Faces Dates (July 14, 1973) - Melody Maker , UK. Cover

Jul 14, 1973

1 min read

This 1973 issue of Melody Maker features a striking front‑page photograph of Sly Stone, highlighting his return to London’s White City after a three‑year absence.

The main headline, “Sabbath and Faces Dates”, announces new Reading Festival additions including Black Sabbath, The Faces, and Richie Havens, capturing the eclectic mix of heavy rock, glam, and funk dominating the British music scene that summer.

Publication: Melody Maker

Date: July 14, 1973

Country: United Kingdom

Title: Sabbath and Faces Dates

The issue’s banner headlines include

“BOWIE: Is He Fagged Out?” and “Slade March on to Triumph”, reflecting the provocative tone of early‑’70s British music journalism.

A sidebar highlights Sly Stone’s White City appearance as one of the year’s major live events, while festival announcements position Reading as a key fixture in the UK rock calendar.

CONTEXT AND NOTES

This cover captures the diversity of 1973’s music landscape — glam rock’s theatricality, heavy metal’s rising dominance, and American funk’s cultural impact.

Melody Maker reported a circulation of 201,016 weekly copies, underscoring its role as Britain’s leading music paper. The issue reflects a moment when Bowie, Slade, Sabbath, and Sly Stone were simultaneously shaping the decade’s sound.