List of notable events in music that took place in the year 1970. American soul singer Wilson Pickett with Pino Presti (1970)

__TOC__

Specific locations

* 1970 in British music * 1970 in Norwegian music

Specific genres

1970 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1970. Events * April 13 - Marty Robbins is awarded Artist of the Decade for the 1960s by the Academy of Country Music * September — '' That Good Ole Nashville Music ...

* 1970 in heavy metal music *

1970 in jazz This is a timeline documenting events of Jazz in the year 1970. Events June * 17 – The 4th Montreux Jazz Festival started in Montreux, Switzerland (June 17 – 22). July * 10 ** Lee Morgan records '' Live at the Lighthouse'' (July 10 – 12 ...

Events

January 3 Events Pre-1600 *AD 69, 69 – The Roman legions on the Rhine refuse to declare their allegiance to Galba, instead proclaiming their legate, Aulus Vitellius, as emperor. * 250 – Emperor Decius orders everyone in the Roman Empire (ex ...

– Ex-

Pink Floyd Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philosophical lyrics an ...

frontman

Syd Barrett Roger Keith "Syd" Barrett (6 January 1946 – 7 July 2006) was an English singer, songwriter, and musician who co-founded the rock band Pink Floyd in 1965. Barrett was their original frontman and primary songwriter, becoming known for his ...

releases his first solo album '' The Madcap Laughs''. *

January 4 Events Pre-1600 *46 BC – Julius Caesar fights Titus Labienus in the Battle of Ruspina. * 871 – Battle of Reading: Æthelred of Wessex and his brother Alfred are defeated by a Danish invasion army. 1601–1900 *1649 – Engl ...

–

The Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...

drummer

Keith Moon Keith John Moon (23 August 19467 September 1978) was an English drummer for the rock band the Who. He was noted for his unique style of playing and his eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour and addiction to drugs and alcohol. Moon grew ...

fatally runs over his chauffeur with his

Bentley Bentley Motors Limited is a British designer, manufacturer and marketer of luxury cars and SUVs. Headquartered in Crewe, England, the company was founded as Bentley Motors Limited by W. O. Bentley (1888–1971) in 1919 in Cricklewood, Nort ...

trying to escape a mob outside a pub. The death is later ruled an accident. *

January 7 Events Pre-1600 * 49 BC – The Senate of Rome says that Caesar will be declared a public enemy unless he disbands his army. This prompts the tribunes who support him to flee to Ravenna, where Caesar is waiting. * 1325 – Alfonso I ...

– Max Yasgur, owner of the Bethel, New York farm where the 1969

Woodstock Festival Woodstock Music and Art Fair, commonly referred to as Woodstock, was a music festival held during August 15–18, 1969, on Max Yasgur's dairy farm in Bethel, New York, United States, southwest of the town of Woodstock, New York, Woodstock. ...

was held, is sued for $35,000 in property damages by neighboring farmers. *

January 9 Events Pre-1600 * 681 – Twelfth Council of Toledo: King Erwig of the Visigoths initiates a council in which he implements diverse measures against the Jews in Spain. *1127 – Jin–Song Wars: Invading Jurchen soldiers from the Jin ...

– Led Zeppelin performs at The Royal Albert Hall. John Bonham plays a fifteen-minute rendition of "Moby Dick". *

January 14 Events Pre-1600 * 1236 – King Henry III of England marries Eleanor of Provence. *1301 – Andrew III of Hungary dies, ending the Árpád dynasty in Hungary. 1601–1900 * 1639 – The " Fundamental Orders", the first written c ...

– Diana Ross and the Supremes perform for the last time together at the

Frontier Hotel The New Frontier (formerly Hotel Last Frontier and The Frontier) was a hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The property began as a casino and dance club known as Pair O' Dice, opened in 1931. It was sold in 1941, and inc ...

in Las Vegas. *

January 16 Events Pre-1600 * 27 BC – Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus is granted the title Augustus by the Roman Senate, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire. * 378 – General Siyaj K'ak' conquers Tikal, enlarging the domain of King Sp ...

–

John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...

's London art gallery exhibit of lithographs, Bag One, is shut down by

Scotland Yard Scotland Yard (officially New Scotland Yard) is the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, the territorial police force responsible for policing Greater London's 32 boroughs, but not the City of London, the square mile that forms London's ...

for displaying "erotic lithographs". *

January 24 Events Pre-1600 * 41 – Claudius is proclaimed Roman emperor by the Praetorian Guard after they assassinate the previous emperor, his nephew Caligula. * 914 – Start of the First Fatimid invasion of Egypt. *1438 – The Counc ...

– James "Shep" Sheppard, of

The Heartbeats The Heartbeats were a 1950s American doo-wop group best known for their song " A Thousand Miles Away", which charted at No. 53 in the US ''Billboard'' listings in 1957. Career The Heartbeats began as a quartet in early 1953 in Jamaica, Queens ...

and Shep and the Limelites, is found murdered in his car on the

Long Island Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United States and the 18 ...

Expressway. *

January 26 Events Pre-1600 * 661 – The Rashidun Caliphate is effectively ended with the assassination of Ali, the last caliph. * 1531 – The 6.4–7.1 Lisbon earthquake kills about thirty thousand people. * 1564 – The Council of T ...

–

Simon & Garfunkel Simon & Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of the singer-songwriter Paul Simon and the singer Art Garfunkel. They were one of the best-selling music groups of the 1960s, and their biggest hits—including the electric remix of ...

release their final album together, '' Bridge Over Troubled Water''. The title track and album stay #1 on the

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large adverti ...

charts for six weeks and go on to win a record six Grammys at the

13th Grammy Awards The 13th Annual Grammy Awards were held on 16 March 1971, on ABC, and marked the ceremony's first live telecast. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the year 1970. The ceremony was hosted for the first time by Andy Williams. Award ...

, including "Record of the Year", "Song of the Year", and "Album of the Year." In Britain it tops the album chart at regular intervals over the next two years, and becomes the best-selling album in Britain during the 1970s. *

January 27 Events Pre-1600 * 98 – Trajan succeeds his adoptive father Nerva as Roman emperor; under his rule the Roman Empire will reach its maximum extent. * 945 – The co-emperors Stephen and Constantine are overthrown and forced to bec ...

–

Miles Davis Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926September 28, 1991) was an American trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. Davis adopted a variety of music ...

makes the final recordings for his experimental album ''

Circle in the Round ''Circle in the Round'' is a 1979 compilation album by jazz musician Miles Davis. It compiled outtakes from sessions across fifteen years of Davis's career that, with one exception, had been previously unreleased. All of its tracks have since been ...

'', featuring sitar and tabla. *

January 28 Events Pre-1600 * 98 – On the death of Nerva, Trajan is declared Roman emperor in Cologne, the seat of his government in lower Germany. * 814 – The death of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor, brings about the accession ...

– The newly formed

Band of Gypsies ''Band of Gypsys'' is a live album by Jimi Hendrix and the first without his original group, the Jimi Hendrix Experience. It was recorded on January 1, 1970, at the Fillmore East in New York City with Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on drums, ...

breaks up when guitarist

Jimi Hendrix James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most ...

walks out after playing just two songs, telling the audience "I'm sorry we just can't get it together". *

February 11 Events Pre-1600 *660 BC – Traditional date for the foundation of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. * 55 – The death under mysterious circumstances of Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, heir to the Roman empire, on the eve of his coming ...

– The film '' The Magic Christian'', starring Peter Sellers and

Ringo Starr Sir Richard Starkey (born 7 July 1940), known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer, songwriter and actor who achieved international fame as the drummer for the Beatles. Starr occasionally sang lead vocals with the ...

, is premiered in New York City. The film's soundtrack album, including Badfinger's " Come and Get It" (written and produced by

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...

), is released on Apple Records. *

February 13 Events Pre-1600 * 962 – Emperor Otto I and Pope John XII co-sign the ''Diploma Ottonianum'', recognizing John as ruler of Rome. * 1322 – The central tower of Ely Cathedral falls on the night of 12th–13th. * 1462 – The ...

– English band

Black Sabbath Black Sabbath were an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as pioneers of heavy metal music. The band helped def ...

release their self titled debut album in the U.K., credited as the first major album in the heavy metal genre. *

February 14 Events Pre-1600 * 748 – Abbasid Revolution: The Hashimi rebels under Abu Muslim Khorasani take Merv, capital of the Umayyad province Khorasan, marking the consolidation of the Abbasid revolt. * 842 – Charles the Bald and Louis t ...

–

records ''Live At Leeds'' in

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a Historic counties of England, historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other Eng ...

, England. The

Grateful Dead The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. The band is known for its eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, country, jazz, bluegrass, blues, rock and roll, gospel, reggae, world music, ...

plays an equally historic concert on the same date at the Fillmore East, New York City. *

February 17 Events Pre-1600 * 1370 – Northern Crusades: Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Teutonic Knights meet in the Battle of Rudau. * 1411 – Following the successful campaigns during the Ottoman Interregnum, Musa Çelebi, one of the sons ...

–

Joni Mitchell Roberta Joan "Joni" Mitchell ( Anderson; born November 7, 1943) is a Canadian-American musician, producer, and painter. Among the most influential singer-songwriters to emerge from the 1960s folk music circuit, Mitchell became known for her st ...

announces that she is retiring from live performances, following her show at London's

Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no govern ...

. She would be back performing concerts within a year. *

February 23 Events Pre-1600 * 303 – Roman emperor Diocletian orders the destruction of the Christian church in Nicomedia, beginning eight years of Diocletianic Persecution. * 532 – Byzantine emperor Justinian I lays the foundation stone of ...

–

appears on the television show '' Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In''. *

February 27 Events Pre-1600 * 380 – Edict of Thessalonica: Emperor Theodosius I and his co-emperors Gratian and Valentinian II declare their wish that all Roman citizens convert to Nicene Christianity. * 425 – The University of Constantin ...

–

Jefferson Airplane Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band based in San Francisco, California, that became one of the pioneering bands of psychedelic rock. Formed in 1965, the group defined the San Francisco Sound and was the first from the Bay Area to ach ...

is fined $1,000 for using profanity during a concert in

Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, it ranks 20th among United States cities in population, and ...

, Oklahoma. *

February 28 Events Pre-1600 * 202 BC – Liu Bang is enthroned as the Emperor of China, beginning four centuries of rule by the Han dynasty. * 870 – The Fourth Council of Constantinople closes. * 1525 – Aztec king Cuauhtémoc is execut ...

–

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the " King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. His ener ...

performed at the Houston Astrodome. The King of Rock and Roll broke previous attendance records with a crowd of 36,299 - which was 10,000 more than the previous record. *

–

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are ...

perform in

Copenhagen Copenhagen ( or .; da, København ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a proper population of around 815.000 in the last quarter of 2022; and some 1.370,000 in the urban area; and the wider Copenhagen metropolitan a ...

under the pseudonym The Nobs, to avoid a threatened lawsuit by Count Eva von Zeppelin, descendant of airship designer Ferdinand von Zeppelin. *

March 4 Events Pre-1600 * AD 51 – Nero, later to become Roman emperor, is given the title '' princeps iuventutis'' (head of the youth). * 306 – Martyrdom of Saint Adrian of Nicomedia. * 852 – Croatian Knez Trpimir I issues a ...

–

Janis Joplin Janis Lyn Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970) was an American singer and musician. One of the most successful and widely known rock stars of her era, she was noted for her powerful mezzo-soprano vocals and "electric" stage presence. ...

is fined $200 for using obscene language during a concert performance in

Tampa, Florida Tampa () is a city on the Gulf Coast of the U.S. state of Florida. The city's borders include the north shore of Tampa Bay and the east shore of Old Tampa Bay. Tampa is the largest city in the Tampa Bay area and the seat of Hillsborough ...

. * March 6 –

Cult In modern English, ''cult'' is usually a pejorative term for a social group that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs and rituals, or its common interest in a particular personality, object, or goal. Thi ...

leader and suspected murderer

Charles Manson Charles Milles Manson (; November 12, 1934November 19, 2017) was an American criminal and musician who led the Manson Family, a cult based in California, in the late 1960s. Some of the members committed a series of nine murders at four loca ...

releases an album titled '' Lie: The Love and Terror Cult'' to help finance his defense. *

March 7 Events Pre-1600 * 161 – Marcus Aurelius and L. Commodus (who changes his name to Lucius Verus) become joint emperors of Rome on the death of Antoninus Pius. * 1138 – Konrad III von Hohenstaufen was elected king of Germany at Co ...

–

Mountain A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited summit area, and is usually higher ...

, one of the many bands credited as having influence in the development of

heavy metal music Heavy metal (or simply metal) is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom and United States. With roots in blues rock, psychedelic rock and acid rock, heavy metal bands develope ...

, releases ''

Climbing! ''Climbing!'' (also known as ''Mountain Climbing!'') is the debut studio album by American hard rock band Mountain, released in 1970 by Windfall Records. Background In 1969, Leslie West recorded his debut solo album, titled ''Mountain'', with ...

'', their debut album. * March 11 – The

12th Annual Grammy Awards The 12th Annual Grammy Awards were held on March 11, 1970. They recognized accomplishments of musicians for the year 1969. Award winners *Record of the Year **Bones Howe (producer) & The 5th Dimension for "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" * Album of ...

are presented in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world ...

Nashville Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the seat of Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the most populous city in the state, 21st most-populous city in the U.S., and th ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

and

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,7 ...

. Blood, Sweat & Tears' self-titled album wins

Album of the Year Album of the Year, often abbreviated to AOTY, may refer to: Awards * ARIA Award for Album of the Year, Australia * Brit Award for British Album of the Year, UK * Grammy Award for Album of the Year, US * Juno Award for Album of the Year, CA * Lati ...

The 5th Dimension The 5th Dimension is an American popular music vocal group, whose repertoire includes pop, R&B, soul, jazz, light opera, and Broadway. Formed as the Versatiles in late 1965, the group changed its name to "the 5th Dimension" by 1966. Betwe ...

's "

Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In "Medley: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)" (commonly called "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In", "The Age of Aquarius" or "Let the Sunshine In") is a medley of two songs written for the 1967 musical ''Hair'' by James Rado and Gerome ...

" wins Record of the Year and Joe South's " Games People Play" wins Song of the Year.

Crosby, Stills & Nash Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) were a folk rock supergroup made up of American singer-songwriters David Crosby and Stephen Stills and English singer-songwriter Graham Nash. When joined by Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young as a fourth memb ...

win Best New Artist. *

March 15 Events Pre-1600 * 474 BC – Roman consul Aulus Manlius Vulso celebrates an ovation for concluding the war against Veii and securing a forty years' truce. * 44 BC – The assassination of Julius Caesar takes place. * 493 &ndash ...

– West German pavilion at

Expo '70 The or Expo 70 was a world's fair held in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, Japan between March 15 and September 13, 1970. Its theme was "Progress and Harmony for Mankind." In Japanese, Expo '70 is often referred to as . It was the first world's fai ...

in Osaka features 5½ hours' daily live performances of the music of

Karlheinz Stockhausen Karlheinz Stockhausen (; 22 August 1928 – 5 December 2007) was a German composer, widely acknowledged by critics as one of the most important but also controversial composers of the 20th and early 21st centuries. He is known for his groundb ...

(to September 13). * March 19 –

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer-songwriter and actor. A leading figure in the music industry, he is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the ...

marries model Angela Barnett. * March 21 – In

Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Amstel'') is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population of 907,976 within the city proper, 1,558,755 in the urban ar ...

, Dana wins the 15th annual

Eurovision Song Contest The Eurovision Song Contest (), sometimes abbreviated to ESC and often known simply as Eurovision, is an international songwriting competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), featuring participants representing pr ...

for

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel. Ireland is the s ...

with the song All Kinds of Everything. She is elected to the

European Parliament The European Parliament (EP) is one of the Legislature, legislative bodies of the European Union and one of its seven Institutions of the European Union, institutions. Together with the Council of the European Union (known as the Council and in ...

some 29 years later. *

March 25 Events Pre-1600 * 421 – Italian city Venice is founded with the dedication of the first church, that of San Giacomo di Rialto on the islet of Rialto. * 708 – Pope Constantine becomes the 88th pope. He would be the last pope to v ...

–

José José José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz (17 February 1948 – 28 September 2019), known professionally as José José, was a Mexican singer and actor. Born into a family of musicians, José began his musical career in his early teens playing guitar and sin ...

gives a masterful performance of the song "

El Triste "El Triste" ("''The Sad One''") is a song written by Mexican composer Roberto Cantoral. It was performed for the first time on March 15, 1970, at the "Latin Song Festival II" (predecessor of the OTI Festival) by the Mexican singer José José. ( ...

" at the "Latin Song Festival II", predecessor of the OTI Festival. *

March 26 Events Pre-1600 * 590 – Emperor Maurice proclaims his son Theodosius as co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire. *1021 – On the feast of Eid al-Adha, the death of the Fatimid caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, kept secret for six weeks, ...

– Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) pleads guilty to "taking immoral liberties" with a 14-year-old girl in Washington, D.C., on August 31, 1969. *

April 2 Events Pre-1600 *1513 – Having spotted land on March 27, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León comes ashore on what is now the U.S. state of Florida, landing somewhere between the modern city of St. Augustine and the mouth of the St. Joh ...

– The London Magistrate's Court hears arguments on

's indecency summons for his exhibition of erotic lithographs during his art exhibit on January 16. * April 3 –

Minneapolis Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origin ...

nightclub the Depot opens, eventually renamed to First Avenue. *

April 10 Events Pre-1600 * 428 – Nestorius becomes the Patriarch of Constantinople. * 837 – Halley's Comet makes its closest approach to Earth at a distance equal to 0.0342 AU (5.1 million kilometres/3.2 million miles). * 1407 ...

–

publicly announces that he has left

The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

in a press release, written in mock-interview style, that is included in promotional copies of his first solo album and headlined in the ''

Daily Mirror The ''Daily Mirror'' is a British national daily Tabloid journalism, tabloid. Founded in 1903, it is owned by parent company Reach plc. From 1985 to 1987, and from 1997 to 2002, the title on its Masthead (British publishing), masthead was simpl ...

'' newspaper in the United Kingdom. *

April 14 Events Pre-1600 * 43 BC – Legions loyal to the Roman Senate, commanded by Gaius Pansa, defeat the forces of Mark Antony in the Battle of Forum Gallorum. * 69 – Vitellius, commanding Rhine-based armies, defeats Roman emperor O ...

– Michael Nesmith announces he has left The Monkees. *

April 17 Events Pre-1600 *1080 – Harald III of Denmark dies and is succeeded by Canute IV, who would later be the first Dane to be canonized. * 1349 – The rule of the Bavand dynasty in Mazandaran is brought to an end by the murder of Has ...

–

Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his c ...

performs at the

White House The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., and has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in ...

at the invitation of President Richard M. Nixon. * April 20 –

's first solo album, ''

McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. On ...

'', is released. *

April 24 Events Pre-1600 * 1479 BC – Thutmose III ascends to the throne of Egypt, although power effectively shifts to Hatshepsut (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th dynasty). *1183 BC – Traditional reckoning of the Fall of Troy ...

–

Grace Slick Grace Slick (born Grace Barnett Wing; October 30, 1939) is an American singer-songwriter, artist, and painter. Slick was a key figure in San Francisco's early psychedelic music scene in the mid-1960s. With a music career spanning four decades, ...

is invited to a tea party at the White House by Tricia Nixon, daughter of U.S. President

Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a representative and senator from California and was ...

. Slick arrives at the party with

Abbie Hoffman Abbot Howard "Abbie" Hoffman (November 30, 1936 – April 12, 1989) was an American political and social activist who co-founded the Youth International Party ("Yippies") and was a member of the Chicago Seven. He was also a leading proponen ...

, who is on trial for conspiring to riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The pair planned to spike Nixon's tea cup with a heavy dose of LSD. Slick is recognized (although Hoffman is not) and told to leave because she is on the FBI list. * May 4 –

Charles Wuorinen Charles Peter Wuorinen (; June 9, 1938 – March 11, 2020) was an American composer of contemporary classical music based in New York City. He performed his works and other 20th-century music as pianist and conductor. He composed more than ...

, 32, becomes the youngest composer ever to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music. *

May 8 Events Pre-1600 *453 BC – Spring and Autumn period: The house of Zhao defeats the house of Zhi, ending the Battle of Jinyang, a military conflict between the elite families of the State of Jin. * 413 – Emperor Honorius signs an ...

–

' last LP, '' Let It Be'', is released. *

May 16 Events Pre-1600 * 946 – Emperor Suzaku abdicates the throne in favor of his brother Murakami who becomes the 62nd emperor of Japan. * 1204 – Baldwin IX, Count of Flanders is crowned as the first Emperor of the Latin Empire. * 1 ...

** Randy Bachman leaves the Guess Who to start up

Brave Belt Brave Belt was a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba originally consisting of Randy Bachman (guitar/vocals), his former Guess Who bandmate, Chad Allan (vocals/keyboards), and Randy's brother Robbie (drums). Randy also provided bass trac ...

. **

release '' Live at Leeds'' which is their first

live album An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early 20th century as individual 78 rpm records c ...

. Since its initial reception, ''Live at Leeds'' has been cited by several

music critics Music journalism (or music criticism) is media criticism and reporting about music topics, including popular music, classical music, and traditional music. Journalists began writing about music in the eighteenth century, providing commentary on w ...

as the best live rock recording of all time. *

May 20 Events Pre-1600 * 325 – The First Council of Nicaea is formally opened, starting the first ecumenical council of the Christian Church. * 491 – Empress Ariadne marries Anastasius I. The widowed '' Augusta'' is able to choose her ...

–

' film '' Let It Be'' premières in London and Liverpool. None of the four band members are present at either screening. * May 23–24 –

make their first British appearance at Hollywood Festival, Newcastle-under-Lyme, on a bill also featuring

, Free, and José Feliciano. Everyone is completely upstaged by the previously unknown

Mungo Jerry Mungo Jerry are a British rock band, formed by Ray Dorset in Ashford, Middlesex in 1970. Experiencing their greatest success in the early 1970s, with a changing lineup always fronted by Ray Dorset, the group's biggest hit was " In the Summer ...

, whose debut single " In the Summertime" becomes the best-selling hit of the year. *June – Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe receives the MBE in the

Queen's Birthday Honours The Birthday Honours, in some Commonwealth realms, mark the King's Official Birthday, reigning British monarch's official birthday by granting various individuals appointment into Order (honour), national or Dynastic order of knighthood, dynastic ...

. *

June 3 Events Pre-1600 * 350 – The Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman emperor, entering Rome at the head of a group of gladiators. * 713 – The Byzantine emperor Philippicus is blinded, depo ...

–

The Kinks The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, north London, in 1963 by brothers Ray and Dave Davies. They are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. The band emerged during the height of British rhyt ...

singer Ray Davies makes a 6000-mile round trip from New York to London and back- interrupting the band's American tour- to re-record one word on their latest single " Lola". In order to get any airplay in Great Britain he has to change the word "

Coca-Cola Coca-Cola, or Coke, is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company. Originally marketed as a temperance bar, temperance drink and intended as a patent medicine, it was invented in the late 19th century by John Stith Pembe ...

" to a more subtle "cherry cola". * June 7 –

play two shows of Tommy, at the New York

Metropolitan Opera The Metropolitan Opera (commonly known as the Met) is an American opera company based in New York City, resident at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, currently situated on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The company is opera ...

House. * June 13 **" The Long and Winding Road" becomes

the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

' last U.S. Number 1 song, though it is never released as a single in Britain. **

The Stooges The Stooges, originally billed as the Psychedelic Stooges, also known as Iggy and the Stooges, was an American rock band formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1967 by singer Iggy Pop, guitarist Ron Asheton, drummer Scott Asheton, and bassist Da ...

play at the Cincinnati Pop Festival,

Midsummer Rock ''Midsummer Rock'' is a television program based on the Cincinnati Pop Festival. The 90-minute TV version featured Alice Cooper, Mountain, Grand Funk Railroad, The Stooges, and Traffic Traffic comprises pedestrians, vehicles, ridden or her ...

. *

July 4 Events Pre-1600 *362 BC – Battle of Mantinea: The Thebans, led by Epaminondas, defeated the Spartans. * 414 – Emperor Theodosius II, age 13, yields power to his older sister Aelia Pulcheria, who reigned as regent and proclaimed ...

– The music countdown show ''

American Top 40 ''American Top 40'' (previously abbreviated to ''AT40'') is an internationally syndicated, independent song countdown radio program created by Casey Kasem, Don Bustany, Tom Rounds, and Ron Jacobs. The program is currently hosted by Ryan Sea ...

'' debuts. * July 17 – The Guess Who perform at the

for President Nixon and his guest The Prince of Wales. At

Pat Nixon Thelma Catherine "Pat" Nixon (''née'' Ryan; March 16, 1912 – June 22, 1993) was First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974 as the wife of President Richard Nixon. She also served as Second Lady of the United States from 1953 to 1961 w ...

's request, they do not play their breakthrough hit "

American Woman "American Woman" is a song by Canadian rock band the Guess Who, released January 1970, from the album of the same name. It was later released in March 1970 as a single backed with " No Sugar Tonight", and it reached number one for three weeks ...

" due to the song's supposed anti-American lyrics. *

July 26 Events Pre-1600 * 657 – First Fitna: In the Battle of Siffin, troops led by Ali ibn Abu Talib clash with those led by Muawiyah I. * 811 – Battle of Pliska: Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I is killed and his heir Staurakios is seriou ...

– Guitarist Jimi Hendrix plays at his hometown of

Seattle Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region o ...

at Sicks Stadium where, under the influence of drugs, he starts verbally abusing members of the audience. * August 3 – Janis Joplin makes her final TV appearance, on the ''

Dick Cavett Show ''The Dick Cavett Show'' was the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various television networks, including: * ABC daytime, (March 4, 1968–January 24, 1969) originally titled ''This Morning'' * ABC prime time, Tuesdays, Wed ...

''. * August 26–30 – The Isle of Wight Festival 1970 takes place on East Afton Farm off the coast of England. Some 600,000 people attend the largest rock festival of all time. Artists include The Moody Blues,

The Doors The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most controversial and influential rock acts ...

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

Leonard Cohen Leonard Norman Cohen (September 21, 1934November 7, 2016) was a Canadian singer-songwriter, poet and novelist. His work explored religion, politics, isolation, depression, sexuality, loss, death, and romantic relationships. He was inducted in ...

Richie Havens Richard Pierce Havens (January 21, 1941 – April 22, 2013) was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. His music encompassed elements of folk, soul (both of which he frequently covered), and rhythm and blues. He had a rhythmic guitar styl ...

, John Sebastian,

Joan Baez Joan Chandos Baez (; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing more ...

, Ten Years After,

Emerson, Lake & Palmer Emerson, Lake & Palmer (informally known as ELP) were an English progressive rock supergroup formed in London in 1970. The band consisted of Keith Emerson (keyboards), Greg Lake (vocals, bass, guitar, producer) and Carl Palmer (drums, percus ...

and Jethro Tull. * August 30 –

The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the gritty, rhythmically dr ...

open their European tour in Malmö, Sweden. * September 6 – During his final European tour, guitarist Jimi Hendrix is greeted by booing and jeering by German fans as a result of his late appearance on stage and incoherent stage performance. Bassist Billy Cox quits the tour and returns to the United States. *

September 17 Events Pre-1600 * 1111 – Highest Galician nobility led by Pedro Fróilaz de Traba and the bishop Diego Gelmírez crown Alfonso VII as "King of Galicia". * 1176 – The Battle of Myriokephalon is the last attempt by the Byzantine Emp ...

–

makes his last appearance, with

Eric Burdon Eric Victor Burdon (born 11 May 1941) is an English singer. He was previously the lead vocalist of R&B and rock band the Animals and funk band War. He is regarded as one of the British Invasion's most distinctive singers with his deep, pow ...

& War jamming at Ronnie Scotts Club in London. Hendrix, aged 27, dies the following day from a

barbiturate Barbiturates are a class of depressant drugs that are chemically derived from barbituric acid. They are effective when used medically as anxiolytics, hypnotics, and anticonvulsants, but have physical and psychological addiction potential a ...

overdose at his London hotel. * October 4 –

is found dead in her bedroom in the Landmark Motor Hotel in Hollywood. She died from a

heroin Heroin, also known as diacetylmorphine and diamorphine among other names, is a potent opioid mainly used as a recreational drug for its euphoric effects. Medical grade diamorphine is used as a pure hydrochloride salt. Various white and bro ...

overdose, at the age of 27. * October 10 – Newly independent

Fiji Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consis ...

adopts ''

God Bless Fiji "" () or "God Bless Fiji", is the national anthem of Fiji. The lyrics were written by Michael Francis Alexander Prescott (1928–2006) to the tune of the hymn "Dwelling in Beulah Land" by Charles Austin Miles (1911), and the music was adapted by ...

'' as its national anthem. * October 30 –

Jim Morrison James Douglas Morrison (December 8, 1943 – July 3, 1971) was an American singer, poet and songwriter who was the lead vocalist of the rock band the Doors. Due to his wild personality, poetic lyrics, distinctive voice, unpredictable and err ...

, found guilty of indecent exposure and profanity because of his behavior during a March 1, 1969, concert, is sentenced to eight months of hard labor and a $500 fine. *

November 9 Events Pre-1600 * 694 – At the Seventeenth Council of Toledo, Egica, a king of the Visigoths of Hispania, accuses Jews of aiding Muslims, sentencing all Jews to slavery. * 1277 – The Treaty of Aberconwy, a humiliating settleme ...

– The

blues rock Blues rock is a fusion music genre that combines elements of blues and rock music. It is mostly an electric ensemble-style music with instrumentation similar to electric blues and rock (electric guitar, electric bass guitar, and drums, sometimes w ...

studio double album '' Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs'', the only album by Derek and the Dominos, is released, initially in the United States, the first presentation of the classic title track, " Layla", by English guitarist

Eric Clapton Eric Patrick Clapton (born 1945) is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is often regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. Clapton ranked second in ''Rolling Stone''s list o ...

and American drummer Jim Gordon. * November 12 – After

Yehudi Menuhin Yehudi or Jehudi (Hebrew: יהודי, endonym for Jew) is a common Hebrew name: * Yehudi Menuhin (1916–1999), violinist and conductor ** Yehudi Menuhin School, a music school in Surrey, England ** Who's Yehoodi?, a catchphrase referring to t ...

accepts honorary citizenship from Switzerland, he receives a letter from the United States State Department telling him that both he and his son will lose their US citizenship as a result. *

November 20 Events Pre-1600 * 284 – Diocletian is chosen as Roman emperor. * 762 – During the An Shi Rebellion, the Tang dynasty, with the help of Huihe tribe, recaptures Luoyang from the rebels. *1194 – Palermo is conquered by Henr ...

–

singer Ray Davies flies to a London studio to re-record one word in a new Kinks single for the second time in 1970. This time, he has to change a line in " Apeman"- "The air pollution is a-foggin' up my eyes" which sounds too much like "a-fuckin'". * November 23 – The Electric Factory concert venue in

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...

, Pennsylvania' closes its doors. * December 8 –

conducts a lengthy and intensely candid interview with

Jann Wenner Jann Simon Wenner ( ; born January 7, 1946) is an American magazine magnate who is a co-founder of the popular culture magazine ''Rolling Stone'', and former owner of '' Men's Journal'' magazine. He participated in the Free Speech Movement while ...

of ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...

'' magazine. He discusses his new solo album and the influence of

primal therapy Primal therapy is a trauma-based psychotherapy created by Arthur Janov, who argues that neurosis is caused by the repressed pain of childhood trauma. Janov argues that repressed pain can be sequentially brought to conscious awareness for resolut ...

on its creation, as well as his personal traumas dating back to childhood. He also makes many revelations about his time in

, including his account of the group's breakup. * December 12 –

play their final concert with singer

at The Warehouse in New Orleans, Louisiana. After the concert The Doors decide that they will not play live anymore due to Morrison's unpredictable live persona. * December 31 **

officially and finally split up after 10 years.

Bands formed

*''See Musical groups established in 1970''

Bands disbanded

break up permanently. * The Nice disband. * Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band split, with reunions in 1972, 1988, and 2006. *

– both members of the duo go on to solo careers, although they have reunited and performed together numerous times since breaking up. * The Turtles (reform in 1983) *

Dave Clark 5 The Dave Clark Five, also known as the DC5, were an English rock and roll band formed in 1958 in Tottenham, London. Drummer Dave Clark served as the group's leader, producer and co-songwriter. In January 1964 they had their first UK top ten sin ...

Many members would leave and new members formed 'Dave Clark & Friends' which lasted until 1973. *''See also Musical groups disestablished in 1970''

Albums released

In 1970, 4,000 albums and 5,700 singles were released in the US.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Release date unknown

* '' 3 Shades of Blue'' - Johnny Hodges * ''

4 Compositions for Sextet ''4 Compositions for Sextet'' is an album by English free-jazz drummer Tony Oxley, which was recorded in 1970 and released on CBS. The album, the second of a trilogy that Oxley recorded for major labels, features the same band with whom he reco ...

'' – Tony Oxley * '' Affenstunde'' - Popol Vuh * '' Afternoon of a Georgia Faun'' - Marion Brown * '' Again'' – Oliver * '' Alive!'' - Grant Green * ''

Andy Williams' Greatest Hits ''Andy Williams' Greatest Hits'' is a compilation album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in early 1970 by Columbia Records. It was not, however, as its title might suggest, strictly a hit singles compilation, although some ...

'' –

Andy Williams Howard Andrew Williams (December 3, 1927 – September 25, 2012) was an American singer. He recorded 43 albums in his career, of which 15 have been gold certified and three platinum certified. He was also nominated for six Grammy Awards. He hos ...

* '' The Andy Williams Show'' –

* '' The Awakening'' -

Ahmad Jamal Ahmad Jamal (born Frederick Russell Jones, July 2, 1930) is an American jazz pianist, composer, bandleader and educator. For six decades, he has been one of the most successful small-group leaders in jazz. Biography Early life Jamal was born Fr ...

* '' Back Home'' –

Chuck Berry Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist who pioneered rock and roll. Nicknamed the " Father of Rock and Roll", he refined and developed rhythm and blues into th ...

* '' Band of Gold'' - Freda Payne * ''

Barrel A barrel or cask is a hollow cylindrical container with a bulging center, longer than it is wide. They are traditionally made of wooden staves and bound by wooden or metal hoops. The word vat is often used for large containers for liquids, ...

'' – Lee Michaels * '' The Big O'' –

Roy Orbison Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. His music was described by critics as ...

* '' Black Gold'' – Nina Simone * '' Black on Black!'' - Sonny Phillips * '' Bless Her Heart...I Love Her'' - Hank Locklin * ''

Both Sides Now "Both Sides, Now" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. First recorded by Judy Collins, it appeared on the US singles chart during the fall of 1968. The next year it was included on Mitchell's album ''Clouds'', and became one ...

'' -

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album ''Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and ''Stardust'' (1978 ...

* ''Bright Sun Is Shining'' – Barry Melton * '' Bruce Cockburn'' - Bruce Cockburn * '' The Candlestickmaker'' - Ron Elliott * '' Canned Heat '70 Concert Live in Europe - Canned Heat * '' Canto libre'' –

Víctor Jara Víctor Lidio Jara Martínez (; 28 September 1932 – 16 September 1973) was a Chilean teacher, theater director, poet, singer-songwriter and Communist political activist. He developed Chilean theater by directing a broad array of works, ra ...

* ''

Christine Perfect Christine Anne McVie (; née Perfect; 12 July 1943 – 30 November 2022) was an English musician and songwriter. She was best known as keyboardist and one of the vocalists of the band Fleetwood Mac. McVie was a member of several bands, nota ...

'' - Christine McVie * '' Come On Down!'' -

Eddie Harris Eddie Harris (October 20, 1934 – November 5, 1996) was an American jazz musician, best known for playing tenor saxophone and for introducing the electrically amplified saxophone. He was also fluent on the electric piano and organ. His best-k ...

* '' Consciousness!'' - Eric Kloss * ''

Consummation In many traditions and statutes of civil or religious law, the consummation of a marriage, often called simply ''consummation'', is the first (or first officially credited) act of sexual intercourse between two people, following their marriage t ...

'' -

The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra was a jazz big band formed by trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis in New York in 1965.Lisik/Allen. 50 Years at the Village Vanguard:Thad Jone, Mel Lewis and the Village Vanguard Orchestra. Sky Deck ...

* '' Copperfields'' – The Dillards * '' Country and West'' -

Dottie West Dorothy Marie Marsh West (October 11, 1932 – September 4, 1991) was an American country music singer and songwriter. Along with her friends and fellow recording artists Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, she is considered one of the genre's most i ...

* ''

Cowboy in Sweden ''Cowboy in Sweden'' is the soundtrack album to the 1970 television special of the same name starring Lee Hazlewood, released in 1970. In 2016, the album was reissued by Light in the Attic Records with additional bonus tracks. Critical reception ...

'' – Lee Hazlewood * ''Demon's Dance'' - Jackie McLean * ''Doris Troy (album), Doris Troy'' - Doris Troy * ''Down to Earth (Jimmy Buffett album), Down to Earth'' – Jimmy Buffett * ''Drives (Lonnie Smith album), Drives'' - Lonnie Smith (organist), Lonnie Smith * ''Earth Rot'' - David Axelrod (musician), David Axelrod * ''East Bay Grease'' - Tower of Power * ''Eastwood Rides Again'' - The Upsetters * ''Ebony Woman'' - Billy Paul * ''Elastic Rock'' - Nucleus (band), Nucleus * ''Electric Byrd'' - Donald Byrd * ''The Electric Lucifer'' - Bruce Haack * ''El Triste (album), El Triste'' –

* ''Emitt Rhodes (album), Emitt Rhodes'' – Emitt Rhodes * ''Empty Rooms'' - John Mayall * ''Entrance (album), Entrance'' – Edgar Winter * ''Everything I Play Is Funky'' - Lou Donaldson * ''Fancy (Bobbie Gentry album), Fancy'' - Bobbie Gentry * ''Fancy Free (Donald Byrd album), Fancy Free'' - Donald Byrd * ''Fanny (album), Fanny'' - Fanny (band), Fanny * ''Fat Mattress II'' - Fat Mattress * ''Five Bridges'' - The Nice * ''Flamingo (Flamin' Groovies album), Flamingo'' - Flamin' Groovies * ''Flat Baroque and Berserk'' – Roy Harper (singer), Roy Harper * ''Fools (1970 film), Fools'' – Kenny Rogers and The First Edition * ''Focus Plays Focus'' – Focus (band), Focus * ''Friend's Friend's Friend'' - Audience (band), Audience * ''Glass Harp (album), Glass Harp'' - Glass Harp (band), Glass Harp * ''Golden Earring (album), Golden Earring'' - Golden Earring * ''Good-byes and Butterflies'' – Five Man Electrical Band * ''Good Vibes (The Natural Four album), Good Vibes'' - The Natural Four * ''Gravy Train (Gravy Train album), Gravy Train'' - Gravy Train (band), Gravy Train * ''Greatest Hits (Phil Ochs album), Greatest Hits'' - Phil Ochs * ''Green Is Beautiful'' - Grant Green * ''A Groovy Situation'' - Reuben Wilson * ''Gula Matari'' – Quincy Jones * ''Gypsy (Gypsy album), Gypsy'' - Gypsy (band), Gypsy * ''Here Comes Shuggie Otis'' - Shuggie Otis * ''Here It 'Tis'' - Johnny "Hammond" Smith * ''Hey America (album), Hey America'' - James Brown * ''High Tide (album), High Tide'' - High Tide (band), High Tide * ''Honey Come Back'' - Patti Page * ''Honey, Wheat and Laughter'' – Anne Murray * ''It'll All Work Out in Boomland'' - T2 (band), T2 * ''I Am the Blues'' - Willie Dixon * ''I'll Never Fall in Love Again (album), I'll Never Fall in Love Again'' - Dionne Warwick * ''In Concert at the Troubadour, 1969'' – Ricky Nelson * ''Intensified'' – Desmond Dekker & the Aces * ''Iron Mountain Depot'' - John Hartford * ''Joe Farrell Quartet'' - Joe Farrell * ''The Jumpin' Blues'' - Dexter Gordon * ''King Kong: Jean-Luc Ponty Plays the Music of Frank Zappa'' - Jean-Luc Ponty * ''King of the Delta Blues Singers, Vol. II'' – Robert Johnson * ''Klopfzeichen'' – Kluster * ''The Last Poets (album), The Last Poets'' - The Last Poets * ''Laying My Burdens Down'' -

* ''Liberation Music Orchestra (album), Liberation Music Orchestra'' - Charlie Haden * ''Legal (Gal Costa album), Legal'' – Gal Costa * ''Lie Back and Enjoy It'' – Juicy Lucy (band), Juicy Lucy * ''Live on Blueberry Hill'' -

* ''Lorca (album), Lorca'' - Tim Buckley * ''Loretta Lynn Writes 'Em & Sings 'Em'' – Loretta Lynn * ''Loudon Wainwright III (album), Loudon Wainwright III'' – Loudon Wainwright III * ''Love Country Style'' - Ray Charles * ''Lucifer's Friend (album), Lucifer's Friend'' – Lucifer's Friend * ''Magma (Magma album), Magma'' - Magma (band), Magma * ''Magnetic South (album), Magnetic South'' - Michael Nesmith * ''Manal'' – Manal * ''Manfred Mann Chapter Three Volume Two'' - Manfred Mann Chapter Three * ''Marrying Maiden'' - It's a Beautiful Day * ''Mashmakhan (album), Mashmakhan'' - Mashmakhan * ''Masterpiece (The Master's Apprentices album), Masterpiece'' - The Masters Apprentices * ''May Blitz (album), May Blitz'' - May Blitz * ''Me & Jerry'' - Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed * ''Melody Fair (album), Melody Fair'' - Lulu (singer), Lulu * ''Mona - The Carnivorous Circus'' - Mick Farren * ''Moog Indigo'' - Jean-Jacques Perrey * ''Morning Way'' - Trader Horne (band), Trader Horne * ''Mountains (Steamhammer album), Mountains'' - Steamhammer (band), Steamhammer * ''Muscle Shoals Nitty Gritty'' - Herbie Mann * ''Music Inspired by Lord of the Rings (Bo Hansson album), Music Inspire by Lord of the Rings'' - Bo Hansson * ''Natural Resources'' - Martha and the Vandellas * ''The New Birth (album), The New Birth'' - New Birth (band), New Birth * ''New Routes'' - Lulu (singer), Lulu * ''Nicely Out of Tune'' - Lindisfarne (band), Lindisfarne * ''No BS'' - Brownsville Station (band), Brownsville Station * ''Now I'm a Woman'' - Nancy Wilson (jazz singer), Nancy Wilson * ''Only for the Lonely'' - Mavis Staples * ''Open Road (Donovan album), Open Road'' – Donovan * ''Parallelograms (album), Parallelograms'' - Linda Perhacs * ''The Partridge Family Album'' – The Partridge Family * ''Patto (album), Patto'' - Patto * ''Perry Como in Person at the International Hotel, Las Vegas'' – Perry Como * ''Pretty Things (album), Pretty Things'' - Lou Donaldson * ''Primordial Lovers'' - Essra Mohawk * ''Ptah, the El Daoud'' - Alice Coltrane * ''Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head (Andy Williams album), Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head'' –

* ''Raw Sienna (album), Raw Sienna'' - Savoy Brown * ''Real Friends (The Friends of Distinction album), Real Friends'' - The Friends of Distinction * ''Red Clay'' - Freddie Hubbard * ''Revolution (The Dubliners album), Revolution'' – The Dubliners * ''The Return of The Marvelettes'' - The Marvelettes * ''Rick Sings Nelson'' – Ricky Nelson * ''Right On (Wilson Pickett album), Right On'' – Wilson Pickett * ''The Road to Ruin (John and Beverley Martyn album), The Road to Ruin'' - John Martyn and Beverley Martyn * ''Rock Festival (album), Rock Festival'' – The Youngbloods * ''Rose Garden (album), Rose Garden'' – Lynn Anderson * ''Runt (album), Runt'' - Todd Rundgren * ''The Rubaiyat of Dorothy Ashby'' - Dorothy Ashby * ''Sacrifice (Black Widow album), Sacrifice'' - Black Widow (band), Black Widow * ''Seatrain (album), Seatrain'' – Seatrain (band), Seatrain * ''Small Talk at 125th and Lenox'' – Gil Scott-Heron – Live * ''Snowbird (album), Snowbird'' – Anne Murray * ''Something's Burning'' – Kenny Rogers and The First Edition * ''Soul Liberation'' - Rusty Bryant * ''Spaces (Larry Coryell album), Spaces'' - Larry Coryell * ''Stone Flute'' - Herbie Mann * ''Stoned Guitar'' - The Human Instinct * ''Stonehenge (Richie Havens album), Stonehenge'' –

* ''Stormbringer!'' - John Martyn and Beverley Martyn * ''Subway to the Country'' - David Ackles * ''Sugarloaf (album), Sugarloaf'' – Sugarloaf (band), Sugarloaf * ''Take Me to Tomorrow'' - John Denver * ''Tammy's Touch'' - Tammy Wynette * ''Tap Root Manuscript'' – Neil Diamond * ''Tarkio (album), Tarkio'' - Brewer & Shipley * ''Tell It All Brother'' – Kenny Rogers and The First Edition * ''Them Changes (Buddy Miles album), Them Changes'' - Buddy Miles * ''Things Ain't What They Used to Be (And You Better Believe It)'' – Ella Fitzgerald * ''Things We Like'' - Jack Bruce * ''Think Pink'' - Twink (musician), Twink * ''Tide (album), Tide'' – Antonio Carlos Jobim * ''The Time Is Near'' - Keef Hartley * ''Tin Tin (album), Tin Tin'' - Tin Tin (band), Tin Tin * ''To Bonnie from Delaney'' - Delaney & Bonnie * ''Toe Fat (album), Toe Fat'' - Toe Fat * ''Tommy James'' - Tommy James * ''Ton-Ton Macoute!'' - Johnny Jenkins * ''Tony Joe'' – Tony Joe White * ''Trapeze (1970 album), Trapeze'' – Trapeze (band), Trapeze * ''Transition (John Coltrane album), Transition'' - John Coltrane * ''A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World (or, My Salute to Bob Wills)'' – Merle Haggard * ''Turn It Over'' - The Tony Williams Lifetime * ''USA Union'' – John Mayall * ''The Use of Ashes'' - Pearls Before Swine (band), Pearls Before Swine * ''Very Dionne'' - Dionne Warwick * ''Warpig (album), Warpig'' – Warpig (band), Warpig * ''We Went to Different Schools Together'' – the Jaggerz * ''Whales & Nightingales'' - Judy Collins * ''The Whispers'' - The Whispers * ''Willard (album), Willard'' - John Stewart (musician), John Stewart * ''Wilson Pickett in Philadelphia'' - Wilson Pickett * ''Yeti (album), Yeti'' – Amon Düül II

Biggest hit singles

The following songs achieved the highes
chart positions
in the charts of 1970. "Chart Entries" provides select national weekly results, year end results, decade end results and all-time lists.

Top 40 Chart hit singles

Other Chart hit singles

Notable singles

Other Notable singles

*"Shoe Salesman" b/w "Return Of The Spiders" - Alice Cooper

Published popular songs

* "An American Trilogy" medley written & arranged by Mickey Newbury * "Bein' Green" w.m. Joe Raposo, from the TV series ''Sesame Street'' * "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" w.m. John Fogerty, John C. Fogerty * "I Love youuuuuu" w.m. Jeff Moss, from the TV series ''Sesame Street'' * "If Not For You" w.m. Bob Dylan * "Kentucky Rain" w.m. Eddie Rabbitt & Dick Heard * "The Ladies Who Lunch" w.m. Stephen Sondheim. Introduced by Elaine Stritch in the musical ''Company (musical), Company''. * "Lookin' out My Back Door" w.m. John Fogerty, John C. Fogerty * "People in Your Neighborhood" w.m. Jeff Moss, from the TV series ''Sesame Street'' * "Rubber Duckie" w.m. Jeff Moss, from the TV series ''Sesame Street'' * "Teach Your Children" w.m. Graham Nash * "(They Long to Be) Close to You" w. Hal David m. Burt Bacharach * "Who'll Stop the Rain (song), Who'll Stop the Rain" w.m. John Fogerty, John C. Fogerty * "(Where Do I Begin?) Love Story, Where Do I Begin" (Love Story (1970 film), Love Story) – w. Carl Sigman, m. Francis Lai

Classical music

* Sir Arthur Bliss – Concerto for Cello and Orchestra * George Crumb ** ''Ancient Voices of Children'' for mezzo-soprano, boy soprano, oboe, mandolin, harp, amplified piano (and toy piano), and percussion (three players) ** ''Black Angels (Images I)'' for electric string quartet * Mario Davidovsky – ''Synchronisms No. 6'' for piano and electronic sound * Charles Dodge (composer), Charles Dodge – ''Earth's Magnetic Field'' * Henri Dutilleux – ''Figures de résonances'' for two pianos * Morton Feldman **''Madame Press Died Last Week at Ninety'' **''The Viola in My Life'' 1, 2 and 3 * Luc Ferrari – ''Presque rien No. 1 "Le Lever du jour au bord de la mer"'' * Miloslav Kabeláč – Symphony No. 8 (Kabeláč), Symphony No. 8 "Antiphonies" * György Ligeti – ''Continuum'' *Witold Lutosławski – Concerto for Cello and Orchestra * Olivier Messiaen – ''La fauvette des jardins, La Fauvette des Jardins'' * Allan Pettersson – Symphony No. 9 (Pettersson), Symphony No. 9 * Poul Ruders – Piano Sonata No. 1 *

**''Expo (Stockhausen), Expo'' for three players with short-wave radios, and sound projectionist **''Mantra (Stockhausen), Mantra'' for two pianos and live electronics **''Pole (Stockhausen), Pole'' for two players with short-wave radios, and sound projectionist

Opera

* Herman D. Koppel – ''Macbeth''

Jazz

Musical theater

* ''1776 (musical), 1776'', London production * ''Applause (musical), Applause'' (book: Betty Comden & Adolph Green, lyrics: Lee Adams, music: Charles Strouse) – Broadway production opened at the Palace Theatre (New York City), Palace Theater and ran for 896 performances * ''The Boy Friend (musical), The Boy Friend'' (Sandy Wilson) – Broadway revival * ''Cabaret (musical), Cabaret'' (Kander and Ebb) – Vienna production * ''Company (musical), Company'' (Stephen Sondheim) – Broadway production opened at the Alvin Theater and ran for 705 performances * ''Dames at Sea'', Broadway revival * ''Georgy (musical), Georgy'', Broadway production opened at the Winter Garden Theater and ran for four performances * ''Golden Bat'' Off-Broadway production opened at the Sheridan Square Playhouse on July 21 and ran for 152 performances * ''The Great Waltz (musical), The Great Waltz'', London production * ''Look to the Lilies'' (Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn) – Broadway production opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and ran for 25 performances * ''The Me Nobody Knows'', started as an off-Broadway production, then moved to Broadway, where it ran for 378 performances * ''Minnie's Boys'', Broadway production opened at the Imperial Theatre and ran for 80 performances * ''Purlie'', Broadway production opened at The Broadway Theatre and ran for 688 performances * ''The Rothschilds (musical), The Rothschilds'' (book: Sherman Yellen, lyrics: Sheldon Harnick, music: Jerry Bock), Broadway production opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on October 19 and ran for 507 performances. Starring Hal Linden, Jill Clayburgh and Paul Hecht. * ''Two by Two (musical), Two by Two'', Broadway production opened at the Imperial Theatre and ran for 351 performances

Musical films

* ''The Aristocats'', animated feature film with the voices of Phil Harris, Eva Gabor, Thurl Ravenscroft, Hermione Baddeley and Sterling Holloway * ''Darling Lili'', starring Julie Andrews, Rock Hudson, Lance Percival and Jeremy Kemp * ''Dastak (1970 film), Dastak'', Hindi film starring Sanjeev Kumar * ''Johny Mera Naam'', Hindi film starring Dev Anand and Pran (actor), Pran * ''Let It Be (film), Let It Be'', a documentary film featuring

* ''On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (film), On a Clear Day You Can See Forever'' starring Barbra Streisand, Yves Montand and Bob Newhart * ''Peau d'Âne'', starring Catherine Deneuve and Jean Marais, with music by Michel Legrand * ''Scrooge (1970 film), Scrooge'', starring Albert Finney, Alec Guinness, Kenneth More, Suzanne Neve and Anton Rodgers * ''Song of Norway'', starring Toralv Maurstad, Florence Henderson and Harry Secombe. * ''Woodstock (film), Woodstock'', a documentary film featuring

, Canned Heat and others

Births

*January – Frank Mullen, American rock singer (Suffocation (band), Suffocation) *January 2 **Eric Whitacre, composer **Karen Kamensek, orchestra conductor *

**Carl Bell (musician), Carl Bell, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer **Lara Fabian, Canadian-Belgian singer **Mia X, rapper **Alex Staropoli, Italian keyboard player and songwriter *January 12 **Zack de la Rocha (Rage Against the Machine) **Raekwon, rapper *January 18 – DJ Quik, rapper and record producer *January 20 – Edwin McCain, American singer-songwriter and guitarist *January 23 – Brendan O'Connor (media personality), Brendan O'Connor, Irish singer and television host *

– Kirk Franklin, gospel singer *

– Mark Trojanowski (Sister Hazel) *January 31 **Minnie Driver, English singer-songwriter and actress **Danny Michel, Canadian singer-songwriter and producer *February 18 **Susan Egan, American actress and singer **Raine Maida, Canadian musician and beat poet *February 26 – Linda Brava, Finnish violinist *

– Daniel Handler, accordionist and arranger (The Magnetic Fields) *March 1 – Jason V Brock, American author, filmmaker, artist, scholar and musician *March 5 – John Frusciante, American guitarist, singer, producer and composer (Red Hot Chili Peppers) *

– Vladislav Adelkhanov, Georgian classical violinist and writer *March 9 **La India, salsa singer ** Shannon Leto, American drummer and songwriter (Thirty Seconds to Mars) * March 12 – Roy Khan, Norwegian singer-songwriter *March 17 – Gene Ween, guitarist and vocalist (Ween) *March 18 – Queen Latifah, American rapper, singer and actress * March 21 – Jaya (singer), Jaya, Filipino singer and television personality *March 24 – Sharon Corr, Irish musician *

– Teri Moïse, American singer *March 27 **Brendan Hill, drummer (Blues Traveler) *April 4 – Sean Kelly (Canadian musician), Sean Kelly, Canadian guitarist *April 5 – Miho Hatori, Japanese singer and songwriter (Cibo Matto) *April 6 – Joe Gittleman, guitarist (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones) *

** Mike Mushok, guitarist (Staind) ** Q-Tip (musician), Q-Tip, rapper *April 11 – Delroy Pearson, British singer (Five Star) *April 12 – Nick Hexum, American singer and guitarist *April 13 **Eduardo Capetillo, Mexican actor and singer **Seagram (rapper), Seagram, American rapper (d. 1996) *

– Shizuka Kudo, Japanese singer and actress *

– Redman (rapper), Redman, rapper *April 18 – Greg Eklund, American rock drummer (Everclear (band), Everclear) *April 19 – Luis Miguel Gallego Basteri, Luis Miguel, Mexican singer * April 20 ** Phife Dawg, rapper ** Sarantuya, Mongolian soprano *April 22 – Regine Velasquez, Filipino singer, actress, model and record producer *April 26 – Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, singer and songwriter TLC (band), TLC *May 1 – Sacha Perry, American jazz pianist and composer * May 4 – Gregg Alexander, American singer, songwriter and producer (New Radicals) *May 5 – Driss El Maloumi, Moroccan oud player and composer *May 9 – Ghostface Killah, American rapper *May 10 **Perry Blake, Irish singer-songwriter **Craig Mack, American rapper (d. 2018) *May 15 – Attrell Cordes (P.M. Dawn) *May 17 – Jordan Knight, American singer (New Kids on the Block) *May 18 – Billy Howerdel, guitarist, songwriter and producer (A Perfect Circle) *June 2 – B-Real, rapper (Cypress Hill) *

– Peter Tägtgren, Swedish musician (Hypocrisy (band), Hypocrisy) *June 6 – James Shaffer, musician *June 8 – Seu Jorge, Brazilian pop samba singer=songwriter *June 10 – Mike Doughty, American singer * June 13 ** Cheryl "Coko" Clemons, American singer ** Rivers Cuomo, American singer, guitarist and songwriter (Weezer) *June 15 – Claus Norreen, Danish musician and record producer (Aqua (band), Aqua) *June 17 – Sasha Sokol, Mexican singer *June 19 **MJ Hibbett, English singer-songwriter **Brian Welch, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (Korn and Love and Death (band), Love and Death) *June 20 – Jason Robert Brown, American playwright and composer *June 21 **Eric Reed (musician), Eric Reed, American pianist and composer (Black Note) **Pete Rock, American rapper and producer (Pete Rock & CL Smooth) *June 22 – Steven Page, Canadian singer and songwriter (Barenaked Ladies) *June 23 ** Christian Meier, Peruvian actor and singer ** Yann Tiersen, Breton musician *June 24 ** Glenn Medeiros, American singer ** Andres Raag, Estonian actor and singer *June 25 – Roope Latvala, Finnish guitarist *

– Christian Giesler, American bass player (Kreator) *July 6 – Harald Nævdal (Demonaz Doom Occulta), Norwegian musician *July 8 – Beck, American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist *July 10 **Gary LeVox, American singer **Jason Orange, British singer (Take That) *July 12 – Juba Kalamka, American rapper (Deep Dickollective) *July 14 – Thomas Lauderdale, American pianist (Pink Martini) *July 15 – Chi Cheng (musician), American rock bassist *July 18 – Gruff Rhys, Welsh musician, composer, producer, filmmaker and author *

– Joan As Police Woman (Joan Wasser), American singer-songwriter * August 3 – Itamar Golan, Israeli pianist *August 11 – Andy Bell (musician), Andy Bell, British bassist, guitarist, singer-songwriter, and producer *August 19 – Fat Joe, Joseph Cartagena (Fat Joe), American rapper *August 23 – River Phoenix, American actor and singer of Aleka's Attic (d. 1993) *August 24 – Kristyn Robyn Osborn, American country singer (SHeDAISY) *August 28 – Sherrié Austin, Australian actress and singer * August 30 – Guang Liang, Malaysian singer *August 31 ** Debbie Gibson, American singer-songwriter ** Epic Mazur, American vocalist, rapper, and record producer *September 4 – Daisy Dee, Dutch singer *September 5 – Liam Lynch (musician), Liam Lynch, songwriter and music video director * September 6 ** Cheyne Coates, Australian EDM-pop singer-songwriter and producer (Madison Avenue) ** Kim English, American electronica, soul, gospel, and house music singer (d. 2019) *September 7 – Chad Sexton, drummer (311 (band), 311) *September 8 ** Benny Ibarra, Mexican singer ** Neko Case, American singer-songwriter (K D LANG, case/lang/veirs, The New Pornographers) *September 10 **Jeff Marx, American Broadway composer **Ménélik, French rapper *September 14 – Craig Montoya, bassist (Everclear (band), Everclear) *September 15 – Jukka Jokikokko, Finnish musician and studio engineer *September 19 – Takanori Nishikawa, singer and actor (T.M. Revolution) *September 23 – Ani DiFranco, American singer, multi-instrumentalist, poet, songwriter, feminist icon and businesswoman *October 5 – South Park Mexican, Chiacno rapper *October 6 – Amy Jo Johnson, American actress and singer *October 13 – Paul Potts, British tenor *October 15 ** Eric Benét, American singer ** Ginuwine, American singer, songwriter, dancer and actor. *October 21 – Tony Mortimer, British singer (East 17) *October 24 – Jarkko Martikainen, Finnish rock musician *October 27 – Adrian Erlandsson, Swedish drummer *October 31 – Linn Berggren, Swedish musician (Ace of Base) *November 2 – Ely Buendia, Filipino rock lead singer and rhythm guitarist (The Eraserheads) *November 7 – Neil Hannon, Northern Irish musician (The Divine Comedy (band), The Divine Comedy) *

**Susan Tedeschi, American musician and singer **Scarface (rapper), Scarface, American rapper * November 12 – Sarah Harmer, Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist *November 15 – Jack Ingram, American singer-songwriter and guitarist *December 1 – Jonathan Coulton, American folk rock singer-songwriter *December 2 **Sergei Krylov (violinist), Sergei Krylov, violinist **Treach, American rapper (Naughty by Nature) *December 5 - Michel'le, African-American singer *December 6 – Ulf Ekberg, Swedish musician (Ace of Base) *December 9 – Kara DioGuardi, American singer-songwriter, producer, television judge, musician, record producer, music publisher, A&R executive, composer and TV personality *December 14 – Beth Orton, British singer-songwriter *December 16 – Benjamin Kowalewicz, Canadian musician *December 18 **DMX (rapper), DMX, American rapper **Cowboy Troy, American singer and rapper *December 24 – Will Oldham, American musician *December 29 – Aled Jones, Welsh boy soprano, later baritone * ''date unknown'' – Ralph Farris, American violist, violinist, composer, arranger, producer and conductor (Ethel (string quartet), ETHEL)

Deaths

*January 5 – Roberto Gerhard, composer, 73 *

– Jani Christou, composer, 44 (car accident) *January 17 ** Simon Kovar, bassoonist ** Billy Stewart, scat singer, 32 (car accident) *January 25 – Jane Bathori, opera singer, 92 *January 31 – Slim Harpo, blues musician, 46 (heart attack) *February 1 – Blaž Arnič, composer, 69 (car crash) *February 12 **Ishmon Bracey, blues musician, 69 **Nick Pantas, guitarist (Elf (band), Elf) (car accident) **André Souris, composer and writer, 70 *February 19 – Pavel Ludikar, operatic bass, 87 *February 20 – Albert Wolff (conductor), Albert Wolff, conductor, 86 *March 1 – Lucille Hegamin, blues singer, 75 *March 16 – Tammi Terrell, singer, 24 (brain tumor) *April 12 – Kerstin Thorborg, operatic contralto, 73 * April 20 – Shakeel Badayuni, songwriter, 53 (diabetes-related) *April 21 – Earl Hooker, blues musician, 41 (tuberculosis) *April 23 – Adeline Genée, ballerina *

– Otis Spann, blues musician, 40 (liver cancer) *April 26 – Gypsy Rose Lee, burlesque entertainer, 59 (cancer) *May 11 – Johnny Hodges, jazz musician, 62 (heart attack) *May 14 – Jack Fina, pianist and bandleader, 56 (heart attack) *May 22 – John Waterhouse (violinist), John Waterhouse, Canadian violinist, conductor, and music educator, 92 * May 23 – Nydia Westman, actress and singer *June – Calvin Boze, trumpeter and bandleader *June 11 – Earl Grant, pianist and singer, 39 (car accident) *June 16 **Heino Eller, composer and music teacher **Lonnie Johnson (musician), Lonnie Johnson, blues and jazz musician *July 7 – Charles Tobias, US songwriter and singer *July 12 – L. Wolfe Gilbert, Russian-born US songwriter *July 13 – Roger Edens, composer and arranger, 64 *July 14 – Luis Mariano, singer and actor * July 17 – Stanley Wilson (musician), Stanley Wilson, conductor, arranger and film composer, 54 (heart attack) *July 23 – Leith Stevens, composer, 60 (heart attack) *July 29 – Sir John Barbirolli, conductor and cellist, 70 (heart attack) *July 29 – Jonel Perlea, Romanian conductor, 69 *July 30 – George Szell, conductor and composer, 73 (cancer) *July 31 – Booker Ervin, jazz musician, 39 (kidney failure) *August 10 – Bernd Alois Zimmermann, German composer, 52 (suicide) *September 2 **Mercedes Llopart, operatic soprano, 75 **Kees van Baaren, composer and music teacher, 63 *September 3 – Alan Wilson (musician), Alan Wilson, singer of Canned Heat, 27 (drug overdose) *September 18 **

, guitarist and singer, 27 (pulmonary aspiration) ** Maxwell Davis, saxophonist, 54 *September 25 – Yefim Golyshev, Ukrainian violinist, painter and composer, 73 *October 2 – Bo Linde, Swedish composer, 37 * October 4 **

, singer, 27 (heroin overdose) **George Frederick McKay, composer, 71 *October 13 – Julia Culp, operatic soprano ("the Dutch nightingale"), 90 *October 22 ** Pauline Donalda, operatic soprano, 88 ** Samson François, pianist, 46 *October 28 – Baby Huey (singer), Baby Huey, singer, 26 (heart attack) *October 31 – Arvid Andersen, violinist, conductor and composer *November 6 – Agustín Lara, composer, 73 *November 7 – Eddie Peabody, banjo player, 68 *November 19 – Maria Yudina, pianist, 71 *November 25 – Albert Ayler, saxophonist and composer, 34 *December 19 – Giulia Recli, composer and writer, 80 *December 23 – Mimi Benzell, operatic soprano, 46 (cancer) * December 31 ** Ray Henderson, songwriter, 74 ** Cyril Scott, composer, 91 * ''date unknown'' **Efisio Melis, folk musician **Rokneddin Mokhtari, Iranian violinist

Awards

Grammy Awards

* Grammy Awards of 1970

Eurovision Song Contest

* Eurovision Song Contest 1970

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1970 In Music 1970 in music, 20th century in music Music by year