1. Terry Jacks
For a brief moment in the ’70s, Terry Jacks seemed inescapable thanks to his haunting ballad “Seasons in the Sun.” The song topped charts around the world in 1974 and became one of the best-selling singles of the decade. Its melancholic lyrics and Jacks’ soft delivery captured listeners at a time when pop music was leaning heavily on emotion. But once the song faded from the airwaves, so did Jacks’ mainstream career.
He continued to work in music, producing and recording, but he never found another hit that could match the impact of his signature tune. Jacks later stepped away from the industry and focused more on environmental causes, living a quieter life away from the spotlight. His one massive success left such a lasting impression that most people still know his name even if they can’t name another song. In a way, that single track defined his career and his era.
2. Debby Boone
Debby Boone lit up the airwaves in 1977 with “You Light Up My Life,” a ballad that spent ten weeks at number one. For a time, she was everywhere, performing on TV shows, winning a Grammy, and even landing a spot on Broadway. The daughter of Pat Boone, she had show business in her blood, but her pop success came swiftly and unexpectedly. Audiences embraced her wholesome image and heartfelt performance, making her a household name almost overnight.
Yet, her pop career didn’t have the staying power of that one song. Boone transitioned into country music and later Christian music, finding success in smaller circles but never regaining her mainstream dominance. She eventually settled into performing in more niche markets and raising her family, stepping away from the glare of the pop spotlight. Her story is a classic case of how one unforgettable hit can define an artist, even if the rest of their career takes a quieter path.
3. Gilbert O’Sullivan
With his quirky haircut and piano-driven tunes, Gilbert O’Sullivan carved out a space for himself in the early ’70s. Songs like “Alone Again (Naturally)” and “Clair” were massive hits, showcasing his knack for pairing clever lyrics with pop melodies. He became a star on both sides of the Atlantic and seemed poised for a long career in the spotlight. His music balanced humor with melancholy, which made him stand out in a crowded field.
But fame can be fleeting, and O’Sullivan found himself struggling to maintain the same level of popularity as tastes shifted. By the late ’70s, he was less visible on the charts, even though he kept writing and performing. Legal battles with his management also kept him tied up for years, further dimming his presence in the mainstream. Though he never fully disappeared, his time as a chart-topping pop star belonged firmly to that decade.
4. Leo Sayer
Leo Sayer’s high-pitched vocals and theatrical stage presence made him one of the most distinctive pop stars of the mid-’70s. With hits like “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” and “When I Need You,” he climbed international charts and won over audiences. He was flamboyant, fun, and impossible to ignore, often performing in clown costumes during his early years. For a time, he was a guaranteed hitmaker.
But the arrival of new pop trends in the ’80s pushed him out of the spotlight. His songs continued to find fans, but he himself drifted from center stage. He eventually relocated to Australia, where he’s lived a quieter life, still performing occasionally but far removed from his days as a chart-topping star. Though his name isn’t as commonly mentioned today, his songs remain staples of ’70s playlists.
5. Mary MacGregor
Mary MacGregor struck gold in 1976 with her bittersweet ballad “Torn Between Two Lovers.” The song resonated deeply with audiences and quickly rose to number one. With its theme of complicated relationships, it felt both daring and relatable, especially for a female artist at the time. MacGregor became an overnight success and was thrust into a whirlwind of fame.
However, she was never able to replicate that kind of success again. A few follow-up singles charted, but none came close to the reach of her debut smash. By the ’80s, she had faded from mainstream music, eventually leaving the pop world altogether. Still, her one major hit perfectly encapsulated the emotional depth of ’70s pop music.
6. Starland Vocal Band
Few acts embody the phrase “one-hit wonder” quite like the Starland Vocal Band. Their 1976 song “Afternoon Delight” was cheeky, catchy, and just suggestive enough to spark curiosity. It rocketed to number one and even won them a Grammy, putting the group briefly at the center of pop culture. The group’s wholesome image mixed with not-so-wholesome lyrics created a novelty that people couldn’t resist.
Unfortunately, lightning didn’t strike twice. Their subsequent albums didn’t resonate, and within a few years the group had disbanded. Members went on to pursue solo work, but none achieved mainstream recognition again. While their fame was short-lived, “Afternoon Delight” is still remembered today, and it keeps their name alive in pop history.
7. Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods
Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods captured attention in 1974 with “Billy, Don’t Be a Hero,” a sentimental pop anthem that topped the charts. Their youthful energy and clean-cut image made them appealing to teenage fans, and they quickly became staples of variety shows. For a moment, they seemed like the next big thing in American pop.
But as musical tastes shifted toward disco and harder rock, their wholesome sound didn’t have the same pull. The band slowly faded into obscurity, remembered mainly for that one song. While they toured for a bit and tried to reinvent themselves, they never reclaimed their earlier momentum. Today, they’re a nostalgic footnote in the ’70s music scene.
8. Paper Lace
Around the same time, British band Paper Lace had their own chart moment with “The Night Chicago Died.” The song became a massive international hit in 1974 and showcased their knack for storytelling in pop music. Their clean harmonies and dramatic flair gave them a style that was instantly recognizable. It felt like they were on the verge of bigger things.
Yet, their success proved to be short-lived. Aside from a few minor follow-ups, they never achieved the same worldwide recognition again. By the end of the decade, Paper Lace had mostly disappeared from mainstream music. Still, their big hit remains one of the most memorable pop curiosities of the ’70s.
9. Maxine Nightingale
Maxine Nightingale broke through in 1975 with her disco-tinged hit “Right Back Where We Started From.” The song’s upbeat energy made it an instant dance floor favorite, and Nightingale’s voice brought it to life. For a while, she was celebrated as one of the fresh new voices of pop. Her music was fun, energetic, and perfect for the disco era.
But after a couple more chart appearances, her momentum slowed down. The competition in the late ’70s and early ’80s was fierce, and she struggled to find her footing among bigger stars. She eventually stepped away from the mainstream, performing in smaller venues and focusing on her personal life. Even so, her signature song remains a staple of the era and a reminder of her brief but shining moment.
10. The DeFranco Family
The DeFranco Family were the epitome of bubblegum pop in the early ’70s. Led by teen idol Tony DeFranco, they scored a massive hit with “Heartbeat – It’s a Lovebeat” in 1973. Their wholesome family image and catchy tunes made them a sensation among preteen audiences, and for a short time, they seemed destined for bigger things. They were fixtures in magazines and TV specials, adored by fans who couldn’t get enough of their youthful charm.
But as quickly as they rose, they fell. By the mid-’70s, their popularity had all but evaporated, and Tony faded from teen idol status. The family stepped away from music and moved on with their lives. Though their career was short, they left behind one of the more memorable pop hits of the decade.
11. Silver Convention
This German disco group stormed the charts with “Fly, Robin, Fly” in 1975. The track’s minimal lyrics and infectious groove made it a worldwide sensation, even earning them a Grammy. For a time, they were at the forefront of the disco craze and represented the global reach of ’70s pop music. Their sleek sound was perfect for dance floors.
Still, their fame didn’t last long. As disco began to wane, so did Silver Convention’s mainstream visibility. By the end of the decade, they had dissolved, remembered mainly for their one massive hit. Today, “Fly, Robin, Fly” remains a disco classic, ensuring they aren’t entirely forgotten.
12. Melanie
Melanie Safka, known simply as Melanie, rose to fame in the early ’70s with her distinctive voice and bohemian style. Her breakout hit “Brand New Key” in 1971 was quirky, playful, and unlike anything else on the radio at the time. She also became a voice of her generation with songs like “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain),” inspired by her experience performing at Woodstock. For a while, she was one of the most unique and recognizable pop stars of the decade.
But as the ’70s wore on, her mainstream presence began to fade. Though she kept recording and performing, she never recaptured the widespread success of her earlier hits. Melanie maintained a loyal fan base but largely stepped away from the pop charts that had once embraced her. Even so, her music remains a time capsule of the era, instantly transporting listeners back to the early ’70s when her voice was everywhere.
