The 1970s marked a pivotal era in country music, ushering in new sounds and styles that shaped the genre for decades to come. This period saw the rise of pop country and traditional country, as well as the birth of outlaw country. Many talented singers emerged during this time, leaving their mark on the music world.
Outlaw country brought a fresh sound to the genre, blending honky-tonk and Western influences with rock and blues elements. Songs like “Delta Dawn” became popular, showcasing the diverse range of country music in the ’70s. Albums such as “Wanted! The Outlaws” helped define this new movement, bringing together some of the most influential artists of the time.
1. Waylon Jennings: Texas-Born Country Legend
Waylon Jennings was a key figure in country music. Born in Texas, he started playing guitar as a child and joined a band at age 12. His music career took off in the 1950s and 1960s.
In the 1970s, Jennings helped start the Outlaw Country Movement, a new style that broke away from the usual Nashville sound. He worked with other big names like Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr.
Jennings’s 1972 album, “Ladies Love Outlaws,” marked his shift to outlaw country. He had many hits after that, including the #1 hits “This Time” and “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?”
His album “Wanted! The Outlaws” was a big deal. It was the first country album to go Platinum. Jennings sold over 40 million records in his career, making him one of the top country artists ever.
2. The Red-Headed Stranger: Willie Nelson’s Rise to Fame
Willie Nelson became a big name in country music during the 1970s. He helped start a new style called Outlaw Country. Nelson grew up in Texas and started playing guitar when he was very young. He even wrote his first song before he turned 10 years old.
Nelson’s music career took off in the early 1970s. His album Shotgun Willie came out in 1973 and was a hit. He followed it up with more popular records like Red Headed Stranger in 1975. This album had the famous song “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.”
Some of Nelson’s other well-known songs are:
- “Good Hearted Woman”
- “If You’ve Got Money, I’ve Got TheTime”
- “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”
Nelson kept making music people loved. His 1978 album Stardust was another big success. Over the years, he has sold more than 40 million albums just in the United States. Even now, in his late 80s, Willie Nelson still performs for his fans.
3. Dolly Parton’s Musical Journey
Dolly Parton‘s rise to fame is a story of talent and hard work. Born in Tennessee, she began singing in church at age six. By seven, she was playing a homemade guitar. After finishing school in 1964, Parton teamed up with Peter Wagoner. They released many duets in the 1960s and 1970s.
The 1970s were a big decade for Parton. She put out many albums and had lots of hits. Her song “Coat Of Many Colors” came out in 1971. It became one of her best-known tunes. Other popular songs followed:
- “Burning The Midnight Oil”
- “My Tennessee Mountain Home”
- “Jolene” (1973)
“Jolene” was a huge success. It’s still one of Parton’s most famous songs today.
Parton has been busy writing and singing for decades. Her hard work shows in her record sales. She’s sold over 100 million records around the world.
4. The Rise of a Country Music Icon
Loretta Lynn emerged as a powerhouse in country music during the 1970s. Born in rural Kentucky, she grew up in a poor family. Her husband gave her a guitar, which sparked her musical journey.
Lynn’s songs often tackled women’s issues. She struck gold with hits like “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “Rated “X” in the ’70s. Her duets with Conway Twitty also topped the charts. Her success went beyond just making music. Lynn won many awards and released several Gold albums. She sold over 45 million records worldwide.
Lynn’s humble beginnings and honest lyrics made her relatable to fans. She wrote about real-life experiences, which helped her connect with listeners. Her impact on country music continues to be felt today.
5. The Legendary Conway Twitty
Conway Twitty made his mark as a versatile American singer. He started in pop, rock & roll, and R&B before finding his true home in country music. Born in Mississippi, Twitty grew up in Arkansas where he formed his first singing group.
Twitty’s country music journey began in 1965. His biggest hit, “Hello Darlin’,” came out in 1970. This song became a fan favorite and helped cement his place in country music history. Twitty’s talent shone in duets too. He partnered with Loretta Lynn for many popular songs. Their hit “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” showcased their amazing vocal chemistry.
Over his long career, Twitty sold more than 50 million records. His 1973 song “You’ve Never Been This Far Before” topped the charts for weeks. Twitty’s success and impact on country music remain undeniable to this day.
6. A Country Music Icon
Glen Campbell rose to fame as a country singer in the 1960s and 1970s. Born in Arkansas, he started playing guitar at a young age. Campbell’s musical journey began in church choirs and local fairs.
His career took off with several hit songs. “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Southern Nights” became fan favorites. Campbell’s talent led to huge success, with over 50 million records sold worldwide. Besides his music, Campbell hosted a popular TV show called “Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.” His skills as a performer earned him many awards throughout his career.
7. Dottie West’s Country Music Legacy
Dottie West made her mark as a trailblazing country singer in the 1970s. Born in Nashville, she grew up with a love for music, playing guitar and singing in her high school band. West’s career took off in the late 1960s as she began releasing solo tracks and collaborating with other artists.
Her talent shone bright in 1973 with the hit “Country Sunshine,” which doubled as a Coca-Cola commercial. This catchy tune became one of her most famous songs. West’s career reached new heights in the late 1970s when she teamed up with Kenny Rogers. Their duets, like “Every Time Two Fools Collide” and “All I Ever Needed Is You,” topped the charts and won fans’ hearts.
8. Kenny Rogers: Country Music Icon
Kenny Rogers was a big name in music. He sang many types of songs, from country to pop. Rogers sold over 100 million records around the world. This made him one of the most popular singers ever.
Rogers was born in Houston, Texas. He started singing in the 1950s as a rock and roll artist. Later, he teamed up with other famous singers. He sang duets with Dolly Parton, Sheena Easton, and Dottie West.
In the 1970s, Rogers put out many hit songs. His song “Lucille” was very popular in 1977. He also made an album called The Gambler. It had a big hit called “Coward of the County.” This album sold millions of copies and was number one on the music charts.
9. Charley Pride’s Musical Legacy
Charley Pride made his mark in country music after starting his career as a baseball player. Born in Mississippi, he shifted from sports to singing in the 1960s. Pride’s smooth voice and catchy tunes quickly won fans. His 1971 hit “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'” became his most famous song.
Pride’s talent shone through other popular tracks too. “Mississippi Cotton Picking Delta Town” and “When I Stop Leaving (I’ll Be Gone)” climbed the charts. His success was clear in his record sales. Pride sold over 70 million records worldwide. This number includes singles, albums, and collections of his work.
10. Tammy Wynette’s Country Music Legacy
Tammy Wynette made a big mark on country music in the 1960s and 1970s. Born in Mississippi, she got her start singing at church events and on the radio as a young girl. Her dad pushed her to follow her musical dreams.
Wynette’s singing career took off in the late 1960s. She put out many popular songs like “Run Woman Run” and “Kids Say The Darndest Things.” Her team-ups with George Jones also did well on the charts.
“Stand By Your Man” became Wynette’s most famous song. It sparked debate but helped make her a country star. Her strong, emotional voice connected with many fans.
Wynette kept putting out hits into the mid-1970s. Songs like “Til I Can Make It On My Own” and “You And Me” reached #1. By the end of her career, she had sold over 30 million records. This made her one of the top-selling female artists of her time in country music.
11. Charlie Rich’s Country Music Legacy
Charlie Rich, born into a farming family in Arkansas, became a standout country singer in the 1970s. His parents’ love for music and church singing sparked his interest in a musical career. After a brief stint in the Air Force, Rich fully committed to his musical path.
Rich’s big break came with his 1973 album “Behind Closed Doors.” This record topped the country charts and set the stage for his future success. His hit single “The Most Beautiful Girl” followed in 1974, further cementing his place in country music.
Rich continued to produce popular songs throughout the decade. “Rollin’ With The Flow” in 1977 and a duet called “On My Knees” with Janie Fricke added to his list of accomplishments. These hits helped make Charlie Rich a household name in country music circles during the 1970s.
12. The Bakersfield Sound Pioneer
Merle Haggard, born in Oildale, California, picked up the guitar at age twelve. His early years were marked by run-ins with the law, but he turned his life around in the 1960s. Haggard’s music career took off, and he became a major figure in country music.
The 1960s saw Haggard release many hit songs. His success continued into the 1970s with tracks like “If We Make It Through December,” which spoke to many during tough economic times.
Haggard’s partnership with the Strangers led to more popular songs:
- “Grandma Harp”
- “The Roots Of My Raising”
His music resonated with fans, resulting in over 6.4 million album sales worldwide. Haggard’s unique style and honest lyrics helped shape the country music landscape for decades.
13. Lynn Anderson: Country Music Star
Lynn Anderson made her mark as a prominent country singer in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Born in North Dakota, she grew up in Sacramento, California, where her parents’ songwriting ambitions sparked her own musical journey. Anderson began performing at a young age and launched her career in 1966.
The singer’s big break came in 1970 with her hit album “Rose Garden.” This record topped the country charts and brought Anderson widespread fame. She followed up with more popular songs in 1971, including “How Can I Unlove You” and “You’re My Man.” These successes helped Anderson sell over 1.7 million albums worldwide, cementing her status as a country music icon.
14. John Denver: Country-Folk Crossover Success
John Denver brought a unique blend of folk and country music to the forefront during the 1970s. Born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. in New Mexico, Denver adopted his stage name and began building his music career in the late 1960s. His rise to fame in the ’70s came with a series of hits that combined heartfelt lyrics, catchy melodies, and a love for nature.
Denver’s 1971 album Poems, Prayers & Promises catapulted him into stardom, largely due to the success of the single “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” which remains one of his most iconic songs. He followed up with a string of hits, including “Rocky Mountain High” (1972), “Annie’s Song” (1974), and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” (1975).
Denver’s music often celebrated the beauty of rural life and the environment, themes that resonated with many fans at a time when country music was evolving. His crossover appeal helped him dominate the charts and he became a global sensation. By the end of the 1970s, Denver had solidified his place as one of the best-selling artists of the decade, with more than 33 million records sold worldwide.
15. Don Williams: The Gentle Giant of Country Music
Don Williams, known as the “Gentle Giant” of country music, was a soft-spoken but powerful presence in the 1970s country scene. Born in Texas, Williams had a distinctive baritone voice that brought a calm, soothing quality to his songs. His music was rooted in traditional country sounds, but he also had a knack for creating ballads with universal appeal.
Williams’ breakthrough came in 1974 with the release of his album Volume Two, which featured the hit “I Wouldn’t Want to Live If You Didn’t Love Me.” This song became his first number-one single on the country charts. He continued his success throughout the decade with hits like “You’re My Best Friend” (1975), “Tulsa Time” (1978), and “It Must Be Love” (1979).
Looking Back at Top Country Artists of the 1970s
The 1970s gave us many great country singers who left a lasting mark on the genre. This list highlights some key names, but it’s just a starting point. There are plenty more talented artists from that era to discover. Music fans can dive into the songs of these performers to get a taste of 1970s country. What other singers would you add to the list? The decade was full of country stars worth remembering.