The Madcap Laughs
Barrett releases his first solo album with help from former Pink Floyd colleagues
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1970 in Great Britain
Explore 363 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1970.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1970
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 363 unique records.
363Unique records
1 of 10Page
30Named events on this page
29Named people on this page
14Places on this page
January
Birth of Andy Burnham
Andrew Murray Burnham is born in Aintree and later grows up in Culcheth.
Policy Incomes
The Government revises rules for pay increases & ends the statutory incomes policy
Marriage
Marries Marc Bolan
Chairman
Appointed Chairman of Housing, Lambeth Council
Election
The Selsdon meeting, a radical free market agenda, condemned by the then Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, as the work of "Selsdon Man". Heath held a brainstorming session of the shadow cabinet at The Selsdon Park Hotel near Croydon, Surrey, the aim of the meeting was to formulate policies for the 1970 General Election manifesto
Election
The Selsdon metting, a radical free market agenda, condemned by the then Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, as the work of "Selsdon Man". Heath held a brainstorming session of the shadow cabinet at The Selsdon Park Hotel near Croydon, Surrey, the aim of the meeting was to formulate policies for the 1970 General Election manifesto
Selsdon Man
The Selsdon meeting, a radical free market agenda, condemned by the then Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, as the work of "Selsdon Man"
Selsdon Man
The Selsdon metting, a radical free market agenda, condemned by the then Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, as the work of "Selsdon Man"
The Madcap Laughs
Barrett releases solo album, "The Madcap Laughs"
The Madcap Laughs
Syd Barretts first solo album, "The Madcap Laughs" is released
February
Black Sabbath
Writes dark lyrical themes for the debut album, adding occult and anti-war imagery to the band's music.
Black Sabbath
Records the debut album with heavy riffs that help define the emerging heavy metal style.
Black Sabbath
Sings on Black Sabbath's debut album, released on Friday the thirteenth in February 1970.
Black Sabbath
Drums on the debut album Black Sabbath, helping establish the band's slow, heavy power.
Black Sabbath Debut Album
Osbourne sings on Black Sabbath's debut album, released during the band's Birmingham breakthrough.
Live at Leeds
The Who record Live at Leeds at the University of Leeds.
Death of Hugh Dowding
Death of Hugh Caswall Tremenheere Dowding
Battle of Britain
At a memorial service at Westminster Abbey, his ashes were laid to rest below the Battle of Britain Memorial Window in the Royal Air Force chapel
Entire Sioux Nation
Farren and Took headhunted guitarist Larry (or "Lazza") Wallis and bassist Tim Taylor from their underground band, the Entire Sioux Nation
Entire Sioux Nation
Farren and Took headhunted guitarist Larry (or "Lazza") Wallis and bassist Tim Taylor from their underground band, the Entire Sioux Nation
Entire Sioux Nation
Farren and Took headhunt guitarist Larry (or "Lazza") Wallis and bassist Tim Taylor from their underground band, the Entire Sioux Nation
Entire Sioux Nation
Farren and Took headhunted guitarist Larry (or "Lazza") Wallis and bassist Tim Taylor from their underground band, the Entire Sioux Nation
March
Begins the bi-centenary Cook tour of Australia & New Zealand
Begins the bi-centenary Cook tour of Australia & New Zealand
Income and Corporation Taxes Act
Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970 consolidates legislation governing income tax and corporation tax.
Fillmore East Concerts
Performs the first of two celebrated Mad Dogs and Englishmen concert nights at the Fillmore East.
First Step
Releases First Step with Faces after the Small Faces evolve into a new band.
Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour
Launches the large-scale Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour with an ensemble assembled by Leon Russell.
April
Instant Karma (We All Shine On)
"Instant Karma (We All Shine On)," credited to John Ono Lennon and produced by Phil Spector is released and becomes a huge hit
Ship Raised Onto Transport Pontoon
The abandoned Great Britain was lifted onto a submersible pontoon to prepare for its long tow to Britain.
Budget
Roy Jenkins presents a cautious Budget after the balance of payments has moved into surplus.
Fairs Cup Final Away Goal
Scores Arsenal's crucial away goal in the 3-1 first-leg defeat by Anderlecht in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final.
Historic Vessel Begins Return Voyage
Great Britain began the ocean tow from the Falkland Islands that would eventually take it back to Bristol.
Arsenal's First European Trophy
Manages Arsenal to the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup after a 4-3 aggregate victory over Anderlecht.
Fairs Cup Trophy-Clinching Goal
Scores the goal that completes Arsenal's 3-0 comeback victory over Anderlecht and secures the Fairs Cup.
Whitham Joins Liverpool Forward Ranks
Jack Whitham moved from Sheffield Wednesday to Liverpool in April 1970, joining a club in the process of renewing its attacking resources.
Shagrat
Shagrat is formed (named after an Orc in The Lord of the Rings)
May
Let It Be
Receives production credit on Let It Be, although Phil Spector reshapes the final released album.
Live at Leeds Release
Release Live at Leeds.
Equal Pay Act
Secures equal pay legislation influenced partly by European treaty obligations on equal pay.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.