1970s
There was more variety in music in the 1970s than ever before. Music listeners had dozens of genres to choose from and many of them rose to popularity at different points during the decade.
There was more variety in music in the 1970s than ever before. Music listeners had dozens of genres to choose from and many of them rose to popularity at different points during the decade.
In the early 1970s, a musical sensation took over New York City. It was called Disco. Before Disco became synonymous with Saturday Night Fever, Rod Stewart, and celebrity-fuelled parties, it was an underground movement powered by the innovations of young DJs challenging themselves and each other to throw the city’s most adventurous dance parties.
In the early 1970s, a musical sensation took over New York City. It was called Disco. Before Disco became synonymous with Saturday Night Fever, Rod Stewart, and celebrity-fuelled parties, it was an underground movement powered by the innovations of young DJs challenging themselves and each other to throw the city’s most adventurous dance parties.
These songs were repetitive, hypnotic, and funky, and they were also pretty long compared to other pop hits. That presented a problem for DJs using 7-inch 45rpm singles, which fit only 3:30 minutes of quality audio on them, during their night-long sets. They needed a vinyl record that could make their most popular tracks sound powerful on a dance floor and last the whole night.
These songs were repetitive, hypnotic, and funky, and they were also pretty long compared to other pop hits. That presented a problem for DJs using 7-inch 45rpm singles, which fit only 3:30 minutes of quality audio on them, during their night-long sets. They needed a vinyl record that could make their most popular tracks sound powerful on a dance floor and last the whole night.
In 1976, an accidental studio discovery by Disco pioneer Tom Moulton provided the solution: A 12-inch single. By stretching one song across 12 inches of vinyl, a format typically reserved for full-length albums, those extended dance tracks had room to breath.
In 1976, an accidental studio discovery by Disco pioneer Tom Moulton provided the solution: A 12-inch single. By stretching one song across 12 inches of vinyl, a format typically reserved for full-length albums, those extended dance tracks had room to breath.
Funk, Soul, R&B, Pop, Hard Rock, Soft Rock and Disco all carved out their place in the music world in the 1970s. The late 70s also witness the birth of another young music style: hip-hop. (see 1990s)
Funk, Soul, R&B, Pop, Hard Rock, Soft Rock and Disco all carved out their place in the music world in the 1970s. The late 70s also witness the birth of another young music style: hip-hop. (see 1990s)
Some of the best rock 'n' roll of all time was recorded in the 70s. From David Bowie to Led Zeppelin to Pink Floyd, the list I could make would keep you scrolling for days.
Some of the best rock 'n' roll of all time was recorded in the 70s. From David Bowie to Led Zeppelin to Pink Floyd, the list I could make would keep you scrolling for days.
Pink Floyd: "Dark side of the Moon" Album Art
The 70s were a golden era for vinyl records. They were affordable to everyone and everyone had a record player. It seems like almost every song ever made in the 80s had a 70s sample in it.
The 70s were a golden era for vinyl records. They were affordable to everyone and everyone had a record player. It seems like almost every song ever made in the 80s had a 70s sample in it.
Music recording equipment had finally given artists more than 4 tracks to work with and music became much more experimental than it was technically capable of being in the 60s.
Music recording equipment had finally given artists more than 4 tracks to work with and music became much more experimental than it was technically capable of being in the 60s.
Electronic music was getting more sophisticated as artists like Kraftwerk (below left) and Jean Michael Jarre (below right) laid down some tracks that are still quite listenable to this day.
Electronic music was getting more sophisticated as artists like Kraftwerk (below left) and Jean Michael Jarre (below right) laid down some tracks that are still quite listenable to this day.
Enormous music festivals like Woodstock disappeared as quickly as they arrived, due to the inherent danger of attending. Riots, drugs, and violent crowds caused many potentially legendary festivals to be cancelled.
Enormous music festivals like Woodstock disappeared as quickly as they arrived, due to the inherent danger of attending. Riots, drugs, and violent crowds caused many potentially legendary festivals to be cancelled.
Among the popular artists in 1970 year were Elton John, who arrived from England and the Jackson Five (right), hailing from “Motown” AKA Detroit, Michigan. Ranging from 12-19 years old, the Jackson 5, featuring 12-year-old Michael Jackson, captured imaginations across the country. Diana Ross left the Supremes for solo fame. Neil Diamond, hit it big with “Cracklin’ Rosie” while Simon and Garfunkel impressed audiences with “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”
Among the popular artists in 1970 year were Elton John, who arrived from England and the Jackson Five (right), hailing from “Motown” AKA Detroit, Michigan. Ranging from 12-19 years old, the Jackson 5, featuring 12-year-old Michael Jackson, captured imaginations across the country. Diana Ross left the Supremes for solo fame. Neil Diamond, hit it big with “Cracklin’ Rosie” while Simon and Garfunkel impressed audiences with “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”
Johnny Cash won two Grammy awards for his song, “A Boy Named Sue” (left). Hard-rock group Three Dog Night ranked high on the national best-seller list. Elvis reappeared in concert, after making nearly 30 movies in the 1960s.
Johnny Cash won two Grammy awards for his song, “A Boy Named Sue” (left). Hard-rock group Three Dog Night ranked high on the national best-seller list. Elvis reappeared in concert, after making nearly 30 movies in the 1960s.
The British Invasion rebooted, featuring several successful tours by several English artists. Black Sabbath, Elton John (right), The Who, Led Zeppelin and Bee Gees were just a few of the hugely popular English musicians.
The British Invasion rebooted, featuring several successful tours by several English artists. Black Sabbath, Elton John (right), The Who, Led Zeppelin and Bee Gees were just a few of the hugely popular English musicians.
The Mamas and the Papas were rejuvenated, making a new album in hopes of a tour. Sonny and Cher came back into demand, as did Perry Como. The Beach Boys (left) turned their music to an older audience, those who had listened to them in their earlier days.
The Mamas and the Papas were rejuvenated, making a new album in hopes of a tour. Sonny and Cher came back into demand, as did Perry Como. The Beach Boys (left) turned their music to an older audience, those who had listened to them in their earlier days.
All of the former Beatles were successful this year, but none more than George Harrison, with “My Sweet Lord.” His epic, 3-vinyl box set titled “All Things Must Pass” is considered by many to be Harrison’s ultimate masterpiece.
All of the former Beatles were successful this year, but none more than George Harrison, with “My Sweet Lord.” His epic, 3-vinyl box set titled “All Things Must Pass” is considered by many to be Harrison’s ultimate masterpiece.
1972 saw the national emergence of “soul music.” At one point, the five top-selling records in the US and 11 of the top 20 albums were by African American artists.
1972 saw the national emergence of “soul music.” At one point, the five top-selling records in the US and 11 of the top 20 albums were by African American artists.
One of the main centres for soul music was in Memphis Tennessee, home of STAX records, where musicians from different ethnic backgrounds joined together to write and record music. At this time, racial segregation was still very much part and parcel of everyday life for Americans and was certainly a barrier to creative collaborations such as writing and recording music. Artists recording with STAX included, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Isaac Hayes, Booker T & the MG’s, Staple Singers to name a few.
One of the main centres for soul music was in Memphis Tennessee, home of STAX records, where musicians from different ethnic backgrounds joined together to write and record music. At this time, racial segregation was still very much part and parcel of everyday life for Americans and was certainly a barrier to creative collaborations such as writing and recording music. Artists recording with STAX included, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Isaac Hayes, Booker T & the MG’s, Staple Singers to name a few.
In Detroit, Michigan, a style of soul music was also developing. Although it had the same heartfelt emotion and passion in the music, the sound was smoother than their counterparts at STAX. Detroit was the home of Motown Records. Artists who recorded with Motown included the Jackson 5, Diana Ross, Martha Reeves, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson.
In Detroit, Michigan, a style of soul music was also developing. Although it had the same heartfelt emotion and passion in the music, the sound was smoother than their counterparts at STAX. Detroit was the home of Motown Records. Artists who recorded with Motown included the Jackson 5, Diana Ross, Martha Reeves, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson.
In Britain. Glam rock was in full force as Ziggy Stardust and T. Rex strutted their stuff on stage. Fireworks and other startling effects brought a return to theatrics as Alice Cooper treated his concerts with all the pomp and circumstance of a Broadway play based in Hell.
In Britain. Glam rock was in full force as Ziggy Stardust and T. Rex strutted their stuff on stage. Fireworks and other startling effects brought a return to theatrics as Alice Cooper treated his concerts with all the pomp and circumstance of a Broadway play based in Hell.
Reggae was making a breakthrough in the United States, headlined by the Wailers and Jimmy Cliff. Johnny Nash, an American, came out with “Stir It Up” and “I Can See Clearly Now,” the first American to have a popular reggae release.
Reggae was making a breakthrough in the United States, headlined by the Wailers and Jimmy Cliff. Johnny Nash, an American, came out with “Stir It Up” and “I Can See Clearly Now,” the first American to have a popular reggae release.
Reggae (H) music was developed in the late 1960s in Jamaica.
Reggae (H) music was developed in the late 1960s in Jamaica.
The bass guitar often plays the dominant role in reggae. The bass sound in reggae is thick and heavy, and equalized so the upper frequencies are removed and the lower frequencies emphasized. It is common for reggae to be sung in Jamaican English.
The bass guitar often plays the dominant role in reggae. The bass sound in reggae is thick and heavy, and equalized so the upper frequencies are removed and the lower frequencies emphasized. It is common for reggae to be sung in Jamaican English.
Reggae is noted for its tradition of social criticism and religion in its lyrics, although many reggae songs discuss lighter, more personal subjects, such as love and socializing.
Reggae is noted for its tradition of social criticism and religion in its lyrics, although many reggae songs discuss lighter, more personal subjects, such as love and socializing.
Elton John’s popularity soared in both the United States and the United Kingdom. At a concert in California, 75,000 tickets sold out within hours of becoming available.
Elton John’s popularity soared in both the United States and the United Kingdom. At a concert in California, 75,000 tickets sold out within hours of becoming available.
Discothèques (or discos) appeared around the country, gaining more and more popularity, until even the radios had to copy the style. Discos were made for dancing; mainly soul music was played, with a strong bass and drum beat. Barry White, Gloria Gaynor, and Van McCoy were popular artists within the disco circles.
Discothèques (or discos) appeared around the country, gaining more and more popularity, until even the radios had to copy the style. Discos were made for dancing; mainly soul music was played, with a strong bass and drum beat. Barry White, Gloria Gaynor, and Van McCoy were popular artists within the disco circles.
Punk (National 5) developed seriously for the first time, with bands like the Sex Pistols and the Ramones thrashing their way to success. Their crazy stage behaviour and offbeat arrangements drew both praise and discouragement.
Punk (National 5) developed seriously for the first time, with bands like the Sex Pistols and the Ramones thrashing their way to success. Their crazy stage behaviour and offbeat arrangements drew both praise and discouragement.
Fleetwood Mac came into the clear for American audiences by adding new members and changing their traditionally blues style. By the end of the year, their two ridiculously successful albums had collectively sold over 11 million copies.
Fleetwood Mac came into the clear for American audiences by adding new members and changing their traditionally blues style. By the end of the year, their two ridiculously successful albums had collectively sold over 11 million copies.
James Taylor and his wife Carly Simon were successful in selling their own records, with his platinum record “JT” and her single “Nobody Does It Better.”
James Taylor and his wife Carly Simon were successful in selling their own records, with his platinum record “JT” and her single “Nobody Does It Better.”
The deaths of Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby, however, rocked the music industry in 1977. The world was saddened by the loss of two such legends, and both will be remembered for generations to come.
The deaths of Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby, however, rocked the music industry in 1977. The world was saddened by the loss of two such legends, and both will be remembered for generations to come.
The Bee Gees exploded into the music world and ushered in the Disco (N3) era, selling more records than anyone thought possible. Their soundtrack for the movie Saturday Night Fever sold nearly 30 million copies.
The Bee Gees exploded into the music world and ushered in the Disco (N3) era, selling more records than anyone thought possible. Their soundtrack for the movie Saturday Night Fever sold nearly 30 million copies.
Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton blended their country (N5) with other styles of music. Parton pioneered more of a pop-country, while Nelson made his own rock-country mix.
Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton blended their country (N5) with other styles of music. Parton pioneered more of a pop-country, while Nelson made his own rock-country mix.
Bruce Springsteen (below left) re-emerged with “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” considered by many to be one of the great rock albums of the decade. But Billy Joel (below right) was the most popular rock artist of the year. Joel sold over 6 million copies of his albums in the United States alone, topping the charts.
Bruce Springsteen (below left) re-emerged with “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” considered by many to be one of the great rock albums of the decade. But Billy Joel (below right) was the most popular rock artist of the year. Joel sold over 6 million copies of his albums in the United States alone, topping the charts.
This image slideshow gives an idea of the various shapes and sizes of the synthesiSers that emerged in the 1970s.
This image slideshow gives an idea of the various shapes and sizes of the synthesiSers that emerged in the 1970s.