Top Artists and Bands of the 70s

The 1970s saw the rise of rock bands with their electric guitars and the Disco craze.  Popular artists included Elton John, the continued dominance of the Rolling Stones, ABBA and the Beatles solo careers.

Elton John

Birth name: Reginald Kenneth Dwight

Born: 25 March 1947 (age 67)[1], Pinner, Middlesex, England

Occupation(s): Singer, songwriter, composer

Years active: 1964–present

Musical career

Genres: Rock, pop rock, glam rock, soft rock, rhythm and blues

Instruments: Vocals, keyboards

Labels: Philips, Congress, DJM, Uni, Paramount, MCA, Geffen, Rocket, Island, Universal, Interscope, Mercury, UMG, Virgin EMI

Associated acts: Bernie Taupin, Tim Rice, John Lennon, Kiki Dee, Billy Joel, George Michael, Eminem, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Dionne Warwick, Neil Sedaka, Gary Barlow

Website: eltonjohn.com

The Rolling Stones – See Our Profile

Also known as: The Stones

Origin: London, England

Genres: Rock, blues rock, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, hard rock, blues

Years active: 1962–present

Labels: Decca, London, Rolling Stones, Virgin, ABKCO, Interscope, Polydor

Website: rollingstones.com

Members: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood

Past members: Brian Jones, Ian Stewart, Bill Wyman, Mick Taylor

Pink Floyd – See Our Profile

Pink Floyd in January 1968, from the only known photo-shoot of all five members. Clockwise from bottom: Gilmour, Mason, Barrett, Waters, Wright

Origin: London, England

Genres: Progressive rock, psychedelic rock, art rock, blues rock

Years active: 1965–1994, 2013–2014 (one-off reunion: 2005)

Labels: EMI Columbia, Harvest, Capitol, Columbia, EMI, Parlophone

Website: pinkfloyd.com

Past members: Nick Mason, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Syd Barrett, David Gilmour

ABBA – See Our Profile

Also known as: Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid

Origin: Stockholm, Sweden

Genres: Pop, Europop, disco, Euro disco

Years active: 1972–1982

Labels: Polar, Metal, Polydor, Atlantic, Universal, Epic, Vogue, RCA, PolyGram, Sunshine (Rhodesia/Zimbabwe), Ariston/Dig It (Italy)

Associated acts: Hep Stars, Hootenanny Singers, Benny Anderssons Orkester

Website: abbasite.com

Past members: Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad

Led Zeppelin – See Our Profile

Origin: London, England

Genres: Hard rock, blues rock, folk rock, heavy metal

Years active: 1968–80 (reunions: 1985, 1988, 1995, 2007)

Labels: Atlantic, Swan Song

Associated acts: The Yardbirds, Band of Joy, the Firm, the Honeydrippers, Page and Plant

Website: ledzeppelin.com

Past members: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham, John Paul Jones,

The Cars

Formed: 1976, Boston, MA, United States

Members: Ric Ocasek (vocals, guitar), Elliot Easton (guitar), Greg Hawkes (keyboards, saxophone), David Robinson (drums), Benjamin Orr (vocals, bass, 1976-88)

Related Artists: Cap ‘n’ Swing, DMZ, Milkwood, The Modern Lovers, The New Cars, The Pop

Genres: New Wave, Pop Rock, Power Pop, Synthpop, Pop, AOR

George Harrison – See Our Profile

Born: February 24, 1943, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom

Died: November 29, 2001, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Member of: The Beatles, The Quarrymen, Traveling Wilburys

Related Artists: Delaney & Bonnie, Billy Preston, Radha Krishna Temple, Splinter

Notes: Married to Pattie Boyd [1966-77] and to Olivia Harrison [1978-2001]. Father of Dhani Harrison.

Also Known As: Carl Harrison, Artur Wax, Bette Y El Mysterioso, George H., George Harrysong, George O’Hara, George O’Hara-Smith, George Ohnothimagen Harrison, Hari Georgeson, Jai Raj Harisein, L’Angelo Mysterioso, Nelson Wilbury, Spike Wilbury, P.Roducer, Son of Harry

Genres: Pop Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Electronic, Experimental, Psychedelic Rock, Folk Pop

John Lennon – See Our Profile

Born: October 9, 1940, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom

Died: December 8, 1980, New York, NY, United States

Member of: The Beatles, The Dirty Mac, Plastic Ono Band, The Quarrymen

Related Artists: John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Harry Nilsson, Yoko Ono

Notes: Son of Freddie Lennon, father of Julian Lennon and Sean Ono Lennon; married to Yoko Ono [1969-80]

See also: John Lennon’s Jukebox

Also Known As: John Winston Lennon [birth name], John Ono Lennon, Dr Winston O’Boogie, Joel Nohnn, John O’Cean , Mel Torment, Mr Winston O’Reggae, Reverend Thumbs Ghurkin, Booker Table & The Maitre D’s, Captain Kundalini, Dwarf McDougal, Dr Dream, Winston Leg-Thigh

Genres: Pop Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Rock, Experimental, Pop, Rock & Roll

Bob Marley – See Our Profile

Born: February 6, 1945, Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica

Died: May 11, 1981, Miami, FL, United States

Member of: The Wailers

Related Artists: The Wailers Band

Notes: Tributed on: Hall of Fame: A Tribute to Bob Marley’s 50th Anniversary, Natty Dread, Time

Heals: A New Tribute to Bob Marley, Time Will Tell: A Tribute to Bob Marley

Son of Cedella Marley Booker, husband of Rita Marley, father of Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Julian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Damian Marley and Cedella Marley

Also Known As: Nesta Robert Marley [birth name]

Genres: Roots Reggae, Reggae, Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady, Ska, Ambient Dub

Marvin Gaye – See Our Profile

Born: April 2, 1939, Washington, DC, United States

Died: April 1, 1984, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Member of: The Marquees, The Moonglows

Related Artists: Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston, Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye

Notes: Brother of Frankie Gaye

Also Known As: Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. [birth name]

Genres: Soul, Smooth Soul, Pop Soul, Funk, Traditional Pop, Rhythm & Blues

Save

Exit mobile version