Category Archives: Popular Music 1970s

Lennon, Spector begin ‘Back To Mono’ sessions 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'John Lennon - Angel Baby (with lyrics)'

(Wednesday, October 17, 1973) — Ex-Beatle John Lennon began recording songs for his Back To Mono project today at A&M Studio in Hollywood, recording his favorite oldies with producer Phil Spector. An atmosphere of chaos pervaded these sessions (which ended Dec. 14, 1973) and only the first four tracks listed would eventually see release on the Rock ‘N’ Roll album released by Apple in Feb. 1975.

McCartney, Wings return from Lagos after recording bulk of ‘Band On The Run’ album 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'Paul McCartney (6/9) - Wingspan' (Aug. 31-Sept. 23, 1973, at 2:07)

(Sunday, September 23, 1973) — Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney and his group Wings left Lagos today and returned home to England, having recorded most of their next album, Band On The Run. Continue reading McCartney, Wings return from Lagos after recording bulk of ‘Band On The Run’ album 40 years ago today (1973)

Singer-songwriter Jim Croce performs his final concert 40 years ago tonight (1973)


Video: 'Jim Croce's Final Concert' (Sept. 20, 1973, Northwestern State University's Prather Coliseum)

(Thursday, September 20, 1973, evening) — Singer-songwriter Jim Croce, 30, performed what would turn out to be his final concert tonight at Northwestern State University’s Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches, Louisiana, just hours before he would die in a plane crash.

Singer-songwriter Gram Parsons pronounced dead 40 years ago this hour (1973)


Video: 'The Extraordinary - Gram Parsons - 1995'

(Wednesday, September 19, 1973, 12:15 a.m. PDT) — Singer-songwriter Gram Parsons died today under mysterious circumstances in Joshua Tree, California. Parsons, who was 26, played with The Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers. His coffin was later stolen by two of his associates and set on fire.

John Lennon, Yoko Ono separate 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'Imagine John Lennon Documentation HD part 6' (Sept. 18, 1973, at 3:15)

(Tuesday, September 18, 1973) — Ex-Beatle John Lennon moved out of the Dakota apartment in New York today and headed off to Los Angeles to begin an 18-month separation from wife Yoko Ono. Continue reading John Lennon, Yoko Ono separate 40 years ago today (1973)

Curtis Mayfield, Jim Croce, Helen Reddy, Sly & the Family Stone perform on ‘Midnight Special’ 40 years ago this hour (1973)


Video: 'Curtis Mayfield Future Shock'

(Saturday, September 15, 1973, 1:00 a.m. EDT) — Curtis Mayfield, Jim Croce, Helen Reddy and Sly & the Family Stone were among the performers on tonight’s episode of the late-night musical variety NBC-TV series The Midnight Special as hosted tonight by Mayfield. Continue reading Curtis Mayfield, Jim Croce, Helen Reddy, Sly & the Family Stone perform on ‘Midnight Special’ 40 years ago this hour (1973)

Actress Katharine Hepburn tapes an appearance for ‘The Dick Cavett Show’ 40 years ago this afternoon (1973)


Video: 'katharine Hepburn interview on Dick Cavett Show {FULL}'

(Tuesday, September 11, 1973, afternoon) — Actress Katharine Hepburn taped an appearance this afternoon at ABC Studios in New York for The Dick Cavett Show. The three-hour interview was edited for a two-part airing on Oct. 2-3, 1973, on ABC-TV.

Edgar Winter Group performs on ‘Midnight Special’ 40 years ago this hour (1973)


Video: 'Edgar Winter - Frankenstein (1973) The Midnight Special'

(Saturday, September 8, 1973, 1:00 a.m. EDT) — The Edgar Winter Group was among the performers on tonight’s episode of the late-night musical variety NBC-TV series The Midnight Special as hosted tonight by Mac Davis.

Billy Preston performs on ‘Midnight Special’ 40 years ago this hour (1973)


Video: 'Billy Preston - 'Round in Circles - Midnight Special 1973 HQ'

(Saturday, September 1, 1973, 1:00 a.m. EDT) — Billy Preston was among the performers on tonight’s episode of the late-night musical variety NBC-TV series The Midnight Special as co-hosted tonight by Preston.

Loretta Lynn, Marty Robbins perform on ‘Midnight Special’ 40 years ago this hour (1973)


Video: 'Midnight Special'

(Saturday, August 25, 1973, 1:00 a.m. EDT) — Loretta Lynn and Marty Robbins were among the performers on tonight’s episode of the late-night musical variety NBC-TV series The Midnight Special as co-hosted tonight by Lynn and Robbins. Continue reading Loretta Lynn, Marty Robbins perform on ‘Midnight Special’ 40 years ago this hour (1973)