The 1970s saw plenty of change, scandals, and movements emerge. Additionally, the Watergate scandal occurred during this decade, and fights for equality arose for many marginalized groups. The protests and movements carried forward from the 60s. In addition to the changes, numerous musical artists continued making a name for themselves or started appearing on the radar.
Furthermore, many artists used their creative talents to advocate for equality, change, and more. Not to mention, these artists were very entertaining. This article is going to take a look at the top music artists from the 70s.
To compile a list of the top music artists from the 70s, 24/7 Tempo consulted numerous sources. These include IMDb and billboard.com. Here are 19 of the top music artists from the 70s.
Stevie Wonder
- Number One Hits: 10
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: 28
Stevie Wonder was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins. As a result of being born six weeks early, Wonder developed retinopathy of prematurity, which resulted in blindness. When he was a young child, he moved to Detroit with his mother and siblings, and his mom changed his name to Stevland Morris. Being born blind did not stop Wonder from pursuing his passions. In fact, as a child, he learned to play several instruments, including drums, piano, bass, and harmonica.
Then Stevie Wonder started performing professionally in 1961 when he was 11 and signed with Motown Records. His stage name “Wonder” came from being called a “little wonder” when the audience saw his talent. However, Wonder shed the “little” part of the nickname as he grew older and became known as Stevie Wonder.
Stevie Wonder’s popular hits in the 70s include “Superstition,” “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” and “As.” He was also a songwriter, and a few of the famous songs he wrote include “The Tears of a Clown” For Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, “It’s a Shame” for The Spinners, and “I Can’t Help It,” for Michael Jackson.
Elton John
- Number One Hits: Nine
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: 29
Elton John perhaps owned the entire ’70s decade. He released a self-titled album in 1970, nominated for a Grammy Award, Album of the Year. Without a doubt, one of the biggest hits from this self-titled album was “Your Song.” Elton John’s album “Tumbleweed Connection” also propelled him to become one of the top pop artists in the 70s.
Apart from his long, successful career, he supports many charities and causes, including supporting the AIDS Foundation. Elton John continues to be a living legend in the music industry.
Led Zeppelin
- Number One Billboard Hits: Zero
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: One
Led Zeppelin was a famous British band that quickly became a top-selling artistic group through the 70s and remains popular today. The band was signed in 1968 by Atlantic Records and consisted of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Bonham.
The top Led Zeppelin songs include “Whole Lotta Love,” “Stairway to Heaven,” and “Black Dog.” Consequently, Led Zeppelin saw a successful career in the 1970s through many turbulent events. Unfortunately, John Bonham died in 1980 from pulmonary edema, and in December, the band officially dissolved. However, there have been a few instances where the band members reunited, such as in 1994 during an ” Unplugged ” episode on MTV. While their time together was short, Led Zeppelin made an undeniably lasting impact on music history.
The Rolling Stones
- Number One Hits: Eight
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: 23
When it comes to legendary icons, The Rolling Stones are high on the list. Over the band’s career, they have sold over 300 million records. Additionally, they have put out 55 albums.
The Rolling Stones began in 1966 and consisted of members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts. Throughout the years, more members have joined, including Mick Taylor, Ron Wood, and Darryl Jones. Unquestionably, one of their biggest hit songs is “Satisfaction.”
Fun fact: Keith Richards stated that he came up with the song’s riff while sleeping. He woke up and then recorded it on a tape recorder. Finally, Mick Jagger then finished off the wording, and the rest is history.
Pink Floyd
- Number One Hits: One
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: One
Another rock group that gained popularity in the 70s was Pink Floyd. With hit albums like “Dark Side of the Moon,” this band made a mark with their experimentation of sound effects, letting instruments take center stage and more.
Pink Floyd originally consisted of band members Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Richard Wright, and David Gilmour. Initially, Barrett was the principal songwriter and guitarist. However, a struggle with mental illness meant Barrett had to step away from the band, and Gilmour then took over. Evidently, the band became inactive after their first last album, “The Final Cut.” Thereafter, the members pursued their individual careers, with Gilmour and Mason coming together later to release one last Pink Floyd album, “The Endless River.”
Eagles
- Number One Hits: Five
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: 10
The Eagles were a country rock group that took the 70s by storm. Initially, the band consisted of Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner. Without a doubt, the Eagles helped bring country rock to the mainstream.
Emotional, easygoing, and dramatic are all words to describe music from the Eagles. Some of their more popular songs include “Take It Easy” and “Hotel California.” The latter was originally going to be named “Mexican Reggae.” Recording “Hotel California” was a success for the band. While many people wonder what this song is truly about, Henley has stated that “Hotel California” was written about hedonism and excess in American culture.
Queen
- Number One Hits: Two
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: Four
Heavy metal and hard rock became prevalent in Great Britain during the late 60s. With it came several amazing bands that shaped the genre today. In fact, one of these bands was Queen.
Queen was made up of band members Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon. One interesting fact about the band Queen is that their first album was, by all accounts, a washout. Subsequently, after they released “Queen II,” their hit “Seven Seas of Rhye” propelled them into a successful band. More of their most loved songs include “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Somebody to Love,” “We Are the Champions,” and “Another One Bites the Dust.”
Marvin Gaye
- Number One Hits: Three
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: 18
Marvin Gaye was known as the “Prince of Motown.” He began as an in-house session player. Following this, he then gained the spotlight as a solo singer-songwriter. Marvin Gaye’s most popular songs include “Let’s Get It On,” “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You),” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”
Surprisingly, Gaye was shot and killed by his father after an argument on April 1, 1984. He has received several honors posthumously, including being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
ABBA
- Number One Hits: One
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: Four
The “Take a Chance” band ABBA became prominent in the 1970s and released between 380 and 500 million records. The band was formed in 1969 and included Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Interestingly, the band name ABBA was an acronym for each member’s first letter.
Furthermore, music videos also helped make this band as popular as they became, and when disco exploded in the United States, this band was ready with their popular hits. These include “Dancing Queen” and “Mama Mia.” While the band had an unquestionably successful run in the 70s, after Andersson and Lyngstad divorced, ABBA split up in 1982.
Neil Young
- Number One Hits: One
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: One
Neil Young has had a successful career as an artist, songwriter, and actor. First, Neil joined the band Buffalo Springfield in 1966. Next, he went on to join Crosby Stills Nash & Young. Young has had hits like “Ohio,” “Cinnamon Girl,” and “Powderfinger.”
In addition, Neil Young has one of those voices you recognize anywhere. It is distinctively a high tenor. However, his guitar playing has also set him apart as one of the ultimate greats.
Fleetwood Mac
- Number One Hits: One
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: Nine
Pop-rock band Fleetwood Mac originally consisted of members Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Peter Green, and Jeremy Spencer and began in 1967. Their first album, “Albatross,” shot them to success.
The band first began in the British blues genre. However, Fleetwood Mac migrated to pop-rock after moving to the United States in the 70s and adding the band members Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. Popular songs include “Dreams,” “Landslide,” and “Go Your Own Way.” After going their separate ways, several band members, including Stevie Nicks, pursued individual careers.
Kiss
- Number One Hits: Zero
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: Two
Kiss is a rock band recognizable by their painted faces and outfits. The band was initially formed in 1973, and its popularity rose by the end of the 70s. Original members included Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, and Gene Simmons. While their painted faces and outfits were out of the ordinary from many other rock groups, they also caught the audience’s attention with their exciting performances. In fact, these performances would have fantastical tricks such as smoking guitars and fire breathing.
Evidently, it was hard not to be curious about the band Kiss. While they have had many hit songs, one of their more popular ones is “Rock and Roll All Night.”
The Carpenters
- Number One Hits: Three
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: 12
The Carpenters consisted of two siblings, Karen Carpenter and Richard Carpenter. Although their sound was soft rock, they often were ridiculed for not fitting the rock image. Instead, they were called “goody two shoes.” This, however, did not stop the duo. The Carpenters had three number-one hits, 12 top-ten hits, and 27 songs on the Billboard charts. Additionally, among their most popular songs are “Please Mr. Postman,” “Top of the World,” and “(They Long To Be) Close To You.”
Andy Gibb
- Number One Hits: Three
Andy Gibb was the younger brother of the sibling group, the Bee Gees. While growing up, he lived in their shadow and desired to be successful in music. Therefore, by the time he was 20, Andy Gibb was well immersed in the music industry. Nevertheless, Gibb had several top hits, including “I Just Want to Be Your Everything” and “Shadow Dancing.” Tragically, Andy Gibb’s life and success were cut short right after his 30th birthday when he passed away from a heart infection.
Foreigner
- Number One Hits: One
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: Nine
The rock band group Foreigner was formed in 1976. The group consisted of Mick Jones, Lou Gramm, King Crimson, Ian McDonald, Al Greenwood, and Ed Gagliardi. Furthermore, the band coined their name because the group consisted of Americans and Englishmen. Throughout the 70s and 80s, Foreigner produced top charting songs like “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Hot Blooded,” and “Feels Like the First Time.” Additionally, Foreigner has sold over 80 million records throughout their musical reign and is still considered one of the best rock bands to emerge in the 20th century.
Bob Seger
- Number One Hits: One
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: Seven
Bob Seger was not only a singer but also a songwriter. His top songs include “Old Time Rock and Roll,” “Like a Rock,” and “Turn the Page.” Additionally, Seger co-wrote the song “Heartache Tonight” for the Eagles. Furthermore, one of Seger’s most unique and telling characteristics is his raspy voice. Although he is retired now, he made an impactful mark on the music industry from the 60s until the 90s.
The Bee Gees
- Number One Hits: Nine
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: 15
The Bee Gees were a pop musical band of brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. They made such a prominent impact on the music industry that they are often called “The Disco Kings.” Among their hits include the soundtrack written for the movie Saturday Night Fever and included the song “Staying Alive.” Naturally, this soundtrack propelled the Bee Gees Forward and helped them make a mark on disco music, which became more prevalent in the 70s.
Kenny Rogers
- Number One Hits: Two
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: 11
Before becoming the country superstar of the 70s, Kenny Rogers dabbled in teen and psychedelic rock. Rogers’s nickname was “The Gambler,” coined for his number-one hit song “The Gambler,” which spent six weeks on the charts in November of 1980. In addition, top hits include “Islands In the Stream,” a duet with Dolly Parton, and “Lady.” Not only was Kenny Rogers a singer, but he was also an actor and record producer.
Donna Summer
- Number One Hits: Four
- Top Ten Billboard Hits: 14
Donna Summer was a singer-songwriter who merged several genres, including Soul, Rock, and Disco, and her sound was dance music. Summer received five Grammys. Her top hits include “Hot Stuff,” “Bad Girls,” and “She Works Hard for The Money.” Another one of her hits was “Love to Love You Baby.” She later stated that when she wrote the song, it was a “concept” and not an actual song. Donna Summer earned the nickname “Disco Queen” for her exceptional stamp on disco and dance music. (Take a look at the biggest hits from the 70s.)