Various Artists (May 22, 1971) NME Top 30 Chart Page – New Musical Express

Writer: Uncredited (NME Chart 

Department) 

Artist: Various Artists 

Date: May 22, 1971 

Length: 1 page chart feature

This chart page captures the musical

 landscape of May 1971, with Dawn’s 

“Knock Three Times” at number one and  The  Rolling Stones’ “Brown Sugar” close behind.

 The layout presents the UK Top 30 singles and LPs alongside the American Top 30, offering a snapshot of both markets. The page also

 includes historical sections showing chart‑

toppers from 1966, 1961, and 1956, 

illustrating how popular music evolved over

 time.

PUBLICATION

Publication: New Musical Express (NME)

Date: May 22, 1971

Country: United Kingdom

Section / Pages: Chart Section – Page 13

Title: NME Top 30 and American Top 30 Charts

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: Weekly UK and US music charts

Era: Early 1970s pop and rock period

Tone: Informative and statistical

Photography: None – typographic chart layout

Audience: NME readers and music chart  followers

THE STORY BEHIND IT

By spring 1971, the UK charts reflected a blend of pop, rock, and soul influences. 

The Rolling Stones had just released “Brown

 Sugar,” while Ringo Starr and Diana Ross

 were also charting high. The LP list was

 dominated by Sticky Fingers, Motown 

Chartbusters Vol. 5, and Bridge Over Troubled Water, showing the strength of both British and American acts. NME’s chart pages were a weekly reference point for fans tracking the latest

 hits and album sales.

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

Event: Publication of weekly UK and US music charts

Era: 1971

Tone: Neutral and informative

Photography: None – printed chart format

Audience: Music press readers and chart

 enthusiasts

CONTEXT AND NOTES

This chart page illustrates the cross‑Atlantic pop connection of the early 1970s, with artists like The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, and Neil Diamond appearing in both UK and US rankings. The “5 Years Ago,” “10 Years Ago,” and “15 Years Ago” sections highlight NME’s historical approach to chart reporting, providing context for how music trends shifted from crooners and beat groups to rock and soul acts. The page is a valuable archival snapshot of popular music in transition.

RELATED MATERIAL

Additional related entries can be found via the tag index at the foot of the page.

All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.

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