Rock Flashback: January 20, 1977

The most iconic photo of the Carter Administration was taken on its first day. Instead of riding in a limo, Carter and his family walked down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. (Getty Images/AFP)

Thirty-five years ago today, America got a new president. Jimmy Carter’s approval rating as he took office was around 66 percent, the highest for an elected president since JFK in 1961, and higher than any president who succeeded him until Barack Obama took office three years ago. And if you turned on the radio that day, you were treated to the 1970s in their full, glorious, goofy musical variety.

The #1 song in Billboard on the day of Carter’s inauguration was “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” by Leo Sayer. Disco records by Rose Royce, the Sylvers, and Brick were coming up close behind. But a number of respectable rock acts were among the top singles on that day. “Tonight’s the Night” by Rod Stewart had been the longest-running #1 single in eight years, and was still holding at #6. “New Kid in Town,” the lead single from the week’s #1 album, Hotel California, by the Eagles,  was on the edge of the top 10. “Livin’ Thing” by the Electric Light Orchestra held for a second week at #13 (in its 13th week on the chart).

Two of the hottest records within the top 20 were Aerosmith‘s “Walk This Way” and “Blinded by the Light” by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. Poised to leap into the top 20 within a week was the Steve Miller Band‘s “Fly Like an Eagle.” Also movin’ on up: “Hard Luck Woman” by KISS, “Night Moves” by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, and “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac.

Jimmy Carter’s record in office proved not to match the optimism with which Americans greeted his presidency. Many of the rock acts on the radio that week were far more successful in the long run.

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