UK Music Chart: December 19 & 26, 1970

Number 15: Johnny Johnson & His Bandwagon

The final newly compiled UK Top 20 of 1970 was this one which covered a two week period over Christmas. Dave Edmunds continued his grip on the top of the charts, registering his fourth and fifth weeks as the UK Number artist with I Hear You Knocking.

As one would expect, the chart was its normally quiet self at this time of the year. However, there was a little upward movement with three new releases making their debuts in the Top 20.


The Chart:
  • 01 (01) Dave Edmunds - I Hear You Knocking 
  • 02 (02) McGuinness Flint - When I'm Dead And Gone 
  • 03 (03) Neil Diamond - Cracklin' Rosie 
  • 04 (04) Glen Campbell - It's Only Make Believe 
  • 05 (13) The Jackson Five - I'll Be There 
  • 06 (17) Clive Dunn - Grandad 
  • 07 (07) Andy Williams - Home Lovin' Man 
  • 08 (11) Gilbert O'Sullivan - Nothing Rhymed 
  • 09 (12) Gerry Monroe - My Prayer 
  • 10 (08) Chairmen Of The Board - (You've Got Me) Dangling On A String 
  • 11 (05) Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Chile 
  • 12 (06) T. Rex - Ride A White Swan 
  • 13 (09) Don Fardon - Indian Reservation 
  • 14 (10) Elvis Presley - I've Lost You 
  • 15 (22) Johnny Johnson And His Bandwagon - (Blame It) On The Pony Express 
  • 16 (14) White Plains - Julie, Do Ya Love Me? 
  • 17 (16) Peter Noone And Herman's Hermits - Lady Barbara 
  • 18 (30) Ken Dodd - Broken Hearted 
  • 19 (19) Jimmy Ruffin - It's Wonderful (To Be Loved By You) 
  • 20 (26) The Motown Spinners - It's A Shame
*Previous week in brackets; Climbers denoted in red; New entries in bold

15: Johnny Johnson & His Bandwagon: (Blame It) On The Pony Express

For the second time in 1970, Johnny Johnson made an appearance in the UK Top 20, this time with this Cook/Greenaway/Macaulay penned stomper, which was not only popular with the average record buyer but also with fans of the burgeoning Northern Soul scene. By this time though, Johnson was the only constant amongst the Bandwagon, as the group had merely become a rotation of singers employed solely for recording sessions and appearances. Sadly, however, (Blame It) On the Pony Express was to be the final time the act would appear in the British charts.


18: Ken Dodd: Broken Hearted

Back in the UK Top 20 for the seventh time this week in 1970 was British comedian, actor and singer, Ken Dodd. Broken Hearted was another in the "translated from the Italian" ballads in which he specialised and would peak at Number 15 in the weeks to come.

 

20: The Motown Spinners: It's A Shame

This was the first time that The Spinners, or The Motown Spinners as they were known in the UK at this time, had appeared in the UK Top 20. It's A Shame was also the first song that Stevie Wonder had produced for another act, as well as having written it along with his then wife Syreeta Wright and associate Lee Garrett. Unfortunately, the song didn't stay around too long but The Detroit Spinners, as they would later become known, would return to the Top 20 in 1973.


Until next time...

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