UK Music Chart: April 15, 1972 Ft. Jo Jo Gunne

Jo Jo Gunne at Number 17

After a five week run at the top of the UK Top 40, Nilsson's Without You was ousted from the Number 1 position by one of the most unexpected hits of the year.

Although Judy Collins' vocal version of Amazing Grace was still wandering around the lower reaches of the chart, it was the bagpipe rendition served up by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards which climbed to the top of the charts this week in 1972.

It caught many by surprise, but still managed its own five-week spell at Number 1, eventually becoming the biggest selling single of the year.

Elsewhere, the incredible success of Marc Bolan and his band T. Rex prompted re-releases of his earlier recordings, two of which climbed fifteen places into the Top 20. By comparison, little known American rock outfit Jo Jo Gunne was quietly climbing the chart, this week debuting at Number 17.

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards at Number 1

The Chart: 

• 01 (03) The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards - Amazing Grace 
• 02 (01) Nilsson - Without You 
• 03 (02) The New Seekers - Beg, Steal or Borrow 
• 04 (15) Ringo Starr - Back Off Boogaloo 
• 05 (08) The Chiffons - Sweet Talking Guy 
• 06 (05) Argent - Hold Your Head Up 
• 07 (13) Tom Jones - The Young New Mexican Puppeteer 
• 08 (04) Gilbert O'Sullivan - Alone Again (Naturally) 
• 09 (09) Les Crane - Desiderata 
• 10 (11) Neil Young - Heart of Gold 
• 11 (20) Labi Siffre - Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying 
• 12 (27) Tyrannosaurus Rex - Debora / One Inch Rock 
• 13 (06) Lindisfarne - Meet Me on the Corner 
• 14 (10) The Supremes - Floy Joy 
• 15 (12) The Partridge Family - It's One of Those Nights 
• 16 (07) Don McLean - American Pie 
• 17 (21) Jo Jo Gunne - Run Run Run 
• 18 (16) Olivia Newton-John - What Is Life? 
• 19 (18) Elvis Presley - Until It's Time For You to Go 
• 20 (17) Engelbert Humperdinck - Too Beautiful to Last

*Previous week in brackets; Climbers denoted in red; New entries in bold

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12: Tyrannosaurus Rex - Debora / One Inch Rock

T. Rex's extraordinary succession of Top 10 hits during this period included a re-release of the band's first two singles as a double A-Side: Debora and One Inch Rock.

Dating back to 1968, when the band was then known as Tyrannosaurus Rex, both songs reflected the psychedelic folk of Marc Bolan's previous incarnation. Receiving heavy airplay by the likes of John Peel, the singles managed to scrape into the lower reaches of the Top 40.

However, four years later and now crowned the British Glam Rock king, Marc Bolan's back catalogue was ripe for the picking. Hence, these two non-glam interlopers managed a Top 10 placing, peaking at Number 7.

17: Jo Jo Gunne - Run Run Run

Jo Jo Gunne was formed in 1971 by two former members of the band Spirit, frustrated at the latter's lack of commercial appeal.

Adding a drummer and guitarist, the band recorded its self-titled début album which contained its first single, Run Run Run.

Rising to Number 27 in the US, the disc fared better in the UK where it made a steady climb to a peak position of Number 6.

However, although Jo Jo Gunne continued with regular output, they could not sustain the commercial impetus of this first hit and never accomplished another in either the UK or the US.

The UK Number 1 album this week:

• Lindisfarne: Fog on the Tyne

The American Top 10 (Click to play tracks)