American Top 40 1974 June 29th

American Top 40 with Casey Kasem aired on radio from July 4, 1970 until August 6, 1988. This recording is a rebroadcast from internet radio.

In this countdown the AT40 staff guessed the top 40 because Casey had an acting role that required him being gone from the microphone for a lengthy period of time. Shortly after production of the June 22nd show, this show was recorded without using a Billboard chart, because no chart had been issued yet. The July 6th special, "Top 40 Acts of the 70's So Far" was already recorded, and Guest Host "Humble" Harv Miller was set to do the July 13th broadcast, and that's how Casey Kasem got to go on summer vacation.

A listener asks, "What year in the rock era holds the record for the most number one instrumentals?" Casey says the question is very appropriate in 1974 because the year 1962 holds the record with three number one instrumentals (which Casey lists), and 1974 being only half over had already seen two.

Elvis Presley debuts at number 34 with his hit, "If You Talk In Your Sleep." Casey says that for the last six years he has held the record for most top 40 hits (this is his 96th). Casey likens Elvis to Hank Aaron; with every new hit, he just breaks his own record.

Casey answers what he says is the most difficult question the AT40 staff ever received (they had gotten it two-and-a-half years earlier). "Who stayed on the chart the most weeks in a row, and how many songs did he need to set that record?" Casey reports this artist started his streak in 1955 and it last over four years (and it wasn't Elvis).

The Righteous Brothers have their hit "Rock And Roll Heaven" at number 14. Casey says they split up and were apart longer than any other group or duo that eventually got back together, six years.

Finally, Gordon Lightfoot has his first number one hit, "Sundown."

40: Keep On Smilin' - Wet Willie
39: The Locomotion - Grand Funk
38: Come Monday - Jimmy Buffett
37: Finally Got Myself Together - Impressions
36: Workin' At The Carwash Blues - Jim Croce
35: Takin' Care Of Business - Bachman Turner Overdrive
34: If You Talk In Your Sleep - Elvis Presley
33: La Grange - ZZ Top
32: Help Me - Joni Mitchell
31: My Girl Bill - Jim Stafford
30: Already Gone - Eagles
29: Waterloo - ABBA
28: Radar Love - Golden Earring
27: If You Want To Get To Heaven - Ozark Mountain Daredevils
26: Side Show - Blue Magic
25: The Entertainer - Marvin Hamlisch
24: Train Of Thought - Cher
23: You Won't See Me - Anne Murray
22: Midnight At The Oasis - Maria Muldaur
21: Save The Last Dance For Me - The DeFranco Family
20: Rikki Don't Lose That Number - Steely Dan
19: I'm Coming Home - Spinners
18: One Helluva Woman - Mac Davis
17: Haven't Got Time For The Pain - Carly Simon
16: Annie's Song - John Denver
15: For The Love Of Money - OJ's
14: Rock And Roll Heaven - The Righteous Brothers
13: The Air That I Breathe - Hollies
12: Dancing Machine - Jackson Five
11: On And On - Gladys Knight & The Pips
10: Band On The Run - Wings
9: The Streak - Ray Stevens
8: Hollywood Swingin' - Kool & The Gang
7: If You Love Me Let Me Know - Olivia Newton-John
6: Rock Me Baby - George McCrae
5: Rock The Boat - Hues Corporation
4: You Make Me Feel Brand New - Stylistics
3: Be Thankful For What You Got - William Devaughn
2: Billy Don't Be A Hero - Bo Donaldson & The Haywoods
1: Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot