By
1972, during their extensive tour, The Faces were starting to be
overshadowed by Rod's success with his solo career, with 'Never
A Dull Moment' being released the same year, reaching number 2
on the US album charts and number 1 in the UK. Other hits from
this same album include, 'You Wear It Well', which reached number
13 in the US and went straight to the top position in the UK, and
'Twisting The Night Away', formerly recorded by Sam Cooke.
I'Ooh La La', The Faces' final album reached No.
1 in the UK and No. 21 in 1973. They Faces went on their final
tour in 1974 to support Ooh La La and the single "Pool Hall
Richard". Faces officially parted in 1975 when Ron Wood joined
The Rolling Stones as their guitar player and Rod, chasing his
own rainbows.
As with all sunshine, a little rain must fall and
so, in late 1974 when Rod released 'Smiler' the album proved an
absolute flop. Although in Britain, reached number 1, and 'Farewell'
number 7, it only made it to number 13, on the Billboard pop album
charts and the single "Mine For Me" only No. 91 on the
Billboard pop singles charts. Understandably, Smiler is referred
to Rod's less successful albums of the seventies.
Rod applied for citizenship and moved to the US In
1975, due to his love affair with Britt Ekland and a fight with
the Inland Revenue Services (the UK version of the IRS in the States).
With producer Tom Dowd, Rod the 'Atlantic Crossing' and a different
sound was born based on the Muscle Shoals rhythm section. 'Atlantic
Crossing' put Rod back on track again and in the top 10 of the
Billboard album charts. 'Sailing', the first single was a instant
number 1 in the UK while only making it to the top 60 in the US
charts. 'Sailing' made another round on the UK top ten a year later
when used as the theme music for a BBC documentary series about
HMS Ark Royal. Since it had been a hit twice already, it now remains
as Rod's biggest-selling single in the UK. Holland-Dozier-Holland
cover "This Old Heart of Mine" was also a top 100 hit in 1976.
Musically, 'Atlantic Crossing' proved Rod was, without doubt, distinguishing
his more mellow style with material such as Danny Whitten's
"I Don't Want To Talk About It".
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