I feel I should point out what albums were popular during the first half of the 70's on this site, I did bring some of them up on my 1974 list, however I've decided to rank these albums based on how well they did back in the day as well as give them commentary as if I were looking at their cultural impact at the time rather than making excuses for not going into further details like I've done on this site.
This remains the longest charting album on our charts of all time for a reason, after all, Neil Diamond did put on an explosive performance for this live album that still manages to captivate audiences even after all these years.
Peak position #1x29
Go set #1x5
(POPULAR IN 1973, 1974)
Cat Stevens was indeed one of the biggest names in music during the first half of the 70's, although it's worth noting that A: this album didn't produce a big hit like a later entry on this list did and B: it was his first successful album despite being active for most of the 60's.
Peak position #2
Go set #1x1
Hit singles
Father and son #18
(POPULAR IN 1971, 1972)
It's strange to think this album is still one of the most successful Broadway soundtracks of all time, stranger still is that by all accounts, this actually sold more than what Phantom of the opera did despite the original run of this show ending decades ago at this point.
Peak position #6
Go set #4
(POPULAR IN 1971, 1972)
Well, we needed at least one entry from the back catalogue of Simon and Garfunkel to feature on this site of mine, didn't we? Here we are with their final album which contains some of their most instantly recognisable work in their catalogue which indeed was big at the time of its release.
Peak position #1x15
Go set #1x15
Hit singles
The boxer #6
Bridge over troubled water #2 (Go set #1)
Cecilia #6 (Go set #7)
El condor pasa #1 (Go set #1)
(POPULAR IN 1970, 1971)
Although this album has recharted several times over the years worldwide, it was in fact a success upon its initial release which makes it the first successful album to come from Pink Floyd after a string of flops from the 60's.
Peak position #2
Go set #3
(POPULAR IN 1973, 1974)
This was the big album from Cat Stevens that spawned multiple hits for him back in the day, naturally it was quite the success even if his earlier entry on here proved to be more successful in the long run due to it rebounding on the charts when he released this follow up.
Peak position #1x15
Go set #1x14
Hit singles
Peace train #3 (Go set #2)
Morning has broken #4 (Go set #4)
(POPULAR IN 1971, 1972)
This remains Elton John's most successful album in his career even after all of these years, it's easy to see why given how it contains some of his finest work in his catalogue that resonated with his audience both then and now.
Peak position #1x3
Go set #1x3
Hit singles
Saturday night's alright for fighting #31
Goodbye yellow brick road #3 (Go set #2)
Candle in the wind #5 (Go set #6)
(POPULAR IN 1973, 1974)
It appears this albums success came back in the day at the expense of the singles success here in Australia, this seems plausible considering our charts were always based on sales rather than radio airplay even before the days of David Kent tracking what was popular down under.
Peak position #1x7
Go set #1x9
Hit singles
Mrs Vanderbilt #41
(POPULAR IN 1974)
It makes sense that Slade's most successful album here in Australia would be their live album, although it's worth noting that only one of their studio albums managed to appear on this list likely due to them being considered more of a singles band back in the day.
Peak position #1x12
Go set #1x5
(POPULAR IN 1972, 1973)
We have another live album to feature on this list, this time it's from Joe Cocker who scored massive success with this live release thanks to putting on such an explosive show for the tour this album is named after.
Peak position #3
Go set #1x1
Hit singles
The letter #37
Cry me a river #45
(POPULAR IN 1970, 1971)
This came out around the same time as Joe's live album from before, it was also a massive success likely due to the success of his Mad dogs and Englishmen tour which showcased what a brilliant showman he was during the height of his career.
Peak position #1x8
Go set #1x10
Hit singles
The letter #37
(POPULAR IN 1971, 1972)
These guys were on a roll entering the 70's as this managed to spawn several of their most iconic tracks as both singles and their B-sides, in fact it's incredible that said singles were among the most successful of the day given how they achieved said success through sales and not airplay.
Peak position #1x19
Go set #1x15
Hit singles
Travelling band #4 (Go set #3)
Up around the bend #1 (Go set #1)
Looking out my back door #1 (Go set #1)
(POPULAR IN 1970, 1971)
This was the second of three concept albums that Rick Wakeman released during his time away from Yes, it was by far his most successful likely due to the subject matter revolving around the Jules Verne book of the same name which was widely popular thanks to its 1959 film adaptation.
Peak position #2
Go set #6
(POPULAR IN 1974)
Also known as her self-titled album internationally, this debut from Suzi Quatro proved to be a massive success here in Australia likely due to the success of its two singles which proved that even in the early 70's, there was plenty of room for women in rock and roll.
Peak position #2
Go set #2
Hit singles
Can the can #1 (Go set #1)
48 crash #1 (Go set #2)
(POPULAR IN 1974)
This was initially a flop for Mike Oldfield upon its initial release, however its fortunes changed when parts of the album were used as the theme for the Exorcist which propelled its popularity following the success of the film months after its release.
Peak position #1x4
Go set #1x3
Hit singles
Tubular bells #12 (Go set #15)
(POPULAR IN 1974)
This sat on shelves ignored for nearly two years, in fact it only became a success worldwide thanks to the success of John's other entry on this list which compelled audiences to look into his back catalogue with this being the perfect way of doing so.
Peak position #4
Go set #???
(POPULAR IN 1974)
While he had success prior to this album worldwide, this was the first to grant Elton John a genuine smash hit as the lead single managed to top the Billboard charts as well as it nearly doing the same on our charts upon its initial release.
Peak position #1x3
Go set #1x1
Hit singles
Crocodile rock #2 (Go set #2)
Daniel #7 (Go set #6)
(POPULAR IN 1973)
Wings were on a roll when they released their second album given how it came off the success of Paul and Linda's collaboration album (which we'll look at in a minute) their momentum would carry on for the remainder of the decade regardless of where in the world you're from.
Peak position #1x3
Go set #1x11
Hit singles
My love #5 (Go set #4)
(POPULAR IN 1973)
Here's that collaboration album I mentioned a minute ago, it was originally meant to be a solo project from Paul following the sound success of his solo debut but became a collaboration with his wife Linda due to the emotional struggles he was going through at the time of its conception.
Peak position #3
Go set #2
Hit singles
Eat at home #21
Uncle albert/Admirable Halsey #5 (Go set #6)
(POPULAR IN 1971)
I'm not sure how well the first self-titled album from Led Zeppelin did here in Australia due to limited album sales data from the 60's, however I do know that the second album was a massive success mainly due to the success of its lead single which eventually ran into copyright issues.
Peak position #1x5
Go set #1x5
Hit singles
Whole lotta love #1 (Go set #1)
(POPULAR IN 1970)
It was the final album to come from the fab four, at least they were able to end things on a high note given how both the album and the singles were phenomenally successful, although it was for the best, they broke up given the behind-the-scenes drama the members were enduring.
Peak position #1x4
Go set #1x3
Hit singles
Let it be #1 (Go set #1)
The long and winding road #7 (Go set #6)
(POPULAR IN 1970)
File this in the category of an album appearing on here more due to its refusal to drop out of the charts, although it does seem fitting the brothers Gibb would begin the 70's with a highlight reel of their best moments from the 60's captured on this album.
Peak position #6
Go set #5
(POPULAR IN 1971, 1972)
This was the album that made John Denver into a household name worldwide due to the surprise success of its lead single, admittedly its success did spill over to the second half of the decade, although it began months prior to the launch of Countdown here in Australia.
Peak position #2
Go set #???
Hit singles
Annie's song #5
Back home again #20
Sweet surrender #38
Thank god I'm a country boy #41
(POPULAR IN 1974)
This is one of the earliest albums to come out of the 60's to appear on this list, suffice to say that it was released from CCR in the dying days of that decade and managed to achieve most of its success in the 70's thanks to the strong lead single and its B-side.
Peak position #2
Go set #2
Hit singles
Down on the corner #2 (Go set #2)
(POPULAR IN 1970)
While this album from Elton John failed to spawn a hit single here in Australia, the success of those songs was obviously at the expense of the album itself managing to rise to the popularity of his two earlier entries on this list.
Peak position #1x10
Go set #7
Hit singles
Don't let the sun go down on me #13
(POPULAR IN 1974)
This is the only other album that Suzi Quatro found considerable success with here in Australia, it was mainly due to it also spawning some of her biggest hits as well as her being the very first international artist to appear on Countdown which boosted its sales during the second half of the decade.
Peak position #1x6
Go set #???
Hit singles
Too big #13
The wild one #2
(POPULAR IN 1974)
Jethro Tull were indeed one of the biggest names in music during the first half of the decade, here they are with their magnum opus which true to form for a prog album, is just two tracks divided onto both sides of the L.P much like Mike Oldfield's entry from earlier.
Peak position #1x11
Go set #1x9
(POPULAR IN 1972)
This is the only album to come from Carole King on this site, it remains her most successful album due to it spawning her biggest hit as well as it being released at a time where female folk rockers were plentiful on the music scene worldwide.
Peak position #3
Go set #1x1
Hit singles
It's too late #6 (Go set #5)
(POPULAR IN 1971, 1972)
Given how we looked at an album from just Crosby Stills and Nash on this site already, it was only inevitable that their magnum opus with Neil Young would remain their most popular here in Australia like it was internationally given that it was released at the height of all four men's respective popularities.
Peak position #1x2
Go set #1x7
Hit singles
Teach your children well #11 (Go set #13)
Woodstock #19 (Go set #13)
(POPULAR IN 1970)
I bet you were beginning to wonder if heavy metal was ever popular here in Australia given the genre's noticeable absence on this site, suffice to say that it was during the first half of the decade with this entry from Deep purple being by far the most success down under.
Peak position #1x2
Go set #1x1
(POPULAR IN 1972)
This was Neil Diamond's soundtrack he composed for the film adaptation of the book of the same name, naturally the album proved to be far more popular than the film due to it being released at the height of his popularity.
Peak position #1x4
Go set #1x4
Hit singles
Be #29
(POPULAR IN 1974)
Following the success of the CSNY album from earlier on this list, Neil Young was able to finally achieve massive success here in Australia with one of his albums in the form of this entry, it would be his only success until much later in the decade.
Peak position #1x1
Go set #2
Hit singles
Heart of gold #14 (Go set #15)
(POPULAR IN 1972)
This was the only notable success that Melanie had with one of her albums, although curiously this didn't contain her biggest hit "Brand new key" which came off her next album which was a slight departure from the chamber pop of this album.
Peak position #2
Go set #1x2
Hit singles
Lay down #2 (Go set #3)
(POPULAR IN 1970, 1971)
This was Don Mclean's only album to achieve notable success here in Australia, mainly for the title track which was one of the biggest hits of the decade but also likely for the second single which remains a favourite on oldies stations as well.
Peak position #1x11
Go set #1x12
Hit singles
American pie #1 (Go set #1)
Vincent #3 (Go set #4)
(POPULAR IN 1972)
This is one of two albums from the Alice Cooper band to appear on this list, it's another case of an iconic single (in this case the title track) missing out on its success here in Australia in exchange for making the album one of the most successful of its time.
Peak position #5
Go set #1x1
Hit singles
School's out #39
(POPULAR IN 1972, 1973)
It's no surprise this was a success given that it contains the legendary "Stairway to heaven" amongst its track listing, however that song was infamously not released as a single here as the band went with a different track for its lead single which was a hit here in Australia.
Peak position #2
Go set #2
Hit singles
Black dog #10 (Go set #9)
(POPULAR IN 1972)
He may have still been the lead singer of the Faces (a band who's still to come on this list) however that didn't prevent Rod Stewart from finding massive success with his second solo album due to how inescapably popular the lead single was.
Peak position #1x5
Go set #1x6
Hit singles
Maggie may #1 (Go set #1)
(POPULAR IN 1971, 1972)
Cat Stevens was on a roll when he released this album even if it failed to produce a hit single for him like his previous entry did, in fact only that album managed to give him one hit single let alone two here in Australia to give you an idea how much more of an album artist he was down under.
Peak position #1x7
Go set #1x7
Hit singles
Sittin #34
(POPULAR IN 1972, 1973)
This is one of the oldest albums to appear on this list, although the fab four were one of the biggest names in music during the transition from the 60's to the 70's so it makes sense this iconic album lasted long enough in the early months of the decade to qualify for this list.
Peak position #1x18
Go set #1x18
Hit singles
Something #1 (Go set #1)
(POPULAR IN 1970)
Before they sold out hard in 1976, Chicago was a well-respected jazz rock band who got their big break with their second album at the very start of the decade, it just goes to show how quickly a band can abandon their roots for the sake of trend chasing.
Peak position #5
Go set #4
Hit singles
Make me smile #33
25 or 6 to 4 #12 (Go set #6)
(POPULAR IN 1970)
I haven't seen the Sting, however judging by its soundtrack, it sounds like a gritty period piece that perfectly captures the setting of the 1930's that composer Marvin Hamlisch expertly crafted for the film, naturally this impressed quite a lot of audiences back in the day as a result.
Peak position #1x7
Go set #1x6
Hit singles
The entertainer #2 (Go set #2)
(POPULAR IN 1974)
True to its title, this is a live album from Deep purple's tour throughout Japan that impressed western audiences as much as it did those who were present throughout the tour, as such it became a massive success worldwide for the band.
Peak position #3
Go set #2
(POPULAR IN 1973)
I haven't seen the film, however going by the soundtrack, that's something I need to remedy at some point due to all of the classic 60's rock that it managed to collect to bring to life the setting of being an outlaw from a motorcycle gang.
Peak position #4
Go set #3
(POPULAR IN 1970)
It took him several albums; however, Nilsson was finally able to achieve massive success with this entry likely due to it spawning by far his biggest hit in his entire catalogue in the form of its lead single, pretty impressive considering how loathed it remains with most music aficionados.
Peak position #2
Go set #2
Hit singles
Without you #1 (Go set #1)
Jump in the fire #26
(POPULAR IN 1972)
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 #1x3
Go set #1x6
(POPULAR IN 1973)
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 #1x2
Go set #1x1
(POPULAR IN 1971)
Although this serves as the soundtrack to the documentary made for Woodstock, you can consider this a live album from the iconic event given how the documentary comprises of clips taken from the festival rather than it being a recreation of it in any way.
Peak position #2
Go set #2
(POPULAR IN 1970)
It's shocking to think how much success this guy had in his heyday given what would transpire of him over the years, however there's no denying that he was among the forebears of glam rock thanks to eye catching stage antics and anthemic tracks found on his albums.
Peak position #11
Go set #10
Hit singles
Do you wanna touch me #11 (Go set #12)
Hello hello I'm back again #11 (Go set #16)
(POPULAR IN 1973, 1974)
As far as I can tell, this live album from Tom Jones's Vegas tour remains his most successful here in Australia, although it's possible that This is Tom Jones and Green green grass of home were even bigger given how there is enough data to suggest they were at least successful here.
Peak position #2
Go set #2
(POPULAR IN 1970)
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 #1x4
Go set #1x10
Hit singles
Angie #1 (Go set #1)
(POPULAR IN 1973, 1974)
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 #1x8
Go set #1x7
Hit singles
My sweet lord #1 (Go set #1)
What is life #3 (Go set #1)
(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
Go set #2
Hit singles
I'm just a singer #39
(POPULAR IN 1973)
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.
As for the album itself, we have the first of only two albums that Daddy cool released during their short time together, although the lead single was one of the biggest hits of the decade here and lead singer Ross Wilson would go on to find much more success with his second band Mondo rock a decade later.
Peak position #1x7
Go set #1x6
Hit singles
Eagle rock #1 (Go set #1)
Come back #3 (Go set #2)
(POPULAR IN 1971)
Long before she became an Oscar nominated actress in Hollywood, Bette Midler was a throwback performer who found instant success with her debut album due to her campy antics which of course attracted a queer following which led to her acceptance of that community later in her career.
Peak position #7
Go set #3
Hit singles
Do you want to dance #19 (Go set #10)
Boogie woogie bugle boy #7 (Go set #10)
(POPULAR IN 1973)
This is one of the more recent entries to appear on this list given how some of its popularity rolled over to the second half of the decade, suffice to say that even without the presence of Countdown, Sherbet were indeed one of the most popular bands from Australia during the first half of the decade.
Peak position #3
Go set #???
Hit singles
So glad you're mine #44
Slipstream #5 (Go set #7)
Silvery moon #5
(POPULAR IN 1974)
We have another carryover from the 60's here, this time it's the biggest album that Jose Feliciano had in his career in the English-speaking market following the success of his hit singles "Adios amor" from the year prior to when this was released in Australia and NZ.
Peak position #2
Go set #2
Hit singles
Rain #47
(POPULAR IN 1970)
Although David Bowie had achieved sound success prior this this covers album, this was where he became a household name worldwide likely due to it spawning his biggest hit in the form of the lead single, I'm not kidding by the way as he never had a bigger hit throughout his career.
Peak position #4
Go set #2
Hit singles
Sorrow #1 (Go set #1)
(POPULAR IN 1974)
This is another carryover from the 60's, this time it's the Australian recording of the musical Hair which was a major success likely due to how inescapable the Broadway recording was throughout the 60's.
Peak position #3
Go set #3
(POPULAR IN 1970)
Well there was bound to be an at the time oldies release at some point on this list, although given how 50's crooner Perry Como (who was 61 when he released this) was seeing a massive surge in popularity with the lead single, it only makes sense this was also a massive success for him.
Peak position #6
Go set #6
Hit singles
And I love you so #2 (Go set #2)
For the good times #5 (Go set #3)
(POPULAR IN 1973, 1974)
Aaah Black Sabbath, you knew I'd get to these guys eventually given how I brought up how popular heavy metal was, although it is rather surprising in retrospect how popular they were back in the day given how their brand of metal was widely protested against by angry wine moms.
Peak position #5
Go set #4
Hit singles
Paranoid #26
(POPULAR IN 1971)
This was the album Neil Diamond released mere months prior to his magnum opus from the top of the list, suffice to say that although it was a huge success upon its initial release, its legacy has since been overshadowed by that live album that refuses to die on our charts.
Peak position #4
Go set #4
Hit singles
Song sung blue #5 (Go set #4)
Play me #25
(POPULAR IN 1972)
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
Go set #1x5
Hit singles
You wear it well #13 (Go set #7)
(POPULAR IN 1972, 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
Go set #2
Hit singles
Ginger man #17 (Go set #16)
(POPULAR IN 1972, 1973)
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
Go set #2
(POPULAR IN 1973)
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 #1x6
Go set #1x9
Hit singles
You're so vain #1 (Go set #1)
(POPULAR IN 1973)
This is the oldest album to appear on this list, in fact it was already one of the biggest successes of the 60's by the time that decade ended, which goes to show how long its popularity lasted here in Australia given how I'm not even including its full chart run on this ranking (mainly because I don't have access to it.)
Peak position #1x28
Go set #1x28
(POPULAR IN 1970)
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 #1x2
Go set #1x2
Hit singles
Imagine #1 (Go set #1)
(POPULAR IN 1971, 1972)
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 #1x5
Go set #1x6
Hit singles
Me and bobby McGee #1 (Go set #1)
(POPULAR IN 1971)
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
Go set #1x3
Hit singles
Sing #24
Yesterday once more #9 (Go set #6)
(POPULAR IN 1973)
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 #1x4
Go set #1x4
Hit singles
Immigrant song #23
(POPULAR IN 1971)
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 #1x3
Go set #1x3
Hit singles
Have you ever seen the rain #6 (Go set #6)
(POPULAR IN 1971)
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
Go set #1x1
Hit singles
Photograph #1 (Go set #1)
You're sixteen #6 (Go set #4)
(POPULAR IN 1974)
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 #1x1
Go set #1x1
Hit singles
Black magic woman #29
(POPULAR IN 1971)
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
Go set #4
(POPULAR IN 1970)
This was the album that made Gary Glitter a household name following a long and rocky road to stardom throughout the 60's, from his campy stage antics to the anthemic tracks found on here, it's little wonder he captivated audiences during the early years of glam rock.
Peak position #8
Go set #12
Hit singles
Rock and roll #1 (Go set #2)
I didn't know I loved you #23
(POPULAR IN 1973)
Although he did find moderate success later in the decade here in Australia, this is the biggest success that James Taylor had given it was released during the height of the folk-rock scene that was kick started by Cat Stevens with his two entries from the top of this list.
Peak position #7
Go set #7
Hit singles
Fire and rain #6 (Go set #5)
(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 #1x6
Go set #1x4
Hit singles
Mama weer all crazee now #14 (Go set #3)
Gudbye j'jane #11 (Go set #11)
(POPULAR IN 1973)
It's hard to tell when this took over the chart run from the original soundtrack from the Andrew Lloyd Weber production, however at some point the Australian version became a success which I'm including here as it's the version that appears on the year end list for 1973.
Peak position #13
Go set #15
(POPULAR IN 1973)
This is another album that had most of its success carried over into the second half of the decade, in fact I'm willing to bet this would've been even more successful had Countdown not made Neil Diamond less cool given how much bigger he was in NZ than he was here.
Peak position #1x7
Go set #???
Hit singles
Longfellow serenade #7
(POPULAR IN 1974)
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.
Peak position #3
Go set #1x2
(POPULAR IN 1973)
I'm not sure why Stevie Wright didn't have more success during the second half of the decade given how much of a splash he made with his first solo album; he even performed the lead single to his second album on the first episode of Countdown which did said album no favours for him.
Peak position #2
Go set #7
Hit singles
Evie #1 (Go set #2)
(POPULAR IN 1974)
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
Go set #2
Hit singles
Living in the past #36
(POPULAR IN 1973)
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
Go set #4
Hit singles
Won't get fooled again #14 (Go set #14)
(POPULAR IN 1971, 1972)
This will be Black Sabbath's final appearance on this list, it was another huge success for them during the first half of the decade which further goes to show how popular metal was before Countdown swept it all away in favour of our local music scene (a mixed blessing to say the least.)
Peak position #5
Go set #5
(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
Go set #3
Hit singles
Rocket man #13 (Go set #14)
(POPULAR IN 1972)
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
Go set #4
(POPULAR IN 1972)
This was released just before the tragic death of Jim Morrison, meaning that it's hard to tell if its success was in its own right or out of respect for his (then) recent passing, either way it remains a classic in the band's catalogue to this day.
Peak position #9
Go set #9
Hit singles
Love her madly #4 (Go set #6)
Riders on the storm #12 (Go set #10)
(POPULAR IN 1971)
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
Go set #5
Hit singles
Never never never #1 (Go set #1)
(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
Go set #2
Hit singles
Little queenie #29
(POPULAR IN 1970, 1971)
Despite its massive success back in the day, people claim that Bowie's earlier entry on this list is a low point in his career which he quickly bounced back with here, naturally it was also a success now that he was a household name worldwide.
Peak position #3
Go set #1x2
Hit singles
Rebel rebel #28
(POPULAR IN 1974)
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
Go set #5
(POPULAR IN 1972)
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
Go set #2
(POPULAR IN 1973)
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
Go set #4
Hit singles
Stay with me #41
(POPULAR IN 1972)
The final appearance from Deep Purple on this list, this time it's their final major success given how this was released just before Countdown premiered and took over our music scene and pushed aside the likes of prog and metal.
Peak position #7
Go set #5
(POPULAR IN 1974)
Apparently, this guy had made other albums throughout his career, however this is the only one to find any kind of success likely due to the lead single as well as the novelty of naming his album after a fact about the mythological Pegasus.
Peak position #3
Go set #3
Hit singles
I am Pegasus #2 (Go set #9)
(POPULAR IN 1974)
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
Go set #2
Hit singles
Question #36
(POPULAR IN 1970, 1971)
This was the first concept album that Rick Wakeman released, naturally it's about the many wives of Henry VIII who each have their own song dedicated to them on the album, its strange premise made it the least successful out of Rick's solo outings.
Peak position #12
Go set #9
(POPULAR IN 1973)
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
Go set #5
(POPULAR IN 1973)
While this wasn't the first solo album that Eric Clapton released in his career, it was the first album on his own to find any sort of success likely thanks to the lead single which strangely underperformed here in Australia back in the day likely for the album's financial benefit.
Peak position #2
Go set #???
Hit singles
I shot the sheriff #11
(POPULAR IN 1974)
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
Go set #4
(POPULAR IN 1970)
This was the first of two live albums to come from the Aztecs which came out around the time they scored a massive comeback hit with "Most people I know think that I'm crazy," it was a sure sign of good things to come that sadly never materialised for the band.
Peak position #8
Go set #8
(POPULAR IN 1972)
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
Go set #3
(POPULAR IN 1971)
It's tough to say if these guys were a victim of the Countdown curse like so many other entries on this list given how they did achieve as much success here during the second half of the decade as they did throughout the rest of the world, either way, they started strong with this album and got progressively less popular from there.
Peak position #6
Go set #???
Hit singles
Can't get enough #22
(POPULAR IN 1974)
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 #1x2
Go set #1x1
Hit singles
Brown sugar #5 (Go set #5)
(POPULAR IN 1971)
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
Go set #3
Hit singles
Most people I know think that I'm crazy #2 (Go set #3)
(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
Go set #2
Hit singles
Cum on feel the noize #12 (Go set #18)
Skweeze me pleaze me #39
(POPULAR IN 1973, 1974)
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
Go set #2
(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
Go set #3
Hit singles
A horse with no name #2 (Go set #1)
(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
Go set #3
Hit singles
The last thing on my mind #47
(POPULAR IN 1973)
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
Go set #2
Hit singles
Wigwam #24
(POPULAR IN 1970)
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
Go set #1x4
Hit singles
Give me love #11 (Go set #9)
(POPULAR IN 1973)
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
Go set #3
(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
Go set #1x1
(POPULAR IN 1970)
Even though this failed to spawn a hit for the Rolling stones, the lack of said hit seemed to help it become a moderate success here in Australia hence why it was able to appear on this list.
Peak position #2
Go set #1x1
Hit singles
Tumbling dice #22
(POPULAR IN 1972)
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
Go set #3
(POPULAR IN 1973)
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
Go set #5
(POPULAR IN 1971)
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 lineup of well-known musicians that came together to make it as iconic as it’s remained over the last five decades.
Peak position #7
Go set #7
(POPULAR IN 1970)
If we're not counting greatest hits albums, this is the most recent album from Cat Stevens to appear on this site which makes it safe to say that he's another artist to be negatively affected by Countdown given how this was released right before the show took off.
Peak position #5
Go set #2
Hit singles
Oh very young #19 (Go set #17)
(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
Go set #5
Hit singles
Western union man #15 (Go set #13)
(POPULAR IN 1970)
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
Go set #3
(POPULAR IN 1970)
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
Go set #5
Hit singles
Your song #11 (Go set #10)
(POPULAR IN 1971)
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
Go set #4
Hit singles
Roadhouse blues #38
(POPULAR IN 1970)
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
Go set #6
Hit singles
Kodachrome #31
Loves me like a rock #30
(POPULAR IN 1973)
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
Go set #7
Hit singles
Mother and son reunion #5 (Go set #6)
Me and Julio down in the school yard #40
(POPULAR IN 1972)
This was the first album to come from Wings, a band initially formed by Linda McCartney only to have her husband join them as their lead vocalist, this also means I've officially featured all of their albums on this side proving how consistently popular they were back in the day.
Peak position #3
Go set #5
(POPULAR IN 1972)
What better way to cap off this list than with the umpteenth greatest hits package from the fab four? At least this came out around the same time as their final album which means it wasn't just a hollow cash grab like so many of their other albums I've featured on this site.
Peak position #1x2
Go set #1x2
(POPULAR IN 1970)
