25 Fascinating Portraits of a Young Anne Murray in the 1970s

Anne Murray (born June 20, 1945) is a retired Canadian country, pop and adult contemporary music singer who has sold over 55 million album copies worldwide during her over 40-year career. She has won four Grammys including the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1979.

While released at the very end of 1969, “Snowbird” became a massive hit in 1970, reaching #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and making Murray the first Canadian woman to earn a gold record in the United States. This song typified her signature crossover sound.

Murray skillfully blended country, pop, and adult contemporary styles, appealing to a wide audience. She had 28 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, eight #1 hits on the Adult Contemporary chart, and 25 Top 10 hits on the Hot Country Songs chart throughout her career.

Murray released 14 albums in the 1970s, with several reaching the Top 10 in Canada, including the chart-toppers “Annie” (1972) and “Let’s Keep It That Way” (1978).

Known for her warm alto voice, wholesome image, and stylistic versatility, Anne Murray became a “queen of middle-of-the-road (MOR) and country radio” during the 1970s and 1980s. She was cited as an influence by subsequent Canadian stars like k.d. lang, Jann Arden, Shania Twain, and Sarah McLachlan.