Unknown Legends of Classic Rock Music

This genre 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 very unique and would become influential on many other bands for years to come. No matter what year you were born in since the 70′s almost every band you listen to is influenced by artists from this era. So even if you are now only in your teens and you find your favorite band sounds “totally original” you can bet your bottom dollar that they were influenced by someone from this era. (even if they don’t even know it!)

The seventies were a great era because it was truly a ground breaking time for music. Nothing was copied or rehashed and everyone had their own sound. The 1970s represented a culmination and expansion of sounds that were experimented on in the 1960s. Bands 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 flavour 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 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 listened to Hendrix, Clapton, or Jimmy Page but there are other extremely talented and influential guitarists who are less well known that should have 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 THE “god like” status some of his contemporaries like Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton have.

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.

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!

This decade produced excellent music and it is not just the big name bands. Learn more about all the bands and expand your music tastes. You’ll thank me when you did and you will be rocking out all night.

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