Home

Author Guidelines

Review TOS

Submit Articles

Member Login

Computer Guides

English Grammar Writing Software - Whitesmoke takes your writing from simple to sophisticate. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation checks plus a vast dictionary and thesaurus work to improve your texts.

Home | Arts | Music

Great Acts of the 70's

By: Matthew Kepnes

This music is a term used loosely to describe the music released in the early to late 70's by artists which have become great and therefore 'classics'. These bands are so great everyone still listens to them.

The Majority of these groups were highly unique and would become influential on many other bands for decades to come. No matter what year you were born in since the 70’s almost ANY band you listen to is influenced by bands from this era. So even if you are now only in your teens and you find your favorite band sounds unique you can bet your bottom dollar that they were influenced by a band from this era. (even if they don't even know it!)

The seventies was a great era for music because it truly was a ground breaking time for rockers. Nothing was stolen and everyone had their own sound even though, as always in music, the 70's was a evolution of the previous generation.

Artists such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Jimi Hendrix, Free, Allman Brothers, Queen, Black Sabbath, Cream, David Bowie, Status Quo are all examples of acts who made their start in the 60's but found their sound and style in the 70's and therefore gave rise to many other bands who then added their own flavor to these styles.

Lesser known bands such as Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash, Grand Funk Railroad, Scorpions (who became quite huge in the 80's) and Thin Lizzy are worthy of mentions but would not necessarily be known as legends. Where as other acts such as Queen became absolutely huge and remain so to this day.

It is the same with 'guitar heroes'. Almost every guitarist no matter what age has heard of or has listened to Hendrix, Clapton. Jimmy Page etc but there are other extremely talented and influential guitarists who are less well known that should be in the legend status as well. Two such examples are Richie Blackmore from deep purple and Michael Schenker from UFO. You will find some modern players such as Kirk Hammet and Dimebag Darrel were heavily influenced by Michael Schenker. But Schenker has not really achieved 'god like' status such as some of his contemporaries like Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton.

I could go on for hours about classic rock but some songs and albums rate a special mention for their guitar prowess and are worth your time to have at least a quick listen.

Here's a quick list of unknown gems of musical genius that you should listen to:

Deep purple:

Guitarist: Richie Blackmore:
Choice albums: Made in Japan and Deep Purple in Rock
Songs: Highway Star, Child in Time.
Some of the most blistering guitar work you will ever hear recorded in the early 70's and held the Guinness Book of Records title as the loudest recording ever made!

UFO:

Guitarist: Michael Schenker.
Choice Albums: Phenomenon and Force It.
Songs: Rock Bottom
One of the most exciting and dynamic solos ever recorded, he was about 18 at the time!

FREE:

Guitarist Paul Kossof
Album: Best of Free.
Songs: All Right Now, Fire and Water, .Mr. Big [live]
Simplistic and slow style excellent natural tone, all feeling!!! A Les Paul plugged straight into a marshal, no pedals and no tricks.

WISHBONE ASH:

Guitarists: Andy Powell & Ted Turner.
Choice albums: Argus and There's The Rub.
Excellent melody and twin harmony lead breaks, copied by many acts since! Very complex arrangements.

Article Source: http://bytepowered.org/articles

Matt Kepnes is a guitar worshiper. Check out his website at Axebay Used Guitars.

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated