1975 in British Music

The Story of 1975

Queen conquered Britain, and the charts found a new bombast. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was released in October, a six-minute operatic rock song that defied every rule of radio and became a phenomenon. It was number one for nine weeks, its video – a promotional film rather than a performance clip – pioneering the music video format. The song was a cultural event, its mix of opera, hard rock and balladry unlike anything heard before. Elton John released 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy', a confessional song cycle. Pink Floyd released 'Wish You Were Here', a meditation on absence and the music industry. David Bowie was in his 'Young Americans' phase, embracing Philadelphia soul and scoring his first US number one with 'Fame'. The glam acts were fading – T. Rex's Marc Bolan's star was waning, Slade were losing momentum. But new wave was about to break: the Sex Pistols formed in London, playing their first gigs in November. The pub rock scene was evolving into punk. 1975 was Queen's year, but it was also the last year before the old order was swept away.