 | Americans re-invaded the UK charts in 1972 led by the Osmonds as top act of the year. The Osmonds were able to launch hit singles either as a complete family band or as soloists - like the Jacksons were later to do. As a family group their biggest hit was "Crazy Horses" which reached number two (also a number two album). However, 14 year-old
Donny Osmond had already topped the chart with "Puppy Love" the third biggest hit for 1972. he followed this up with top five hits "Too Young" and "Why". Later in the year an even younger brother,
Little Jimmy Osmond, topped the charts with "Long Haired Lover From Liverpool" which stayed at the top well into the new year.
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| T. Rex were pushed into second place for the year by this onslaught. However, Mark Bolan's duo still managed the fifth biggest hit of the year with "Metal Guru" and also topped the charts with "Telegram Sam" while hitting number two spot with both "Children of the Revolution" and "Solid Gold Easy Action". Album "Electric Warrior" stayed high in the charts for the second year and was third biggest of 1972. They also had album chart toppers with "Prophets, Seers and Sages" and
"Bolan Boogie".
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| Number three act for the year were the New
Seekers. Their number one single "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" was the biggest of the year. They enjoyed continued single success with top five hits "Beg Steal or Borrow" and "Circles".
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| Fourth place overall went to Slade. They had topped the charts in 1971 with "Coz I Luv You" and were now able to release a barrage of of rock hits with quirky spellings. Their chart toppers included "Take Me Bak
'ome" and "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" while "Gudbuy
T'Jane" stalled at number three and "Look Wot You Dun" reached the top five. Their album "Slade Alive" was high in the charts all year, finally peaking at number two.
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| The wholesome pin-ups for the year were Donny Osmond and number five artist
David Cassidy (initially with the
Partridge Family). On his own, David Cassidy had a number one hit with "How Can I Be Sure" and top ten singles with "Could it Be Forever" and "Rock Me Baby". With the Partridge Family he reached number three with "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" and had a top ten success with "It's One of Those Nights".
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| Among the top singles of the year were "Amazing Grace" by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (number two for the year). They managed two more top thirty entries later in the year.
Nilsson had the fourth biggest single of 1972, chart topper "Without You", and a successful album "Nilsson
Schmillson" that peaked at number four.
Gilbert O'Sullivan followed top ten hits "Alone Again Naturally" and
"Ooh-Wakka-Doo-Wakka-Day" with number one "Clair".
Rod Stewart had two big hits, chart topper "You Wear it Well" and top five hit "Angel".
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| The other big American artists included Don McLean whose "American Pie" and "Vincent" reached number two and one respectively.
Alice Cooper followed number one "School's Out" with a top five single, "Elected".
Elvis Presley released a series of top ten hits "Until It's Time For You to Go", "American Trilogy", "Burning Love" and "Always On My Mind".
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Finally, there were the glam rock stars like Gary Glitter and The Glitter
Band, who had top five hits with "Rock and Roll" and "I Didn't Know I Loved You". There was also
Sweet who were top ten regulars with "Poppa Joe", "Little Willy" and
"Wig-Wam Bam".
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© 2007 Backdate
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