Rock n Roll dominated the music charts for nearly a decade. Then, disco began to sell millions of records. The older acts seemed to have lost something. As music became big business, it seemed most rock acts had grown too commercial. As disco reigned and rock waned, a sub genre of rock emerged to reinvigorate and revolutionize the movement. In response to the void created by rock's corporate nature and disco phoniness, punk rock emerged from the shadows with its bare bones, less commercial sound.
“Dancing Queen” by ABBA was 1976’s biggest hit. Three years earlier, the Rolling Stones topped the charts with “Angie.” In between, disco and pop acts reasserted themselves in the public consciousness. Steve Miller produced the only real rock song that topped the charts in 1976 with “Rock’n Me.” Other rock acts produced chart toppers, but they tended to be pop fluff or incorporated the disco sound.
Disco’s incorporation into rock music by acts like Paul McCartney turned off hard-core fans. To many, it represented “selling out” to corporate interests and public tastes to make money. To others, it demonstrated that the genre had lost its way or even exhausted itself. Almost to accentuate the old and new, Paul McCartney took his new band, Wings, on tour. It was McCartney’s first U.S. tour since 1966 with the Beatles.
While disco’s influence infected rock n roll, other signs that rock had become bloated became apparent. In August, George Harrison lost a copyright lawsuit claiming he lifted “My Sweet Lord” from the Chiffon’s “He’s So Fine.” Two months later, Led Zeppelin released The Song Remains the Same. On December 3, Pink Floyd lost a giant inflatable pig while doing a photo shoot. The giant balloon’s escape symbolized Rock n Roll’s excesses indicating that it lost its way.
While rock stars themselves seemed to have “sold out,” Peter Frampton piqued corporate interest in the record industry more than anyone else did. The guitarist released Frampton Comes Alive! in January. The album became a phenomenon and charted for 97 weeks. It sold over 6 million copies, won album of the year in 1976, and finished 1977 at #14 on the charts. It included several radio friendly songs that still dominate classic rock stations today. The albums success convinced corporate suits that rock n roll could be big business. This belief led to the invention of “corporate rock” and the rise of groups such as Foreigner, Loverboy, and Journey.
Frampton did not mean to unleash the corporate world onto rock n roll. While his career came alive, other acts did release seminal works that transcended the era. Queen decided to delve into opera with “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The song dominated the British charts and was a hit in America. Nearly two decades later, it experienced resurgence thanks to the film, Wayne’s World. Meanwhile, the Eagles unveiled Hotel California, which sold over 16 million copies and produced three top 20 hits.
Despite the success of Queen and the Eagles, rock lagged behind disco in the hearts of consumers. ABBA scored two of 1976’s top five hits with “Dancing Queen” and “Fernando.” The year produced “Play that Funky Music”, “Shake Your Booty”, “Silly Love Songs”, “Disco Lady”, and “Disco Duck.” All these disco hits struck #1 on the charts. Rock n roll had surrendered its preeminent position by losing its edge.
In response to the over commercialization of the music industry, New York produced a group of Young Turks determined to take back rock. The Ramones formed in 1974 and soon became regulars at the famous CBGBs. They earned renown with their bare bones, stripped down sound, and off beat subject matter. Critics and fans referred to them as “punk.” They quickly signed a record contract and their debut hit the streets in 1976.
Although the album only reached #111 on the charts, it served to inspire other acts. The Ramones began to experience success once they embarked on a European tour. The tour motivated English acts such as The Clash and The Sex Pistols. Both acts emerged from the burgeoning UK punk scene to enormous success. Meanwhile, record labels worked to sign other so-called punk acts, such as Blondie and The Talking Heads, quickly.
By the end of 1976, music headed in two directions. On one hand, older established acts such as Paul McCartney followed the commercialized musical trends. Meanwhile, younger acts redefined rock n roll by returning it to its roots. Essentially, they reacted to disco and pop music by railing against it. Not all acts fit this analysis. Some groups, such as Queen, did their own thing irrespective of music trends. However, 1976 brought forth rock's great reinvention while witnessing its demise.
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