Music Styles in the 1970s
The intellectual and artistic movements of the 1960s transitioned and spilled over into the proceeding generation of the 1970s. However, unlike its predecessor, the 1970s harbored many genres of music, each with its own agenda and purpose, and straying away from the social conscious mindset of the 60s to a more relaxed and whimsical celebration of music and good times.
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Progressive Rock
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Progressive rock moved away from the rhythm and blues formula of rock 'n' roll to a more improvisational and classical structure. Bands like Yes, Rush and Genesis formed classical tapestries within their musical scores.
Disco
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Disco ball Disco found its way onto the dance floor through the earlier funk influences of James Brown and Sly and The Family Stone. Musicians such as War and the Jackson Five created dance music, but Robert Moog's introduction of the synthesizer solidified disco as envisioned today through the likes of the Bee Gees and Donna Summer.
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Punk
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Punk style hairdo Punk music originated in the states with the Ramones, but escalated into a social phenomenon in London when unemployment rates went up in the industrial cities. The Sex Pistols's lyrics from God Save The Queen registered with the audience's unfavorable view of Margaret Thatcher.
Singer Songwriter
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A typical singer songwriter wrote and sang the material himself. Solo musicians like James Taylor and Carole King wrote, orchestrated and performed their own material. Billy Joel and Elton John, both classically trained artists, also wrote and performed their own songs.
New Wave
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Critics called new wave a transformed, lighter version of punk rock with a mixture of other styles. Most people think of the 80s when they hear new wave, but its roots started in the 1970s. New wave did not popularize until the late 70s with Blondie, The Cars, the Talking Heads and the B-52s.
Hard Rock
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Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath implemented distortion in their guitar riffs, creating the rough and hoarse trademark sound of heavy metal bands like Blue Oyster Cult and AC/DC.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Richard Image by Fotolia.com, courtesy of askthegeek Image by Fotolia.com, courtesy of Cora Reed
