Chapter 46: Over My Head (January 1974 - December 1975)

General Affairs for Apple Corps Ltd.

John Lennon and Peter Brown, 1975.

From a business perspective, 1974 had been rather uneventful, but by mid-1975, there were two lawsuits that Apple Corps had to deal with. The first was over the Ladders' "My Sweet Lord" plagiarizing the melody to the Chiffons' "He's So Fine", and the other was the Beatles' "Come Together" pinching a line from Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me". Both were being handled by Apple vice-president Peter Brown, who had offered the estate of Ronnie Mack for Apple to purchase the rights to "He's So Fine", as well as having future pressings credit both George Harrison and Mack as writers to "My Sweet Lord". When Laurie Records, the Chiffons' label, got wind of this proposal, they offered to sell Apple the rights to the entire Chiffons catalog for the same amount of money (with the members' acknowledgement, of course), which soon resolved the matter; the Chiffons had even recorded a version of "My Sweet Lord" as a response to the controversy.

Convincing the owner of the publishing rights to Chuck Berry's catalog, Morris Levy, to drop his own lawsuit, however, was not an easy nut to crack. Frustrated that Levy was not going to easily let the matter drop, Brown brought this issue to the attention of John Lennon, who told Brown that, "I think it's high time that I got the band back together again," (1975) although at the time, his statement was very cryptic.

On the same day that John Lennon witnessed a playback to Freddie Mercury's "Bohemian Rhapsody", he explained to Paul McCartney about the "Come Together" vs. "You Can't Catch Me" lawsuit Morris Levy was placing upon Apple. "All this over one lyric," he fumed. "But since the end of 1970, when we... ahem, parted ways, people have been demanding that we put out at least one more album as a group."

"I think you're right," said Paul after a lengthy discussion. "Life's too short to hold a grudge like this. You can go see if George and Ringo are up to it."

When John approached the idea to the other former Beatles, Ringo had embraced the idea of a reunion album wholeheartedly, but George was far more reluctant, as out of the Beatles' relationships, his and Paul's was the most frosty. But then again, he had been through a plagiarism lawsuit himself and he would come off as a hypocrite if he didn't agree to it. "Just this one time," George insisted.

George Harrison meeting Bob Marley, 1975.

Meanwhile, Apple's relationship with EMI was falling apart. It began back in 1972 with Harrison had alleged that Capitol was not giving Apple's artists proper promotion in the United States, which led to the formation of Highway 61 Records, the American branch of Apple. All recordings released under Highway 61 were distributed internationally by Elektra Records, the decision which had caused EMI to balk; Apple's distribution deal with EMI would not end until the fall of 1975, and the former Beatles were artists under EMI until January 1976. Whilst EMI sought to renew their deals and keep the four most famous musicians in the world under their banner, Brown suspected during a meeting that EMI were underpaying royalties to Apple on records made either by the Ladders or Paul McCartney & Smile.

After he'd brought up the Levy lawsuit to Lennon, who then brought it up to the former Beatles, Brown focused on seeking other potential distributors for Apple. By the end of August, he had planned out the framework for a deal with Warner Brothers, who also owned Elektra Records. By that point, following Lennon and McCartney's meeting during the sessions for both Bohemian Rhapsody and A Night at the Rock Show, rumors of a Beatles reunion were beginning to circulate. Had they turned out to be true, then Brown would have a tremendous bargaining chip in his negotiations. If they were true, of course.

That September, the former Beatles put out a joint statement from Apple's press office that they would be returning to the studio in November to put out a reunion album for next year. This announcement was met with great excitement among millions of music fans around the world, and it even strengthened Brown's bargaining power. In a meeting on 3 October, the board members of Apple, including Lord Beeching, had approved of a new distribution plan with Warner Brothers which was extremely favorable for Apple, putting the empire on a unified distributor around the world. The best part of the deal was that Warner would act solely as distributor, so the Beatles could retain ownership over their recordings, marking the start of a new chapter in the histories of both the Beatles and Apple.

Paul McCartney in the recording studio with the other Beatles, 1975.

By the time EMI had attempted to rekindle negotiations with Apple, it was already too late, but they still made one last effort to get one more album out of the Beatles. They proposed to increase royalty on the Beatles' records that they owed, Apple would drop a potential lawsuit for underpayment and the Beatles would record one more album for EMI.

Already having to deal with the lawsuit from Morris Levy over "You Can't Catch Me", John Lennon was the first Beatle to be in favor of this proposal. Although the other three and Brown were initially skeptical about the proposal, they later reasoned that it would give the Beatles the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone; record the covers album which would provide them with increased back catalog royalties from EMI, and put an end to the lawsuit that was breathing down their necks. That opportunity was taken, and that November, with Dennis Wilson in the producer's chair, the Beatles began recording their first album together since 1970's Everest. It would not be released to the public until January 30, 1976; by then, the Beatles' deal with EMI would come to an end.

Whilst all the lawsuit matters were happening behind the scenes, Brian Epstein, Lord Beeching and Peter Brown put their focus upon expanding the Apple empire. After hearing about the purchase to the Chiffon's catalog, Paul McCartney made a proposal about expanding Apple's revenue by obtaining the rights to the catalogs of the likes of Buddy Holly and Carl Perkins, which was met very favorably. By the end of the decade, Apple would become one of the biggest independent music publishers in the world.

A screenshot from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, released under Apple Films 3 April 1975. From left to right; Eric Idle as Sir Robin, John Cleese as Sir Lancelot, Graham Chapman as King Arthur, Terry Jones and Sir Bedevere, and Michael Palin as Sir Galahad. Terry Gilliam also performs in the film as Patsy, Arthur's servant.

As exciting as business was for Apple in 1975, it was also an interesting year for its film division. Now being managed by Denis O'Brien, Apple Films saw the release of Little Malcolm, which was met with positive reception among critics. With Mel Brooks having already achieved commercial success with Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, O'Brien had extended his contract to producing five films under Apple instead of three; by now, Brooks was working on his third film under Apple, Silent Movie, due for a release in the summer of 1976.

The other major film released under Apple was Monty Python and the Holy Grail, directed by Terrys Gilliam and Jones. Initially, critical reception was mixed, but over time, it became regarded as one of the greatest comedy films of all time. It even pulled in five million dollars in American money against a minimalist budget of 400 thousand. Around the time of the film's release, John Cleese was working on a sitcom based at a hotel run by its short-fused, easily frustrated owner Basil Fawlty and his bossy wife Sybil, portrayed by Prunella Scales. The cast would also include Cleese's then-wife Connie Booth (Polly) and German-British actor Andrew Sachs (Manuel).

Fawlty Towers was the first television program to be released under Apple Television, also handled by Dennis O'Brien, and premiered on BBC 2. The concept for the sitcom was influenced from a visit the Monty Python members had made to Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay, Devon, run by Donald Sinclair. When the members left the hotel due to Sinclair's behavior, a fascinated Cleese stayed behind in order to study him, and based the character of Basil Fawlty off of him. Fawlty Towers would later go on to be regarded as one of the most popular British sitcoms of all time; John Lennon himself would even call himself a fan of the show.

Meanwhile, Michael Lindsay-Hogg had met up with Alexander and Ilya Salkind, who had made negotiations with DC Comics for a film adaptation based upon their famous character Superman. Impressed by what he was reading, and having done some research on the character and DC Comics, Lindsay-Hogg offered the Salkinds and their partner Pierre Spengler to have Apple co-produce the film. After an extensive meeting with with Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, as well as several DC executives, the tentatively titled Superman: The Movie would be jointly produced by Apple Films and the Salkinds. Right now, matters fell into finding a director for the film as well as actors to portray the characters of Jor-El, Lex Luthor and Superman himself.

Apple Corps Executives, December 1975

Managing Director and Chairman of the Board: Brian Epstein

Vice Presidents: Peter Brown, Lord Beeching

Director Communications: Derek Taylor
General Counsels: Lee and John Eastman[1]

Apple Records

President: Ron Kass[2]

Vice President: Jack Oliver[3]

Director of A&R: Roy Thomas Baker, later Mal Evans (temporary)

Director of Promotion and Marketing: Tony Bramwell[4]

Director of Design: Josh Kosh[5]

Studio Manager, Apple Studios: Geoff Emerick

Apple Films and Apple Television

President: Denis O'Brien

Other Notable Figures: Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Mel Brooks, John Cleese, Terry Jones

Apple Management

Director: Neil Aspinall

Associate Director: Mal Evans

Apple Publishing

Director: Alistair Taylor

Highway 61 Records

President: Jack Oliver

Vice President: Chris O'Dell[6]

Directors of A&R: Pete Ham, Dennis Wilson

The Artists of Apple Records

Old Signings

The band members of Fleetwood Mac, 1975.

When Badfinger broke up prior to the release of Head First, each of the members went on a different path. Pete Ham went on to become a producer and one of the joint directors of A&R for Highway 61 Records, Mike Gibbins became the new drummer for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Tom Evans left Apple altogether to become part of the group Utopia, fronted by Todd Rundgren. But what about Joey Molland? Following Badfinger's dissolution, he stayed at home wondering what he'd do until he got a phone call from Jeff Lynne, asking if he'd like to join the Electric Light Orchestra as a touring member, to which Molland agreed, especially upon the departure of Roy Wood.

Badfinger's split seemed to mark the end of an era for Apple Records when Jackie Lomax also departed the label at the start of 1975, having not recorded new material since 1972. James Taylor had put out Walking Man in 1974, but it was a critical and commercial disappointment. Fortunately, he made a comeback with Gorilla the following year, backed by a cover version of "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)". Billy Preston's fortunes were opposite to that of Taylor, having made a #1 hit on both sides of the Atlantic with "Nothing from Nothing" from The Kids & Me, but his follow-up, It's My Pleasure, had no hit singles.

After Heroes Are Hard to Find was a minor hit in America, Fleetwood Mac would experience a re-resurgence in commercial success when the band brought in Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks  following the departure of Bob Welch. Their second self-titled album, released 1975, reached #1 in America, backed by the single "Over My Head", written and sung by Christine McVie, ending the dry spell on the American charts. "Rhiannon" and "Say You Love Me" would be released as singles the following year.

Eric Clapton performing live, 1974.

Eric Clapton also had a resurgence as a commercial force with 461 Ocean Boulevard, its lead single being a cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff", becoming his only #1 hit in America. There's One in Every Crowd, however, was not as successful. Michael Jackson's contract with Motown Records would soon reach an end with Forever, Michael and its lead single "Just a Little Bit of You". Within the next few years, he would be a full-time artist for Apple Records. Unlike Nazareth, however, who had left Apple Records following the release of Hair of the Dog, their most successful album to date.

Splinter's debut album, The Place I Love, achieved success in their home country the United Kingdom, but alongside the lead single "Costafine Town", it was largely ignored by American listeners. It was the same result with Harder to Live and its lead single "Lonely Man". Vangelis' only major release of 1974-75 was Heaven and Hell.

Elton John's musical streak in America continued with Caribou, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy and Rock of the Westies. The "Candle in the Wind"/"Bennie and the Jets" double A-side from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road in 1973 also hit #1 in 1974, as had "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" in the same year, and "Philadelphia Freedom" and "Island Girl" in 1975. "The Bitch is Back" and "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" were also Top 5 hits in America.

With Apple Records' roster shrinking, it looked as though it had reached the point of stagnation, with A&R Roy Thomas Baker partially to blame, mostly focusing on Nazareth, Paul McCartney & Smile and Freddie Mercury. Perhaps it was for the best that he resigned his post and focused on those he produced for; Mal Evans took on temporary A&R management until a permanent replacement for Baker was found.

New Signings

The only new signing of the 1974-75 period was Jimmy McCulloch, a touring member for Paul McCartney & Smile. His debut single was currently being worked on for a 1976 release.

The Artists of Highway 61 Records

Old Signings

Bob Dylan, 1975.

The period of 1974-75 was an interesting one for Highway 61 Records; Bob Dylan had put out Planet Waves (a collaboration with The Band) and Blood on the Tracks, the latter of which has since been regarded as one of his greatest albums. Stackridge had also achieved success with The Man in the Bowler Hat, produced by former Beatles producer George Martin, but less so with Extravaganza. Aerosmith, meanwhile, had newfound success with Get Your Wings and Toys in the Attic, producing hits such as "Same Old Song and Dance", "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way". Lynyrd Skynyrd also found success with their single "Sweet Home Alabama" from Second Helping, a response to Neil Young's "Southern Man" and "Alabama".

The other artists under Highway 61 Records included Ravi Shankar, Kiki Dee, Tom Scott, the L.A. Express, Cliff Richard, and Dave Edmunds and Peter Tork taking on producing duties. Although they were fine artists, they were not hit makers nor were they capable of creating commercial music.

New Signings

Alice Cooper in from his 1975 concert Alice Cooper: Welcome to My Nightmare, released under Apple Films.

Apple's roster may have stagnated and shrunk down to those who were making commercial music, but its sister label had experienced great growth in 1974 and 1975; Elton John's drummer Nigel Olsson had put out an album of his own, and pop singer Neil Sedaka had also been picked up by the label. Elton's other contribution was helping to sign up Dutch prog rock band Solution who put out their first album under Highway 61, Cordon Bleu, in 1975.

Outside of Tom Petty & Mudcrutch, the remaining artists signed up for 1974 included Alice Cooper (real name Vincent Damon Furnier) following the dissolution of his band to begin his solo career, Tina Turner, Ronnie Wood, and Supertramp after they were dropped by their previous label, A&M Records. They had a career revival with their single "Dreamer" / "Bloody Well Right", produced with Ken Scott. Cooper's Welcome to My Nightmare and its singles were also successful.

The following year, other established artists including Dr. John, Genesis, Harry Nilsson, Rod Stewart and Blue Öyster Cult (after leaving Columbia Records) all found themselves on Highway 61 Records. All barring Nilsson were signed up by Dennis Wilson, who had since become an indispensable part of the label. When Pete Ham became A&R for Highway 61, he had signed up Canadian female-fronted band Heart and produced their debut album Dreamboat Annie. His other signings were Patti Smith and the Ramones, and he took interest in signing up the Talking Heads as well. Having seen the problems Apple had with an aging roster, Ham (with help from Wilson) decided to try and discover new, young artists for Highway 61.

Stephen Stills performing live, 1975.

One other signing to Highway 61 was Boxer, fronted by Mike Patto and Ollie Halsall, under David Bowie's suggestion. The remaining members of Hunky Dory also expressed interest in signing onto the label upon seeing its growth.

Like Neil Young, Stephen Stills had been interested in putting out solo albums on Highway 61 Records alongside their work as part of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. His fourth solo album, Turn Back the Pages, was produced with his good friend Peter Tork and included outtakes from early 1970s CSNY sessions that didn't make previous albums.

Apple Records discography, January 1974 - December 1975

Albums

• Badfinger by Badfinger - 1 February 1974 (#10 UK, #54 US)
• Rampant by Nazareth - 26 April 1974 (#13 UK, #94 US)
• The Kids & Me by Billy Preston - 5 May 1975 (#1 UK and US)
• Monkey Grip by Bill Wyman - 13 May 1974 (#39 UK, #99 US)
• The Diamond Dogs of Rock 'n' Roll by The Rolling Stones - 24 May 1974 (#1 UK and US)
• Walking Man by James Taylor - 7 June 1974 (#13 US)
• Caribou by Elton John - 28 June 1974 (#1 UK and US)
• 461 Ocean Boulevard by Eric Clapton - 12 July 1974 (#3 UK, #1 US)
• The Falcons of El Dorado by Electric Light Orchestra - 6 September 1974 (#19 UK, #16 US)
• Heroes Are Hard to Find by Fleetwood Mac - 13 September 1974 (#28 US)
• The Place I Love by Splinter - 20 September 1974 (#16 UK)
• Band on the Run by Paul McCartney & Smile - 4 October 1974 (#1 UK and US) [EMI]
• Killer Queen by Freddie Mercury - 8 November 1974 (#3 UK) [extended play]
• Dark Horse by The Ladders - 15 November 1974 (#13 UK, #4 US) [EMI]
• Hawaiian Sunrise by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - 6 December 1974 (#2 UK, #6 US)
• Head First by Badfinger - 10 January 1975 (#39 UK)
• Sweet Thing by David Bowie - 17 January 1975 (#5 UK, #3 US)
• Forever, Michael by Michael Jackson - 31 January 1975 (#92 US) [Motown]
• Young Americans by The Rolling Stones - 7 March 1975 (#2 UK, #9 US)
• There's One in Every Crowd by Eric Clapton - 21 March 1975 (#15 UK, #21 US)
• Hair of the Dog by Nazareth - 30 April 1975 (#8 UK, #17 US)
• Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy by Elton John - 19 May 1975 (#1 UK and US)
• Gorilla by James Taylor - 26 May 1975 (#47 UK, #6 US)
• Human Highway by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - 20 June 1975 (#1 UK and US)
• Harder to Live by Splinter - 4 July 1975 (#12 UK)
• Fleetwood Mac by Fleetwood Mac - 11 July 1975 (#14 UK, #1 US)
• It's My Pleasure by Billy Preston - 18 July 1975 (#23 UK, #10 US)
• Goodnight Vienna by The Ladders - 25 July 1975 (#6 UK, #8 US) [EMI]
• Rock of the Westies by Elton John - 24 October 1975 (#5 UK, #1 US)
• A Night at the Rock Show by Paul McCartney & Smile - 31 October 1975 (#1 UK and US) [EMI]
• Bohemian Rhapsody by Freddie Mercury - 21 November 1975 (#1 UK, #4 US)
• Heaven and Hell by Vangelis - 12 December 1975 (#30 UK)

Notable Singles

• "I Miss You" / "Shine On" by Badfinger - 4 February 1974 (#17 UK)
• "Candle in the Wind" & "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John - 4 February 1974 (#8 UK, #1 US)
• "Rebel Rebel" / "Time Waits for No One" by The Rolling Stones - 18 February 1974 (#5 UK, #12 US)
• "Shanghai'd in Shanghai" / "Love, Now You're Gone" by Nazareth - 25 March 1974 (#33 UK)
• "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" / "Sick City" by Elton John - 20 May 1974 (#9 UK, #1 US)
• "Helen Wheels" / "Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me)" by Paul McCartney & Smile - 14 June 1974 (#10 UK, #9 US) [EMI]
• "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" / "Diamond Dogs" by The Rolling Stones - 28 June 1974 (#10 UK, #16 US)
• "I Shot the Sheriff" / "Give Me Strength" by Eric Clapton - 15 July 1974 (#9 UK, #1 US)
• "Nothing from Nothing" / "My Soul is a Witness" by Billy Preston - 5 August 1975 (#1 UK and US)
• "Rock and Roll Winter" / "Illusions in G Major" by Electric Light Orchestra - 12 August 1974 (#6 UK)
• "The Bitch is Back" / "Cold Highway" by Elton John - 2 September 1974 (#10 UK, #2 US)
• "Silver Train" / "1984" by The Rolling Stones - 9 September 1974 (#7 UK, #18 US)
• "Costafine Town" / "Elly-May" by Splinter - 16 September 1974 (#17 UK)
• "Whatever Gets You thru the Night" & "Snookeroo" by The Ladders w/ Elton John - 23 September 1974 (#23 UK, #1 US) [EMI]
• "Band on the Run" / "Now I'm Here" by Paul McCartney & Smile - 7 October 1974 (#2 UK, #1 US) [EMI]
• "Killer Queen" / "Stone Cold Crazy" by Freddie Mercury - 21 October 1974 (#1 UK, #10 US)
• "Oh My My" / "Maya Love" by The Ladders - 8 November 1974 (#3 UK, #5 US) [EMI]
• "Love Hurts" / "Hair of the Dog" by Nazareth - 8 November 1974 (#20 UK, #8 US)
• "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" / "One Day (At a Time)" by Elton John - 18 November 1974 (#10 UK, #1 US)
• "Can't Get It Out of My Head" / "Are You Ready to Rock" by Electric Light Orchestra - 18 November 1974 (#8 UK, #6 US)
• "Willie and the Hand Jive" / "Mainline Florida" by Eric Clapton - 25 November 1974 (#26 US)
• "Ding Dong, Ding Dong" / "Rock and Roll People" by The Ladders - 6 December 1974 (#35 UK, #30 US) [EMI]
• "Lay Me Down" / "Queen of Darkness" by Badfinger - 6 January 1975 (#35 UK)
• "Jet" / "Sally G" by Paul McCartney & Smile - 27 January 1975 (#7 UK and US) [EMI]
• "Drink All Day (Got to Find Your Own Way Home)" / "China Light" - 7 February 1975 (#35 UK)
• "Fool to Cry" / "Young Americans" by The Rolling Stones - 17 February 1975 (#6 UK, #10 US)
• "Philadelphia Freedom" / "I Saw Her Standing There" by Elton John - 24 February 1975 (#7 UK, #1 US)
• "Junior's Farm" / "Walking in the Park with Eloise" by Paul McCartney & Smile - 14 March 1975 (#4 UK, #1 US) [EMI]
• "Hair of the Dog" / "My White Bicycle" by Nazareth - 28 March 1975 (#14 UK, #6 US)
• "Carry Me" / "Myth of Sisyphus" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - 5 May 1975 (#9 UK, #5 US)
• "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" / "Pretty Blue Eyes" by Eric Clapton - 12 May 1975 (#19 UK)
• "Goodnight Vienna" / "The Answer's at the End" by The Ladders - 19 May 1975 (#23 UK, #10 US) [EMI]
• "Just a Little Bit of You" / "We're Almost There" by Michael Jackson - 9 June 1975 (#46 UK, #23 US)
• "Lonely Man" / "Green Line Bus" by Splinter - 16 June 1975 (#18 UK)
• "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" / "Sarah Maria" by James Taylor - 16 June 1975 (#28 UK, #5 US)
• "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" / "House of Cards" by Elton John - 23 June 1975 (#17 UK, #4 US)
• "Fame" / "Worried About You" by The Rolling Stones - 7 July 1975 (#17 UK, #1 US)
• "As I Come of Age" / "Grave Concern" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - 1 August 1975 (#20 UK, #12 US)
• "You" / "Beef Jerky" by The Ladders - 15 August 1975 (#20 UK, #15 US) [EMI]
• "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" / "Someone Like You" by Eric Clapton - 22 August 1975 (#38 UK)
• "Rattlesnake Roll" / "Strange Magic" by Electric Light Orchestra - 25 August 1975 (#38 UK, #14 US)
• "Over My Head" / "I'm So Afraid" by Fleetwood Mac - 8 September 1975 (#20 US)
• "Island Girl" / "Sugar on the Floor" by Elton John - 29 September 1975 (#14 UK, #1 US)
• "Human Highway" / "Homeward Through the Haze" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - 20 October 1975 (#26 UK, #8 US)
• "I'm in Love with My Car" / "Magneto and Titanium Man" by Paul McCartney & Smile - 27 October 1975 (#1 UK, #3 US) [EMI]
• "Listen to What the Man Said" / "My Carnival" by Paul McCartney & Smile - 5 December 1975 (#5 UK, #1 US) [EMI]
• "Bohemian Rhapsody" & "You're My Best Friend" by Freddie Mercury - 1 December 1975 (#1 UK, #7 US)
• "Evil Woman" / "Indiana Rainbow" by Electric Light Orchestra - 8 December 1975 (#10 UK and US)

Highway 61 Records discography, January 1974 - December 1975

Albums

• Planet Waves by Bob Dylan and The Band - 17 January 1974 (#7 UK, #1 US)
• Tonight's the Night by Neil Young - 25 January 1974 (#35 UK, #11 US)
• The Man in the Bowler Hat by Stackridge - 1 February 1974 (#23 UK)
• Tom Scott and The L.A. Express by Tom Scott and The L.A. Express - 15 February 1974
• Get Your Wings by Aerosmith - 15 March 1974 (#15 US)
• Second Helping by Lynyrd Skynyrd - 15 April 1974 (#7 US)
• Laughter in the Rain by Neil Sedaka - 29 April 1974 (#17 UK)
• On the Beach by Neil Young - 19 July 1974 (#42 UK, #16 US)
• I've Got the Music in Me by Kiki Dee - 26 July 1974
• Tina Turns the Country On! by Tina Turner - 9 August 1974
• Crime of the Century by Supertramp - 13 September 1974 (#4 UK, #38 US)
• I've Got My Own Album to Do by Ronnie Wood - 13 September 1974 (#27 UK)
• Shankar Family & Friends by Ravi Shankar - 20 September 1974
• The 31st of February Street by Cliff Richard - 22 November 1974
• Nigel Olsson by Nigel Olsson - 3 January 1975
• Extravaganza by Stackridge - 10 January 1975
• Blood on the Tracks by Bob Dylan - 17 January 1975 (#4 UK, #1 US)
• Tom Cat by Tom Scott and The L.A. Express - 7 February 1975
• Welcome to My Nightmare by Alice Cooper - 11 March 1975 (#15 UK, #2 US)
• Turn Back the Pages by Stephen Stills - 17 March 1975 (#19 US)
• Nuthin' Fancy by Lynyrd Skynyrd - 24 March 1975 (#43 UK, #9 US)
• Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith - 8 April 1975 (#3 US)
• Homegrown by Neil Young - 11 April 1975 (#7 UK, #9 US)
• Subtle as a Flying Mallet by Dave Edmunds - 25 April 1975
• The Basement Tapes by Bob Dylan - 26 June 1975 (#8 UK, #7 US)
• Now Look by Ronnie Wood - 2 July 1975 (#118 US)
• Acid Queen by Tina Turner - 1 August 1975 (#115 US)
• Atlantic Crossing by Rod Stewart - 15 August 1975 (#1 UK, #9 US)
• Tom Petty & Mudcrutch by Tom Petty & Mudcrutch - 15 August 1975 (#87 US)
• Duit on Mon Dei by Harry Nilsson - 5 September 1975 (#141 US)
• Crisis? What Crisis? by Supertramp - 14 September 1975 (#20 UK, #44 US)
• Dreamboat Annie by Heart - 19 September 1975 (#36 UK, #7 US)
• Overnight Success by Neil Sedaka - 25 October 1975
• Horses by Patti Smith - 10 November 1975 (#157 UK, #47 US)
• Cordon Bleu by Solution - 24 November 1975
• New York Connection by Tom Scott - 8 December 1975 (#42 US)

Notable Singles

• "On a Night Like This" / "Something There is About You" by Bob Dylan - 5 March 1974 (#44 US)
• "Same Old Song and Dance" / "Pandora's Box" by Aerosmith - 19 March 1974 (#25 US)
• "Sweet Home Alabama" / "Don't Ask Me No Questions" by Lynyrd Skynyrd - 24 June 1974 (#31 UK, #8 US)
• "I've Got the Music in Me" / "Simple Melody" by Kiki Dee - 26 July 1974 (#19 UK, #12 US)
• "Walk On" / "For the Turnstiles" by Neil Young - 5 August 1974 (#60 US)
• "I Am Missing You" / "Lust" by Ravi Shankar - 13 September 1974
• "(You Keep Me) Hangin' On" / "It's Only Me You Left Behind" by Cliff Richard - 16 September 1974 (#13 UK)
• "Laughter in the Rain" / "Kiddio" by Neil Sedaka - 7 October 1974 (#15 UK, #1 US)
• "Dreamer" / "Bloody Well Right" by Supertramp - 14 October 1974 (#13 UK, #35 US)
• "S.O.S. (Too Bad)" / "Lord of the Thighs" by Aerosmith - 21 October 1974 (#31 US)
• "Only One Woman" / "Get It Up for Love" by Nigel Olsson - 16 December 1974 (#91 US)
• "Tangled Up in Blue" / "If You See Her, Say Hello" by Bob Dylan - 6 January 1975 (#31 US)
• "Only Women Bleed" / "Cold Ethyl" by Alice Cooper - 7 April 1975 (#7 US)
• "Baby, Get It On" / "Under My Thumb" by Ike & Tina Turner - 28 April 1975 (#53 UK, #80 US)
• "Sweet Emotion" / "Uncle Salty" by Aerosmith - 5 May 1975 (#10 US)
• "Saturday Night Special" / "Made in the Shade" by Lynyrd Skynyrd - 19 May 1975 (#27 US)
• "Depot Street" / "Wild Eyes" by Tom Petty & Mudcrutch - 30 June 1975 (#55 US)
• "(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am" / "Once a Fool" by Kiki Dee - 14 July 1975 (#33 UK, #74 US)
• "Magic Man" / "How Deep It Goes" by Heart - 28 July 1975 (#9 US)
• "Sailing" / "Stone Cold Sober" by Rod Stewart - 4 August 1975 (#1 UK, #58 US)
• "Walk This Way" / "Round and Round" by Aerosmith - 28 August 1975 (#6 US)
• "Don't Do Me Like That" / "Lost in Your Eyes" by Tom Petty & Mudcrutch - 8 September 1975 (#38 UK, #17 US)
• "Bad Blood" / "The Immigrant" by Neil Sedaka - 22 September 1975 (#1 US)
• "Welcome to My Nightmare" / "Department of Youth" by Alice Cooper - 6 October 1975 (#26 US)
• "You See Me Crying" / "Toys in the Attic" by Aerosmith - 11 November 1975 (#18 US)
• "This Old Heart of Mine" / "All in the Name of Rock 'n' Roll" by Rod Stewart - 18 November 1975 (#4 UK, #83 US)
• "Hurricane" / "Hurricane (Part II)" by Bob Dylan - 25 November 1975 (#43 UK, #33 US)
• "Dreamboat Annie" / "Here Song" by Heart - 1 December 1975 (#17 US)

Apple Artists, as of December 1975

• The Beatles (since 1968; contracted to EMI)
• George Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starr as The Ladders (since 1970)
• Paul McCartney (since 1971; affiliated with Smile since 1972)
• Eric Clapton (since 1968; member of Cream 1968-1971)
• Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (since 1968)
• Stephen Stills & Manassas (1971-1973; solo album released on Highway 61 Records 1975)
• Neil Young (1971; solo works released on Highway 61 Records since 1973)
• David Crosby and Graham Nash as Crosby & Nash (since 1972)
• Electric Light Orchestra (since 1970)
• Fleetwood Mac (since 1968)
• Michael Jackson (since 1971; contracted to Motown)
• Elton John (since 1969)
• Jimmy McCulloch (since 1975)
• Freddie Mercury (since 1973)
• Billy Preston (since 1969)
• The Rolling Stones (since 1970)
• David Bowie (since 1971)
• Bill Wyman (1974)
• Smile (since 1969; affiliated with Paul McCartney since 1972)
• Splinter (since 1973)
• James Taylor (since 1968)
• Vangelis (since 1972; member of Aphrodite's Child 1967-1972)

Departed Apple Artists

• Aphrodite's Child (1970-1972)
• Badfinger (1968-1975)
• Brute Force (1969)
• Delaney & Bonnie (1969-1972)
• Cream (1968-1971)
• Chris Hodge (1972-1973)
• Mary Hopkin (1968-1972)
• Hot Chocolate (1969)
• Radha Krishna Temple (1969)
• Jackie Lomax (1968-1975)
• Nazareth (1972-1975)
• Yoko Ono (1969-1973)
• Ronnie Spector (1971-1972)
• The Sundown Playboys (1972)
• White Trash (1969)
• Doris Troy (1969-1971)
• Lon and Derrek Van Eaton (1972-1973)

Highway 61 Artists, as of December 1975

• Aerosmith (since 1973)
• Blue Öyster Cult (since 1975)
• Boxer (since 1975)
• Alice Cooper (since 1974)
• Kiki Dee (since 1973)
• Dr. John (since 1975)
• Bob Dylan (since 1973)
• Dave Edmunds (since 1973)
• Genesis (since 1975)
• Heart (since 1975)
• L.A. Express (since 1973)
• Lynyrd Skynyrd (since 1973)
• Harry Nilsson (since 1975)
• Nigel Olsson (since 1974)
• Tom Petty & Mudcrutch (since 1974)
• Ramones (since 1975)
• Cliff Richard (since 1973)
• Neil Sedaka (since 1974)
• Tom Scott (since 1973)
• Ravi Shankar (since 1973)
• Patti Smith (since 1975)
• Solution (since 1974)
• Stackridge (since 1973)
• Rod Stewart (since 1975)
• Stephen Stills (since 1975)
• Supertramp (since 1974)
• Peter Tork (since 1973)
• Tina Turner (since 1974)
• Dennis Wilson (since 1975)
• Ronnie Wood (since 1974)
• Neil Young (since 1973)

Various Artists - The Best of Apple Records Vol. 4: 1974-1975

Released: 22 May 2009

Recorded: 1973-1975

Producer: Various

Track listing

I Miss You [Badfinger]
Rebel Rebel [The Rolling Stones]
I Shot the Sheriff [Eric Clapton]
Nothing from Nothing [Billy Preston]
Costafine Town [Splinter]
Whatever Gets You thru the Night [The Ladders]
Band on the Run [Paul McCartney & Smile]
Can't Get It Out of My Head [Electric Light Orchestra]
Philadelphia Freedom [Elton John]
Hair of the Dog [Nazareth]
Carry Me [Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young]
Just a Little Bit of You [Michael Jackson]
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) [James Taylor]
Over My Head [Fleetwood Mac]
Bohemian Rhapsody [Freddie Mercury]

The fourth Best of Apple compilation was also seen as the last of what would be known as "the EMI years". In reflection upon the label's then-stagnating roster, the overall length of the album was just short of an hour with just fifteen songs. It reached #3 in the United States and #2 in the United Kingdom after it was released.

Footnotes

1. Lee and John Eastman were Linda's father and brother, respectively. Both represented Paul McCartney whilst Allen Klein managed John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Eastman and son later managed McCartney during his solo career.
2. Ron Kass was president of Apple Records from 1968-1969 before being forced out by Klein through false allegations of "financial impropriety". Prior to being president of Apple, Kass was president of Liberty Records during its time as an independent label.
3. Jack Oliver was Kass' successor as head of Apple Records up to 1971. He too was forced out by Klein.
4. Tony Bramwell was an NEMS employee, the original head of Apple Films and briefly the CEO of Apple Records. Following his departure from Apple, he worked on various James Bond films and even worked at Polydor promoting many artists such as the Bee Gees.
5. John Kosh was a designer who was hired as creative director in either 1968 or 1969. He was responsible for the design of the cover to Abbey Road and several other albums by Apple artists. He also designed covers for Bob Dylan, ELO, Rod Stewart, Linda Ronstadt, among others.
6. Chris O'Dell was an Apple employee who worked as an assistant to the Beatles, Derek and the Dominos, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Santana, among other artists. She was also the inspiration for the George Harrison B-side "Miss O'Dell", backed with "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)".

Author's Comments

Wow, that chapter was way longer than I envisioned! In fact, the listings for the Apple and Highway 61 discographies and the rosters for both take up well over half the chapter itself! Mind you, a lot of this is all super-nerdy stuff. I may even have to make individual pages for discographies of albums and singles so they can each be in one place all at once. Perhaps for future Apple overviews like this, I'll just describe what artists had successes and/or failures during that period and then link you to the discography pages.

But finally, at long last, we come to the end of 1975 and we look forward to the start of 1976. It's amazing that since the blog began, a little over a year ago, we've covered an entire decade - from December 1965 all the way up to December 1975, and we're not even close to approaching Live Aid in 1985. Only a few more chapters to go before Phase Two comes to an end...