Classic rock is peaking in 1973 while soul and reggae warm things up.
By 1973, David Bowie is a global superstar and keeps it rolling with Aladdin Sane. The Who deliver the rock opera Quadrophenia, and Pink Floyd release one of the all time best-selling records with The Dark Side of the Moon.
Emir Deodato also has his eyes turned toward the sky with his Grammy Award-winning funk arrangement of “Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001).”
Soul music puts in a hefty deposit with albums from The Spinners, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight, The O’Jays and Smokey Robinson.
Things got experimental and existential with Birds of Fire from Mahavishnu Orchestra, and John Cale goes eccentric on Paris 1919.
Bruce Springsteen pops up twice, first with Asbury Park and later on with The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, while Piano men Elton John and Billy Joel release some of their most-loved tracks, including “Candle In the Wind” and “Piano Man,” respectively.
1973 was all about epic hits – was it the Greatest Year in Music? Let us know in the comments below and across social media with #XPNGreatestYear.
Listen to Rewind: 1973 from Slacker Radio below.
Albums:
Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. – Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band
The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Band – Bruce Springsteen
The Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
There Goes Rhymin’ Simon – Paul Simon
Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye
In the Right Place – Dr. John
Quadrophenia – The Who
Innervisions – Stevie Wonder
Spinners – Spinners
Call Me – Al Green
Life and Times – Jim Croce
Paris 1919 – John Cale
New York Dolls – New York Dolls
Catch a Fire – The Wailers
Berlin – Lou Reed
Aerosmith – Aerosmith
Who Do We Think We Are – Deep Purple
Dixie Chicken – Little Feat
Living in the Material World – George Harrison
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John
Burnin’ – The Wailers
Closing Time – Tom Waits
Killing Me Softly – Roberta Flack
GP – Gram Parsons
Queen – Queen
Diamond Girl – Seals and Croft
(Pronounced Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Raw Power – The Stooges
Tyranny and Mutation – Blue Oyster Cult
Cosmic Slop – Funkadelic
Eat It – Humble Pie
Amabutho – Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Aladdin Sane – David Bowie
Billion Dollar Babies – Alice Cooper
The Captain and Me – The Doobie Brothers
A Wizard, a True Star – Todd Rundgren
Shotgun Willie – Willie Nelson
I’ve Got So Much to Give – Barry White
Prelude– Deodato
Houses of the Holy – Led Zeppelin
Ship Ahoy – The O’Jays
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath – Black Sabbath
Sextant – Herbie Hancock
Future Days – Can
Birds of Fire – Mahavishnu Orchestra
Imagination – Gladys Knight & the Pips
Head Hunters – Herbie Hancock
Suzi Quatro – Suzi Quatro
Head to the Sky – Earth, Wind & Fire
The Joker – Steve Miller Band
Moontan – Golden Earring
The Pointer Sisters – The Pointer Sisters
Band on the Run – Paul McCartney and the Wings
Touch Me in the Morning – Diana Ross
Goats Head Soup – Rolling Stones
Jesus Christ Superstar – Original Soundtrack
Piano Man – Billy Joel
Spectrum – Billy Cobham
Smokey – Smokey Robinson
We’re an American Band – Grand Funk Railroad
Foreigner – Cat Stevens
Tres Hombres – ZZ Top
Countdown to Ecstasy – Steely Dan
Brothers and Sisters – Allman Brothers Band
Takin’ My Time – Bonnie Raitt
Abandoned Luncheonette – Hall & Oates
