1970s Rock 1970s Rock MusicMusic

The SeventiesThe Seventies

The key event in 1970 was the break up of The key event in 1970 was the break up of the Beatles, and this saw the exciting the Beatles, and this saw the exciting music of the late ’60s diminish, to return music of the late ’60s diminish, to return again to music that was popular, safe and again to music that was popular, safe and predictable.predictable.

However after this rock music began to be However after this rock music began to be played to huge audiences in massive played to huge audiences in massive sports arenas rather than smaller theaters.sports arenas rather than smaller theaters.

Led Zeppelin videoLed Zeppelin video

The SeventiesThe Seventies The ’70s have often been referred to as the ‘me’ The ’70s have often been referred to as the ‘me’

period. This implied a time of selfishness among period. This implied a time of selfishness among people, who were intent on having money.people, who were intent on having money.

It seemed as though the East/West division It seemed as though the East/West division would be replaced by the ‘haves/have nots’ split.would be replaced by the ‘haves/have nots’ split.

Most third world countries were seen as a Most third world countries were seen as a source of cheap labour and their raw materials.source of cheap labour and their raw materials.

Oil prices raised dramatically and this coincided Oil prices raised dramatically and this coincided with the Arab-Israeli war of 1973, where oil with the Arab-Israeli war of 1973, where oil supplies were blocked to countries who supplies were blocked to countries who assissted Israel.assissted Israel.

ProtestingProtesting

Again as in the ’60s protesting was a large Again as in the ’60s protesting was a large part of life. In 1970, 4 white students part of life. In 1970, 4 white students protesting against the Vietnam war were protesting against the Vietnam war were shot dead by guards at the Kent State shot dead by guards at the Kent State University.University.

Two weeks later, 2 black students were shot Two weeks later, 2 black students were shot in similar circumstances at Mississippi Uni.in similar circumstances at Mississippi Uni.

Americans were beginning to see the Americans were beginning to see the violence of Vietnam reflected in their own violence of Vietnam reflected in their own politics and country.politics and country.

Politics in the ’70sPolitics in the ’70s

The Watergate scandal which involved the dirty The Watergate scandal which involved the dirty tricks of Nixon’s re-election. This led to his tricks of Nixon’s re-election. This led to his disgraced resignation in 1974.disgraced resignation in 1974.

Margaret Thatcher was elected as Britain’s Margaret Thatcher was elected as Britain’s Prime Minister in 1979, and she became the first Prime Minister in 1979, and she became the first female to lead a Western national government.female to lead a Western national government.

The IRA (Irish Republican Army) developed in The IRA (Irish Republican Army) developed in the ’70s and this saw a fight between Catholic the ’70s and this saw a fight between Catholic Ireland and Protestant Northern Ireland. Ireland and Protestant Northern Ireland.

Terrorism in the 1970sTerrorism in the 1970s Terrorism became a common feature of the Terrorism became a common feature of the

’70s. Groups such as Black September ’70s. Groups such as Black September (Middle East), IRA (Northern Ireland) and (Middle East), IRA (Northern Ireland) and Black Panthers (USA) all utilised violence to Black Panthers (USA) all utilised violence to achieve political ends. Usually aiming at achieve political ends. Usually aiming at targets that would generate publicity.targets that would generate publicity.

During the Munich Olympic Games in ’72, During the Munich Olympic Games in ’72, Arab terrorists seized Israeli athletes and Arab terrorists seized Israeli athletes and killed themkilled them

AustraliaAustralia

Gough Whitlam was elected Prime Gough Whitlam was elected Prime Minister and this was the first Labour Party Minister and this was the first Labour Party win in over 20 years.win in over 20 years.

It was more affordable to travel overseas It was more affordable to travel overseas via aeroplanes.via aeroplanes.

There was a mass migration programme There was a mass migration programme during the ’70s. And this also saw the end during the ’70s. And this also saw the end of a ‘White Australia’ policy.of a ‘White Australia’ policy.

Colour television came to Australia in ’72.Colour television came to Australia in ’72. By the end of the decade, communications By the end of the decade, communications

had improved to such an extent that that had improved to such an extent that that Australia really was a part of a global Australia really was a part of a global network.network.

The seventies saw British kids facing The seventies saw British kids facing unemployment, whilst Australian and unemployment, whilst Australian and American teenagers were fighting in American teenagers were fighting in foreign wars.foreign wars.

The’70s saw the women demand equality The’70s saw the women demand equality and this was the rise of a women’s and this was the rise of a women’s movement.movement.

1970s Music1970s Music

In the early ‘70s, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and In the early ‘70s, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and the Doors frontman, Jim Morrison would all be the Doors frontman, Jim Morrison would all be dead.dead.

The early ’70s were dominated by the superstars The early ’70s were dominated by the superstars and the singer/songwriters. This presented a and the singer/songwriters. This presented a multitude of music styles.multitude of music styles.

Elton John, Rod Stewart, Led Zeppelin and Elton John, Rod Stewart, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple were all playing to huge audiences.Deep Purple were all playing to huge audiences.

Stairway to heaven videoStairway to heaven video Pink Floyd videoPink Floyd video

Technology allowed these events to Technology allowed these events to happen, with massive banks of speakers happen, with massive banks of speakers allowing sound to spread far and wide. allowing sound to spread far and wide. Video screens were also introduced to live Video screens were also introduced to live performances.performances.

Artists like James Taylor, Carole King and Artists like James Taylor, Carole King and Cat Stevens emerged playing soft-folk Cat Stevens emerged playing soft-folk music using only piano and guitar and music using only piano and guitar and would speak of life experiences.would speak of life experiences.

Very different to people like David Bowie Very different to people like David Bowie who often treated their gigs like strange who often treated their gigs like strange fashion shows. Bowie began to be labeled fashion shows. Bowie began to be labeled as Art Rock.as Art Rock.

A criticism of the time was that many A criticism of the time was that many groups were becoming to technical, where groups were becoming to technical, where bands like King Crimson and Genesis bands like King Crimson and Genesis staged spectacular concerts.staged spectacular concerts.

The aim of concerts became to make The aim of concerts became to make money from one town and then move onto money from one town and then move onto the next.the next.

There was little of the spirit from the past There was little of the spirit from the past two decades which was a special of rock two decades which was a special of rock music.music.

Queen videoQueen video

The emergence of punk and other The emergence of punk and other genresgenres

When the shake up that rock needed came, it When the shake up that rock needed came, it was from Britain again.was from Britain again.

Punk challenged the establishment and music Punk challenged the establishment and music proficiency was no longer needed.proficiency was no longer needed.

Punk (new wave) brought music back to being Punk (new wave) brought music back to being angry, raw, loud and exciting.angry, raw, loud and exciting.

It was music parents and adults wouldn’t listen to.It was music parents and adults wouldn’t listen to. Punk wasn’t the only music to challenge the rock Punk wasn’t the only music to challenge the rock

establishment. Reggae music was being pushed establishment. Reggae music was being pushed by Bob Marley, and he was eager to awaken the by Bob Marley, and he was eager to awaken the world to the sounds and rhythms of reggae.world to the sounds and rhythms of reggae.

The other style to emerge with punk and The other style to emerge with punk and reggae, was disco.reggae, was disco.

Where punk stripped music and lifestyle Where punk stripped music and lifestyle back to the barest essentials, disco thrived back to the barest essentials, disco thrived on excess.on excess.

People dressed up to go dancing and the People dressed up to go dancing and the music was made so that people could music was made so that people could dance.dance.

Australian music sceneAustralian music scene After the success of Woodstock in the US, After the success of Woodstock in the US,

Australia developed its own alternatives with Australia developed its own alternatives with Ourimbah in Sydney and the Sunbury festival.Ourimbah in Sydney and the Sunbury festival.

ABBA, Kiss and the Bay City Rollers all received ABBA, Kiss and the Bay City Rollers all received huge welcomes here, and Sherbet and Skyhooks huge welcomes here, and Sherbet and Skyhooks dominated record sales during the decade.dominated record sales during the decade.

Fans were either Sherbet fans or Skyhooks not Fans were either Sherbet fans or Skyhooks not both, it was like picking a football teamboth, it was like picking a football team

The success of these two bands were reliant on The success of these two bands were reliant on two national pop shows on TV, ‘Sounds’ and two national pop shows on TV, ‘Sounds’ and ‘Countdown.’‘Countdown.’

Skyhooks videoSkyhooks video

The Australian Pub SceneThe Australian Pub Scene

The ’70s saw the emergence of the Australian The ’70s saw the emergence of the Australian pub scene.pub scene.

Aussie pubs became the training ground of our Aussie pubs became the training ground of our best young musicians.best young musicians.

Bands like Cold Chisel, Rose Tattoo, the Angels Bands like Cold Chisel, Rose Tattoo, the Angels and probably the biggest of them all AC/DC.and probably the biggest of them all AC/DC.

There was something for all types of bands in There was something for all types of bands in the 1970s.the 1970s.

Top of the Pops VideoTop of the Pops Video

Pub rockPub rock

1978 was the year pub rock or heavy/hard 1978 was the year pub rock or heavy/hard rock blossomed.rock blossomed.

Pubs became the way that bands Pubs became the way that bands developed their sound. Rough, raw, developed their sound. Rough, raw, honest, loud and technically good.honest, loud and technically good.

Cold Chisel, AC/DC, the Angels and Cold Chisel, AC/DC, the Angels and Midnight Oil al began in pubs.Midnight Oil al began in pubs.

No reliance on lighting or stage props, just No reliance on lighting or stage props, just loud, aggressive and full of energy.loud, aggressive and full of energy.

AC/DCAC/DC

They formed in 1974 and were They formed in 1974 and were making an enormous impact overseas.making an enormous impact overseas.

They were a loud hard rock band.They were a loud hard rock band. Guitarist Malcolm Young was the founder and Guitarist Malcolm Young was the founder and

brother of Easybeat George. Adding younger brother of Easybeat George. Adding younger Angus soon after.Angus soon after.

Angus would always dress up as a young school Angus would always dress up as a young school boy, displaying a combination of talent and boy, displaying a combination of talent and showmanship.showmanship.

AC/DC videoAC/DC video

Vocalist Bon Scott was introduced in ’74, and Vocalist Bon Scott was introduced in ’74, and was a veteran of the Australian rock scene.was a veteran of the Australian rock scene.

They debuted in 1975 with the album ‘High They debuted in 1975 with the album ‘High Voltage.’Voltage.’

Harry Vanda and George Young were the bands Harry Vanda and George Young were the bands producers. And AC/DC soon ventured overseas producers. And AC/DC soon ventured overseas to experience more success.to experience more success.

They played back-up to Black Sabbath in 1977.They played back-up to Black Sabbath in 1977. Many disliked the bands overseas touring so Many disliked the bands overseas touring so

much, thinking that they had abandoned much, thinking that they had abandoned Australia.Australia.

AC/DC proved that it was ‘a long way to the top,’ AC/DC proved that it was ‘a long way to the top,’ but hard work could get anyone there.but hard work could get anyone there.

The Punk SceneThe Punk Scene

Music didn’t belong to any big record Music didn’t belong to any big record companies, but to anyone who with the companies, but to anyone who with the courage to buy a guitar and get on stage.courage to buy a guitar and get on stage.

Most people say that punk came from New Most people say that punk came from New York in the early ’70s, with bands like the York in the early ’70s, with bands like the Ramones and Velvet Underground.Ramones and Velvet Underground.

But punk didn’t become popular til it took But punk didn’t become popular til it took off in England in late ’76, with the Sex off in England in late ’76, with the Sex Pistols, the Clash and the Damned.Pistols, the Clash and the Damned.

In England, punk came from young unemployed In England, punk came from young unemployed people.people.

In New York, it came from a better off, slightly In New York, it came from a better off, slightly older artistic scene.older artistic scene.

In Australia, it was young middle-class fans who In Australia, it was young middle-class fans who adopted the style.adopted the style.

Punks wore outrageous clothes and often the Punks wore outrageous clothes and often the most spectacular hairstyles.most spectacular hairstyles.

They wore boots, chains and safety pins in their They wore boots, chains and safety pins in their ears and noses.ears and noses.

Their clothes were usually black and often torn Their clothes were usually black and often torn and lots of leather.and lots of leather.

Hair was usually spiky and often multicoloured.Hair was usually spiky and often multicoloured.

Punk Music

In 1976 the Roxy Club opened in Convent In 1976 the Roxy Club opened in Convent Garden in London, this was to be known Garden in London, this was to be known as the centre of punk music.as the centre of punk music.

Bands like the Clash, the Damned all Bands like the Clash, the Damned all played regularly here.played regularly here.

Like the music, the fashion of punk Like the music, the fashion of punk demanded attention.demanded attention.

Punk presented the chance to rebel Punk presented the chance to rebel against the establishment and vent some against the establishment and vent some of the rage and frustration felt at living in of the rage and frustration felt at living in Britain.Britain.

The Sex Pistols first single was called The Sex Pistols first single was called ‘Anarchy in the UK.’‘Anarchy in the UK.’

To great writers to come out of the punk To great writers to come out of the punk explosion were Joe Strummer of the Clash explosion were Joe Strummer of the Clash and Paul Weller of the Jam.and Paul Weller of the Jam.

Ironically, despite most British punk bands Ironically, despite most British punk bands looking to US groups like the Velvet looking to US groups like the Velvet Underground and Iggy Pop for ideas, punk Underground and Iggy Pop for ideas, punk never really took off in America.never really took off in America.

Bands in the ’80s such as Dire Straits and Bands in the ’80s such as Dire Straits and the Police, first experimented with punk in the Police, first experimented with punk in the ’70s.the ’70s.

The Sex PistolsThe Sex Pistols They only released one album yet had an They only released one album yet had an

everlasting impact on the punk scene.everlasting impact on the punk scene. The band begun in ’75, but it wasn’t until singer The band begun in ’75, but it wasn’t until singer

Johnny Rotten joined in ’76 that they became Johnny Rotten joined in ’76 that they became famous.famous.

He couldn’t really sing, but then the others could He couldn’t really sing, but then the others could barely play their instruments.barely play their instruments.

They said ‘we’re not into music, were into They said ‘we’re not into music, were into chaos!’chaos!’

Sex Pistols videoSex Pistols video

1977 saw the introduction of Sid Vicious.1977 saw the introduction of Sid Vicious. ’’78 would see the demise of the band, and 78 would see the demise of the band, and

the shortly after the death of Sid Vicious.the shortly after the death of Sid Vicious. There is no denying their place in There is no denying their place in

rock’n’roll history.rock’n’roll history. They challenged the musical They challenged the musical

establishment at a time when it had establishment at a time when it had become extremely conservative.become extremely conservative.

They are still inspiring many young people They are still inspiring many young people today who are into punk music.today who are into punk music.

The Ramones videoThe Ramones video

Australian punk didn’t make it to Australian punk didn’t make it to mainstream music charts, but it had a mainstream music charts, but it had a large impact on big artists that would come large impact on big artists that would come out in the late ’70s and early ’80s, such as: out in the late ’70s and early ’80s, such as: INXS, Mental as Anything, Midnight Oil INXS, Mental as Anything, Midnight Oil and Split Enz.and Split Enz.

In the late 1970s there was an increased In the late 1970s there was an increased number of women becoming involved in number of women becoming involved in rock music. This was due in part to punk rock music. This was due in part to punk music and the women’s movement, with music and the women’s movement, with women such as Suzi Quatro.women such as Suzi Quatro.

Disco MusicDisco Music Disco music was the other popular music to Disco music was the other popular music to

emerge in the late ’70s.emerge in the late ’70s. It came out of city dance clubs, DJs, and It came out of city dance clubs, DJs, and

producers.producers. Discos were places where you could dance to Discos were places where you could dance to

very loud recorded dance music.very loud recorded dance music. The music was recorded by people who didn’t The music was recorded by people who didn’t

usually perform live.usually perform live. It used rock as a basis, but also other It used rock as a basis, but also other

instruments to fill out the sound.instruments to fill out the sound. People either loved it or hated it.People either loved it or hated it.

Disco used synthesisers and it was music Disco used synthesisers and it was music designed for nightclub audiences.designed for nightclub audiences.

The movie ‘Saturday Night Fever,’ bought The movie ‘Saturday Night Fever,’ bought success to the Australian group the Bee success to the Australian group the Bee Gees, who wrote a lot of the movie’s Gees, who wrote a lot of the movie’s soundtrack.soundtrack.

The album sold 30 million copies The album sold 30 million copies worldwide.worldwide.

Reggae in the 1970sReggae in the 1970s The world was being introduced to Jamaican The world was being introduced to Jamaican

music called reggae.music called reggae. It is a very relaxed music based on calypso and It is a very relaxed music based on calypso and

ska, combined with rock music.ska, combined with rock music. The lyrics often expressed the oppression of The lyrics often expressed the oppression of

black people by white people.black people by white people. The reggae look was based on the way The reggae look was based on the way

Jamaican Rastafarians dress, usually with Jamaican Rastafarians dress, usually with dreadlocks, usually wearing the colours of dreadlocks, usually wearing the colours of Ethiopia of red, green and yellow and T-shirts Ethiopia of red, green and yellow and T-shirts with pictures of Bob Marley on them.with pictures of Bob Marley on them.