70's Music Artists Following the musical revolution in the 1960s, the next decade absorbed different influences and produced a mixture of genres. 70's music artists represented many different styles. There was something for everyone, with disco, soft rock, progressive rock, punk and new wave, and more. There were many radio friendly artists that got a lot of airplay. The brother / sister duo, The Carpenters appealed to moms and dads, and their kids. Karen Carpenter's voice was one of the best in pop. Country rock, as it was known, was a popular fusion and The Eagles had the most commercial success with their laid back vocals. In contrast, Heavy Metal was alive and well, particularly in the UK. Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Judas Priest were exciting to watch live and commanded a huge following. Australian band AC / DC have also survived over many years, and recently had a number one album. The kings of rock however, were Led Zeppelin. Robert Plant was the charismatic front man whilst Jimmy Page was the guitar maestro. Glam Rock was a true phenomenon that began in the 70's. Many talented music artists of the 70's wore the heavy make up, and flamboyant clothes and hairstyles. Platform shoes were the order of the day. The older generation was shocked when T-Rex, Queen, Roxy Music, and Slade appeared on their screens. David Bowie led the way in 1972 when his album, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, was released. In America, glam was taken to extremes with Kiss and Alice Cooper. Progressive Rock was also a movement rooted in the 1970s. Genesis, Yes, Jethro Tull, and Emerson, Lake and Palmer were some of the 70's music artists in this genre. Their inspiration came from classical music and jazz, rather than any pop music that had gone before. Songs tended to be quite long and lyrics were about epic subjects. LP covers became works of art and were often packaged as gatefold. The concept album came to the fore, with a single theme running through the tracks. There was a high standard of musicianship. Meanwhile, in a New York City club called CBGBs, another revolution was taking place. Bands such as Blondie, The Ramones and Talking Heads were developing their style. The scene in Britain was influenced by them and Punk was born, partly as a reaction to the Progressive Rock and stadium bands. The idea was that anyone could get up and play. Songs were short and lyrics were to the point. Fans felt that they were on an even footing with the likes of The Sex Pistols, Sham 69 and The Buzzcocks. For those that wanted to dance under glitter balls, there was disco. Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor were two key 70's music artists, producing the floor fillers. The Bee Gees too got everyone moving with their harmonies on the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever. Summary 70s music artists truly brought the music scene over the edge! There are many artists which found fame and fortune during this era and that have remained timeless. Eagles, Genesis, AC/DC, Queen, David Bowie, Jethro Tull, Talking Heads, and even the Bee Gees music can still be heard on the airwaves today. Related Articles Music From The 70s 50s and 60s Music Related Sites