“Rumours” is the second album featuring Mick Fleetwood, John and Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks. The McVies were in the process of divorcing, as was Mick Fleetwood. Nicks and Buckingham were breaking up as a couple. As their relationships unraveled the band’s music poured out, producing their most commercially successful work. “Rumours” sold 40 million units and won the Grammy for album of the year.

The debut album from the French duo of Nicolas Godin and Jean Benoit Dunckel was quickly hailed as an instant classic. Air’s sound was unlike many others in the electronica movement of the time, trading in big beats for mellow grooves that equally evoke trip-hop and Burt Bacharach.

Iggy Pop released two albums in 1977 during a very prolific time spent in Berlin with David Bowie. Bowie produced and played on both albums, as well as co-wrote some songs with Iggy Pop. “Lust for Life” is considered to be the best of Pop’s career, and contains some of his best known songs.

Folk artist and activist Joan Baez released her album “Diamonds and Rust” in 1975. Now considered one of her seminal works, the album went gold. Its title track, a ballad that explored her relationship with Bob Dylan, proved to be one of her biggest hits, and eventually hit number 35 on the pop charts.

Joni Mitchell introduced jazz inflections into her folk-rock style signaling a new direction for the Canadian singer/songwriter. “Help Me” became Mitchell’s only top-ten hit and the album hit double platinum.

In 1974 Steely Dan was structured as a standard band consisting of Walter Becker, Donald Fagen, Denny Dias, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, and Victor Feldman. Under the guidance of producer Gary Katz the band’s songs became more complex and featured a tribute to Charlie Parker and a cover of a Duke Ellington instrumental. “Pretzel Logic” was a critical and commercial success and won the band its first top 10 single with “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.”

After flirting with breakthrough success Al Green shot to super-stardom with his 1972 album “Let’s Stay Together.” By blending Memphis horns with traditional soul grooves Green created a sound that came to epitomize ’70’s soul. The title track became Green’s first #1 hit.

Randy Newman’s 1974 release “Good Old Boys” became his major commercial breakthrough. Originally conceived as a concept album about a southern man named Johnny Cutler the album morphed into a satirical examination of the Southern mystique. Newman incorporated historical events into his prism including Louisiana’s great 1927 flood and elements from Louisiana Governor Huey P. Long’s life, and took on taboos ranging from slavery, racism and Northern hypocrisy.

“Catch a Fire”, released in 1973, surprised many fans of Bob Marley and The Wailers with its socially aware lyrics and militant tone. However, songwriters Bob Marley and Peter Tosh created a positive tone toward the future that emphasized the power of the individual.

This is Clapton’s first album after kicking heroin and his 2nd solo release following the breakup of Derek & The Dominos.

Clapton turned to the blues, choosing to record songs written by Robert Johnson, Elmore James, Johnny Otis, and scored a hit with his take on Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff.”