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Genres
- Blues
- City Pop
- Country Music
- Disco
- Funk
- Glam Rock
- Heartland Rock
- Heavy Metal
- Hip-Hop
- Jazz
- New Wave Music
- Post-Punk
- Progressive Rock
- Proto Punk
- Punk Rock
- Reggae
- Soul
- Synth-Pop
Music
- 10cc. Formed in 1972 and released first album in 1973.
- The 5th Dimension
- ABBA. Debut album in 1973, first number one hit in 1977.
- Agnetha Fältskog released 5 solo albums in Scandinavia during this decade.
- 1973 - Ring Ring
- 1974 - Waterloo
- 1975 - ABBA (Album)
- 1976 - Arrival
- 1977/8 - ABBA: The Album
- 1979 - Voulez-Vous
- AC/DC. Formed in 1973, debut album came out in Australia in 1975.
- 1975 - High Voltage
- 1975 - T.N.T. (1975)
- 1976 - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
- 1979 - Highway to Hell
- Adam and the Ants
- 1979 - Dirk Wears White Sox
- Aerosmith. Formed in 1970 and rose to become among the most popular hard rock bands of the decade; many of their best-known songs were released in the '70s.
- Agnes Chan. Hong Kong pop singer who was brought to Japan in 1972 and was very famous in Asia in this decade.
- Air Supply: Formed in 1975.
- Alabama
- The Alan Parsons Project. Released their debut album in 1976.
- 1977 - I, Robot
- The Allman Brothers Band. Formed in 1969, became one of the standard-bearersnote for Southern Rock in the 1970s.
- Herb Alpert
- America
- American Spring
- 1972 - Spring
- Amon Düül II
- Bill Anderson
- The Animals
- Paul Anka
- Aphrodite's Child
- Louis Armstrong. Died in 1971.
- Art Bears
- Eduard Artemyev
- Dorothy Ashby
- Ashton, Gardner & Dyke. Formed in 1968 but reached international charts in 1971. One of the best examples of One-Hit Wonder, they released top-10 "Resurrection Shuffle" (notably covered by Tom Jones) and immediately nosedived.
- Roy Ayers
- Albert Ayler
- Eva Ayllón
- Charles Aznavour
- The B-52s. Formed in 1976, debut album in 1979.
- Baby Huey
- P.D.Q. Bach
- Burt Bacharach and Hal David
- Bad Company. Formed in 1973.
- Badfinger. Formed in 1970.
- Joan Baez. Started her career in the '60s, but had her biggest commercial success in this decade.
- Adrian Baker
- Anita Baker started out her career in the late 1970s with funk/soul band Chapter 8.
- Long John Baldry. Continued recording and performing throughout the decade.
- The Band. Formed in the '60s, continued until their "farewell concert" in 1976 (released two years later as the rockumentary film and triple album The Last Waltz).
- 1974 - Planet Waves (with Bob Dylan)
- 1975 - The Basement Tapes (with Bob Dylan)
- Band Of Gypsys
- 1970 - Band of Gypsys
- Tony Banks
- Syd Barrett. Continued recording up until 1974.
- 1970 - The Madcap Laughs
- 1970 - Barrett
- Wild Willy Barrett: Career started in 1968, recorded hit(s) with John Otway in the late 70s.
- Count Basie
- Shirley Bassey
- Bauhaus. Formed in 1978, debut single in 1979.
- The Beach Boys. Continued releasing well-received new material up to 1973, their 1960s songs had a resurgence in popularity from 1974 onwards.
- 1970 - Sunflower
- 1971 - Surf's Up
- 1972 - Carl and the Passions – "So Tough"
- 1973 - Holland
- 1976 - 15 Big Ones
- 1977 - The Beach Boys Love You
- 1977 - Adult/Child (cancelled project since found in bootlegs)
- 1977 - Merry Christmas from The Beach Boys (cancelled project since found in bootlegs)
- 1977 - M.I.U. Album
- 1979 - L.A. (Light Album)
- Beastie Boys. They formed in 1979.
- The Beatles. Broke up in 1970, just before releasing their final studio album almost a month later.
- 1970 - Let It Be
- Be-Bop Deluxe. Formed in 1972, released first album in 1974, disbanded in 1978.
- Jeff Beck. Had his biggest success with the jazz-rock albums Blow By Blow and Wired in the middle part of the decade.
- The Bee Gees. They formed in the 1960s, but reinvented themselves in this decade. Releasing some of their greatest hits. Their most famous song, "Stayin' Alive" topped the charts in 1978.
- Jorge Ben Jor
- 1970 - Fôrça Bruta
- 1976 - África Brasil
- Pat Benatar. Debut album in 1979.
- Tony Bennett
- Michel Berger and Luc Plamondon
- 1978 - Starmania
- Irving Berlin
- Leonard Bernstein
- Chuck Berry. Had a number-one hit, "My Ding-A-Ling", in 1972.
- Ivor Biggun: An English musician known for his Bawdy Songs. His first release was in 1978 with "The Winker's Song (Misprint)" making #22 on the UK Singles Chart after Johnny Rotten pushed it on his show.
- Big Star. Formed in 1971, disbanded in 1974, reunited off-and-on from 1993-2010.
- The Big Three
- The Birthday Party
- Black Sabbath. Formed in 1968-1969, debut album in 1970. Their signature album, Paranoid, and their three most famous songs were released later that same year.
- 1970 - Black Sabbath
- 1970 - Paranoid
- 1971 - Master of Reality
- 1975 - Sabotage
- Rubén Blades
- Blondie. Formed in 1974-1975. Gained mainstream success by 1978; scored a number-one hit in 1979.
- 1979 - Parallel Lines
- Boney M.
- The Bonzo Dog Band
- Blue Cheer
- Blue Öyster Cult. Formed in 1967 under the name "Soft White Underbelly", debut album in 1972. Their best-known song, "(Don't Fear) the Reaper", was released in 1976.
- 1972 - Blue Öyster Cult
- 1972 - Tyranny and Mutation
- 1974 - Secret Treaties
- 1976 - Agents of Fortune
- 1977 - Spectres
- 1979 - Mirrors
- Marc Bolan. Led T. Rex to Glam Rock greatness in the 1970s.
- 1971 - Electric Warrior
- Michael Bolton
- Boston. Debuted in 1976.
- David Bowie. Rose to stardom in this decade (he'd been recording since 1964), and became iconic and influential enough, especially in his native England, that two of the above-mentioned works set in it—Life on Mars and Velvet Goldmine—are titled after songs of his. The latter is a No Celebrities Were Harmed take on his Glam Rock period (his star-making Alter-Ego Acting persona of Ziggy Stardust debuted in 1972 and was retired the following year). This decade is generally considered Bowie's golden age by fans and critics on account of the strength and influence of his music during this time.
- 1970 - The Man Who Sold the World
- 1971 - Hunky Dory
- 1972 - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
- 1973 - Aladdin Sane
- 1973 - Pin Ups
- 1974 - Diamond Dogs
- 1975 - Young Americans
- 1976 - Station to Station
- 1976 - Changesonebowie
- 1977 - Low
- 1977 - "Heroes" (David Bowie Album)
- 1979 - Lodger
- Georges Brassens. Still recorded new albums.
- Bread
- Jacques Brel. To the surprise of everyone, he recorded one final album in 1977 and died a year later.
- Arthur Brown
- James Brown: Still scoring hits in the charts until the advent of disco.
- Jackson Browne
- Bill Bruford. Started his career in the '60s, but peaked in the '70s.
- Tim Buckley. Career started in the sixties, still made albums throughout the seventies, until his death in 1975.
- Jimmy Buffett
- The Buggles: Formed and released their debut single at the end of this decade.
- 1979 - "Video Killed the Radio Star"
- Kate Bush. Debut album and first hit song in 1978.
- 1978 - The Kick Inside
- Buzzcocks. Debuted in 1976.
- The Byrds. Formed in the 1960s, but released the critically acclaimed Untitled in 1970 and three subsequent poorly received albums before disbanding in 1973.
- Cabaret Voltaire
- John Cage
- John Cale. First solo album released in 1970.
- Cab Calloway
- Camel
- Cameo. Debuted in 1974.
- Can. Debuted in 1968, released some of their most acclaimed albums in the 1970s.
- Captain Beefheart. Started his career in the 1960s, still active in the 1970s when he was appreciated more by the punk movement.
- 1970 - Lick My Decals Off, Baby
- 1974 - Unconditionally Guaranteed
- 1974 - Bluejeans & Moonbeams
- 1975 - Bongo Fury note
- 1978 - Shiny Beast
- Captain & Tennille
- 1975 - Love Will Keep Us Together
- Caravan
- Cardiacs. Formed as "Cardiac Arrest" but recorded a demo tape in 1978 and first single in 1979.
- Wendy Carlos
- Eric Carmen. Began his solo career in 1975.
- Carpenters. They debuted in 1969, but all their commercial hits were released in this decade.
- The Cars. Formed on New Year's Eve, 1977. Debut album in 1978. "Just What I Needed" is probably still their Signature Song.
- Johnny Cash. Debuted in the 1950, still going strong during the 1970s.
- David Cassidy. Started recording with The Partridge Family in 1970 and released his first solo album in 1972.
- Shaun Cassidy. Released his debut album in 1977.
- Harry Chapin. Debut album in 1972. Died in a car accident in 1981.
- Ray Charles
- Jose Mari Chan
- Chas & Dave. Formed in 1975 but reached widespread popularity in 1980.
- Philippe Chatel
- 1979 - Émilie Jolie
- Cheap Trick. Formed in 1973, debut album in 1977.
- Louis Chedid released his first album Balbutiements in 1973 and three other records during that decade.
- Cher. Recording career started in the 1960s. Released several commercial hits between 1971 and 1974.
- 1977 - Two the Hard Way (with Gregg Allman)
- Chic. Debut album in 1977. Their two number-one hits were both in this decade.
- Chicago
- Chilly
- Chrome
- CLANNAD
- Eric Clapton. Started in the 1960s, self-titled solo debut was released in 1970.
- The Clark Sisters, started in the late 1960s and released their first albums in the early 70's.
- Petula Clark
- The Clash. Formed in 1976, debut album in 1977.
- 1977 - The Clash (Album)
- 1979 - London Calling
- Otis Clay
- Johnny Clegg
- Jimmy Cliff
- 1972 - The Harder They Come
- George Clinton. Started in the 1960s, first Parliament and Funkadelic albums were released in 1970.
- Bruce Cockburn
- Joe Cocker. British soul-blues singer who made his name at Woodstock and had a short run of megastardom early in the decade.
- 1970 - Mad Dogs and Englishmen note
- David Allan Coe
- Leonard Cohen
- 1971 - Songs of Love and Hate
- 1974 - New Skin for the Old Ceremony
- 1977 - Death of a Ladies' Man
- 1979 - Recent Songs
- Cold Chisel
- Ornette Coleman
- Bootsy Collins
- Alice Coltrane
- 1970 - Ptah, the El Daoud
- 1971 - Journey in Satchidananda
- 1972 - World Galaxy
- Commodores
- Comus
- Stompin' Tom Connors
- Connie Converse
- Alice Cooper. First major hit for the band in 1971. Signature song in 1972, first solo album for the singer in 1975.
- 1971 - Love It to Death
- 1978 - From the Inside
- Aaron Copland
- Elvis Costello. Debuted in 1977.
- 1977 - My Aim Is True
- 1978 - This Year's Model
- The Cowsills. Disbanded in 1972.
- The Cramps. Formed in 1976. Released their first single in 1978.
- Crass. Debuted in 1979.
- Creedence Clearwater Revival. Formed in the 1960s. Released a number of hits (most of which peaked at #2) before disbanding in 1972.
- 1970 - Cosmo's Factory
- 1970 - Pendulum
- 1972 - Mardi Gras
- Jim Croce. Started in the 1960s with his wife Ingrid. First solo album released in 1972. Died in a plane crash in 1973.
- Bing Crosby
- David Crosby
- Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Started in 1968. Still going throughout the 1970s, though mostly without Neil Young.
- 1970 - Déjà Vu
- Celia Cruz
- The Cure. Formed in 1976 as "Malice", renamed in 1977. Debut album in 1979.
- Dick Dale
- Bobby Darin. Died in 1973.
- The Damned. Formed in 1976.
- Daniel Amos. Formed in 1974, and probably had their greatest commercial success playing Country Music on their first two albums. At the end of the decade they turned rock, hinting at their trajectory in future decades.
- Miles Davis. Went fully electric after more than 20 years in the business.
- 1970 - Bitches Brew
- Chris Deburgh
- Deep Purple. Debuted in 1968. Released some of their greatest hits in this decade, including "Smoke on the Water".
- 1970 - Deep Purple in Rock
- 1972 - Machine Head
- Rick Dees
- The DeFranco Family
- Delaney & Bonnie. A blue-eyed soul duo who had a major influence on the direction of rock at the time.
- 1970 - On Tour with Eric Clapton
- 1971 - Motel Shot
- John Denver: Reached the peak of his popularity during this decade.
- Derek and the Dominos
- Devo. Formed in 1972; first album 1978 (although they did have a single release and two movie appearances prior to their first full-length LP).
- Neil Diamond. Became famous in the 1960s. Albums Hot August Night, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Serenade, and Beautiful Noise were released in the 1970s.
- Bo Diddley
- The Dillards. Released six records between 1970 and 1978 and broke into the Hot 100 in 1971 with "It's About Time"
- Pino Donaggio
- Dire Straits. Debuted in 1977 and released their first two albums in the remaining years of the decade.
- 1978 - Dire Straits (Album)
- 1979 - Communiqué
- Doe Maar. Debuted in 1978.
- Dokken
- Donovan. Continued with respectable success into the new decade.
- Fats Domino
- The Doobie Brothers
- The Doors. Lead singer Jim Morrison died in 1971. Disbanded in 1973; released their final studio album in 1978.
- 1971 - L.A. Woman
- Nick Drake
- Dschinghis Khan
- The Dubliners
- Ian Dury and The Blockheads
- Bob Dylan. Career started in the 1960s. Released a number of hits within this decade.
- 1970 - Self Portrait
- 1970 - New Morning
- 1974 - Planet Waves (with The Band)
- 1975 - Blood on the Tracks
- 1975 - The Basement Tapes (with The Band, recordings from 1968, but only made public in 1975).
- 1976 - Desire
- 1978 - Street Legal
- 1979 - Slow Train Coming
- Eagles. Formed in 1971note and released their debut album in 1972.
- 1976 - Hotel California; the title track is their most popular song
- Earth, Wind & Fire
- Egg
- Electric Light Orchestra. Formed in 1970, debut album in 1971, commercial success began in 1974.
- 1971 - The Electric Light Orchestra
- 1974 - Eldorado
- 1977 - Out of the Blue
- Duke Ellington. Died in 1974.
- Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Debut album in 1970.
- 1971 - Pictures at an Exhibition
- 1973 - Brain Salad Surgery
- Jon English
- Brian Eno: Member of Roxy Music for their first two albums, released solo debut at the start of 1974, Record Producer by the end of the decade.
- 1974 - Here Come the Warm Jets
- 1978 - Ambient 1: Music for Airports
- Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung
- Gloria Estefan. The first Miami Sound Machine records came out in 1977.
- Bill Evans
- The Everly Brothers
- Fabian
- Faces. Debut album in 1970.
- Fairport Convention
- Marianne Faithfull. Her comeback album, Broken English, was released in 1979.
- The Fall. Formed in 1976, debut album in 1979.
- Fanny
- Art Farmer
- Faust
- José Feliciano
- Brad Fiedel
- Leslie Fish
- 1977 - "Banned from Argo"
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Fleetwood Mac. Formed in 1967. Recorded and toured throughout the decade, achieving their commercial breakthrough midway through with their 1975 self-titled album.
- 1975 - Fleetwood Mac (White Album)
- 1977 - Rumours
- 1979 - Tusk
- Shelby Flint
- The Flying Burrito Brothers
- Tennessee Ernie Ford
- Foreigner. Formed in 1976, debut album in 1977.
- The Forgotten Rebels
- The Four Freshmen
- Four Tops
- Peter Frampton
- Claude François
- Aretha Franklin
- The Free Design
- Kinky Friedman
- Robert Fripp
- Funkadelic
- 1971 - Maggot Brain
- 1978 - One Nation Under a Groove
- Peter Gabriel. Former lead singer of Genesis, released debut solo album in 1977.
- Serge Gainsbourg
- Gang of Four. Released their debut single in 1978 and debut album in 1979.
- Leif Garrett. Had a steady acting career throughout the decade before releasing his debut single in 1976.
- Mort Garson
- Marvin Gaye:
- 1971 - What's Going On
- Genesis. Started in 1967, had their most successful period in The '80s, but was influential in Progressive Rock in this decade.
- 1970 - Trespass
- 1971 - Nursery Cryme
- 1972 - Foxtrot
- 1973 - Selling England by the Pound
- 1974 - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
- 1976 - A Trick of the Tail
- 1976 - Wind & Wuthering
- 1978 - ...And Then There Were Three...
- The J. Geils Band. Formed in 1967, released their first album in 1970.
- Gentle Giant. Released their debut album in 1970.
- The Germs
- Andy Gibb
- Gilberto Gil
- 1975 - Ogum, Xangô (with Jorge Ben)
- João Gilberto
- Dizzy Gillespie
- Gary Glitter. Adopted this stage name in 1972, released four albums throughout this decade.
- Goblin
- Golden Earring
- Gong
- The Goodies. Although not a band, Bill Oddie recorded under this name.
- Lesley Gore
- Robert Goulet
- Grand Funk Railroad
- Amy Grant
- The Grateful Dead
- 1970 - American Beauty
- Al Green
- 1972 - Let's Stay Together
- 1973 - Call Me
- Ferre Grignard. Started career all the way back in the late 50s, released two cult albums either side of the 70s.
- Gryphon
- Vince Guaraldi
- The Guess Who
- Arlo Guthrie
- Bruce Haack
- Steve Hackett. Former guitarist of Genesis. Released debut solo album in 1975, while he was still in the band.
- Nina Hagen. Released debut album as part of Nina Hagen Band in 1978.
- Merle Haggard
- Daryl Hall & John Oates. Formed in 1970 and released debut album in 1972.
- Tom T. Hall
- Johnny Hallyday
- Herbie Hancock
- 1973 - Head Hunters
- Françoise Hardy
- 1971 - La Question
- George Harrison. Career started in the 1960s. Released a major hit album in 1970.
- 1970 - All Things Must Pass
- 1971 - The Concert for Bangladesh
- Screamin' Jay Hawkins
- Hawkwind. Formed in 1969, debut album in 1970.
- Isaac Hayes
- Ofra Haza
- Heart. Previously known as "The Army", "White Heart", and "Hocus Pocus". Debut single in 1975, debut album in 1976.
- Heavy Load
- Henry Cow
- 1975 - Desperate Straights (with Slapp Happy)
- 1975 - In Praise of Learning (with Slapp Happy)
- Bernard Herrmann
- Jacques Higelin
- Johnny Hodges
- Allan Holdsworth
- The Hollies
- John Lee Hooker
- Horslips. Formed in 1970, debut album in 1972.
- Haruomi Hosono
- 1973 - Hosono House
- 1975 - Tropical Dandy
- 1976 - Bon Voyage Co.
- 1978 - Paraiso (with The Yellow Magic Band)
- 1978 - Pacific (with Shigeru Suzuki and Tatsuro Yamashita)
- 1978 - Cochin Moon (with Tadanori Yokoo)
- 1979 - the AEGEAN SEA (with Takahiko Ishikawa and Masataka Matsutohya)
- Howlin' Wolf: Still going strong until his death in 1976.
- Glenn Hughes
- The Human League: Formed in the waning years of the decade, found greater success at the start of the next under a new lineup.
- 1979 - Reproduction
- Phyllis Hyman
- The Incredible String Band
- Iron Butterfly
- Iron Maiden
- The Isley Brothers
- The Jackson 5
- Joe Jackson: Released first two albums in 1979.
- Michael Jackson. Debut album in 1972. Released his first "adult" hits in 1979.
- 1972 - Got to Be There
- 1979 - Off the Wall
- Millie Jackson
- 1974 - Caught Up
- Mick Jagger
- Los Jaivas
- The Jam. Formed in 1972, debut album in 1977.
- Etta James
- Rick James
- Jandek
- Japan
- Jean-Michel Jarre. Debut single in 1971, debut album in 1972. First hit album in 1976.
- Jefferson Airplane: Released two studio albums in this decade before breaking up in 1972.
- Jefferson Starship
- Waylon Jennings. Began his recording career in 1965, but had his greatest commercial success during the 1970s.
- Jethro Tull. Started in 1967, had their most successful and productive period in the 1970's. Had two #1 albums in the decade, both concept albums that took up the entirety of the album.
- 1971 - Aqualung (Jethro Tull Album)
- 1972 - Thick as a Brick
- Antônio Carlos Jobim
- Jilted John
- Billy Joel. Career started in 1964, but his solo career took off in 1972–1973. He scored his first top 10 hits around the end of the decade.
- 1970 - Attila
- 1977 - The Stranger (Album)
- 1978 - 52nd Street
- Elton John. Career started in the 1960s, but John first enjoyed mainstream popularity in this decade.
- 1972 - Honky Château
- 1973 - Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player
- 1973 - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
- 1974 - Caribou
- 1975 - Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
- Bruce Johnston
- 1977 - Going Public
- Brian Jones. Died in 1969, but the album below was released in 1971.
- George Jones
- Grace Jones
- Quincy Jones
- Tom Jones
- Janis Joplin. Died in 1970.
- Journey. Formed in 1973, debut album in 1975.
- Joy Division. Formed in 1976-1977, first recordings in 1978.
- 1979 - Unknown Pleasures
- Judas Priest. Formed in 1969, debut album in 1974.
- Judge Dread
- Kansas. Formed in 1973, debut album in 1974.
- Paul Kantner
- 1970 - Blows Against the Empire
- B.B. King
- Carole King
- 1971 - Tapestry
- King Crimson
- 1970 - In the Wake of Poseidon
- 1973 - Larks' Tongues in Aspic
- 1974 - Red
- The Kinks (A British Invasion band from The '60s that was still going strong). Their 1970 hit "Lola" is still one of their most famous songs.
- Rahsaan Roland Kirk
- KISS. Formed in 1973, debut album in 1974. Signature Song "Rock and Roll All Nite" came in 1975.
- 1974 - KISS
- 1974 - Hotter Than Hell
- 1975 - Dressed to Kill
- 1976 - Destroyer
- 1976 - Rock and Roll Over
- 1977 - Love Gun
- 1977 - Alive II
- 1978 - KISS Solo Albums
- 1979 - Dynasty
- Los Kjarkas
- Klaatu. Formed in 1973, debut album in 1976.
- The Knack
- Gladys Knight and the Pips. Knight would also release solo albums this decade.
- Kool & the Gang
- Kool Moe Dee. Debuted in 1976.
- Kraftwerk. Debut album in 1970. A hugely influential Electronic band.
- 1974 - Autobahn
- 1977 - Trans-Europe Express
- 1978 - The Man-Machine
- Kris Kristofferson
- Fela Kuti
- La Düsseldorf, spinoff of Neu! and very successful in their home country during the late 70s.
- Labelle. Formed in 1962, broke up in 1976.
- 1974 - Nightbirds
- Patti LaBelle. Debut solo album in 1977.
- The Leather Nun
- Led Zeppelin. The group formed and debuted in the 1960s from the ashes of The Yardbirds, but reached the height of their popularity in this decade.
- 1970 - Led Zeppelin III
- 1971 - Led Zeppelin IV
- 1973 - Houses of the Holy
- 1975 - Physical Graffiti
- 1976 - The Song Remains the Same
- Leiber and Stoller: Still writing, and scored a hit with "Stuck in the Middle With You" in 1972.
- John Lennon. Debut solo non-experimental album in 1970. Released a major hit album in 1971.
- 1970 - John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
- 1971 - Imagine
- 1973 - Mind Games
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Liberace
- Gordon Lightfoot. Debuted in the 1960s, but found his greatest success in this decade.
- Little Feat. Formed in 1969, debut album in 1971.
- Little Richard
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- 1973 - Jesus Christ Superstar
- 1977 - Evita
- Kenny Loggins
- Love
- Mike Love
- 1978 - First Love
- 1978 - Country Love
- Nick Lowe. Solo debut released in 1978.
- Les Luthiers
- John Lydon. His bands Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd. debuted in this decade.
- Lynyrd Skynyrd. Formed in 1964, debut album in 1973. First hit in 1974.
- Vera Lynn
- Madness. Debuted in 1979.
- 1979 - One Step Beyond Album
- Magazine
- Magma
- Tim Maia. Debuted in 1970.
- 1975 - Racional Vols
- The Mamas & the Papas: Released their final studio album People Like Us in 1971.
- Henry Mancini
- Mandrake
- Harry Manfredini
- Manilla Road
- Barry Manilow
- Mannheim Steamroller
- Bob Marley. Started in the 1960s, became the face of Reggae in the 1970s.
- 1973 - Catch a Fire
- 1973 - Burnin'
- 1974 - Natty Dread
- 1975 - Live!
- 1976 - Rastaman Vibration
- 1977 - Exodus
- 1978 - Kaya
- 1979 - Survival
- Dean Martin
- John Martyn. Released his classic album Solid Air in 1973, dedicated to Nick Drake.
- Johnny Mathis
- Yumi Matsutoya
- Curtis Mayfield
- 1972 - Super Fly
- Toshiro Mayuzumi
- MC5
- C. W. McCall
- Paul McCartney. Released his first solo album in 1970. Later co-founded Wings.
- Reba McEntire
- John McLaughlin
- Don McLean
- 1971 - American Pie
- Brian McNeill
- Meat Loaf
- 1977 - Bat Out of Hell
- John Mellencamp
- Mental As Anything
- Menudo
- Pat Metheny
- Midnight Oil
- Steve Miller Band
- Ronnie Milsap. Debut album in 1971, first major hit in 1974.
- Charles Mingus. Died in 1979.
- 1972 - Let My Children Hear Music
- The Misfits. Formed in 1977.
- Mission of Burma. Formed in 1979. One of their songs gained an audience through a college radio station before they even managed to release a single.
- Joni Mitchell. Debuted in 1968, had many successful albums during this decade.
- The Modern Lovers
- The Moody Blues. Formed in 1964. Released a number of hit albums within this decade. "Nights in White Satin" regained popularity this decade.
- Thelonious Monk
- Giorgio Moroder. Famous Record Producer.
- Van Morrison. Started in the 1960s but enjoyed most of his commercial success in this decade.
- Mothers Finest
- Motörhead. Formed in 1975, debut album released in 1977.
- Mott the Hoople. First album in 1969, but best known for their work during this decade.
- The Move. Released final studio album, Message from the Country, in 1971.
- Jim Nabors
- Milton Nascimento
- Neu!. One of the major bands of the German movement, which was dubbed "Krautrock".
- Ricky Nelson. Made his final top forty hit ("Garden Party") in 1972.
- Willie Nelson began his recording career in 1956 but began achieving significant commercial success during the 1970s.
- Michael Nesmith
- New York Dolls. Debuted in 1973.
- Anthony Newley
- Lionel Newman
- Randy Newman
- Olivia Newton-John
- Nico
- Harry Nilsson
- 1971 - Nilsson Schmilsson
- Nits
- Klaus Nomi
- Ted Nugent. Started with The Amboy Dukes in the 1960s, but became a massive act on his own in this decade.
- Gary Numan. His early punk band Mean Street was included on a 1977 compilation. His subsequent band, Tubeway Army, debuted in 1978. First credited under his own name in 1979.
- Nurse with Wound
- Laura Nyro. Debuted in 1968, continued through this decade and into the '80s.
- The Oak Ridge Boys
- Phil Ochs
- Babatunde Olatunji
- Mike Oldfield. Debut solo album in 1973. Oldfield had previously performed and recorded both in a duo (with his sister Sally Oldfield) and in collaborations with various bands.
- 1973 - Tubular Bells
- Oliver!. Debuted in 1969, continued into the first few years of this decade.
- Omega
- Yoko Ono
- Roy Orbison: Started in the early 1950s and peaked in the early '60s. Off the pop culture radar by this time, but still recording and touring.
- Riz Ortolani
- Shuggie Otis. Released his debut record in 1970
- 1971 - Freedom Flight
- 1974 - Inspiration Information
- John Otway. First album in 1977.
- Buck Owens
- Pappo
- Van Dyke Parks
- Parliament
- 1975 - Mothership Connection
- Dolly Parton. Her recording career started in the 1960s, but she gained mainstream success during this decade.
- 1971 - Coat of Many Colors
- Ann Peebles
- 1972 - Straight from the Heart
- 1974 - I Can't Stand the Rain
- Pere Ubu. Formed in 1975. Released its first album in 1978.
- Penguin Cafe Orchestra
- Peter, Paul and Mary
- Petra
- Tom Petty. Debut album released in 1976.
- Philemon Arthur and the Dung
- Pink Floyd. Formed in the 1960s but released most of their most notable works within this decade:
- 1970 - Atom Heart Mother
- 1971 - Meddle
- 1972 - Obscured by Clouds
- 1973 - The Dark Side of the Moon
- 1975 - Wish You Were Here
- 1977 - Animals
- 1979 - The Wall
- The Plasmatics. Formed in 1977.
- Poco. Debuted in 1969, but reached their greatest popularity in this decade.
- Basil Poledouris
- The Police. Formed in 1977, debut album in 1978. "Roxanne" and "Message in a Bottle" were 1979 hits.
- 1978 - Outlandos d'Amour
- 1979 - Reggatta de Blanc
- Barry Louis Polisar
- Iggy Pop
- 1977 - The Idiot
- 1977 - Lust for Life
- The Pop Group. Released their debut album Y in 1979.
- 1979 - Y
- Elvis Presley. Continued his career until his death in 1977.
- 1974 - Having Fun with Elvis on Stage
- 1976 - The Sun Sessions note
- Billy Preston
- Pretenders
- 1979 - Pretenders
- The Pretty Things
- Charley Pride. Began his recording career in 1966; had a pop-crossover hit in 1971 with "Kiss an Angel Good Morning", and regularly registered in the top-10 on the country album and single charts throughout the decade.
- Prince: Debuted in 1978.
- 1979 - Prince
- Procol Harum. Recording career started in 1967. They continued releasing successful albums and singles until 1976.
- Public Image Ltd. Formed in 1978, releasing their debut album and their first hit single within the same year.
- Tito Puente
- Alla Pugacheva
- Quatermass
- Suzi Quatro. Released first solo recordings in 1972.
- Queen. Formed in 1970, debut album in 1973. Their three most famous works came this decade.
- 1973 - Queen (1973)
- 1974 - Queen II
- 1974 - Sheer Heart Attack
- 1975 - A Night at the Opera (which features probably their most iconic song, "Bohemian Rhapsody")
- 1976 - A Day at the Races
- 1977 - News of the World
- 1978 - Jazz
- Brian May
- Freddie Mercury
- Quiet Riot
- Trevor Rabin: With South African band Rabbitt prior to forming a new band with ex-Yes members, which in turn became Yes.
- Rafael Orozco Maestre. Debut album in 1975.
- Gerry Rafferty. First solo album released in 1971.
- Raffi
- Rainbow. Formed in 1975 by Ritchie Blackmore with Ronnie James Dio after leaving Purple. A notorious Revolving Door Band.
- Bonnie Raitt
- 1972 - Give It Up
- Les Rallizes Dénudés
- Ramones. Formed in 1974, debut album in 1976.
- 1976 - Ramones
- 1977 - Leave Home
- 1977 - Rocket to Russia
- 1978 - Road to Ruin
- Redbone
- Jimmy Reed
- Lou Reed. Started in the 1960s with The Velvet Underground; self-titled solo debut released in 1972.
- 1972 - Transformer
- 1973 - Berlin
- 1975 - Metal Machine Music
- Jim Reeves. Although he died in 1964, the singer continued to have top-20 hits on the American country charts intermittently during the 1970s. In 1979, he had his second-to-last top-10 hit on the chart with "Oh, How I Miss You Tonight".
- Renaissance
- REO Speedwagon
- The Residents. Debuted in 1973.
- 1973 - The Third Reich 'n Roll
- 1978 - Duck Stab! / Buster & Glen
- 1979 - Eskimo
- Paul Revere and the Raiders. Had a brief career resurgence at the beginning of the decade under the shortened name "Raiders".
- Cliff Richard
- Keith Richards
- Riders in the Sky. Formed in 1977. First album released 1979.
- Minnie Riperton. Debuted solo in 1970.
- Marty Robbins
- Rodriguez. Debut album in 1970.
- Kenny Rogers
- Roy Rogers
- Stan Rogers
- The Rolling Stones. Formed in 1962, the group released a series of hit albums within this decade. From 1969 to 1974, Mick Taylor replaced Brian Jones on guitar. In 1975, Taylor was succeeded by Ronnie Wood, who has been with the group ever since.
- 1971 - Sticky Fingers
- 1972 - Exile on Main St.
- 1973 - Goats Head Soup
- 1974 - It's Only Rock 'n Roll
- 1976 - Black and Blue
- 1978 - Some Girls
- Max Romeo & The Upsetters
- 1976 - War Ina Babylon
- Linda Ronstadt. First active in the mid-1960's; first album 1969 but would become the top-selling female artist of the 1970s.
- Diana Ross. Performed with The Supremes in the 1960s, and then started her solo career this decade with a self-titled album in 1970.
- Roxy Music. Formed in 1971, debut album in 1972.
- 1972 - Roxy Music (Album)
- 1973 - For Your Pleasure
- 1974 - Country Life
- 1975 - Siren (1975)
- 801. Short-lived Supergroup featuring Roxy guitarist Phil Manzanera, Brian Eno, Godley & Creme, and various members of King Crimson, and Split Enz.
- Miklos Rozsa
- The Runaways. Formed in 1975, debut album in 1976.
- Todd Rundgren. Had the most solo success in the early seventies and formed Utopia in 1973.
- 1972 - Something/Anything?
- Rush. Formed in 1965. Debut album in 1974.
- 1974 - Rush
- 1975 - Fly by Night
- 1975 - Caress of Steel
- 1976 - 2112
- 1977 - A Farewell to Kings
- 1978 - Hemispheres
- Roza Rymbaeva
- Saga
- Buffy Sainte-Marie
- Ryuichi Sakamoto. Began his solo career in 1976 before joining and rising to fame with Yellow Magic Orchestra; he'd continue releasing solo material during and well after the band's initial run.
- 1976 - Disappointment - Hateruma (with Toshiyuki Tsuchitori).
- 1978 - Thousand Knives
- Pharoah Sanders
- Carlos Santana
- Santana
- 1970 - Abraxas
- Peter Sarstedt
- Saxon
- Klaus Schulze
- Scorpions. Formed in 1965, debut album in 1972.
- Scritti Politti. Formed in 1977, debut single in 1978.
- Gil Scott-Heron. Debuted in 1970.
- 1974 - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
- 1974 - Winter in America
- The Searchers
- Neil Sedaka. Started in 1957. Took a hiatus in the sixties after The Beatles came out. Revived in this decade and had some of his biggest songs during it.
- Bob Seger. Started in the 1960s but found his first major success in this decade.
- Sex Pistols. Formed in 1975, debut single in 1976.
- Sha Na Na
- Ravi Shankar
- Sonny Sharrock
- The Sherman Brothers
- Bobby Sherman. Started in the 1960s but kept releasing music into the mid-'70s.
- Dmitri Shostakovich: Died in 1975.
- Nina Simone
- Simon & Garfunkel. Career started in the 1950s. Released their last album in 1970, featuring the hit "Bridge Over Troubled Water", before ending their partnership. Briefly reunited in the mid-70's.
- 1970 - Bridge Over Troubled Water
- Paul Simon. Career started in the 1960s. Released a number of hit albums within this decade.
- Carly Simon. Debut album in 1971.
- Simple Minds. Formed in 1978 from the remnants of previous band Johnny & The Self-Abusers. Debut album in 1979.
- Frank Sinatra
- Nancy Sinatra
- Siouxsie and the Banshees. Formed in 1976, debut album in 1978.
- Slade. Glam rockers who were arguably the biggest band in Britain around 1972-4.
- Slapp Happy
- 1974 - Casablanca Moon
- The Slits
- Sly and the Family Stone
- 1971 - There's a Riot Goin' On
- The Small Faces
- Patti Smith. Debut album in 1975.
- 1975 - Horses
- 1976 - Radio Ethiopia
- 1978 - Easter
- 1979 - Wave
- Soft Machine
- Sonny & Cher
- David Soul
- The Sound. Debut EP in 1979
- Sparks. Debut album in 1971 as Halfnelson, changed their name in 1972.
- 1974 - Kimono My House
- 1979 - No. 1 in Heaven
- The Specials
- Dusty Springfield
- Rick Springfield
- Bruce Springsteen. Debut album in 1973.
- 1973 - Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.
- 1975 - Born to Run
- Squeeze. Debut album in 1978.
- Ringo Starr. Debut solo album in 1970.
- 1973 - Ringo
- The Statler Brothers
- Status Quo. Formed in 1960s, but released notable commercial hits in this decade. None were big in the U.S. though.
- Steeleye Span
- Steely Dan. Debut album in 1972. The duo had previously recorded a number of demos and an unsuccessful single.
- 1973 - Countdown to Ecstasy
- 1977 - Aja
- Steppenwolf
- Cat Stevens
- Ray Stevens
- Al Stewart
- John Stewart
- Rod Stewart. Solo recording career started in 1964. First major hit in 1971.
- Stiff Little Fingers. Formed in 1977, released first single in 1978.
- Stephen Stills
- The Stooges
- The Stranglers. Formed in 1974, first album was in 1977, had significant chart success from '77 through to the eighties and onward.
- Igor Stravinsky. Died in 1971.
- Barbra Streisand. Her singing career started in the 1960s, but Streisand released several major hits in this decade.
- Styx. Debuted under this name in 1972. Previously known as "Tradewinds" and "TW4". They had their first major hit in 1975.
- The Sugarhill Gang. Debuted in 1973. First hit in 1979.
- Suicide. Began performing in 1970, released their first album in 1977.
- Donna Summer. First single in 1971, first album in 1974. First hit in 1975.
- 1977 - I Remember Yesterday
- 1979 - Bad Girls
- Sun Ra
- Øystein Sunde
- Supertramp. Formed in 1968. Classic lineup formed in 1972. Had first major hit in 1975. Released their best-selling album in 1979.
- 1974 - Crime of the Century
- 1979 - Breakfast in America
- The Supremes. Formed in 1959, the decade coincided with their post-Diana Ross era until they disbanded in 1977.
- Survivor
- Sweet. Formed in 1967, first album in 1971.
- John Tabacco. Although he reached his pedigree in the 90s he begun recording in 1979.
- Yukihiro Takahashi
- 1978 - Saravah!
- Mariya Takeuchi
- Talking Heads. Formed in 1974; debut single and album in 1977.
- 1977 - Talking Heads: 77
- 1978 - More Songs About Buildings and Food
- 1979 - Fear of Music
- Tangerine Dream
- 1971 - Alpha Centauri
- 1972 - Zeit
- 1974 - Phaedra
- 1975 - Rubycon
- 1975 - Ricochet
- 1976 - Stratosfear
- 1979 - Force Majeure
- James Taylor. Sweet Baby James was released in February 1970.
- Mick Taylor
- Television. Formed in 1973, debut single in 1975.
- 1977 - Marquee Moon
- The Temptations
- Teresa Teng. One of the highest-selling Asian artists of all time. Her songs broke through Red China.
- Thin Lizzy. Formed in 1969. First single in 1970, first album in 1971. Only hit in 1976.
- This Heat. Formed in 1975. First album released in 1979.
- 1979 - This Heat
- Irma Thomas
- Richard Thompson
- Thor
- Throbbing Gristle
- The Tigers
- Peter Tosh
- 1976 - Legalize It
- Toto
- Allen Toussaint
- 1975 - Southern Nights
- Traffic. After briefly disbanding in 1969, regrouped in 1970 before disbanding again in 1974.
- Trout Fishing in America
- Tanya Tucker
- Tina Turner: Continued her personal and professional partnership with Ike Turner until 1978.
- Conway Twitty
- Bonnie Tyler
- UFO. Released their first album in 1970.
- U.K.
- James Blood Ulmer
- Univers Zero
- Uriah Heep. Formed in 1969. Debut album in 1970. Only hit in 1973.
- Ultravox. Most associated with The '80s but formed in 1974 and released three albums in 1977 and 1978.
- 1978 - Systems of Romance
- Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
- Van der Graaf Generator
- Van Halen. Debut album in 1978. Considered one of the most successful debuts by a rock band, reaching a top 20 position in the charts.
- Townes Van Zandt
- Vangelis
- Sarah Vaughan
- 1973 - Live in Japan
- The Velvet Underground released their final two albums in this decade before dissolving; most of the band had already left between the first and second of these, and as a result the second of the band's two 70's albums is functionally a Doug Yule solo record.
- 1970 - Loaded
- 1973 - Squeeze (1973)
- Sid Vicious
- 1979 - Sid Sings
- Village People. Debut album in 1977. First hit in 1978.
- Vladimir Vysotsky
- Bunny Wailer
- Tom Waits. Debut album in 1973.
- 1973 - Closing Time
- 1974 - The Heart of Saturday Night
- 1975 - Nighthawks at the Diner
- 1976 - Small Change
- 1977 - Foreign Affairs
- 1978 - Blue Valentine
- Rick Wakeman. Debut solo album in 1973.
- The Walker Brothers. Reformed 1975-1978, had a hit with "No Regrets" in 1976, released influential album Nite Flights in 1978.
- Scott Walker. Released five solo albums and reformed the Walker Brothers 1975-1978.
- War (Band)
- Dionne Warwick
- Muddy Waters
- Johnny "Guitar" Watson
- Jeff Wayne
- Weather Report. Formed in 1970 debut released in 71
- Kitty Wells
- Barry White. Debuted in 1973.
- Whitesnake. Debuted in 1978.
- The Who. They formed in the 1960s. But released notable works within this decade. Drummer Keith Moon died in 1978.
- 1971 - Who's Next
- 1973 - Quadrophenia
- Jack Wild. Debuted in 1969, but cut two more records in 1972 and 1973, and also did some acting work in this decade.
- Wild Man Fischer
- The Wild Tchoupitoulas
- Don Williams
- Lucinda Williams
- Paul Williams. Debuted in the late '60s, composed most of his best-known songs in this decade.
- Tony Williams
- Hank Williams Jr.
- Brian Wilson
- Dennis Wilson. Released his first (and only completed) solo album in 1977.
- 1977 - Pacific Ocean Blue
- Wings. Formed in 1971.
- 1973 - Band on the Run
- Steve Winwood: Started his solo career in 1977.
- Wire. Formed in 1976, debut album in 1977.
- 1977 - Pink Flag
- 1978 - Chairs Missing
- 1979 - 154
- Stevie Wonder. Debuted in the 1960s, released some major best sellers during this decade.
- 1972 - Talking Book
- 1973 - Innervisions
- 1976 - Songs in the Key of Life
- Roy Wood
- The Wrecking Crew Music. Their success began to decline in 1973 or so.
- OV Wright
- The Wurzels
- X (US Band). Formed in 1977, debut single in 1978.
- XTC. Formed in 1977, debut album in 1978.
- Yello. Formed and released their debut single in 1979.
- Yellow Magic Orchestra. Formed and released their first two albums in 1978 and 1979.
- 1978 - Yellow Magic Orchestra (Album)
- 1979 - Solid State Survivor
- Yes. Formed in 1960s, but released several hit albums in this decade. First hit in 1972.
- 1970 - Time and a Word
- 1971 - The Yes Album
- 1971 - Fragile
- 1972 - Close to the Edge
- 1973 - Tales from Topographic Oceans
- 1974 - Relayer
- 1977 - Going for the One
- 1978 - Tormato
- Neil Young. Debuted in 1968. Released his greatest chart hits in this decade.
- 1970 - After the Gold Rush
- 1979 - Rust Never Sleeps
- Frank Zappa. Recording career had started in 1966. Solo career took off in this decade, with two of his most successful albums released in 1979.
- 1970 - Burnt Weeny Sandwich
- 1970 - Weasels Ripped My Flesh
- 1970 - Chunga's Revenge
- 1971 - Fillmore East, June 1971
- 1971 - 200 Motels
- 1972 - Just Another Band from L.A.
- 1972 - Waka/Jawaka
- 1972 - The Grand Wazoo
- 1973 - Over-Nite Sensation
- 1974 - Apostrophe (')
- 1974 - Roxy & Elsewhere
- 1975 - One Size Fits All
- 1975 - Bongo Fury note
- 1976 - Zoot Allures
- 1978 - Zappa in New York
- 1978 - Studio Tan
- 1978 - Sleep Dirt
- 1979 - Sheik Yerbouti
- 1979 - Orchestral Favorites
- 1979 - Joe's Garage
- Warren Zevon. His self-titled major label debut was released in 1976.
- The Wolfe Tones
- ZZ Top. Formed in 1969. Debut album released in 1971.
- Various artists: The 1970 album Songs of the Humpback Whale was the first album released to the public featuring nothing but sounds of singing whales. At the time many people had thought whales were mute, but the record actually showed them to be majestic and magnificent creatures whose vocal sounds are an amazing and wonderful listening experience. It also helped people to realize that these intelligent creatures ought to be protected from hunters, thus inspiring the "Save the Whales" movement.