Top 10 70s Bands You Forgot Were Awesome

Sure, theyre best known for introducing Lionel Richie to the world. But what you might not remember is the fact that they could seriously get down. A far cry from the squeaky-clean stylings that Richie would eventually offer up in his solo work, the Commodores, in their most famous iteration, engineered some of the funkiest tunes known to man. Early career hits like Brick House and the instrumental Machine Gun proved that they were a force to be reckoned with. For more evidence, look no further than the bands 1977 self-titled album, which shows off their pop sensibilities and musical well-roundedness and features the timeless ballad Easy.

Eye-popping name aside, Mott scored their biggest hit in 1972, with the generational anthem All the Young Dudes. Of course, it certainly didnt hurt that none other than David Bowie, from whom they scored a crucial co-sign, wrote and produced it. Following years of cult appeal with little mainstream success, that song blew them into the stratosphere. The resulting album of the same name was subsequently produced by Bowie. Although Mott only released a handful of albums before disbanding in 1980, give them a shot youll find that theyre much more than just some Young Dudes.

Theres a good chance you dont know these versatile L.A. rockers by name. And thats a genuine shame, because theyre responsible for some of the grooviest, most dynamic pop music of the 1970s. Originally founded as a progressive rock band in the vein of Rush, Ambrosia gradually transitioned to a sound inspired by the blue-eyed soul and soft rock of the era. However, they never totally abandoned their roots: while their singles made highly effective use of lead singer David Packs soulful vocals, their deep cuts retain a distinctly technical flair. Listen to the 1978 album Life Beyond L.A., a silky-smooth showcase for Ambrosias ability to think outside of the box.

Legendary producer Brian Eno once said of the Velvet Underground that he thought, despite low album sales, that everyone who bought one [...] started a band. The same could be said of 70s power-pop pioneers the Flamin Groovies. Although the group didnt quite break on through to the next level of fame, theyve been cited as being among the founding fathers of punk rock. This is largely attributed to their relocation to the U.K., at which point they became associated with legends like the Ramones and Sex Pistols. Despite several lineup shuffles and pervasive infighting, the Flamin Groovies work stands as a rousing 70s time capsule that deserves a little more appreciation.

Do you like songs about rock music, and just generally about rocking out? Then these beloved hard rockers from Canada are just the band for you. Founded in Waverley, Nova Scotia in the late 60s, April Wine found most of their success in their home and native land, but have maintained an international cult fanbase in the decades since their 70s peak. Even still, they racked up an impressive number of American hits, including I Like to Rock and the Hot Chocolate cover You Could Have Been a Lady, which reached the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. O Canada, indeed!

The 2023 passing of Television frontman Tom Verlaine unleashed an outpouring of love for these artfully-minded punks. While we wish it had been under better circumstances, theres no better time than the present to appreciate what Television did with the then-budding genre. Regular fixtures at the legendary CBGB nightclub in New York City, Television subverted expectations by taking inspiration from unconventional sources, like jazz and the minimalist compositions of Steve Reich. The band released only two albums during the 1970s: 1977s Marquee Moon, and the following years Adventure. The fact that theres so little music credited to them is a testament to their outsize influence, and the long shadow they cast over the future of rock music.

If all youve ever heard from these iconic Irish rockers is The Boys Are Back in Town, then weve got several songs that you need to blast at full volume. Founded in the late 60s by singer/bassist Phil Lynott and drummer Brian Downey, Thin Lizzy rose to prominence in the early 70s with their reinterpretation of Whiskey in the Jar, a traditional Irish ballad. A few years later, the 1976 album Jailbreak put them on the global map, and generated a number of hard-rocking hits. The bands peak period of productivity ended in 1983, and Lynotts untimely 1986 death dealt Thin Lizzy fans a major blow. But thankfully, their extensive back catalogue will have you exclaiming that the boys are well, you know.

Theyre routinely acclaimed as one of the best and most influential bands of the 70s. But it took decades for them to be recognized as such. Their sound, emphasizing sugary-sweet melodies and harmonies and jangly guitar riffs, proved to be a major reference point for the alternative rock boom of the 80s and 90s. In fact, such giants as R.E.M. and the Replacements have called Big Star one of their most prominent sources of inspiration. At the very least, they consistently received warm critical notices for the moving, deeply felt songwriting of co-singers Chris Bell and Alex Chilton. Billboard said it best in their review of Big Stars debut album #1 Record: Every cut could be a single.

If Baby Blue sounds familiar to you, then chances are you heard it in the closing moments of the AMC crime drama Breaking Bad. Having said that, you might have forgotten that Badfinger were reliable hitmakers throughout the 1970s. Like Mott the Hoople and David Bowie, this Welsh power-pop band was championed by the one and only Paul McCartney (maybe youve heard of him). The former Beatle even wrote and produced the hit song Come and Get It for them. Their discography is well worth exploring, especially for those curious to explore the extended universe of the Beatles, but also in its own right. Without You, for example, became a hit when covered, respectively, by Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey, among countless others.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Guess Who

The Ides of March

Little Feat

Poco

10cc

Its okay, you can admit it the first thing you thought of when we named this band was Will Ferrell and more cowbell. While were sure the guys in Blue Öyster Cult might not be thrilled about that, that iconic SNL sketch provided younger viewers with an opportunity to dig into their impressive discography. Their non-Reaper songs show a heavy side that could rival even Black Sabbath, but those werent the songs that caught on. For more of the heavy stuff, check out their first few albums, like 1972s self-titled, 1973s Tyranny and Mutation, and 1974s Secret Treaties.

Which 70s band on our list is your favorite? Are there any we missed? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!