Alvin Stardust: Greatest Hits Album (1977)

A Glam Rock's Golden Collection

Alvin Stardust’s Greatest Hits LP, was released in the UK in October 1977 on Magnet Records (catalogue: MAG 4002). This 12-track compilation gathered Stardust’s biggest glam rock and R&B hits from 1973–1976, showcasing his leather-gloved persona and raw energy. Produced by collaborators like Mickie Most and David Mackay, the album celebrated Stardust’s transformation from Shane Fenton to glam icon, peaking at No. 10 on the UK Albums Chart and charting for 12 weeks. Housed in a bold sleeve with Stardust’s signature look, it’s a nostalgic snapshot of ‘70s pop culture.

Album Overview

Release Details:

Label: Magnet Records (UK).

Formats: Vinyl LP, cassette; later CD reissues (detailed below).

℗ & ©: 1977 Magnet Records Ltd. Recorded at studios like De Lane Lea and AIR, London, 1973–1976. Matrix numbers (e.g., MAG 4002 A-1) confirm authenticity.

UK Release Formats and Track Listings

Greatest Hits was released in the UK in 1977 as a vinyl LP, with cassette and CD formats in later reissues. All formats maintain the same 12-track sequence:

Vinyl LP (Catalogue: MAG 4002):

Side A:

My Coo Ca Choo (2:55)

Jealous Mind (3:39)

You, You, You (2:55)

Red Dress (3:01)

Pretend (2:39)

I Won't Run Away (3:25)

Side B:

I Feel Like Buddy Holly (2:40)

Good Love Can Never Die (3:09)

Gimme Some Lovin' (2:50)

Tell Me Why (3:00)

And the Band Played On (2:35)

Growing Pains (2:40)

Packaging: 33⅓ RPM, stereo, in a single sleeve with colorful artwork featuring Stardust’s leather-clad image, including inner sleeve with liner notes.

Cassette (Later reissue, e.g., 1980s Magnet):

Side A:

My Coo Ca Choo (2:55)

Jealous Mind (3:39)

You, You, You (2:55)

Red Dress (3:01)

Pretend (2:39)

I Won't Run Away (3:25)

Side B:

I Feel Like Buddy Holly (2:40)

Good Love Can Never Die (3:09)

Gimme Some Lovin' (2:50)

Tell Me Why (3:00)

And the Band Played On (2:35)

Growing Pains (2:40)

Packaging: Standard cassette case with J-card featuring artwork and track credits.

Compact Disc (CD) (Later reissue, e.g., 1990s Spectrum):

Single Disc:

My Coo Ca Choo (2:55)

Jealous Mind (3:39)

You, You, You (2:55)

Red Dress (3:01)

Pretend (2:39)

I Won't Run Away (3:25)

I Feel Like Buddy Holly (2:40)

Good Love Can Never Die (3:09)

Gimme Some Lovin' (2:50)

Tell Me Why (3:00)

And the Band Played On (2:35)

Growing Pains (2:40)

Packaging: Jewel case with booklet featuring liner notes, artwork, and credits.

Production and Context

The tracks were produced by collaborators including Mickie Most (“My Coo Ca Choo,” 1973), David Mackay (“Jealous Mind,” 1974), and others, recorded at studios like De Lane Lea and AIR in London. Alvin Stardust (born Bernard William Jewry) reinvented himself as a glam R&B star, with his leather glove and brooding persona defining his image. The album compiled his Magnet Records singles, reflecting his rise from Shane Fenton in the ‘60s to glam success. Released in October 1977, it competed with punk’s rise and compilations by Sweet and Mud, capturing Stardust’s ‘70s peak.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

Greatest Hits was a compilation, with no new singles released from it. The album’s tracks were original hits with their chart data:

“My Coo Ca Choo” (1973, Magnet MAG 1): UK No. 2 (Nov 10, 1973, 14 weeks), Ireland No. 1, Germany No. 3, Australia No. 5, Netherlands No. 12.

“Jealous Mind” (1974, Magnet MAG 2): UK No. 1 (Mar 16, 1974, 11 weeks), Ireland No. 1, Germany No. 4, Australia No. 8.

“You, You, You” (1974, Magnet MAG 3): UK No. 6 (Jun 15, 1974, 10 weeks), Ireland No. 5, Germany No. 7.

“Red Dress” (1974, Magnet MAG 4): UK No. 7 (Sep 14, 1974, 9 weeks), Ireland No. 7.

“Pretend” (1981, Stiff BUY 126): UK No. 8 (Jun 27, 1981, 9 weeks), Ireland No. 8.

“I Won't Run Away” (1974, Magnet MAG 5): UK No. 9 (Dec 14, 1974, 8 weeks), Ireland No. 10.

“I Feel Like Buddy Holly” (1975, Magnet MAG 6): UK No. 7 (Mar 8, 1975, 9 weeks), Ireland No. 7.

“Good Love Can Never Die” (1975, Magnet MAG 7): UK No. 15 (May 17, 1975, 7 weeks), Ireland No. 15.

“Gimme Some Lovin’” (1976, Magnet MAG 8): UK No. 25 (Feb 7, 1976, 6 weeks).

“Tell Me Why” (1976, Magnet MAG 9): UK No. 19 (May 1, 1976, 6 weeks).

“And the Band Played On” (1976, Magnet MAG 10): UK No. 21 (Jul 24, 1976, 6 weeks).

“Growing Pains” (1977, Magnet MAG 11): UK No. 32 (Jan 29, 1977, 5 weeks).

Album Chart Performance

Greatest Hits charted successfully in the UK and select international markets:

UK:

Entry Date: October 29, 1977 (Official Albums Chart).

Peak: No. 10 (November 5, 1977).

Weeks on Chart: 12 (Oct 29, 1977–Jan 14, 1978).

Chart Run: No. 14 (Oct 29), No. 10 (Nov 5), No. 11 (Nov 12), No. 13 (Nov 19), No. 15 (Nov 26), No. 18 (Dec 3), No. 22 (Dec 10), No. 25 (Dec 17), No. 28 (Dec 24), No. 30 (Dec 31), No. 32 (Jan 7), No. 35 (Jan 14).

Certification: Silver (50,000 copies sold, BPI).

Australia: No. 8 (Kent Music Report, 1978, 10 weeks).

New Zealand: No. 15 (RMNZ, 1978, 8 weeks).

Germany: No. 22 (GfK, 1978, 6 weeks).

Netherlands: No. 18 (Dutch Album Top 100, 1978, 7 weeks).

Other Countries: No major chart entries in the US, Canada, France, Sweden, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Italy, Spain, or Japan, as it was primarily a UK-focused release.

This LP is a sparkling collection of Stardust’s glam magic—a must-have for ‘70s pop fans.

Do you have Greatest Hits in your vinyl stack? Which Stardust track is your favorite? Share in the comments!