Originally released in 1970 as a concept double album, it soon became a massive global best-seller, topping the US Billboard LP chart in both February and May 1971, as well as ranking at number one in the year-end chart. By 1983, it had sold over 7 million copies worldwide. However, the journey to international success was far from straightforward. At first, as they were relatively unknown names, Webber and Rice were unable to find a producer willing to stage their ambitious idea for a religious-themed rock opera. Eventually, they persuaded MCA Records to let them tape the score first. Using a full orchestra, and with the outstanding talents of Ian Gillan (from Deep Purple), Murray Head (who had just left the West End production of Hair), Yvonne Elliman (also from Hair’s British cast, and later on the Eric Clapton Band), and The Grease Band (Joe Cocker’s backing group), they created a masterpiece that revolutionized the form of musical theatre. Within a year of its chart success, stage productions of Jesus Christ Superstar began to appear all over the world, leading to record-breaking runs in the West End, a hit Hollywood film, Tony nominations and Olivier Awards. Tracklist SIDE A 1. Overture 2. Heavrn on Their Minds 3. Whats the Buzz/Strange Thing Mystifying 4. Everythings Alright 5. This Jesus Must Die SIDE B 1. Hosanna 2. Simon Zealotes/Poor Jerusalem 3. Pilates Dream 4. The Temple 5. Everythings Alright 6. I Dont Know How to Love Him 7. Damned for all Time/Blood Money SIDE C 1. The Last Supper 2. Gethsemane 3. The Arrest 4. Peters Denial 5. Pilate and Christ 6. King Herods Song SIDE D 1. Judas Death 2. Trial Before Pilate Including the 39 Lashes 3. Superstar 4. Crucifixion 5. John Nineteen: Forty-One Cast A rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice October 1970 Ian Gillan: Jesus Christ Murray Head: Judas Iscariot Yvonne Elliman: Mary Magdalene Paul Raven: Priest Victor Brox: Caiaphas, High Priest Brian Keith: Annas John Gustafson: Simon Zealotes Barry Dennen: Pontius Pilate Paul Davis: Peter Annette Brox: Maid by the Fire Mike dAbo: King Herod
