Donna Summer releases first album "Lady of the Night" 1974

Donna Summer released her debut album Lady of the Night in the Netherlands, February 26, 1974.  She had been "discovered" by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte while she was singing backing vocals for Three Dog Night.  They approached her about recording her own album.

The Hostage was the first single released and entered the top three charts in Belgium and Spain.  Lady of the Night hit the top ten in Austria.  The album did not chart.

Three Dog Night releases "Liar" 1971

Three Dog Night released Liar, the follow-up single to their mega-hit Joy to the World July 10, 1971.  It was the second single from their fifth studio album Naturally.  Liar was written by Russ Ballard and his band Argent released it in 1970 on their self-title debut album but it did not chart.

In the US, Three Dog Night's Liar reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at #4 in Canada.

Three Dog Night's "Joy To The World" reaches #1 1971

Three Dog Night's fourth studio album, Naturally, featured Joy to the World, a "silly song" written by Hoyt Axton (Okie!).  On April 17, 1971, Joy to the World hit #1 on the Billboard's Hot 100 and stayed there for six weeks. 

It was named by Billboard magazine as the year-end pop single for 1971 and has sold 5 million copies world-wide, making it one of the best selling singles of all time.

TBT - Danny Hutton with Three Dog Night "Black and White"

Danny Hutton, one of three lead singers for Three Dog Night, was born today in 1942.   He had a great 30th birthday present as "Black and White" (with Danny leading) was the number one song in the US this week in 1972.