Https://infospectaclesloisirs.com
The 70s music
When Music Dared to Do It All
The decade of long hair, flashy outfits, and sound systems turned up loud, The 70s music were one of the most creative and revolutionary periods in music history.
From epic rock to funky grooves, from glittery glam to deep reggae — it’s time to rediscover the 10 major musical movements that made a whole generation dance, think, and feel.
And for each style, we highlight the iconic bands who wrote the most unforgettable chapters of this musical era.
1. Rock 'n'Roll : Pure Energy
Born in the 1950s, rock ‘n’ roll didn’t disappear in the ‘70s… it just got a fresh coat of paint.
Legends like The Beatles, Chuck Berry, and The Rolling Stones kept moving crowds, even though some (like The Beatles) split early in the decade.
- The Beatles, before their 1970 breakup, left behind a monumental influence. Their musical evolution gave birth to many new forms of rock — some of which are still alive today.
- The Rolling Stones, on the other hand, added a solid dose of blues to their rock mix. Result? The birth of rock blues, which would conquer stages and clubs around the world.
2. Progressive Rock : The Madness of Big Ambitions
Progressive rock (or prog rock) is like a sci-fi movie: grandiose, complex, sometimes psychedelic, always surprising.
This genre dared everything — 20-minute tracks, philosophical concepts, sky-high guitar solos, and poetic lyrics.
Iconic bands:
- Pink Floyd – Geniuses of spacey sounds and hypnotic atmospheres
- The Doors – Mysterious, dark, poetic
- Genesis – Before Phil Collins, with Peter Gabriel, they were theatrical and wild
- Yes, King Crimson, ELO, Jethro Tull, Santana – The latter mixed rock with Latin rhythms for a unique sound
- In France, Ange and Magma carried the prog-rock flag proudly.
3. Hard Rock & Heavy Metal : Heavy, Powerful, Loud
If the ‘70s changed music, it was also thanks to the explosive arrival of hard rock and heavy metal.
Heavy guitars, fiery drums, powerful vocals — these genres simply don’t go unnoticed.
Key artists:
- Led Zeppelin – The father of hard rock
- Deep Purple – A storm of killer riffs and wild organ solos
- AC/DC – Raw energy, no filters
- Kiss, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Motörhead, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Trust, Océan, H-Bomb …
- In France, Océan, Trust…
All helped shape a movement that never stopped growing.
4. Punk Rock – Rebellion, Energy, Anti-Style
The ‘70s also saw the explosion of punk rock — a movement born on the streets of London and New York, as a reaction to progressive excess and musical conformity.
Short, fast, raw, often political : punk is first and foremost an attitude, not just a genre.
Pioneer bands:
- The Sex Pistols – The most iconic face of the movement
- The Clash – Political, engaged, loud
- Ramones – Inventors of American punk, with ultra-fast, short songs
- Blondie – With Debbie Harry, mixing punk, new wave, and pop effortlessly
- In France, the movement was more discreet but definitely present.
The band Bijou embodied one of the first French punk waves, with raw energy and a
clear anti-establishment vibe.
5. Glam Rock – The Party Rock Scene
Time for glitter, high heels, and bold makeup, glam rock was born to shine on stage.
It’s a genre that dares everything: eccentric looks, dramatic voices, and catchy choruses.
Iconic names:
- David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane… he alone embodies the glam spirit
- T. Rex – With Marc Bolan, he launched the glam wave in Europe
- Sweet, Slade, Roxy Music – Bands that mixed rock, pop, and showmanship
- In France, Ange is often linked to glam rock, although its look wasn’t as extravagant as
British acts. Still, it shared the same desire to break traditional rock codes.
6. Folk Rock : Between Authenticity and Melancholy
Folk rock was born from an unlikely marriage: the deep roots of folk music met the power of rock.
Introspective, sincere, often led by deep voices and poetic lyrics — it’s music for the soul.
Legendary artists:
- Bob Dylan – The spiritual father of the movement
- The Byrds – They started the folk-rock trend with their 12-string guitar sound
- Simon & Garfunkel, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Eagles. They popularized this subtle mix
of melancholy and gentle rebellion
- In France you will find this blend of folk and rock with:
- Alan Stivell – Breton artist reviving Celtic harp music
- Malicorne – Influential French folk group of the 70s
7. Reggae : Jamaica’s Soul
Reggae arrived from the Caribbean in the 1970s, bringing its unmistakable groove: bass-heavy, syncopated rhythm, and powerful, conscious lyrics.
Also, a music carrying values: peace, love, Rastafarian spirituality.
Cult icons:
- Bob Marley – King of reggae, making the world dance
- Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Bunny Wailer – The pillars of the movement
- In France, reggae slowly entered the scene — but it would take until the 80s to really blossom.
8. Funk & Soul : Music of the Soul
The funk and soul of the 1970s brought a whole vibe: groove, heavy bass, blazing horns, and powerful vocals.
It’s the music that makes you dance but also speaks to your soul.
Iconic artists:
- James Brown – Father of funk, with legendary choreography
- Parliament-Funkadelic – Wild universes, amazing shows
- Stevie Wonder – A musical genius blending soul, funk, and pop
- Earth, Wind & Fire – Melodies that make you smile
- In France, Nino Ferrer was one of the rare figures representing this style.
With songs like Le Sud, he blended groove, deep voice, and lounge vibes,
a classic of the genre.
9. Electronic Music : The Technological Revolution
The 1970s also marked the arrival of futuristic sound — electronic music began to carve out a place in the musical landscape.
Synths, drum machines, unheard sound effects — a new era was opening.
Pioneers:
- Kraftwerk – Germans who created mechanical, cold, hypnotic sound
- Jean-Michel Jarre – The Frenchman who danced with lights and spacey sounds
- Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, The Human League – Exploring uncharted sonic territories
- In France, we also had Pierre Henry, a pioneer of concrete music, and his cult piece Messe pour le temps présent.
- While electronic music was still niche back then, it would quickly grow in the following decades — especially with the rise of new wave, techno, and electro.
10. Pop Rock : The Sound of Hits
Pop rock is a bit blurry, but extremely effective — it blends pop accessibility with rock power.
It’s the genre that makes radios, stadiums, and teenage bedrooms shake.
Must-know artists:
- Queen – Timeless hits, a unique mix of rock, opera, and pop
- Fleetwood Mac – Melodies that touch the heart
- Bruce Springsteen – The soul of American rock
- Michael Jackson – Yes, already! With his solo debut
- Pat Benatar, Linda Ronstadt, Cyndi Lauper – Voices that defined an era
And Pop Music : The Commercial Wave
While pop rock leans more toward rock, pop music of the ‘70s aimed to please a wide audience.
No strong political message – just catchy melodies, often carefully crafted.
Artists that shaped the pop scene:
- Elton John – Immortal melodies
- David Bowie – Glam, pop, and rock rolled into one
- Roxy Music – A touch of British elegance
- The Beach Boys, The Carpenters, Shocking Blue – Classics for all audiences
Conclusion : A Decade That Changed Everything
The 1970s music were a true musical revolution. From Rock ‘n’ Roll to Pop Music, through Reggae, Funk, Electronica, and Heavy Metal, each genre brought its own unique flavor to this explosive decade.
Most importantly, this period remains a symbol of artistic innovation and freedom.
Every musician, every band, every style dared to go further, explore new sound territories, and create magical moments that still echo today.
So, ready to revisit this legendary decade?
Whether on stage, in your playlists, or just in your memories, the 70s will forever be engraved in our collective memory.
Written by: Dominique Henry,
for Infos Spectacles & Loisirs.
Illustrative photos by Google.
Except the header photo created with Midjouney.