The Absolute 20 Best Rock Bands of the 70s

While some of these bands formed in the late 1960s, their heyday occurred during the 1970s. The 1970s was the era of stadium rock and bands who could fill arenas. Here are the 20 best rock bands from the 1970s.

20. Blue Öyster Cult

Formed on Long Island in 1967, Blue Öyster Cult fuses hard rock and psychedelia. One of the hardest-working bands during the 70s, they slogged as an opening act for practically everyone, including KISS. That all changed with their breakout 1976 hit “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.” “Godzilla” followed in 1977. The group has sold 25 million records worldwide.

19. ZZ Top

Although the band reinvented itself with synth-infused radio hits in the 1980s, rock fans relish their golden years of the 1970s. Formed in Texas, in 1969, vocalist-guitarist Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard, and bassist-vocalist Dusty Hill churned out an infectious blend of blues and rock that became FM radio staples. Singles from the 70s included “La Grange” and “Tush.”

18. Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy is one of the most influential hard rock bands of all time, particularly the use of melodic, twin lead guitar harmony lines which became a staple of groups like Iron Maiden. Thin Lizzy rose to prominence with 1976’s Jailbreak. The album yielded the single “The Boys Are Back in Town.” Tragically, singer/bassist and principal songwriter Phil Lynott died in 1986.

17. Chicago

Formed as the Chicago Transit Authority in 1968, the group innovatively blended rock ‘n’ roll with horns and elements of rock, pop, jazz, R&B, and classical music. The band first broke into the top ten in 1970. They churned out numerous top-ten radio hits throughout the 70s and 80s. Selling over 100 million records, Chicago is one of the best-selling groups ever.

16. The Ramones

Formed in 1974, The Ramones are among the most influential groups ever. Although never commercially successful, they pioneered punk rock with a style more garage-rock and pop than their angst-laden UK counterparts. The Ramones were awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. They were also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.

15. The Steve Miller Band

Formed in 1966, Steve Miller shifted away from a blues-based sound in the 1970s, with the #1 hit “The Joker” in 1973. Fly Like an Eagle in 1976, yielded the #1 “Rock’n Me,” #2 “Fly Like an Eagle,” and #11 “Take the Money and Run.” 1977’s Book of Dreams, scored with #8 “Jet Airliner,” #17 “Swingtown,” and #23 “Jungle Love.”

14. Bad Company

Bad Company hit #1 with their eponymous debut album despite none of their singles breaking the Hot 100 charts in the US. Nonetheless, they were a huge concert draw and popular on FM. This would be the case for their first four albums until 1979’s Desolation Angels found a hit with “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy.”

13. Heart

Heart was formed in 1973. Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson became the focal point. Blending hard rock and folk music, their 1975 album Dreamboat Annie reached #7 in the US propelled by the #9 hit “Magic Man” and “Crazy on You.” The band had five platinum albums in the 70s before a brief lull in the early 80s.

12. Foreigner

Foreigner was formed in New York City in 1976 by guitarist Mick Jones and vocalist Lou Graham. Their self-titled debut in 1977 spawned two top-10 singles and one top-20 single. 1978’s Double Vision yielded similar results. 1979’s Head Games yielded two top-20 singles. Seven of their nine albums reached the top 30. Foreigner has sold more than 80 million records worldwide.

11. Deep Purple

Formed in London in 1968, Deep Purple pioneered hard rock and heavy metal. They shifted from psychedelic rock to more progressive during the 1970s. The group is hailed for its musicianship and instrumental prowess. Their 1972 concert at London’s Rainbow Theatre awarded them a Guinness Book of World Records as “the globe’s loudest band.” Deep Purple has sold over 100 million records worldwide.

10. Black Sabbath

Some argue Black Sabbath invented heavy metal. Formed in 1968 in Birmingham, their eponymous 1970 debut album and title track is said to be the first doom metal song. The group pioneered slow, sludging rhythms and down-tuned guitars. Black Sabbath’s popularity was driven by word-of-mouth and concerts rather than radio singles. They are one of the most influential bands of all time.

9. Boston

Founding member Tom Scholz founded Boston in 1975 and recorded and produced their debut album in his basement. Their eponymous release was the best-selling debut album in history, going 17 times platinum. It stayed on the chart for 132 weeks. 1978’s Don’t Look Back, reached #1 and went 7 times platinum in the US.

8. Electric Light Orchestra

Formed in Birmingham in 1970, the Electric Light Orchestra was innovative for using orchestral instruments in a rock band. ELO churned out a wealth of top-20 hits during the 1970s. Including “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Telephone Line,” “Evil Woman,” “Turn to Stone,” “Shine a Little Love,” “Strange Magic,” “Living’ Thing,” and “Can’t Get It Out Of My Head.”

7. Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd pioneered and inspired the Southern rock genre. They formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964. In 1977, at the height of their popularity, three band members were killed in a 1977 plane crash, including lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant. They are known for hits such as “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird.” Ronnie’s brother Johnny continues as lead vocalist.

6. The Doobie Brothers

Formed in 1970, The Doobie Brothers created an irresistible blend of rock grooves, vocal harmony, and infectious hooks. Their career took off on their second album Toulouse Street. Ten of their albums have achieved either gold or platinum. They had a string of top-40 hits, including the #1’s “Black Water,” “What a Fool Believes,” and the #8 “Long Train Runnin’.”

5. Aerosmith

Aerosmith formed in Boston in 1970 and became one of the most popular rock groups of the era. Their breakout album was 1975’s Toys in the Attic. The band was a top concert draw, not relying on radio singles. That popularity fueled sales of their entire album catalog. The band reinvented itself in the 80s and 90s with more radio-friendly fare.

4. Fleetwood Mac

Formed in 1967, Fleetwood Mac had two different eras. The first was more blues-based, led by guitarist and singer Peter Green. The next Fleetwood Mac incarnation, adding guitarist/singer Lindsey Buckingham and singer Stevie Nicks, had three multi-platinum albums during the 70s. 1975’s Fleetwood Mac reached #1 with 3 top-twenty singles. 1977’s Rumors, reached #1 and had four top-ten singles.

3. Kiss

Decried by critics, rabid fans made KISS the first group whose albums were so in demand they shipped platinum status. The band was innovative in its elaborate makeup, and costumes, and set the standard for bombastic stage shows. They revolutionized music merchandising. KISS has sold over 25 million albums, 30 of which were gold as of July 2015.

2. Queen

Formed in London in 1970, Queen started out blending hard rock, heavy metal, and progressive rock before later venturing into more radio-friendly fare. They were a major concert draw during the 1970s. Their biggest hit of the era was “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Other hits included “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions,” which became sporting event anthems.

1. Eagles

One of the best-selling bands of all time, the Eagles received six Grammy awards and had six number-one albums. They had 14 top-forty singles during the 1970s. Five singles went to #1: “Hotel California,” “New Kid in Town,” “One of These Nights,” “Best of My Love,” and “Heartache Tonight.” They’ve sold over 200 million albums worldwide.