1. Bay City Rollers
For a few years in the mid-’70s, the Bay City Rollers were billed as “the next Beatles.” Teenage fans in tartan screamed wherever they went, and songs like “Saturday Night” and “Bye Bye Baby” made them pop sensations. Their TV appearances only fueled the mania, especially in the U.S. where “Rollermania” briefly took hold.
But the momentum didn’t last. Management troubles, internal tensions, and shifting tastes pulled them down by the end of the decade. They kept recording and performing in different lineups, but the dream of lasting superstardom slipped away. For many, they remain frozen in time as a fun flash of ’70s pop hype.
2. Helen Reddy
Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman” wasn’t just a hit, it was an anthem for an entire generation. She had several more chart-toppers like “Delta Dawn” and “Angie Baby,” and it seemed she might become one of the biggest names of the decade. With her clear voice and empowering presence, she was everywhere for a while.
But her reign was shorter than expected. By the late ’70s, her chart presence had dimmed as newer voices took over. Reddy moved into acting and live performance, but the superstar spotlight never returned. Her songs, though, remain iconic for their moment in time.
3. The Partridge Family (David Cassidy)
With the hit TV show The Partridge Family and songs like “I Think I Love You,” David Cassidy looked like he’d rule both television and the music charts. His boyish charm and catchy tunes made him one of the biggest teen idols of the early ’70s. Fans lined up around the block, and his concerts were packed with screaming teens.
But being tied so tightly to a teen idol image limited him. As the show ended, his career cooled and he struggled to be taken seriously as a musician. Cassidy kept working and recording, but superstardom slipped away. He’s remembered fondly, but as more of a moment than a lasting icon.
4. KC and the Sunshine Band
For a stretch in the mid-to-late ’70s, KC and the Sunshine Band ruled the dance floor with songs like “Get Down Tonight,” “Shake Your Booty,” and “That’s the Way (I Like It).” They had infectious energy and defined the disco sound. It felt like they might be untouchable.
But disco’s backlash was swift and brutal. By the time the ’80s rolled in, their chart presence had collapsed. KC himself continued performing, and their hits stayed popular at parties, but they never regained that same dominance. They could have been long-term superstars, but the times worked against them.
5. Olivia Newton-John (pre-Grease)
Before Grease turned Olivia Newton-John into a household name, her early ’70s career was full of promise. Hits like “If Not for You” and “Have You Never Been Mellow” showed her sweet voice and crossover appeal. She seemed poised to rival Linda Ronstadt or Carly Simon.
But she struggled to maintain momentum in the middle of the decade. Without Grease in 1978, it’s possible she would have been remembered as a lovely singer who never quite made the leap. Her career later proved her star power, but her pre-Grease trajectory showed how close she came to being overlooked.
6. The Captain & Tennille
When “Love Will Keep Us Together” hit number one in 1975, The Captain & Tennille looked like they had staying power. Their quirky image and Tennille’s warm vocals gave them a unique place in pop. They scored several hits through the decade and even had their own variety show.
Still, superstardom never fully stuck. By the ’80s, they were slipping into nostalgia status rather than dominating the charts. They had undeniable charm and talent, but they never quite made the leap into long-term icons. Their songs remain beloved, even if their stardom was fleeting.
7. Leif Garrett
Leif Garrett was plastered on every teen magazine in the late ’70s. With his blond hair and cool-kid vibe, he was set up to be the next big teen idol. He released albums and covered hits like “Runaround Sue,” and girls couldn’t get enough of him.
But his music career never really took off beyond the teen set. As the ’80s arrived, his popularity plummeted, and personal struggles took their toll. Garrett remained a pop culture figure, but he never became the superstar his early fame promised.
8. Cher (solo ’70s phase)
Cher reinvented herself multiple times, and in the mid-’70s, her solo career looked like it might rocket her to the very top. With hits like “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” and “Half-Breed,” she was a chart fixture and a constant presence on TV.
But while she was undeniably famous, her music career never locked into long-term superstardom in that era. She had ups and downs and was often overshadowed by her persona and TV work. It wouldn’t be until later reinventions that she secured true icon status. In the ’70s, she was almost there, but not quite.
9. Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton’s Frampton Comes Alive! was one of the best-selling albums of the ’70s. He had the look, the voice, and that talk box guitar that made him stand out. For a moment in 1976, it felt like he could become one of rock’s biggest names.
Then it all came crashing down. The follow-up album flopped, and the hype proved impossible to sustain. Frampton kept working, but the superstar spotlight faded quickly. His moment was huge, but it didn’t last.
10. Donny Osmond
Donny Osmond had one of the most recognizable faces of the ’70s, thanks to The Osmonds and his solo career. Songs like “Puppy Love” made him a teen sensation, and his wholesome image made him a family favorite. He had the kind of fame most young singers could only dream of.
But superstardom outside that teen idol bubble never came. As tastes changed, his career cooled, and the bubblegum pop sound didn’t age well. Donny reinvented himself later, but in the ’70s, he hovered on the edge of long-term greatness without quite getting there.
11. B.W. Stevenson
B.W. Stevenson’s “My Maria” was a standout hit in 1973. His smooth, soulful country-pop style felt like it could carry him far. He had the talent and distinct voice to carve out a major place in the singer-songwriter wave.
But follow-up singles didn’t connect the same way, and his career stalled. Others, like Brooks & Dunn, later took his songs to bigger heights. Stevenson had the goods, but the superstar spotlight passed him by.
12. Debby Boone
Debby Boone scored one of the most inescapable hits of 1977 with “You Light Up My Life.” It topped the charts for 10 weeks and seemed to set her up for a long, shining career. She had the name recognition and the wholesome appeal.
But lightning didn’t strike twice. Boone never landed another major pop hit, and her career shifted toward Christian and theater music. She’s still respected for her talent, but her pop superstardom was limited to one song.
13. Chicago (early ’70s era)
In the early ’70s, Chicago’s horn-driven rock was fresh and exciting. Hits like “25 or 6 to 4” and “Saturday in the Park” gave them a strong identity. For a while, it looked like they could become one of the biggest rock bands in the world.
But their career stalled mid-decade, only to be revived in the ’80s with a more ballad-heavy sound. In the ’70s, they hovered on the edge of superstar status but didn’t quite capture it. They were successful, but they weren’t seen in the same league as the era’s true giants.
14. America
Songs like “A Horse With No Name” and “Sister Golden Hair” made America a household name for a time. Their breezy folk-rock style was instantly recognizable and easy to love. They had multiple hits and seemed destined for long-term dominance.
But their momentum didn’t last. They remained popular on the radio, but their star never rose to the level of acts like Eagles or Fleetwood Mac. They’re remembered fondly today, but as second-tier stars of the decade.
15. Patti Smith
Patti Smith broke through with Horses in 1975, blending poetry and punk into something brand new. Critics adored her, and she was a force on stage. It felt like she could change the shape of rock forever.
But her commercial success never matched her critical acclaim. She became an icon in certain circles but never achieved mainstream superstardom. Patti Smith is legendary, but her fame was always more niche than mass.
16. Dr. Hook
With hits like “Sylvia’s Mother” and “Cover of the Rolling Stone,” Dr. Hook had both humor and heart. Their quirky charm made them memorable, and they landed plenty of radio play. For a while, it looked like they’d be around for the long haul.
But they never broke into the top tier. They had hits into the ’80s, but their reputation was more cult-favorite than superstar. They’re remembered warmly, but they never quite hit the level of fame they once seemed headed for.
