after its release. Fans see this as a return to form given how Pin ups was a covers album and that Bowie is best known for his originality and distinct vision in music which they feel was lacking on that album.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Rebel rebel #28
Popular in 1974
This was by no means Deep purple’s earliest work and admittedly it’s hard to say if this was the first taste of success they had here in Australia due to limited data for album sales from the 60’s here, however it was the album that made them superstars right at the start of the decade.
Peak position #1×2
Popular in 1971
Before he took the world by storm with Star Wars, George Lucas had a massive hit with this teen drama about high schoolers from the early 60’s. It’s sort of like a more serious version of Grease if you haven’t seen it, although it wasn’t a musical despite the soundtrack including several well-known songs from the 50’s and early 60’s which resulted in its success.
Peak position #12
Popular in 1974
I’m a bit surprised that Stealers wheel didn’t see much success back in the day considering how often you hear “Stuck in the middle with you” on the radio, I guess this solo album from Gerry Rafferty becoming a huge success was meant to be a consolation prize the world gave him for sleeping on his band earlier in the decade. Admittedly it’s hard to imagine a world where the lead single would fail given how iconic that sax solo has become.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Baker street #1
Popular in 1978
This is the only posthumous album to appear on this list, namely because it was heavily delayed following the tragic demise of Janis Joplin the year prior to its release likely out of fear that her label was merely cashing in on said death despite it being completed.
Peak position #1×5
Hit singles
Me and bobby McGee #1
Popular in 1971
Well, you don’t release an album as successful as Rod’s previous entry and immediately fade into obscurity with its follow up, so here we are with that follow up which didn’t have that inescapable hit (at least here in Australia) but was nonetheless a huge success for the crooner.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
You wear it well #13
Popular in 1972, 1973
This is the only studio album from the Carpenters to feature on this list, this is curious because it doesn’t contain either of their chart toppers that they had here in Australia, although the second single remains one of their most popular in their catalogue due to its success in the UK.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Sing #24
Yesterday once more #9
Popular in 1973, 1974
Following the success of his second solo album, Bryan Ferry struck while the iron was hot and released his third solo album which proved to be slightly more successful in exchange for it lacking that inescapable hit that “Let’s stick together” became prior to its release. This led to him releasing a third album not long after this which sadly for him crashed and burned and caused him to reform Roxy music.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
This is tomorrow #6
Tokyo Joe #30
Popular in 1977
I guess this was the Rolling stones looking to change with the times given how there’s a noticeable disco influence throughout this album’s runtime (it’s not quite disco but it’s easy to think it is.) This was able to spawn the band a hit single during the second half of the decade, although I don’t think they were particularly interested in adding more hits to their name after all the success they had in the 60’s.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Miss you #8
Popular in 1978
It’s odd to see how successful Bryan Ferry was with his second and third album in Australia, mainly because his band Roxy music didn’t have much success here until their final album Avalon in the early 80’s. In any case we have his second album named after easily his biggest hit down under which managed to take the Australian charts by storm likely due to how inescapable said single was.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Let’s stick together #1
Price of love #9
Popular in 1976, 1977
There looked like there was no signs of Marcia’s career slowing down as she released her sophomore album one year after her debut, the album was equally as successful as its predecessor thanks to Marcia’s vocals standing out from her obvious influence Diana Ross who was still MIA on the charts in Australia. Her third album wasn’t as successful overall, however it made up for that by spawning not one but two of her biggest hits.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
I just don’t know what to do with myself #6
Your love broke through #38
Popular in 1976, 1977
Although this wasn’t Sherbet’s most successful album in Australia (that honour goes to Slipstream from two years prior) this was the album which briefly made them international superstars due to the success of the title track throughout the world. Like many Australian artists who made it big internationally, this success did them no favours for their subsequent follow ups which each saw diminishing returns here in Australia.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Howzat #1
Gimme love #43
Popular in 1976
While he wasn’t among the most successful artists of the decade, his (then) most recent album Stranger in town was a huge sleeper hit for Bob Seger which likely explains the success of this greatest hits package from him here in Australia. What’s interesting is that he would return to the mainstream eight years later with one of the tracks on this album.
Peak position #1×2
Popular in 1979
Even though there were already two versions of this story made by the time Barbra Streisand took a crack at it, it is the first version to centre around the Grammys which perhaps led to its box office success and how it swept the Golden globe awards despite a mixed critical reception towards the film. As the story is about an aging male rock star mentoring a younger female rock star, the soundtrack proved to be a huge success thanks to audiences connecting with the relationship.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Evergreen #5
Popular in 1977
You may have noticed a distinct absence from Diana Ross on these lists, this is likely due to her being overshadowed by Marcia Hines back in the day as the American born Australian diva of colour was indeed one of the biggest names in our music scene throughout the decade. This was her debut album and one which made her an instant success due to her run as Mary Magdalene in the Australian production of Jesus Christ superstar.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Fire and rain #17
From the inside #10
Popular in 1975, 1976
I’m somewhat surprised this is Shirley Bassey’s only successful album here in Australia, although given how the title track is easily her biggest hit here, it only makes sense that this would be a massive success for her upon its initial release.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Never never never #1
Popular in 1973, 1974
This was another album that took its sweet time in finding success here in Australia, although at least it was a success unlike in the bands native America where they didn’t have any success until their comeback from the late 80’s. It’s little wonder this appealed to Australians as it’s the type of wacky throwback rock from the 50’s that was all the rage at the time, that and appearing on Countdown also did the trick.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Planet Claire #43
Rock lobster #3
Popular in 1979
This was a runaway success for Kate Bush given how inescapable the lead single from the album was back in the day, indeed she quickly followed this up with a second album Lionheart which obviously didn’t have the same beauty and grace that this album had. She bounced back with her third album and retained her popularity here in Australia due to appearing on Countdown more than once.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Wuthering heights #1
The man with the child in his eyes #22
Popular in 1978
Often considered one of the best albums of all time, this was a surprise hit here in Australia at the start of the decade likely due to the line-up of well-known musicians that came together to make it as iconic as it’s remained over the last five decades.
Peak position #7
Popular in 1970
Well, he may have failed to score a hit single this decade aside from “You are the sunshine of my life,” but at least Stevie Wonder had a massive hit with this album during the height of the Countdown era. I guess if there was a negative affect the TV show had on our music scene, it was that many musicians of colour got side-lined in favour of our local talent, not entirely though due to the rise of disco.
Peak position #6
Popular in 1976, 1977
Well at least I can finally feature some of Yes’s earlier work on this site as it did indeed find success here in Australia during the first half of the decade. From what I can gather, this was their biggest success here likely due to their brand of prog rock fitting in with the likes of Deep Purple and Jethro Tull.
Peak position #8
Popular in 1973
Following the huge success of the Saturday night fever soundtrack, it was only inevitable that the Brothers Gibb would find massive success with whatever album they put out provided it was within the disco genre. Indeed, this album was a massive success for them and likely would’ve been even if it weren’t released at the height of disco, although it has been cited as one of the contributing factors to the disco backlash in America.
Peak position #1×5
Hit singles
Too much heaven #5
Tragedy #2
Popular in 1979
While I’m sure this would’ve been a huge success here in Australia given how iconic the lead single has remained over the years, I have a feeling its popularity was boosted due to the surprise success of “I’ve got to have you” from her previous album mere months before this was released here.
Peak position #1×6
Hit singles
You’re so vain #1
Popular in 1973
It turns out these guys were similar to Chicago in that they began as a much hipper band in the music scene with albums such as this before selling out to a more conventional crowd during the second half of the decade, admittedly this feels like something that belongs in the 60’s which makes it success somewhat impressive.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Black magic woman #29
Popular in 1971
This is the only studio album from Slade to appear on this list, although their other albums were successful here in Australia back in the day, just not to the extent of this and their other two entries on this list.
Peak position #1×6
Hit singles
Mama weer all crazee now #14
Gudbye j’jane #11
Popular in 1973
This was a huge success for Abba, although it was a given seeing as though they were on top of the world during the midpoint of the decade. Unfortunately for them, audience quickly grew tired of them as while their subsequent releases were successful, none of them reached the dizzying heights of this and their previous album.
Peak position #1×8
Hit singles
Dancing queen #1
Money money money #1
Knowing me knowing you #9
Popular in 1976, 1977
I guess you can say that this album took its sweet time in finding an audience in the mainstream, except this was released when Silk degrees had finally gotten itself off the ground and thus had to compete with that album to find an audience worldwide. Both of these albums were highly successful and firmly put Boz Scaggs on the map in the music scene.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Hard times #40
Hollywood #43
Popular in 1978
From what I can gather, this is an album released exclusively here in Australia and NZ, meaning that we have another greatest hits package from the Carpenters to feature on this site of mine that wasn’t released in the northern hemisphere.
Peak position #3
Popular in 1972
This was the second live album that the Aztecs released within a year, whereas they didn’t specify where their other entry was performed, here they make it clear it was at Sunbury theatre in Melbourne which proved to be fruitless as it didn’t affect its popularity overall.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Most people I know think that I’m crazy #2
Popular in 1972
This was the only notable success that Bob Marley managed to achieve during his lifetime in Australia, although I guess we should be thankful that at least one of his albums was a commercial success here as opposed to America where he never even charted on the Billboard charts. I guess this album’s success was a bit confusing considering how reggae music never seemed to be that popular here in Australia.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Is this love #11
Popular in 1978
This is the debut album from Black sabbath, the fact these guys did so well off their first attempt here in Australia should tell you just how hungry we Aussies were for music that wasn’t affiliated with hippy culture as the 60’s became the 70’s.
Peak position #8
Popular in 1970
Although he remains one of the most iconic singer/songwriters of all time, Neil Young didn’t have that much success in Australia back in the day save for the occasional solo album as well as his magnum opus with Crosby Stills Nash and Young at the start of the decade. This would be a close second to his biggest album here after Deja vu from 1971, allowing him to bookmark both sides of the 70’s with a successful album.
Peak position #6
Popular in 1978, 1979
For whatever reason, we Aussies passed up on making the singles from this album genuine hits despite how inescapable they were throughout the rest of the world, this is weird because Paul didn’t have any issues with finding success with his singles on his earlier albums both solo and with Art.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Kodachrome #31
Loves me like a rock #30
Popular in 1973, 1974
Following the success of their debut album from earlier on this list, Skyhooks struck while the iron was hot with their sophomore album which further proved that they had more insightful things to say about the state of the world than their main rivals Sherbet. I should point out that while they weren’t strictly a political band, all of their best-known songs did have something to say about the political climate of the decade.
Peak position #1×11
Hit singles
Ego is not a dirty word #2
All my friends are getting married #2
Popular in 1975
This was the penultimate album that Elton John released that had his partner in crime Bernie Taupin as his official songwriter, that is until the two patched things up in the early 80’s which resulted in their second biggest album Too low for zero (behind Goodbye yellow brick road that is.) Personally, I blame “Island girl” for why their winning streak came to a sharp decline after the success of this album.
Peak position #1×5
Popular in 1975
This was the penultimate album to be released from CCR, their final album was also a modest success but not a huge one which is why it won’t be appearing on this list, probably for the best as it is a far cry from their material, I’ve featured on this list so far.
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
Have you ever seen the rain #6
Popular in 1971
Although he achieved success with his wife Yoko Ono prior to this album (stay tuned for one of those albums later down this list) this was the first album John Lennon released all by himself which was an instant success thanks to the popularity of its title track.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Imagine #1
Popular in 1971, 1972
This was a very productive decade for Leo Sayer given how he scored two of the biggest albums of the 70’s, here he has a greatest hits package to overlook the journey he made from his humble beginnings, although the journey wouldn’t end here as he had further success in the 80’s.
Peak position #1×1
Popular in 1979
They had an amazing run throughout the 70’s not just here in Australia but internationally, so it makes sense that the band would release a greatest hits package detailing the journey they had made in such a short amount of time and for it to be a huge success for them. This sadly was a bit of a curse for the band here as they wouldn’t have another hit for ten years when they came back with “Love is a bridge.”
Peak position #4
Popular in 1978, 1979
Although this didn’t spawn any hit singles like the other two albums I’ve featured on this site, this was nonetheless a huge success for Brian Cadd following the success of his earlier entry on this list and no doubt led to him having one more hit before Countdown made him irrelevant for some reason.
Peak position #6
Popular in 1973, 1974
Even though this wasn’t their debut album, this was the album which made AC/DC (or Acadaca as we Aussies like to call them) into a household name due to it spawning some of their more memorable songs as hits upon its initial release. Even though this wasn’t the biggest album down under, it nonetheless sparked international interest in the band which resulted in them getting huge crossover appeal throughout the decade.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
High voltage #10
It’s a long way to the top #9
TNT #19
Popular in 1976
There didn’t seem to be any signs of Neil’s popularity slowing down in the mainstream given how he released this album around the time Countdown launched and swept away many of his earlier contemporaries from the decade. Such as the power of his popularity if he could thrive while the likes of Tony or Orlando and Harry Nilsson couldn’t.
Peak position #1×7
Hit singles
Longfellow serenade #7
Popular in 1974, 1975
Again, there were no signs of Deep purple slowing down in the mainstream even if they seemed to be a victim of overexposure when this first came out, it’s possible that they would’ve failed to retain their popularity here during the second half of the decade without Countdown pushing them aside because of said overexposure.
Peak position #5
Popular in 1973
It would seem odd that Santana would still be popular by the end of the decade only to fade into obscurity going into the 80’s, until you remember that MTV launched in 1981 which naturally caused the mainstream to side-line these guys until the late 90’s worldwide. Even so, they achieved massive success with their penultimate album of the decade here in Australia which makes this transition rather jarring.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Well all right #20
Popular in 1978, 1979
She was one of the biggest celebrities of the decade, so of course this greatest hits package from Barbra Streisand would be a success for her worldwide upon its initial release. Her popularity would continue to grow in the 80’s as she would score her next album would be the biggest of her career, and indeed her film career would also flourish.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
You don’t bring me flowers #4
Popular in 1979
George Benson was one of the bigger musicians of colour to emerge from this decade, this jazz album of his being one of many successful albums he managed to achieve worldwide throughout his career. I’m not sure how he managed to find an audience in Australia when so many of his contemporaries failed to do so.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
On Broadway #23
Popular in 1978
This was a bit of a stumble for Led zeppelin back in the day, this is despite the fact that the lead single was a minor success here in Australia which means it was able to chart as opposed to “Stairway to heaven” from their earlier entry on this list.
Peak position #1×4
Hit singles
Immigrant song #23
Popular in 1971
This was a greatest hits package from Kenny Rogers that was released exclusively here in Australia and NZ, as such it was a huge hit for the country legend in both countries and even prompted him to give us a slightly altered version of his international greatest hits package the following year when he topped the charts with “Lady” on Billboard. This was one way of beginning the 80’s and a positive one at that.
Peak position #4
Popular in 1979
This is the earliest entry from Deep Purple I’ll be featuring on this site, it was a massive hit this year and likely would’ve been as such had Countdown premiered earlier in the year due to how well their final two albums (from their initial run that is) did during the shows launch.
Peak position #7
Popular in 1974
You know prog had taken over the Australian charts in the early 70’s when Emerson Lake and Palmer managed to score two entries on this list. This is their first which was by far the bigger of the two, although it was released mere months prior to their other entry still to come on this list.
Peak position #9
Popular in 1971
There were a lot of successful disco albums this decade, one of the more prominent ones comes from this trio of women (who weren’t actually a family) based on the success of their one and only hit they scored throughout the world. While they never saw the success of the likes of Donna Summer or Gloria Gaynor, they did leave their impact on the disco scene as their big hit continues to light up dance floors to this day.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
The best disco in town #3
Popular in 1976, 1977
Well at least this live show from Tower Philadelphia was a massive success for David Bowie in Australia, I guess it allowed his next album to be a moderate success which isn’t much comfort given that album had a Billboard chart topper for him that failed to become a success here in Australia.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Knock on wood #49
Popular in 1974, 1975
You know a band has been overexposed when their back catalogue becomes a massive success years after its initial release, here’s the debut album of Bay city rollers to help fans discover their back catalogue they missed out on two years prior.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Saturday night #45
Popular in 1975
Although he achieved a hit from his first album from earlier in the decade, this was the album that finally made Ringo Starr a household name worldwide thanks to spawning two Billboard chart toppers for him, although his time in the spotlight away from the fab four would be rather brief.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Photograph #1
You’re sixteen #6
Popular in 1974
This was the final bestselling album that John Denver released in his career, although he kept soldiering on throughout the decade and even well into the 80’s in an attempt to recreate the success he had this year. I guess he just happened to be in the right place at the right time as country music was all the rage worldwide during the midpoint of the 70’s.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
I’m sorry #7
Calypso #7
Popular in 1975, 1976
What better way to end the decade than with an album overlooking the success you achieved throughout it? Rod Stewart decided not to release a new studio album once the 70’s ended which might have costed him his success throughout the 80’s as he wouldn’t have a bestselling album again until 1991’s Vagabond heart.
Peak position #1×5
Popular in 1979
While this wasn’t his first solo album, this was the first solo album from Eric Clapton to achieve massive success given how this was the first thing he released following the demise of his (then) most recent band Derek and the Dominoes. Here he incorporates reggae into his otherwise blues sound which resulted in his first solo hit in the form of its lead single much to the chagrin of Bob Marley fans.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I shot the sheriff #11
Popular in 1974
Disco was at the height of its popularity this year, so much so that even a band who I’m sure even at the time everyone new to be queer was able to find success with their breakthrough album. Even though these guys were closeted at the height of their popularity, they have since admitted that they’re all gay which has only strengthened the popularity of their music as many champion it for lessening our stigma towards the LGBT community.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Macho man #3
Popular in 1978
This is another album that was a breakthrough and not a debut this decade given how Ross Ryan saw very limited success during the first half of the decade here before the lead single became a massive success for him this year. He’s also another Australian singer/songwriter from this year that strangely didn’t benefit from Countdown, I guess the series was detrimental to certain local artists here.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
I am Pegasus #2
Popular in 1974
We’ll be looking at his first two albums in a bit, but it’s worth noting that this was where Elton John began to be taken seriously as an artist here in Australia given how it became a best seller for him despite him still lacking that inescapable hit he would acquire not long after its release.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Rocket man #13
Popular in 1972
We have another greatest hits package to look at here, although you wouldn’t know that from the title or packaging of this album which is perhaps why this failed to be an even bigger success for Neil Diamond here in Australia back in the day.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
The last thing on my mind #47
Popular in 1973, 1974
Even though this was a massive success for Donna Summer and is often considered to be the quintessential disco record from a musician of colour, it unfortunately led to her developing resentment for her previous work as the marketing depicted her as a sex worker which she felt sent her audience the wrong message. As a result, she became a devoted feminist after this album cycle was finished and changed her image going into the 80’s.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Hot stuff #1
Bad girls #14
Popular in 1979
This was the most successful album to come from the Doobie Brothers given how it spawned their biggest hit in their catalogue in the form of its lead single. Even though they had a very successful run this decade with their adult contemporary rock music, they would struggle to retain their popularity with their next album which resulted in them breaking up for most of the 80’s, although they would eventually reform.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
What a fool believes #12
Popular in 1979
This is the best proof I have that the Doors earlier entry wasn’t necessarily a success due to the tragic passing of Jim Morrison given how this was a huge hit when he was alive and well, it failed to spawn that huge hit they had with their other entry but it was a success nonetheless.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Roadhouse blues #38
Popular in 1970
Well, he may have had only one hit to his name by this point in time in Australia, however that didn’t prevent this greatest hits package from becoming a huge success for the soul legend and right around Countdown was launching to boot. He did score a massive hit with his next album which proves that while he wasn’t that popular on the singles chart here, he at least managed to connect with audience down under.
Peak position #6
Popular in 1975
It was surprisingly hard to dig up information about these guys, however they were a group of older musicians from America who scored a massive hit with this album here in Australia and presumably in NZ given how the title track was a massive hit on the Listener charts.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
The rangers waltz #2
Popular in 1972
If you couldn’t tell from the terrible pun in the title, this is a greatest hits package from Slade looking over the substantial amount of success they achieved in such a short amount of time, like most of these albums, it proved to be a curse for their future prospects.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Cum on feel the noize #12
Skweeze me pleaze me #39
Popular in 1973, 1974
Bad company were a hard rock band who already saw success the previous year with their self-titled album in Australia, this was the follow up to that album which was an inevitable success for them despite the lead single being a massive flop here. Their popularity would quickly fade as the decade went on as did many bands and artists that made it big prior to the launch of Countdown.
Peak position #8
Popular in 1975
You may have noticed the different peak positions between the AMR charts and the Go set charts, for what it’s worth, this ranking is based on the latter as it was extremely hard to track down chart runs for the former. That out of the way, we have the first of two entries from Santana on this list with this gem.
Peak position #16
Popular in 1973
While many people (me included) will tell you that Bob Dylan isn’t what you’d call an audibly pleasing vocalist, it’s clear that the success of his music comes from his compositions and song writing which are two aspects as to how he scored a huge hit with the lead single to this album. Naturally this made him a household name in Australia which allowed him to find massive success during the height of the Countdown era.
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
Hurricane #7
Popular in 1976
This was the final successful album from Yes frontman Rick Wakeman, I’m guessing this became a success due to the recently released Monty Python flick the Holy grail which was a satire of King Arthur stories as well as the Hollywood musical in general (basically it was a parody of Camelot starring Richard Harris.) Rick would continue to release concept albums in his career; however, none were as successful as the three he made around this time.
Peak position #2
Popular in 1975
If you couldn’t tell from the name of the album, this is a greatest hits package which collects all of the best moments of Jethro Tull’s albums without necessarily ruining the context of said albums which is impressive given how they’re a prog band that makes Genesis look like Emerson Lake and Palmer.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Living in the past #36
Popular in 1973
Even though they achieved massive success in the 60’s here in Australia, from what I can gather, this live album is the first in their catalogue to be a huge success for them outside of their singles given how quickly their previous albums fell off our charts.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Little queenie #29
Popular in 1970, 1971
This was the biggest success that Rickie Lee Jones had in Australia, this was largely due to the lead single becoming a huge international success for her at a time where adult contemporary was competing with disco. She did have some minor success throughout the following decade, although she would never again reach the dizzying heights of her debut.
Peak position #1×6
Hit singles
Chuck e’s in love #15
Popular in 1979
This was released at the tail end of the 70’s to commemorate how far the Brothers Gibb had come from their previous greatest hits album from a decade prior, they made a habit of doing this once a decade as they would release another greatest hits package in 1990 despite not having much success in the 80’s.
Peak position #1×3
Popular in 1979
Toto began their life as a group of session musicians for other bands and artists before they decided to join the leagues of their clientele by releasing their debut album, it proved to be a worthy decision as this album was a huge success for them worldwide. They did struggle to retain their popularity with their next two albums; however, they would be back in the spotlight with their Grammy winning fourth album.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Hold the line #8
Popular in 1979
Although this wasn’t their first album, this was the album which made Cold Chisel a household name in Australia likely due to how pub rock was taking over the mainstream in Australia around this time despite this album failing to produce a hit single for them. Their next album would be even bigger and would make them one of the biggest names of the 80’s along the likes of Australian crawl and Split enz.
Peak position #4
Popular in 1979
