She may be a one hit wonder here in Australia with the lead single from this album, however that single was apparently all the incentive we Aussies needed in checking out the album it came from as it became one of the more successful to come out this decade. I’m guessing this was due to Carole performing the song on Countdown back in the day as from what I can gather, this wasn’t a success anywhere else in the world.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
You’re moving out today #1
Popular in 1977
Bob Dylan was certainly on a roll when he released this album as it showed promise that he would thrive throughout the 80’s, alas since he wasn’t what would be marketable for the MTV era, this promise proved to be empty as he struggled to find mainstream success that decade. He did eventually return to the mainstream as a member of the Traveling wilburys, so it’s not like this was the last people heard from him.
Peak position #1×2
Popular in 1979
Although he wasn’t scoring many hits during the second half of the decade in Australia, that didn’t mean that Neil Diamond was yesterday’s news here as his albums were still among the more popular in Australia likely due to him still retaining much of his audience that made him a household name during the first half of the 70’s.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Desiree #29
Popular in 1978
Following the success of their previous album Wings at the speed of sound, the band decided to embark on an American tour which they named after said album which proved to be a massive success for them. This live album captures the highlights of the tour which the rest of the world was able to appreciate as it became a huge success for them in their catalogue.
Peak position #2
Popular in 1977
These guys were on top of the world when they released this greatest hits album, although it’s worth noting that while they had hit after hit on the Australian charts, their albums weren’t quite as successful. I’m not sure why as other glam rock acts such as Slade and Suzi Quatro were able to ride the balance between their singles and albums in the mainstream.
Peak position #2
Popular in 1975
We have another entry from Deep purple on this list, it’s not even our final entry as we still have two more to feature from the British prog band to give you some idea as to how inescapable these guys were during the first half of the decade.
Peak position #5
Popular in 1972
I really think that the rerelease of “Nights in white satin” is what pushed the band’s earlier entry on this list over the edge here in Australia given how this album wasn’t nearly as successful as that was back in the day, although at least it was able to compete with other prog albums on this list.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Question #36
Popular in 1970, 1971
Even though they had success earlier in the decade with “In the flesh” in Australia and “Denis” in the UK, Blondie were finally able to make it big in their native America with this album given how the lead single incorporates disco into their sound. This made the band a household name internationally and set them up for major success in the 80’s which they unfortunately didn’t manage to achieve after their album Autoamerican.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Heart of glass #1
Hanging on the telephone #39
Popular in 1979
It may be one of the most infamous albums ever recorded (at least by a professional musician) however it appears that we Aussies were rather kind to this cover’s album from Bob Dylan upon its initial release given how it appears on here over so many other albums of the day.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Wigwam #24
Popular in 1970
This album was named after his duet with Barbra Streisand which happened to be one of the biggest hits from both artists careers, so of course this was going to be a huge success for Neil Diamond just like most of his albums this decade. His popularity would continue to flourish in the 80’s thanks to his performance in the Jazz singer, although it would quickly dwindle once the MTV era launched.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
You don’t bring me flowers #4
Forever in blue jeans #41
Popular in 1979
Before it ever premiered on London’s west end, Evita was a concept album based on the real-life political figure from the first half of the twentieth century. Naturally the success of this album led to the show being written for the stage which eventually saw a theatrical released twenty years after this album came out starring Madonna in the title role, it’s easily considered her best performance.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Don’t cry for me Argentina #1
Popular in 1977
Santana were indeed one of the bigger bands of the decade in Australia when it came to their albums, true they weren’t able to have much success with their singles like the Eagles or Led Zeppelin, but it was clear that audiences had fallen in love with their music regardless. This was the penultimate album in their catalogue to be a huge success before they became yesterday’s news for over two decades.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
She’s not there #19
Popular in 1978
Whereas at least his earliest album managed to spawn a minor hit for Elton John (we’ll look at it in a bit) this album failed to spawn any hits for the English piano man in exchange for it being considerably more successful than that outing.
Peak position #4
Popular in 1971
This is the only new entry to come from the Carpenters on this list of mine, it had a bit of an interesting run on our charts given how it was a minor hit upon its initial release only for it to rebound on our charts when “Top of the world” became a surprise hit here months prior to it being released as a single internationally.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Hurting each other #4
It’s going to take some time #24
Goodbye to love #25
Top of the world #1
Popular in 1972
This was a comedic record that comedian Bob Hudson managed to score a massive hit with back in the day, mainly due to the title track becoming a surprise hit for him here and in NZ as well. I can’t say this is a comedy routine as there is a melody to these jokes, however it does feel like it belongs in the realms of Kevin Wilson and the 12th man.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Newcastle song #1
Popular in 1975
True to the name of the album, this is indeed more of a blues record from the Rolling stones which sadly costed them success with their singles as there didn’t seem to be an obvious hit from the album. That didn’t stop the album from being a huge success for them as evidence by its appearance on this list.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Fool to cry #45
Popular in 1976
Although he didn’t have much success with his singles here in Australia, Leon Russell nonetheless scored massive success with his albums with this one being the biggest of the bunch. From what I can gather he had a bit of a Jesus complex with his imagery which seemed to work out for his audience.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Tightrope #24
Popular in 1972
One of the bigger success stories to come from Countdown in terms of international artists was that of Leif Garrett, specifically how he managed to find massive success with this album despite it being a huge failure in his native America. His next album would be a success on Billboard; however, it would also lead the teen idol to develop a drug addiction which put a halt on his music career indefinitely.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Surfing USA #2
Runaround sue #8
Put your head on my shoulder #24
Popular in 1978
This is the final album that Slade found any success with here in Australia, it came close to appearing on my 1974 list but dropped off just before the AMR charts officially launched that year. It doesn’t seem rather convenient these guys lost their popularity right as David Kent began tracking popular music down under.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Everday #13
Popular in 1974
I’m not sure how this took off here in Australia given how their fellow kiwis largely ignored them throughout the 60’s, however once it did, the band moved over here to Australia where they admittedly took their sweet time releasing a follow up which came out in the midpoint of the decade.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Western union man #15
Popular in 1970
True to its title, this is indeed a live album recorded at the Who’s show at Leeds during their Tommy tour, I guess if nothing else, this was the album which led to the success of the Tommy album even if I’m not sure if that album was a success or not here in Australia.
Peak position #6
Popular in 1970
Hush was another Australian band that were able to see success even without the assistance of Countdown back in the day, in fact this album was a genuine success here as opposed to their follow up which flopped in exchange for the singles being massive hits thanks to Countdown promoting them. Their legacy was sadly limited to these two albums due to glam rock losing its popularity as the decade went on.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Walking #22
Popular in 1974
This was the only successful album Gloria Gaynor was able to achieve here in Australia, I’m guessing this was due to her losing the disco crown to Donna Summer who so more success as the decade went on with her disco records. Even so, this wouldn’t be the last time we hear from the fellow disco singer of colour as she would return by the end of the decade with her classic “I will survive.”
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Never can say goodbye #3
Reach out I’ll be there #35
Popular in 1975
Rita Coolidge is best known as the ex-wife of Kris Kristofferson, I thought I’d bring that up considering her success came during her marriage with the singer/songwriter/actor. Here she scored her biggest success thanks to her cover of the Jackie Wilson classic that still divides audiences to this day.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Higher and higher #6
We’re all alone #32
Popular in 1977, 1978
For many years, this was Leonard Cohen’s only successful album here in Australia given how the singer/songwriter never saw that much mainstream success throughout his career. He eventually found success with his final album in 2016 even if it was through sentimentality.
Peak position #8
Popular in 1971
This was the first album that Dr Hook released by reinventing themselves as a country band given how their earlier material as a comedy rock band wasn’t finding much of an audience outside of their big hit “Sylvia’s mother” (and also “Cover of a rolling stone” depending on where in the world you’re from.) It was a big hit here in Australia that should be higher on this list but isn’t due to being a bit of a sleeper hit with its success.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Only sixteen #8
A little bit more #10
Popular in 1976, 1977
This was a flop for Peter Allen when it was released the previous year, I’m guessing the news of him coming out as gay following his divorce from Liza Minelli initially put us Aussies off from his brand of lounge music on this album. We were fortunately won over this year when he scored a huge hit with the album’s second single, so much so the album and its lead single became a huge success this year for him.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
I go to Rio #1
The more I see you #10
Popular in 1977
This greatest hits package was commissioned following the success of their album Slipstream, meaning that these guys didn’t need the assistance of Countdown to become one of the biggest names in music this decade, although the show certainly didn’t harm their prospects of being a huge band from Australia.
Peak position #1×1
Popular in 1975
This was the final album that Led zeppelin released in their career, OK so technically that honour goes to Coda in 1982, however that album was only released due to contractual obligations and by their label as the band had broken up by that stage. I’m not even sure why they called it quits the following year as there weren’t any behind the scenes drama that I’m aware of, it could be to allow Robert Plant to have a successful solo career.
Peak position #3
Popular in 1979
These guys were another example of each of their albums finding more success than the last here in Australia, we’ll get to their breakthrough album in a bit but suffice to say, this was where they were confirmed to be the real deal along the likes of Deep purple in the prog scene.
Peak position #3
Popular in 1971
This is the other big hit that Leon Russell had here in Australia, technically this was the bigger hit, but I allowed his earlier entry to claim that prize given how that lasted longer on our charts than this did. His time in the spotlight was brief, however it did lead to two big hits for him.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
A hard rain’s gonna fall #12
Popular in 1971, 1972
Well I think this is as good as time as any to point out that in addition to having more greatest hits packages than any other act combined, some of these albums had themes to them such as this one which was built around their rock track from their catalogue. Anything with the name Beatles on it is going to be an instant success worldwide, so we shouldn’t be surprised that this was a success when it came out.
Peak position #4
Popular in 1976
This was the final successful album that 10cc had here in Australia, I’m guessing because we Aussies were a bit too confused with their direction towards reggae with the lead single but could also be due to us not wanting them around in the 80’s for some reason. They admittedly had a good run in the mainstream here so it’s not like they went largely unheard of unlike in America.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Dreadlock holiday #2
Popular in 1978, 1979
If there’s one artist who saw a huge disadvantage here in Australia during the Countdown era, Cat Stevens would be that artist as this was his final successful album here despite scoring one more hit during the second half of the decade with “Days of the old school yard.” He’s another artist that dominated our charts during the first half of the decade with this being his least popular of his successful albums down under.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Oh very young #19
Popular in 1974
This was the follow up to Status quo’s biggest album On the level, and while it didn’t spawn a huge hit for them like that album did, it didn’t prevent the album from being any less successful here in Australia proving how well loved these guys were. Sadly, that love began to fade after this album as though they continued to have his, none of their other albums saw the level of success these two did in their catalogue.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Rain #40
Popular in 1976
This was another highly successful album to come from Bob Dylan, although he wasn’t among the biggest names in music during the second half of the decade in Australia, he did manage to find a loyal fanbase which helped him succeed along the likes of Fleetwood Mac Pink Floyd.
Peak position #5
Popular in 1978
This was the debut album from Bad company, a band who had sound success with their subsequent follow ups, however likely would’ve done better here in Australia were it not for Countdown pushing aside their brand of hard rock in favour of our local music scene as well as our love for the likes of Abba and Bay city rollers.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Can’t get enough #22
Popular in 1974
There weren’t any signs of these guys slowing down now that they were receiving international success with their material, indeed this album might not have been as successful as their previous album, however it more than made up for that by spawning multiple hits on Billboard and in other countries. These guys would continue to have success until Glenn Shorrock left the band and was replaced with John Farnham.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Shut down turn off #16
Reminiscing #35
Lady #46
Popular in 1978
This didn’t prove to be as popular as Alice Cooper’s previous entry on this list, I’m guessing the mediocre reception (comparatively speaking) this album received compelled him to break up the band and move forward as a solo artist whilst retaining his band name.
Peak position #4
Popular in 1973
This was the penultimate album that John Lennon released in his career before retiring throughout the second half of the decade, suffice to say it was a huge success for him as was anything released by him and his former bandmates this decade.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Whatever gets you through the night #34
Popular in 1974, 1975
This was the album which put Elton John’s name on the map given how it has one of his most instantly recognisable songs as its lead single, sure his other entries on this list proved to be more popular, but hey everyone’s got to start somewhere right?
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Your song #11
Popular in 1971
This will be the earliest entry from Rod Stewart I’ll be featuring on this site, suffice to say the crooner heavily benefitted from the Countdown era despite already having plenty of success during the first half of the decade with his earlier work here.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Farewell #47
Popular in 1974, 1975
There’s a version of this album which doesn’t include Art Garfunkel’s theme to Watership down on the track listing, I’m guessing he wanted the album to stand on its own but changed his mind when he realised that his popularity only revived this year because of his affiliation with the animated film. The next time he would trouble the charts was with his reunion tour with his former partner in crime Paul Simon.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Bright eyes #2
Popular in 1979
This was the final album to have the original singer for the Doobie brothers Tom Johnson on the lead, the band would be replaced with Michael McDonald after this album who would take the band in a more adult contemporary direction throughout the second half of the decade. This would lead to their biggest album Minute by minute which helped break them into a more mainstream audience.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Take me in your arms #34
Popular in 1975
It looked like Cheap trick weren’t going to find any crossover success here in Australia given how their live album At Budokan failed to become a success for them over here like it was throughout the rest of the world, however due to a rather memorable Countdown performance with the title track of this album, they were able to finally score mainstream success here which set them up for much success throughout the 80’s.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Dream police #5
Popular in 1979
This is the only studio album that Chain saw success with here in Australia, although they still have a live album to come on this list, proving that the blues band did have appeal with their fellow Aussies back in the day. Even so, they definitely could’ve used some help with Bandstand which conveniently got cancelled when they got big.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Black and blue #12
Popular in 1971
This was the last album that had Elton John working exclusively with Bernie Taupin until their reunion in 1983, it was a massive success for the pair, suggesting they wanted to end their relationship on a high note but changed their minds when they both saw diminishing returns throughout the rest of the decade.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Sorry seems to be the hardest word #19
Popular in 1976, 1977
He may not have been among the most successful artists of the decade; however, David Bowie at least has the distinction of having one of the more popular greatest hits albums in the form of this entry. The album would eventually see a sequel in 1990 when it was released as ChangesBowie.
Peak position #8
Popular in 1976
Although this implies that it’s a live album, this is in fact Sherbet’s second album which did quite well locally despite it being a year prior to when Countdown would launch and make them a household name. Although their debut album did spawn a few minor hits, it was a massive failure for the band.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Cassandra #9
Popular in 1974
Following the success of the Grease soundtrack from earlier on this list, Olivia Newton John doubled down on her sex appeal she displayed in the film with this album which naturally went over well with her fanbase given how this was her first album to be a success outside of its singles here in Australia. It’s a bit of a prototype to her next album which seemed to be tailor made for the launch of MTV.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
A little more love #9
Popular in 1979
While the album itself wasn’t a big success for Marcia Hines, the fact that it spawned two of her biggest hits of the decade more than made up for its comparatively mediocre success from her previous two albums. That said it was still plenty successful hence why it’s on this list, and hey it’s still five times as more success than anything Diana Ross was putting out around this time.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
What I did for love #6
You #2
Popular in 1977
While he continued to have success following the temporary parting ways he had with Bernie Taupin, it’s obvious that the magic had been lost in Elton’s music to the point where he occasionally needed to have songs originally written by Bernie be reworked into some of the tracks on his albums. Even so, he did manage to find success with this album due to it spawning a couple of hit singles for him.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Part time love #12
Song for guy #14
Popular in 1978, 1979
Following the success he had with his breakthrough album on the previous list, James Taylor no longer had any issues with finding success here in Australia as this follow up proved to be a massive hit for him among us Aussies. It didn’t spawn that chart topping single here like it did in his homeland, but it was a hit regardless.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
You’ve got a friend #25
Popular in 1971
America is another band I’m unsure if they were affected by Countdown during the second half of the decade here in Australia, after all, they weren’t that much popular throughout the rest of the world even if they curiously achieved their one and only hit from here and nowhere else.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
A horse with no name #2
Popular in 1972
These guys saw a lot of hype with their debut album, so much so that they were declared to be the American equivalent of the Beatles before it even dropped. Fortunately for them, the album was a huge success thanks to the strength of its lead single. Unfortunately for them, this made them a one album wonder as their subsequent releases failed to find much of an audience for them.
Peak position #1×4
Hit singles
My Sharona #1
Popular in 1979
This was the final album to be released from Wings before they went their separate ways in the new decade, it’s worth noting that every one of their albums was a huge success here in Australia proving how much we Aussies loved Paul McCartney back in the day as he didn’t start to feel irrelevant until the mid 80’s.
Peak position #3
Popular in 1979
Well, it looked like Elvis Presley was able to find success till the bitter end as he released this album a mere month prior to his untimely death. Much like John Lennon’s album Double fantasy, it’s hard to say if this album would’ve been as big as it was if he were to live to see the following year, it did spawn two hit singles before his passing, so I think this album did have a genuine fanbase to draw from.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Moody blue #17
Way down #6
Moody blue (post death) #29
Popular in 1977
This was the second greatest hits album that Sherbet released in as many years, I know they released two albums since their previous effort, but this was still getting out of hand as fans likely would’ve bought these two albums given that they were huge successes for them back in the day.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Rock me gently #6
Popular in 1976, 1977
Following the success of his live album, Peter Frampton had little issues with finding an audience with his next studio album which is why it was a huge success for him. Unfortunately, this success was short lived as none of his subsequent material managed to find much of an audience for him after these two albums.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
I’m in you #9
Popular in 1977
With this entry from the Moody blues, we’ve now officially featured every album from them post 1960’s on this site given how they always seemed to have some form of success with us Aussies. That said, this was a bit of a stumble for the band given how well their two albums from the previous list did.
Peak position #5
Popular in 1971
This was released shortly after Paul’s departure from the fab four, as such, its success was inevitable even if said success seems pitiful compared to all of the entries, we’ve looked at from him so far on this list.
Peak position #3
Popular in 1970
This was seen as a bit of a return to form for Bob Dylan following the disastrous reception of his earlier entry on this list, although he wouldn’t attain his critical acclaim from the 560’s again until the midpoint of the decade.
Peak position #4
Popular in 1971
This was the only notable success from Nicolette Larsson, a woman who’s best known for her relationship with Neil Young from around this time as she appeared on his album Comes a time which is perhaps how she managed to find success with this album. I’m guessing she had a falling out with Neil as her popularity vanished once this album left the charts.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Lotta love #11
Popular in 1979
While the band had moderate success with their debut album the previous year, this was the album which made them a household name as it convinced us Aussies they were among the likes of the Eagles and Doobie brothers in the realms of soft rock. Their popularity would continue to grow with their next album which would lead to them taking the world by storm by the end of the decade.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Everyday of my life #29
Popular in 1976
We finally have every album from Black Sabbath on this site from the early 70’s, this just goes to show how much we Aussies loved the heavy metal band as well as the theatrics of bands such as them and Alice Cooper given how they dominated our album charts in contrast to the country ballads on our singles charts.
Peak position #8
Popular in 1971
This is the first album that Jethro Tull released that was a huge success here in Australia, or at least I think it is as they did have a couple of albums from the 60’s that I’m not sure were a success or not due to the lack of data available for what was popular here in Australia back then.
Peak position #4
Popular in 1970
Deep Purple is another band who saw inescapable success here in Australia during the first half of the decade, as such they would’ve dominated these lists had I decided to go back further in the decade with each of their releases, making those lists rather repetitive given how little variety there was with what was successful.
Peak position #8
Popular in 1974, 1975
While Bob Dylan did indeed have success during the first half of the decade here in Australia, I get the feeling that he was one of many artists to greatly benefit from the Countdown era despite (as far as I can tell at least) never appearing on the show to promote his music. Indeed, his next album would spawn his biggest hit here only a year after the shows launch.
Peak position #4
Popular in 1975
Sergio Mendes was one of the lucky few to have a successful album here in Australia throughout the 60’s, so it makes sense that he would find success with this greatest hits album at the start of the 70’s before he fell into obscurity. He would come back thirteen years later with a Billboard hit “Never gonna let you go.”
Peak position #6
Popular in 1970
Although this didn’t produce any noteworthy hits for Steve Miller and company, it nonetheless remains their most successful album in their career likely due to how well they did on the radio back in the day. They would sit out the rest of the decade and return at the height of MTV with an album that certainly adapted with the times.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Jet airliner #23
Popular in 1977
Although Dragon did achieve minor success earlier in the decade here in Australia, this was the album which finally made them a household name here to the point where they were able to take their success back home as the lead single managed to become a huge success over there. They were one of the earliest acts to achieve success in NZ thanks to appearing on Countdown for what it’s worth.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
April sun in Cuba #2
Popular in 1977, 1978
Speaking of his earlier catalogue, this was Paul’s first album he released following the end of his professional relationship with Art Garfunkel, it was a massive success for the folk singer and spawned a huge hit for him here as well as the rest of the world.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Mother and son reunion #5
Me and Julio down in the school yard #40
Popular in 1972
It seems odd that both this guy and his American counterpart Eric Clapton wouldn’t see much success this decade in Australia, perhaps due to both men having success earlier in their careers and thus seeming like they were out of touch by the time the Countdown era rolled around. In any case, we have this album from JJ Cale which was indeed his fifth album and one that was a huge hit for him here.
Peak position #6
Popular in 1978
This was a collaboration album between Neil Young and the American band Crazy horse, although half of the album is only a Neil Young album with side B being his collaborations with Crazy horse. The album was such a huge success upon its initial release that both parties went on tour to cash in on it which led to the tour being a huge success for them and even the live album being big as well.
Peak position #8
Popular in 1979
This is the only album from Blood sweat and tears I’ll be featuring on this site, mainly because they were a 60’s band and I’m not covering their 60’s material due to it already falling off our charts by the time the decade had begun here in Australia.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Hi de ho #18
Lucretia mac evil #43
Popular in 1970, 1971
I guess Jackson Browne was able to achieve moderate success with his albums here in Australia during the second half of the decade, sure he wasn’t a superstar here like his reputation would suggest but he did do better than some other rock and roll legends that never saw any success here back in the day.
Peak position #8
Popular in 1978
This is the one and only album to be released from Racey, naturally it was a massive success here in Australia given how it managed to spawn three of the bigger hits during the final stretch of the 70’s here, which makes you wonder why they never even attempted to release a second album given how successful they were going into the 80’s.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Lay your love on me #1
Some girls #1
Boy oh boy #12
Popular in 1979
Now that these guys had a highly successful album under their belt, they had little issues with finding success with their subsequent follow ups beginning with this album which may have failed to produce a hit single for them but was a massive success regardless. The 80’s would see their popularity increase as they began scoring hits from their albums as well as developing a positive reputation as a live act.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Shadow boxer #25
Out of the blue #29
Popular in 1979
Neil Diamond was on a roll this year as he managed to score success with his second live album he released this decade, although considering the first one is the BIGGEST ALBUM OF ALL TIME, I guess this album’s success was a bit limited in comparison despite it being a well-remembered concert at the Greek theatre in Los Angeles.
Peak position #7
Popular in 1977
Phoebe Snow was a singer/songwriter who had promise earlier in the decade when “Poetry man” became a huge hit for her in her native America, now she never had a hit here in Australia but due to how popular she was in NZ during the second half of the decade, this album became a huge success for her despite it flopping on the Billboard charts. Why her popularity fizzled out over there is anyone’s guess.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Every night #22
Popular in 1979
Following the success of their greatest hits package from earlier on this list, America was able to score one more successful album to their name in Australia with this album. I’m not sure why they didn’t find more success back in the day as they are known better for their novelty track “A horse with no name” even to this day.
Peak position #12
Popular in 1976
I’m surprised prog music wasn’t more of a mainstream genre in Australia given how big rock operas were at this stage, Alan Parsons project was one of the bigger names in the prog scene as they were able to score a huge sleeper hit with this album following the success of their previous album which was based on the 50’s book series I robot. Their popularity would dwindle going into the 80’s and fade completely after their album Eye in the sky.
Peak position #16
Popular in 1978
While he achieved minor success with his first album with Yoko Ono’s Plastic Ono band, this was where John Lennon was able to wash his hands from the fab four given how it was a huge success for the troubled ex-Beatle upon its initial release.
Peak position #3
Popular in 1971
This was the album where Alice Cooper had sold out, at least he partially sold out as the lead single from this album was an adult contemporary ballad that became his biggest hit here in Australia. There are a few glam rock tracks on here to reassure his fans he wasn’t a total sell-out; however, they feel out of place with the more contemporary sounding songs on here which is why it wasn’t as successful as his earlier work.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
You and me #2
Popular in 1977
It took him a while to follow up from his earlier entry (this was back in the day where artists released a new album annually after all) however the wait seemed to be worth it for his fans as this managed to be a huge success for George Harrison which even spawned a Billboard chart topper for him.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Give me love #11
Popular in 1973
If we’re going by studio albums, then this is the earliest success that the Rolling stones were able to achieve here in Australia, at least success that’s worth mentioning on this site as their 60’s catalogue couldn’t compete with the fab four in terms of popularity.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Brown sugar #5
Popular in 1971
This was the penultimate album to be released from Wings before they went their separate ways in 1980, it was another huge success for them likely due to it being released immediately after their biggest hit “Mull of Kintyre” which strangely neither appears on this album nor was it ever released in America.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
With a little luck #11
Popular in 1978
Although Donna Summer had already seen success with her previous album due to its lead single, it was this album which finally made her the queen of disco due to its lead single topping the charts in most parts of the world. Donna always had a unique voice which worked wonders with sexually charged tracks, which is perhaps how she managed to be crowned the queen of a genre she would come to despise.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
I feel love #1
Popular in 1977
This was the final album Dragon released during their initial run together, despite this being their biggest album they broke up so that Marc Hunter could pursue a solo career that ultimately took him nowhere given how he didn’t score a single hit song during the bands time apart. They got back together when he finally gave up on his solo career where they essentially picked up where they left off from here.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Are you old enough #1
Still in love with you #27
Popular in 1978
You may recognise Greg Allman if you’ve followed the life of Cher as he was her second husband from the mid to late 70’s, a few years prior he scored a massive hit with his band the Allman brothers with this album. It’s the type of blues rock that was competing with all the prog and heavy metal of the day.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Rambling man #43
Popular in 1973, 1974
Although Queen was struggling to recapture the success of their breakthrough album A night at the opera during the second half of the decade, they did manage to continue to find massive success with their attempts which is why this album and its iconic lead single managed to find success here and remain popular to this day. They would hit a dry spell after this with their jazz album titled Jazz.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
We are the champions #8
Popular in 1978
This is widely considered to be David Bowie’s best album, naturally this makes it one of the best albums of all time according to critics, although it was only a decent success at best for him back in the day likely due to it coming out around the time his debut single started gaining popularity worldwide.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
The jean genie #42
Popular in 1973
If you thought that Genesis was the prog band that received the most flak from audiences, then you’ve obviously never seen the backlash towards this British trio who haven’t received much respect over the years for their work. This was their only notable success throughout their career mainly due to it spawning a huge hit in the form of its lead single.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Fanfare for the common man #5
Popular in 1977
The decade might have been coming to an end, however that didn’t mean Abba was yesterday’s news quite yet as they were able to score a massive hit with this album and even several hit singles to spawn from it. While their popularity wasn’t as unavoidable as their earlier material, it was still noteworthy which is more than I can say for several other bands and artists that dominated the midpoint of the 70’s.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Chiquitita #4
Does your mother know #7
Popular in 1979
Well at least David Bowie was able to achieve some degree of success here in Australia during the height of the Countdown era, although it may surprise you to learn that Bowie didn’t achieve that much success here save for his Pin ups album from 1973 as well as his Let’s dance album from a decade after that.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Heroes #11
Popular in 1978
I’m a bit surprised this wasn’t an even bigger success for Barbra Streisand given how it contains her feminist duet with Donna Summer among the track listing, perhaps we Aussies were only interested in Donna’s transition towards female empowerment throughout the 80’s as Barbra’s next album would see her working with the brothers Gibb with a heavy theme towards love.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
No more tears #8
Popular in 1979
This was the only notable success that Elvis Costello had in the music industry, mainly for its lead single which remains a staple on oldies stations despite a controversial lyric where he uses a racial slur at one point (the slur is edited out on the radio.) Elvis is best known for being a punk rocker even though this album is more in line with what would eventually become new wave.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Oliver’s army #24
Popular in 1979
This was the only notable success that these guys managed to achieve with one of their albums, although I did say when discussing their big hit that they were the victim of having each of their songs sounding similar to each other which is perhaps why they weren’t as big as you would otherwise expect them to be. That said, they’ve remained in disco royalty since their initial breakthrough for a reason, those songs are catchy to this day.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Get down tonight #44
That’s the way I like it #5
Popular in 1976
Following the breakthrough success of Parallel lines in their native America, Blondie no longer had any issues with finding success worldwide with their subsequent follow ups including this album which managed to rebound on our charts here in Australia when they released their theme to the Richard Gere flick American gigolo at the start of the 80’s, meaning this became a success twice down under.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Atomic #12
Popular in 1979
Following the success of their earlier entry on this list, it appears that Chicago decided to double down with their change in music direction as they released their eleventh album which was a huge success compared to many of their pre sell-out entries from earlier in the decade.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Baby what a big surprise #14
Popular in 1977
