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1971 Hits “American Pie” and “Joy to World” Transform Rock

5/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Don McLean’s “American Pie” topped the 1971 charts and mourns the 1959 crash that killed Buddy Holly, Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens.
Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World,” written by Hoyt Axton, spent six weeks at No. 1 in 1971.
Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May,” Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move,” and James Taylor’s “You’ve Got a Friend” each hit No. 1 in 1971, a trend American Songwriter says marks rock transformation.

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Story summary

Don McLean’s “American Pie” topped the 1971 charts and mourns the 1959 crash that killed Buddy Holly, Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens.
Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World,” written by Hoyt Axton, spent six weeks at No. 1 in 1971.
Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May,” Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move,” and James Taylor’s “You’ve Got a Friend” each hit No. 1 in 1971, a trend American Songwriter says marks rock transformation.