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
Artist | Title |
Abba | Mamma Mia |
Silk | Forever And Ever |
Four Seasons | December ’63 (Oh What A Night) |
Tina Charles | I Love To Love |
Brotherhood Of Man | Save Your Kisses For Me |
Abba | Fernando |
J. J. Barrie | No Charge |
The Wurzels | Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) |
The Real Thing | You To Me Are Everything |
Demis Roussos | The Roussos Phenomenon (EP) |
Elton John & Kiki Dee | Don’t Go Breaking My Heart |
Abba | Dancing Queen |
Pussycat | Mississippi |
Chicago | If You Leave Me Now |
Showaddywaddy | Under The Moon Of Love |
Johnny Mathis | When 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.