#1 at KTKT/Tucson: “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas — one of those endearing novelty one-hit wonders. He bumps out another Carl (Carlton), who drops to #5 with “Everlasting Love,” a cover of Robert Knight‘s 1967 hit.
Zonaman traveled down to the Old Pueblo during this week in 1974 to attend a George Harrison concert in the Tucson Community Center. Harrison was promoting the new Dark Horse album, whose title track was about to be released as a single (despite its dark hoarse vocal).
Incidentally, the “quiet” Beatle‘s three former colleagues all appear on this week‘s chart: John Lennon climbs to #3 with “Whatever Gets You Thru The Night” (with Elton John on background vocals and Bobby Keys playing the standout saxophone parts); Paul McCartney & Wings leap six to #16 with “Junior‘s Farm”; and Ringo Starr debuts at #29 with “Only You,” his cover of the 1955 Platters classic (with Tom Scott on sax).
Other notables:
- “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” the biggest hit for Bachman-Turner Overdrive (#4) — and be sure to check out Randy Bachman‘s ex-Guess Who bandmate, Burton Cummings, with his hilarious lounge version of the song;
- Neil Diamond‘s “Longfellow Serenade” (#7) — back before he turned super cheesy;
- America‘s Oz-inspired “Tin Man” (#9);
- Carole King‘s jazzy “Jazzman” (#19) — with Tom Scott again on sax;
- the Rolling Stones‘ “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” (#21), a cover of the Temptations’ 1966 hit;
- Harry Chapin’s father’s lament, “Cat’s In The Cradle” (#24);
- Jethro Tull, with their most commercial hit, “Bungle In The Jungle” (#25).
Note: Although he didn‘t play on the”Dark Horse” single, Tom Scott was featured elsewhere throughout the Dark Horse album. Obviously, he was a busy — and successful — session player at this time.