30 Of The Most Incredible Bands From The ’70s That Every Baby Boomer Will Remember
In the vibrant musical landscape of the 1970s, a diverse array of genres and styles left their mark on culture. So many iconic bands defined the era's rock 'n' roll genre but unfortunately went unnoticed. Here are 30 captivating bands and artists from the 1970s who remained underrated and underappreciated despite their exceptional talents.
April Wine
Canadian rock band April Wine achieved their first significant success in North America with their album "On Record" in 1972, and then gained mainstream popularity with "First Glance" in 1978 and "Harder ... Faster" in 1979. Although their album "The Nature of the Beast" from 1981 is the most famous, the groundwork for that moment was established during the 1970s.
Blue Oyster Cult
Blue Oyster Cult is known for more than just their hit song "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and their appearance on Saturday Night Live. Their music, combining hard rock and progressive rock elements, showcases their talent for storytelling through vivid imagery and fantasy. Blue Oyster Cult produced many hidden gems that influenced bands like Alice in Chains and Metallica.
Budgie
This Welsh power trio was a significant part of the renowned "new wave of British heavy metal" movement. They released a total of seven studio albums between 1971 and 1978. Although Budgie gained some notoriety in the 1970s, particularly in Europe, their biggest recognition came in the 1980s when they became a major influence on Metallica.
Dead Boys
The Dead Boys, with Stiv Bators as their frontman, released two studio albums: "Young, Loud and Snotty" in 1977 and "We Have Come for Your Children" in 1978. Under Bators' leadership, the Dead Boys were undeniably punk, known for their reckless lifestyle and music. Their song "Sonic Reducer" is considered a punk classic.
The Guess Who
Classic rock enthusiasts are undoubtedly familiar with the remarkable album and song "American Woman" (1970) by The Guess Who. This Canadian band gained significant recognition during the latter part of the 1960s. However, it was in the 1970s that The Guess Who truly shone, releasing a total of 10 albums.
Hawkwind
This English band, known for their creative innovation, released their self-titled debut in 1970, followed by eight more albums throughout the '70s, and their most recent in 2021. While they achieved notable success in the '70s with hits like "Silver Machine" and "Urban Guerrilla," Hawkwind's popularity remained primarily limited to Europe.
Little Feat
In 1969, Lowell George and Bill Payne formed Little Feat, a band with a unique and indescribable sound that incorporated rock, country, blues, and jazz elements. Despite not achieving mainstream success, the band released eight albums between 1971 and 1979. Notably, Jimmy Page, the iconic guitarist of Led Zeppelin, has been a longtime admirer of Little Feat.
Montrose
Montrose gained recognition for featuring Sammy Hagar on their initial two albums. However, it is important to acknowledge the exceptional guitar skills of Ronnie Montrose and the underrated bassist, Alan Fitzgerald, who later joined Night Ranger on keyboards. Their songs like "Bad Motor Scooter," Rock Candy," and "I Got the Fire" exemplify raw and guitar-centric rock music.
Nazareth
Nazareth has produced over 20 albums, beginning with their self-titled debut in 1971 and continuing through 2022. While their hits "Hair of the Dog" and "Love Hurts" from 1975 are widely recognized, what often goes unnoticed is the band's remarkable endurance and dedicated fan base.
Poco
After the disbandment of Buffalo Springfield, Richie Furay and Jim Messina came together to form Poco in the late 1960s. Poco released their debut album Pickin' Up the Pieces in 1969, followed by 10 more studio albums throughout the 1970s. Poco's influence paved the way for the Eagles, who later welcomed former Poco members into their lineup.
REO Speedwagon
During the 1980s, REO Speedwagon gained popularity as a pop-rock band. However, in the 1970s, REO was known for their raw and bluesy rock sound. Songs like "Music Man," "Ridin' the Storm Out," "Golden Country," and "Flying Turkey Trot" showcased the band's talent for rock music during that era. Unfortunately, these tracks often went unnoticed due to the dominance of other arena rock acts at the time.
Rose Royce
Rose Royce, known for their memorable major hit "Car Wash" released in 1976, achieved great success by reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This iconic tune remains one of the most recognizable songs of all time.
The Runaways
The Runaways, known for producing rock legends Joan Jett and Lita Ford, may seem underrated despite their significant contributions. Surprisingly, the band was more popular in Japan than in their home country, the United States. Additionally, they released four studio albums within two years, leading to burnout and dissatisfaction with their management.
The Sweet
The British glam rockers, known for their top-10 Billboard Hot 100 hits such as "Little Willy," "The Ballroom Blitz," "Fox on the Run," and "Love Is Like Oxygen," are often overlooked despite their influence on bands like Duran Duran, Mötley Crüe, and Guns N' Roses. They deserve recognition as one of the essential bands in this movement.
The Sylvers
The Sylvers, a family band from Watts, may be one of the most overlooked R&B acts of the 70s. With up to nine siblings contributing vocals, they worked with various record labels and released eight albums between 1972 and 1979. Their biggest hit, "Boogie Fever," topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976.
UFO
UFO has had an impressive lineup of talented musicians over the years. While they may not have achieved chart-topping success, their legacy is defined by notable tracks like "Lights Out" and "Doctor Doctor." Their live album, Strangers in the Night (1979), has received critical acclaim and is considered one of the greatest live albums of all time.
Wishbone Ash
From 1970 to 2020, Wishbone Ash from England released over 20 albums, with nine of them being released by 1978. The powerful combination of Andy Powell and Ted Turner's twin guitar attack had a significant impact on hard rock. Their guitar work left a lasting impression on renowned bands like Iron Maiden, Van Halen, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Captain Beyond
Captain Beyond was an American rock band formed in 1971 by former members of Deep Purple, Iron Butterfly, and Johnny Winter's band. Their self-titled debut album (1972) is a psychedelic and progressive rock classic. With complex musical arrangements and distinctive vocals, Captain Beyond earned a cult following and continues to be praised for their innovative sound blending various rock elements.
Big Star
Big Star was a highly influential American rock band from Memphis, active in the early '70s. Though they didn't achieve commercial success, their blend of power pop and rock garnered a devoted fanbase. The band's legacy grew over the years, influencing many alternative and indie rock artists. Despite internal conflicts, their albums No. 1 Record and Radio City remain power pop classics.
Badfinger
During the mid-1960s, this Welsh power-pop band was the first group to be signed by the Fab Four's Apple label in 1968. Despite achieving global success with several hit songs, such as "Come and Get It," "No Matter What," "Day After Day," and "Baby Blue," the band faced ongoing financial and legal troubles after Apple's closure.
Mott The Hoople
Mott the Hoople was a British rock band formed in 1969. Led by charismatic frontman Ian Hunter, they gained popularity in the early '70s with hits like "All the Young Dudes." Their energetic performances and glam rock style influenced the punk and hard rock genres. Despite lineup changes and disbandment in 1974, their impact on rock music endures.
Television
Television was a seminal American rock band formed in New York City in 1973. Pioneering the punk and alternative rock scene, their debut album Marquee Moon (1977) is a post-punk masterpiece, showcasing intricate guitar work and poetic lyrics. Television's influence on the indie and alternative genres has left a lasting impact on the music industry.
Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep is a British rock band formed in 1969, known for their progressive and hard rock sound. With hits like "Easy Livin'" and "July Morning," they achieved commercial success in the early '70s. Uriah Heep's distinctive keyboard-driven music, powerful vocals, and poetic lyrics contributed to their enduring popularity and status as one of the pioneers of the progressive rock movement.
The Soft Boys
The Soft Boys were a British alternative rock band formed in 1976, led by singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock. Known for their blend of psychedelic, punk, and post-punk elements, the band's album Underwater Moonlight (1980) is regarded as a cult classic. Despite limited commercial success, The Soft Boys' unique sound and Hitchcock's songwriting influenced later generations of indie and alternative rock musicians.
Humble Pie
Humble Pie was a British rock band formed in 1969, led by former Small Faces member Steve Marriott and guitarist Peter Frampton. They gained popularity for their soulful blend of blues rock and hard rock. The album Smokin' (1972) was a commercial success and showcased their energetic live performances. Despite lineup changes, Humble Pie's legacy endures as a dynamic and influential rock band of the 1970s.
The Strawbs
Formed in the UK in 1964, The Strawbs' music evolved from folk to progressive rock, and they gained prominence in the early '70s. With hits like "Lay Down" and "Part of the Union," The Strawbs showcased melodic songwriting, incorporating folk, rock, and symphonic prog elements. They remain respected figures in the British folk and progressive rock scenes.
Gong
Led by visionary musician Daevid Allen, British prog rock group Gong associated with the Canterbury scene. Gong's music blended psychedelic, space rock, and jazz-fusion elements. Albums like Camembert Electrique and You contributed to their cult following and unique legacy in the progressive rock genre. Their whimsical and innovative sound continues to inspire musicians and fans worldwide.
Gentle Giant
Gentle Giant was a British progressive rock band formed in 1970. Known for their complex musical arrangements, intricate instrumentation, and multi-part vocal harmonies, they pushed the boundaries of the genre. Albums like Octopus and The Power and the Glory displayed their innovative sound, blending rock, classical, and medieval influences. Despite limited commercial success, Gentle Giant is revered among prog rock enthusiasts.
Triumph
Canadian hard rock band, Triumph, came onto the scene in 1975. They created a distinctive sound by blending progressive rock with heavy metal elements. Their albums Allied Forces and Never Surrender EARNED them a dedicated fanbase. Triumph's skillful musicianship and anthemic rock style solidified their status as one of Canada's most prominent and enduring rock acts.
Amon Düül II
This list wouldn't be complete without the German progressive rock band, Amon Düül II , formed in 1969. Emerging from the counterculture scene, they embraced experimental and psychedelic rock. Albums like Yeti and Tanz der Lemminge showcased their improvisational style and eclectic influences. Amon Düül II's music often featured extended jams and incorporated elements of krautrock and world music, making them pioneers of the German progressive rock movement.
