UK Singles Chart: 1971

So now the Beatles have called it a day, we now get the inevitable - their solo careers. John Lennon had already begun his post Beatles career in 1969, but 1971 was the year the other 3 members began theirs. First up in January was George Harrison who scored a number one with his debut "My Sweet Lord". Then in February came Paul McCartney reaching number two with his debut "Another Day". Finally in April we had Ringo Starr reach number four with "It Don't Come Easy".

Elvis continued his run of a hit every year since 1956 with 5 further hits this year bringing his total to 78. Cliff Richard continued his run bringing his total to 58. Lonnie Donegan remained third but was now joined by Frank Sinatra who had a hit with "I Will Drink the Wine" bringing his total to 30. This also meant he was another act to have had hits in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

After an absence of 9 years, Perry Como returned to the charts this year with the hits "It's Impossible" and "I Think Of You". We also see Petula Clark return after 4 years with her final hit "The Song Of My Life". Both acts therefore also join the 50s, 60s and 70s club.

This year would mark the end of Jim Reeves run of hits every year since 1960, quite an achievement when you consider he died in 1964. Also bidding farewell to the charts this year are the Tremeloes who only failed to chart one year since they debuted in 1963.

Elton John made his debut at the start of the year with "Your Song". This would be his only hit of the year and quite surprisingly for someone who has had so many hits, there would be a 15 month wait until his second single would be released.

In September we saw the debut of Rod Stewart with "Reason To Believe" and two weeks later he released his follow up "Maggie May" which would be his first number one. Then in December, his band The Faces make their debut with "Stay With Me". The Faces would only have a further three hits, but as we know Rod Stewart as a solo artist would have many many more.

Curtis Mayfield and James Taylor would both debut this year with "Move On Up" and "You've Got A Friend" respectively. Aside from being featured vocalists, these would be the only UK hits for these acts.

Isaac Hayes most famous hit "Theme From Shaft" charted this year, he would only have one further hit 5 years later.

The Motown sound was still alive and well with Four Tops, Temptations, Supremes, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5 and Smokey Robinson & the Miracles all continuing to have hits. Martha Reeves & the Vandellas also charted with their 1968 record "Forget Me Not" and we also had charts debuts for the Elgins and San Remo Strings both with records from the mid 60s. This was down to the Northern Soul movement where the music of choice was old American soul records.

The biggest success story from a chart perspective for Northern Soul was the record "Hey Girl Don't Bother Me" by the Tams which was a 7 year old record which reached number one. Other acts to score hits courtesy of the Northern Soul movements included The Fascinations, The Formations, Newbeats, Tami Lynn and The Velvelettes.

It was a good year for T Rex who had number ones with "Hot Love" and "Get It On" and also had a number two with "Jeepster". We had Slade debut this year with "Get Down And Get With It" and followed up with the number one single "Coz I Luv You".

Another band known for their glam rock music making their debut this year was Sweet with "Funny Funny", though this along with their other hits this year were more pop music rather than the glam rock music they would make later on.

For the teen idol market came the debut of Bay City Rollers with "Keep On Dancing". It would however be another 3 years until they had their next hit. There was also the debut of The Partridge Family with "I Think I Love You".

There were two new nationalities on the charts this year. From Argentina came Waldo De Los Rios with "Mozart Symphony No. 40 in G Minor" and from Norway came Titanic with "Sultana". These were both acts only hits.

So 1971 was a year of new music of which some would be considered old. The Northern Soul music which was new from a chart perspective but old in reality, the former Beatles beginning their solo careers having started their chart careers nearly a decade earlier and Elvis and Cliff still hanging around the charts after many years. But this was with future chart heavyweights Elton John and Rod Stewart debuting plus some glam rock bands and teen idols which defined part of the 70s which could only be described as new at the time.

Question is will 1972 be out with the old in with the new, or will the old and new remain side by side?