The 1970s
Articles about British rock music's evolution through prog rock, glam and heavy metal in the 1970s. Topics include major bands, record labels, festivals and influential TV programmes of the era.
1970s Guitar Heroes
How the 1970s guitar heroes like Eric Clapton transformed the electric guitar from backing instrument to rock's biggest stars.
A Biography of the Bay City Rollers
How the Bay City Rollers went from Edinburgh unknowns to the biggest pop phenomenon of the 1970s before fading away.
All About Folk Rock and It's Success in the 1970s
How British bands like Fairport Convention invented folk rock in the early 1970s by blending traditional ballads with electric guitars.
All About Progressive Rock
Progressive rock emerged in the late 1960s as a complex, classical-influenced departure from traditional rock and roll.
British Reggae
How West Indian immigrants shaped British reggae from the 1948 Windrush onwards through bands like Matumbi and Aswad.
Hard Rock and Heavy Metal
How hard rock emerged in the 70s from blues and pop, tracing its roots through Alice Cooper, the Yardbirds, and Led Zeppelin.
Jazz-Rock Through the Ages
How rock and jazz collided in the late 1960s and 1970s, driven by jazz musicians exploring a new sonic frontier.
New Wave Music in the 70s
New Wave emerged from punk in the late 70s with catchier melodies, electronic sounds and a more polished look that radio could actually play.
Old Grey Whistle Test
How a scrappy 1970s TV show became the home for serious rock music that radio couldn't ignore.
Pop Idols of British Pop
British pop stars of the 1970s, from glam rockers to one-hit wonders who defined a golden age of music.
Post-Punk Music
When punk burned out, post-punk emerged darker and more complex, taking influence from bands like Public Image Ltd and Joy Division.
Singer-Songwriters
How singer-songwriters of the late 1960s and 70s built careers writing their own music, from Nick Drake's tragic isolation to enduring success.
Space Rock
How space rock emerged from psychedelia in the late 1960s, taking listeners on cosmic musical journeys that still inspire today.
T Rex- the Rock Band
Marc Bolan transformed Tyrannosaurus Rex from a hippy duo into T Rex, the glam rock pioneers who changed everything.
The Emergence of DIY Record Labels
How bands and entrepreneurs bypassed major labels by starting their own record companies in the 1970s.
The History of British Punk
How British punk rebelled against bland pop music and transformed into a global movement despite outrage and controversy.
The History of Glam Rock
How glam rock emerged in the 70s with androgynous looks and harder music, from T. Rex and David Bowie's gender-bending reinventions.
The Impact of Festivals on the Music Industry
How rock festivals transformed the music industry, from Monterey and Woodstock to their comeback in the 1990s.
The Rise and Rise of Elton John
From a piano prodigy named Reg Dwight to one of pop music's biggest icons, Elton John's remarkable rise to superstardom.
Two Tone Music Craze
How a multiracial British ska label became a musical movement that took the nation by storm.
Virgin Records: Richard Branson and Nik Powell
How Richard Branson and Nik Powell built Virgin from a record shop into a global brand with an influential record label.