Classic Rock Artists (70s & 80s)

 

Eddie Money

Classic Rock Artists (70s & 80s)

     The Who

• Era: Peaked in the 70s, still influential in the 80s.
• Key Albums: Who's Next (1971), Quadrophenia (1973)
• Known for their anthemic rock sound and dynamic performances.

     Fleetwood Mac

• Era: Thrived in the 70s and early 80s.
• Key Albums: Rumours (1977), Tusk (1979)
• Their blend of rock, pop, and heartfelt lyrics made them iconic.

     The Eagles

• Era: Dominated the 70s.
• Key Albums: Hotel California (1976)
• Masters of country rock, their harmonies and storytelling are legendary.

     AC/DC

• Era: Late 70s through the 80s.
• Key Albums: Highway to Hell (1979), Back in Black (1980)
• A defining force in hard rock with electrifying riffs.

     Journey

• Era: Late 70s and 80s.
• Key Albums: Escape (1981), Frontiers (1983)
• Famous for Steve Perry's soaring vocals and arena rock anthems.

     Queen

• Era: 70s and 80s.
• Key Albums: A Night at the Opera (1975), The Game (1980)
• Known for their theatrical sound and Freddie Mercury's charisma.

     Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

• Era: Late 70s and 80s.
• Key Albums: Damn the Torpedoes (1979), Full Moon Fever (1989)
• Petty's heartfelt storytelling and rock sound remain timeless.

     Bruce Springsteen

• Era: 70s and 80s.
• Key Albums: Born to Run (1975), Born in the U.S.A. (1984)
• The "Boss" captured working-class life with raw energy and poetic lyrics.

     Pink Floyd

• Era: Thrived in the 70s and early 80s.
• Key Albums: The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), The Wall (1979)
• Masters of progressive rock with deep, conceptual themes.

     Boston

• Era: Late 70s through the 80s.
• Key Albums: Boston (1976), Don't Look Back (1978)
• Defined arena rock with polished guitar-driven hits.

    Bob Seger

• Era: Flourished in the 70s and remained a force in the 80s.
• Key Albums:
  • Night Moves (1976)
  • Against the Wind (1980)
• Signature Songs:
  • "Night Moves"
  • "Turn the Page"
  • "Old Time Rock & Roll"

     Eddie Money

• Era: Rose to prominence in the late 70s and thrived in the 80s.
• Key Albums:
  • Eddie Money (1977)
  • Can't Hold Back (1986)
• Signature Songs:
• "Two Tickets to Paradise"
• "Baby Hold On"
• "Take Me Home Tonight"

Gerry Rafferty

• Era: Primarily successful in the 70s and 80s.
• Bands:
  • Stealers Wheel: Best known for the hit "Stuck in the Middle with You" (1972).
• Solo Career: Achieved even greater success as a solo artist.

Important Albums:

City to City (1978)

• Key Songs:
  • "Baker Street"
  • "Right Down the Line"
• This album was a massive success, featuring the iconic "Baker Street", which became one of the most recognized songs of the era.

Night Owl (1979)

• Key Songs:
  • "Night Owl"
  • "Get It Right Next Time"
• Rafferty continued his signature soft rock style with introspective lyrics and catchy melodies.

Snakes and Ladders (1980)

• Includes notable tracks like "The Royal Mile" and maintains his smooth rock style.

Eric Clapton

• Era: Flourished from the 60s (with The Yardbirds and Cream) into the 70s and 80s as a solo artist.
• Key Bands:
  • Derek and the Dominos
  • Cream
  • Blind Faith
• Key Solo Albums:
  • 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974)
  • Slowhand (1977)
  • Journeyman (1989)

With Derek and the Dominos

Key Album

Key Album: Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970)

• Signature Song: "Layla"
• This album is a masterpiece of blues-rock, featuring searing guitar work, heartfelt lyrics, and the collaboration of Clapton with Duane Allman.

Whitesnake

• Era: 70s, 80s, and beyond.
• Key Albums:
  • Ready an' Willing (1980)
  • Slide It In (1984)
  • Whitesnake (1987)
• Signature Songs:
• "Here I Go Again"
• "Is This Love"
• "Still of the Night"

Dire Straits

• Era: Late 70s, 80s, and beyond.
• Key Albums:
  • Dire Straits (1978)
  • Making Movies (1980)
  • Brothers in Arms (1985)
• Signature Songs:
  • "Sultans of Swing"
  • "Money for Nothing"
  • "Walk of Life"