Top Ten Albums – Week of August 16, 1977

A Snapshot in Time

Before diving into the music, here’s what else was happening in the world: Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, passed away at his Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee, on August 16, 1977.
Just as the nation grieved one of its greatest icons, these were the albums spinning on turntables nationwide.

This Week’s Top Ten Albums in America

Rumours – Fleetwood Mac

CSN – Crosby, Stills & Nash

Streisand Superman – Barbra Streisand

Star Wars (Movie Soundtrack)

JT – James Taylor

I’m In You – Peter Frampton

Book of Dreams – Steve Miller Band

Rejoice – Emotions

Commodores – Commodores

Love Gun – Kiss

Album of the Week Spotlight

Star Wars – Original Movie Soundtrack

Why I Picked It:

Released in May 1977, Star Wars became a runaway hit, not only as a film but as a cultural phenomenon. 

The soundtrack, composed by John Williams, opened the door for blockbuster movies to dominate the music charts through the late ’70s and ’80s.

This was the start of a trend: soundtracks produced not only to support films but to generate Billboard hit singles.

Some albums went on to massive success—others fizzled quickly.

Here are a few landmark examples from that boom era:

Rocky (1976)

A Star Is Born (1976)

Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Grease (1978)

Urban Cowboy (1980)

Each film created iconic songs that shaped pop culture just as much as the movies themselves.

My Connection

For me, this trend wasn’t just something I watched—it was something I worked on.

The opening nights for Star Wars, Grease, and Saturday Night Fever were held in Washington, Pennsylvania, at the Washington Mall Theatre.

My Camelot music store was just four miles away at the Franklin Mall.

I worked closely with the theatre’s manager to create big in-store displays promoting both the albums and the movies.

In return, I received free tickets for my wife and me.

I still remember the warm evening in May 1977 when Star Wars opened—the line stretched long outside the theatre, excitement buzzing in the air.

Trivia Corner

Fun Fact 1: John Williams won the Academy Award for Best Original Score for Star Wars, cementing its place as one of the most iconic soundtracks ever recorded.

Fun Fact 2: Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, the #1 album this week, went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time, with more than 40 million copies sold worldwide.

Q&A from 1977:
Q: What was the highest-charting single from the Star Wars soundtrack?
A: The “Star Wars Main Title” actually reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100—a rare feat for an orchestral piece.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why was Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 album so important?
A: It marked the debut of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, reshaping the band’s sound and setting up the massive success of Rumours.

Q: Which track from the album became the most iconic?
A: “Rhiannon” and “Landslide” are the two most enduring songs, both still staples in Fleetwood Mac’s live shows.

Q: How long did this album stay on the charts?
A: Fleetwood Mac spent more than a year climbing the charts, eventually reaching No. 1 in September 1976.

Q: Was Fleetwood Mac already famous before this album?
A: They had a loyal following in the UK blues-rock scene, but the 1975 album was their true breakthrough in the U.S. mainstream.