1976

News

  • Hurricane-force winds of up to 105 mph kill 22 people across Britain and cause millions of pounds worth of damage to buildings and vehicles.
  • The Scottish Labour Party is formed.
  • The first commercial Concord flight takes off, from Heathrow Airport to Bahrain.
  • Production of the Hillman Imp ends after thirteen years. It is due to be replaced next year by a three-door hatchback based on a shortened Avenger floorpan.
  • The heat wave peaks with temperatures reaching 35.9 °C in Cheltenham.
  • Big Ben suffers internal damage and stops running for over nine months.

Entertainment

  • Comedy actor and Carry On star Sid James dies on stage at the Sunderland Empire Theatre having suffered a fatal heart attack, which many in the audience initially mistake for part of the show.
  • The Royal Shakespeare Company opens a memorable production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth at The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, with Ian McKellen and Judi Dench in the lead roles, directed by Trevor Nunn.

Music

  • Punk rock band the Sex Pistols achieve public notoriety as they say several swear words live on Bill Grundy’s TV show, following the release of their debut single Anarchy in the U.K. on 26 November; Grundy is suspended for inciting them.
  • EMI Records reissues all 22 previously released British Beatles singles, plus a new single of the classic “Yesterday”. A number of them hit the UK charts at the same time.
  • Brotherhood of Man win the Eurovision Song Contest for the UK with the song “Save Your Kisses For Me”. It goes on to be the biggest-selling Eurovision winner ever.

Number #1 Hits of 1976

ArtistTitle
AbbaMamma Mia
SilkForever And Ever
Four SeasonsDecember ’63 (Oh What A Night)
Tina CharlesI Love To Love
Brotherhood Of ManSave Your Kisses For Me
AbbaFernando
J. J. BarrieNo Charge
The WurzelsCombine Harvester (Brand New Key)
The Real ThingYou To Me Are Everything
Demis RoussosThe Roussos Phenomenon (EP)
Elton John & Kiki DeeDon’t Go Breaking My Heart
AbbaDancing Queen
PussycatMississippi
ChicagoIf You Leave Me Now
ShowaddywaddyUnder The Moon Of Love
Johnny MathisWhen A Child Is Born

Sport

  • Great Britain and Northern Ireland compete at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, and win one gold medal.
  • John Curry becomes Britain’s first gold medallist in skating at the Winter Olympics.
  • Southampton F.C. win the first major trophy of their 91-year history when a goal from Bobby Stokes gives the Football League Second Division club a surprise 1–0 win over Manchester United in the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.
  • Liverpool win the UEFA Cup for the second time by completing a 4-3 aggregate victory over the Belgian side Club Brugge K.V.
  • Racing driver James Hunt becomes Formula One world champion.

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