The 1970's saw the rise of disco, which became one of the biggest genres of the decade, especially in the mid-to-late 70s. In Europe, a variant known as Euro disco rose in popularity towards the end of the 1970s.
Aside from disco, funk, smooth jazz, jazz fusion, and soul remained popular throughout the decade. Rock music played an important part in the Western musical scene, with punk rock thriving throughout the mid to late 1970s. Other subgenres of rock, particularly glam rock, hard rock, progressive, art rock and heavy metal achieved various amounts of success. Other genres such as reggae were innovative throughout the decade and grew a significant following.
Hip hop emerged during this decade, but was slow to start and didn't become significant until the late 1980s. Classical began losing a little momentum; however, through invention and theoretical development, this particular genre gave rise to experimental classical and minimalist music by classical composers. A subgenre of classical, film scores, remained popular with movie-goers.
Alongside the popularity of experimental music, the decade was notable for its contributions to electronic music, which rose in popularity with the continued development of synthesizers and harmonizers; more composers embraced this particular genre, gaining the notice of listeners who were looking for something new and different. Its rising popularity, mixed with the popular music of the period, led to the creation of synthpop. Pop also had a popularity role in the 1970s.
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. they have dubbed their music simply "rock and roll".
Alex Chilton was an American songwriter, guitarist, singer and producer, best known as the lead singer of the Box Tops and Big Star.
B.B. King is considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, earning the nickname "The King of the Blues"
The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960 and widely regarded as the most influential acts of the rock era.
Billy Idol is an English musician, singer, songwriter & actor. He achieved fame in the 1970s as a member of the punk rock band Generation X.
Blondie is a American rock band founded by Debbie Harry & Chris Stein that pioneered the New York new wave & punk scenes of the 1970s.
Bob Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, & guitarist who achieved international fame & acclaim.
Bruce Springsteen (Nicknamed "The Boss") is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and humanitarian.
Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band, formed in 1976 by singer-songwriter-guitarist Pete Shelley and singer-songwriter Howard Devoto.
Described as "one of modern music's true innovators" with "a singular body of work virtually unrivalled in its daring and fluid creativity."
Carlos Santana is a Mexican and American musician who first became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana.
Cat Stevens (real name Yusuf Islam) is a British singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, humanitarian, and education philanthropist
Chic is an American band that was organized during 1976 by guitarist Nile Rodgers & bassist Bernard Edwards.
So sad to hear of the passing of Chuck Berry, rock 'n' roll legend who influenced generations of great musicians
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk.
The Cortinas were a pioneering punk band from Bristol successful in the late 1970s. Their guitarist Nick Sheppard went on to join The Clash.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's music unerringly reflected the tastes & viewpoints of the counterculture in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The Cure are an English rock band formed in 1976 & has experienced several line-up changes with Robert Smith being the only constant member.
David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.
David Gilmour is a guitarist, vocalist and writer with the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, but is also renowned for his solo work.
Devo is an American rock band, formed in 1973 their music mingles science fiction themes, surrealist humor & satirical social commentary.
Dr Feelgood is a well-loved British R&B band hailing from Canvey Island, Essex most known for their singles 'Roxette' & 'Back in the Night'
Duke Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and bandleader and is considered to have elevated the perception of jazz to an art form.
Sir Elton John is an English pianist, singer-songwriter, composer & pop icon who has sold millions of records and won countless awards.
Elvis Costello is an English musician, singer-songwriter & record producer, his career began in London's pub rock scene during the 1970s.
Eric Clapton is an English rock & blues guitarist, singer & songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The Faces were an English rock band formed in the wake of the Small Faces’ split in 1969, releasing four studio LPs and one live album.
Of all the bands formed during the '70s punk revolution, The Fall, led by frontman Mark E. Smith were the most longer-lived & innovative
Fats Domino was one of the all-time great performers, pioneer of rock'n'roll and piano wizard that influenced generations of musicians.
Fleetwood Mac are one of the world's greatest rock bands having sold over more than 100 million records over the last 50 years
As a self-taught composer and performer, Zappa's diverse musical influences led him to create music that was often difficult to categorize.
Free were an English rock band formed in 1968 & credited with laying the foundations for the rise of hard rock.
Iggy Pop is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actor. He was the vocalist of influential proto-punk band The Stooges.
The Jam were an English punk rock/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey.
Early shot of The Fall at Central Station Car Park, Manchester in the summer of 1978
This photo session was for No.1 Magazine (long since extinct) on a Eurythmics press day, they’d been doing interviews all day.
Angus Young, from AC/DC, captured in a small street outside a press meeting in Copenhagen in 1977
Shooting promotional films for the singles Rain & Paperback Writer at Chiswick Park Gardens in May 1966
Critics have called The Smiths the most important alternative rock band to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s.
The Ramones' loud, fast, straightforward musical style was influenced by music that the band members grew up listening to in the 50s & 60s.
Fleetwood Mac are one of the world's greatest rock bands having sold over more than 100 million records over the last 50 years
Lou Reed was one of music's most influential icons. His music defied all definitions of genre & left a legacy that has inspired generations
We are all still reeling from the tragic loss of David Bowie. Here is a wonderful tribute from one of our photographers, Mark Mawston.
The USA has given us many of the world's greatest music artists - we celebrate the best of the best
Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists
Our contact sheet collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.
