1. Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad was once hailed as “the people’s band,” filling arenas and earning a die-hard following with their mix of hard rock and bluesy grit. Their songs like “We’re an American Band” were built for blasting on the radio, and their live shows were the kind of sweaty, high-energy events fans still reminisce about. They didn’t have the critical respect that bands like Led Zeppelin got, but for middle America, Grand Funk was everything.
By the mid-’70s, though, internal conflicts and changing tastes started to pull them apart. They attempted a few reunions and still pop up on the touring circuit, but that huge wave of fame never came back. It’s a reminder that sometimes a band burns brightest when they’re in tune with the moment, and Grand Funk fit the ’70s perfectly. Their legacy still holds up for fans who want that raw, unapologetic rock sound.
2. Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Bachman-Turner Overdrive, or BTO, gave us “Takin’ Care of Business” and “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” two songs that became instant classics. The band was everywhere in the mid-’70s, capturing that blue-collar, good-time rock energy that spoke to everyday listeners. They weren’t flashy, but their songs were the kind you couldn’t help but sing along to on the radio.
By the late ’70s, though, the hits slowed down. Randy Bachman eventually left, and the band never regained the momentum of their early years. They still tour in some form today, but the mainstream spotlight has long moved on. Still, BTO’s music remains a jukebox staple, the kind of songs that make you tap the steering wheel on a long drive.
3. Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night dominated the charts with hit after hit, thanks to their knack for picking the right songs and harmonizing like no one else. With tunes like “Joy to the World” and “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” they became a fixture on radio and TV. For a while, they seemed unstoppable, with more Top 40 hits than almost anyone else in the ’70s.
But the pressures of fame and issues within the band eventually led to their decline. By the mid-’70s, they had lost their place at the top of the charts, even though they kept recording. They remain respected for their incredible run, but their story shows how quickly a group can go from being on top to fading from the spotlight. Their music, though, is still a guaranteed nostalgia trip.
4. Foghat
Foghat may not have been the most glamorous band of the ’70s, but their boogie-heavy rock songs made them favorites of live crowds. “Slow Ride” became their calling card, a song that still shows up in movies, commercials, and even video games. Their sound was simple, fun, and perfect for blasting at a party.
But outside of that big hit, Foghat struggled to stay relevant as the decade went on. They never fully broke through to the next level, and by the early ’80s, they were already being treated as a nostalgia act. Still, for anyone who wants that perfect slice of ’70s party rock, Foghat will always deliver. Their music is pure good-time energy.
5. Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult brought something different to the ’70s rock scene, blending heavy riffs with cryptic lyrics and a sense of mystery. “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” remains one of the most haunting songs of the decade, and their laser-filled live shows made them unforgettable. They stood out because they weren’t afraid to be strange, and it worked.
Yet, despite their cult following, they never sustained mainstream success. After their peak in the late ’70s, the hits became fewer, and newer trends pushed them aside. Today, they’re more of a footnote to casual fans, remembered mostly for “The Reaper” and, thanks to Saturday Night Live, the whole “more cowbell” joke. Still, their music deserves to be appreciated on its own terms.
6. REO Speedwagon
REO Speedwagon started out as a hard-rocking Midwestern band with a steady touring schedule. They built up a loyal following, and by the mid-’70s, they seemed poised for a breakthrough. Their live shows were legendary, full of energy and guitar solos that kept fans coming back.
But the success didn’t fully arrive until the ’80s, when they shifted to more polished ballads. By then, their earlier, harder-edged work was overshadowed. In a way, their ’70s roots were left behind, and the band that once rocked small venues felt like an entirely different act. Fans of that rawer side of REO Speedwagon still look back fondly on the days before “Keep On Loving You” took over the airwaves.
7. Bad Company
Bad Company was a supergroup that lived up to the hype, at least for a while. With Paul Rodgers on vocals, they cranked out hits like “Can’t Get Enough” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love.” They were one of the defining rock acts of the mid-’70s, balancing bluesy grit with arena-sized power.
But even supergroups can lose steam. By the end of the decade, their albums weren’t selling like before, and Rodgers eventually left. The band carried on in different forms, but the magic of those first few years couldn’t be recaptured. Their early songs, though, remain classic rock staples that prove how good they once were.
8. Sweet
Sweet started as a bubblegum pop band before reinventing themselves with glam rock hits like “Ballroom Blitz” and “Fox on the Run.” They became known for their outrageous looks and catchy hooks, making them stand out in the crowded ’70s scene. For a while, they had the perfect mix of style and substance.
But fame took its toll, and the band splintered by the end of the decade. In-fighting and shifting musical trends left them behind. They remain beloved by glam rock fans, but to most, Sweet is a memory tied to a few big hits. Their music still has that irresistible, over-the-top fun, though.
9. Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep had one of the strangest careers of any ’70s band. They blended progressive rock, heavy metal, and fantasy themes into a sound that was both dramatic and ambitious. Their album Demons and Wizards is still considered a cult classic.
Despite their talent, they never quite reached the level of their peers like Deep Purple or Black Sabbath. Frequent lineup changes didn’t help, and they never secured a lasting foothold in the mainstream. They’re still playing today in some form, but their peak was definitely in the early ’70s. Fans who stuck with them know how much they deserve more recognition.
10. Styx
Styx was another band that started out rocking hard before finding mainstream success with a softer, more polished sound. Early albums like Equinox showed their prog-rock leanings, but it wasn’t until songs like “Lady” caught on that they found their formula. Their mix of ballads and arena rock became their signature.
By the late ’70s, though, they were already shifting toward the sound that would define their ’80s fame. In the process, their rougher, more progressive side got lost. For fans who loved that earlier version of Styx, it felt like the band they knew had walked away. Still, their ’70s albums remain some of their most creative work.
11. The Knack
The Knack exploded onto the scene in 1979 with “My Sharona,” a song that instantly became a cultural phenomenon. For a few months, it felt like they were the next big thing. Their debut album sold millions, and their sound was hailed as a return to simple, punchy rock and roll.
But almost as quickly as they arrived, they were dismissed as a fad. Critics turned on them, and their follow-ups never lived up to that initial blast of success. By the early ’80s, The Knack had already faded. Still, “My Sharona” has kept them alive in pop culture, a one-hit wonder that perfectly captures the moment.
12. The Babys
The Babys were never the biggest band of the ’70s, but they earned a loyal following with songs like “Isn’t It Time” and “Every Time I Think of You.” They had a melodic rock sound that felt ready for the big time, and their live shows showed plenty of promise.
But success always seemed just out of reach. By the early ’80s, members like John Waite and Jonathan Cain moved on to other projects, leaving The Babys behind. They became one of those bands that could have been huge, but just didn’t quite make it. Their songs, though, still hold up for fans who remember their brief moment in the spotlight.
13. Black Oak Arkansas
Black Oak Arkansas stood out for their Southern rock sound and the wild stage presence of frontman Jim “Dandy” Mangrum. They carved out a niche with their gritty, blues-driven songs and over-the-top performances. At their peak, they could draw big crowds and seemed poised to stand alongside Lynyrd Skynyrd.
But their fame didn’t last. By the late ’70s, they were losing steam, and other Southern rock bands overshadowed them. They never fully broke into the mainstream, and eventually, their popularity faded. Still, they remain an important part of that era’s rock landscape, remembered by fans for their unique energy.
14. Mountain
Mountain roared into the early ’70s with a heavy, blues-infused sound that made them stand out right away. Their hit “Mississippi Queen” became an instant classic, and guitarist Leslie West’s powerful riffs gave them a signature sound. For a brief moment, they seemed like they could rival some of the biggest rock acts of the decade.
But Mountain’s time in the spotlight was short-lived. Internal struggles and changing trends meant their success didn’t last beyond a couple of years. While they never fully disappeared—Leslie West kept the name alive with different lineups—the peak of Mountain’s fame was firmly rooted in the ’70s. Their music still packs a punch, though, and “Mississippi Queen” remains one of rock’s great anthems.
15. The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers were one of the most beloved bands of the ’70s, thanks to their mix of rock, soul, and harmony-driven hits. Songs like “Listen to the Music” and “China Grove” made them radio staples, and they became known for their laid-back California vibe. They had an incredible run of success and brought a kind of easygoing optimism that defined the decade.
By the end of the ’70s, though, the band shifted direction after Michael McDonald joined, leaning into a smoother, more soulful sound. While they still had hits into the ’80s, the original rock-driven identity of the Doobies was gone. Fans of that first era sometimes feel like they lost the band they fell in love with. Even so, their ’70s catalog remains timeless.
16. Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac had already been around for years before the arrival of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in 1975 changed everything. Their album Rumours became one of the best-selling records of all time, fueled by songs like “Go Your Own Way” and “Dreams.” For a few golden years, they were the most talked-about band in the world.
But behind the scenes, their relationships were falling apart, and the band was under constant strain. By the end of the decade, the drama had nearly pulled them apart, and while they continued into the ’80s, that explosive magic of the ’70s couldn’t be recaptured in the same way. Still, their music from that period has never stopped resonating.
17. Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd brought Southern rock to the masses with their fiery guitar work and unforgettable anthems like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird.” They were the band that made the genre a national force, and their live shows became legendary. For much of the ’70s, they seemed unstoppable, a symbol of rebellious rock spirit.
Tragically, their run was cut short in 1977 when a plane crash killed Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and Cassie Gaines. The loss shocked the music world and ended Skynyrd’s original era instantly. Though the band was later re-formed with new members, that original lineup is forever tied to their peak. Their story is both triumphant and heartbreaking.
18. Kansas
Kansas rose to fame with a blend of progressive rock and heartland grit, creating hits that balanced complexity with accessibility. Songs like “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind” became staples of classic rock radio and remain some of the most recognizable tracks from the decade. They stood out for their musicianship and soaring melodies.
By the late ’70s, though, they began to lose momentum as tastes shifted. Internal struggles and lineup changes led to their decline, and while they’ve continued performing in various forms, they never regained that same chart-topping presence. Still, Kansas gave us songs that have become permanent fixtures of rock history. Their legacy is undeniable.
