Led Zeppelin is at the top of the list for  all-time greats of heavy metal.  The members were John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Bonham.  They name was given by Keith Richards (The Who's drummer).  Peter Grant, was the band's manager.  He found Page's stunning blues influence, Plant's tortured vocals, Jones' solid bass and organ work, and Bonham's massive drumming, an absolutely amazing combination. Their album, "Led Zeppelin IV", or "Symbols", included not only one of Led Zeppelin's
greatest works, but one of the greatest compositions in rock and roll, "Stairway to Heaven." A musical masterpiece with acoustic guitar and recorder and a great electric guitar solo at the end.  Led Zeppelin and their music remain well known and respected.
The Van Halen boys, Eddie and Alex, were born in Nijmeg, Holland.  They always loved rock music and in the early 60's, when they immigrated to America, they teamed up with Chicago-born Michael Anthony, and singer, David Lee Roth.  Together, they formed their band, "Mammoth."  However, another group already took the name.  They renamed
themselves "Van Halen."  Future manager, Ted Templeman, thought the band's powerful, uncompromising metal music was a sure-fire hit, and quickly signed them. In 1978, Van Halen let out their debut album.  Van Halen became famous for their stunning music, outrageous stage-presence, and over-the-top performances.  In 1979, they made a spectacular rise to fame.  Van Halen worked through the 80's writing many great songs such as "Hot For Teacher", "Jump", and "Jamie's Cryin."
 

 

George Waters, Rick Wright, Nick Mason, and Roger Barrett, together known as "Pink Floyd", were once known as the "Screaming Abdabs".  Soon after, they were part of a band called "Pink Anderson and Floyd Council."  Then shortened to "Pink Floyd", Pink Floyd became, extremely well known for their powerful performances.  Soon Pink Floyd stopped playing R&B and focused on their own psychedelic material. Roger Barrett eventually became too dependent on cocain
and heroin and had to leave the group.  He never full recovered from his addiction.  However, Dave Gilmore joined in place.  Pink Floyd became a "stadium-filler" with their complex lighting and stereo.  In 1973, their album, "Dark Side of the Moon", became extremely famous with its theme of death and emotional breakdown.  Pink Floyd also had many other albums such as "Ummagumma", "Wish You Were Here", "The Wall", and "Animals."  Unfortunately, in the 1980's, Pink Floyd split up.
In 1975, Steve Jones, Paul Cook, and Glenn Matlock formed the "Swankers."  Later,  the trio met John Lydon (Johnny Rotten), and the Swankers became the "Sex Pistols."  The Sex Pistols, with their aggressive image, was an enormous influence in rock and roll and the music industry.  They railed against the authority and flaunted their drug and alcohol addictions.  Due to their obscene lyrics and behavior, their album was banned in the UK. The band replaced Matlock for being too "nice" with bassist John Simon Ritchie (Sid Vicious).  Their next album, "God Save The Queen" was also banned.  In October 1978, Rotten announced the band's break-up.  Soon after, Sid Vicious allegedly murdered his girlfriend in New York.  In 1979, he died from a heroin overdose.
Pete Townshend, Roger Daltry, John Entwhistle, and Doug Sandom, formed a band called the "Detours."  Later on, the Detours became the "Who" with new members, Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp.  In 1965, the band became famous.  While touring, Townshend, during a stage act, broke his guitar smashing it on the ground.  The crowd went wild and the act stuck.
However, the Who is more than destroying instruments.  The Who's members were gifted songwriters and wrote many great songs such as "My Generation", "I Can't Explain", "I'm A Boy", and "Happy Jack."  In 1970, they let out a rock opera entitled "Tommy."  Sadly, in 1978, Keith Moon's reveling lifestyle finally killed him.  They had many great years in the 70's and split up in 1982.
Donna Summer was born December 31, 1948.  She grew up in Boston as a member of a very religious family.  She sang in the church choir and as a teen performed in a rock group called "The Crow."  In 1974, Donna released her debut album, "Lady of the Night."  She let out her first single in America in 1975, "Love to Love You Baby." 
In 1978, she let out "Last Dance" and won a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal.  Donna Summer has won many awards and let out many great songs such as "Bad Girls", "Hot Stuff", and "Heaven Knows."  Donna Summer has been a great contribution to the disco era.       

KC & The Sunshine Band are undisputed disco kings of the 70's.  The band formed in 1973 and let out their debut single "Blow Your Whistle."  In 1974, KC & The Sunshine Band quickly began scoring hits and great singles.  They even began making an impressive run of disco songs such as "Shake, Shake, Shake", "I'm Your Boogie-Man", and "Keep It Comin' Love."  They even recorded songs for the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack.  Although they let out a number of hit singles in the 1970's, the dawn of the 80's did not stop them.  However, they eventually broke up in the early half of the decade.
With five number-one albums, the Eagles were some of the most successful recording artists of the 70's.  The band was formed in Los Angeles in 1964.  In 1968, they were named the "Poor", however, they quickly changed
The newly named Eagles toured throughout 1972 and 1973.  The Eagles have let out many great songs such as "Hotel California" and "Take It Easy."  They even won a Grammy for "Best Rock Performance."  Unfortunately, the band broke up in 1982.

                                          OTHER 70'S ARTISTS

KISS

The Ramones

Tavares

 

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