Hey music lovers! Get ready to hop into a time machine because we’re cruising back to the absolutely epic decade of the 1970s. If you’re looking for something that delivers a thrill, puts a smile on your face, or even gets you up and dancing, you know what might just do the trick? Classic rock, baby! This genre practically invented the concept of feel-good tunes, blasting out those explosive guitar sounds, rolling drums, and rumbling bass that just envelop you in pure oomph and power.
The ’70s were a truly special time for music, especially coming right after the wild ride of the late ’60s. The rise of FM radio was a game-changer, giving artists a place to really stretch out and get experimental with their sound, unlike AM which mostly stuck to pop hits. Sure, landing a Top 40 hit was still cool, but it wasn’t the only thing that mattered anymore. Musicians could dig into deeper musical ideas or more serious lyrical themes, and there was finally a platform where they could be heard and truly thrive. You could hear this awesome new freedom everywhere, from the long, jamming sessions of bands like the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd to the edgy, fresh sounds of punk and New Wave from groups like the Ramones and Blondie. R&B was also evolving, getting heavier with bands like Sly & The Family Stone and Funkadelic mixing psychedelic rock with funky rhythms, all while their lyrics tapped into the growing Black consciousness of the day. It was a time of incredible creativity and diversity!
Speaking of awesome ’70s sounds, let’s talk about AOR! Known sometimes as ‘Album/Adult Orientated Rock,’ or even melodic or soft rock (and yep, sometimes hair metal!), AOR became a massive force, especially on North American airwaves. It was all about finding that sweet spot, often based on super accessible hooks, solid, riff-driven playing, and usually featuring a singer with a killer high-pitched voice. Defining AOR can be tricky because it borrows bits from hard rock, progressive rock, and even pop, but the best of it just hits you right in the feels. While the genre really blew up in the ’80s with huge albums that became cornerstones of AOR history, the seeds were planted firmly in the ’70s with some absolutely essential records that helped shape its sound. We’re diving into ten of these absolute classics that you seriously need to check out. Get ready to crank up the volume!
1. **Boston – Boston (Epic, 1976)**:Talk about arriving with a bang! Boston’s self-titled debut album pretty much exploded onto the scene out of nowhere in 1976. This wasn’t your typical band dynamic; it was essentially the brainchild and vehicle for the incredibly talented guitarist and all-around studio perfectionist, Tom Scholz. He crafted a set of tunes that felt refreshingly direct and instantly appealing, and the result was one of the fastest-selling debut albums of all time. It just connected with people on a massive level right away.
While the songs were wrapped up in these neat, almost ‘Saccharine-coated shells’ as the text puts it, tracks like “Peace Of Mind,” “Long Time,” and “Rock & Roll Band” weren’t soft – they absolutely ‘fizzed and popped’ with contagious energy. Adding to this vibrant sound were the ‘shrill vocals’ of Brad Delp, whose voice soared over Scholz’s meticulously constructed tracks. It’s fascinating to think that even later rock icons were influenced by this album; the text mentions the bizarre fact that Kurt Cobain of Nirvana was reportedly inspired by the lead track, “More Than A Feeling,” when writing their grunge anthem “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” That’s some serious reach for a debut album!
Product on Amazon: BOSTON (Self-Titled Debut)- Epic Records 1976 – USED Vinyl LP Record – 1976 Pressing PE 34188 – More Than A Feeling – Smokin’ – Hitch A Ride – Peace Of Mind – Foreplay/Long Time – Rock & Roll Band
Binding: Vinyl Product Group: Music
Price: 21.99 USD
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2. **Kansas – Leftoverture (Epic/Legacy, 1976)**:Any self-respecting rock enthusiast absolutely *must* be familiar with Kansas’s signature, iconic hit “Carry On Wayward Son.” It’s a staple for a reason! But for anyone who hasn’t dug deeper, “Leftoverture” is the absolutely ‘mesmerising album’ where that classic song was born. This 1976 release showcases the six-man group at a peak, delivering something truly special that hasn’t quite been matched, even though Kansas went on to release many more albums.
What makes “Leftoverture” stand out is its incredible ‘diverse mixture.’ It perfectly balances ‘uplifting, melodious pop’ sensibilities with powerful, ‘hard-driving prog-style instrumentation.’ It’s not an easy feat to pull off, but Kansas did it masterfully. Steve Walsh is noted as being ‘at the peak of his vocal powers’ on tracks like “Miracles Out Of Nowhere” and “The Wall.” Even the album’s longer, six-part piece, “Magnum Opus,” manages to be ‘politely demanding’ – it’s complex and engaging, but never feels too difficult or ‘hard on the ear,’ which is a hallmark of the best prog-leaning AOR.
3. **Styx – The Grand Illusion (A&M, 1977)**:Here’s an album that wasn’t just a hit; it was the beginning of a legendary streak! “The Grand Illusion,” released in 1977, was the very first Styx album to hit the million-sales mark. This wasn’t a fluke; it kicked off a record-breaking run of four consecutive triple-platinum selling albums for the Chicagoans. You can totally see why it resonated so strongly with audiences at the time and continues to be loved.
Part of the appeal was definitely the band’s lineup. The text points out that ‘Resident babe magnet Tommy Shaw assured the quintet of huge female support,’ which, hey, is part of the rock and roll story! But beyond the looks, the music itself was solid, with ‘sturdy’ tracks like “Superstars” and “Miss America” tapping right into that classic ‘archetypal rock dream.’ And who could forget keyboard player Dennis DeYoung’s massive, ‘interstellar epic’ “Come Sail Away”? The text even notes it sounds ‘unfeasibly grandiose,’ which honestly just adds to its charm! It’s such an iconic track it was even ‘later lampooned in the cartoon South Park,’ showing just how ingrained it became in pop culture.
4. **Starz – Violation (Capitol, 1977)**:Alright, let’s talk about Starz and their 1977 album, “Violation.” This band, featuring Michael Smith (brother of ’70s US pop star Rex Smith) on vocals, played a style described as ‘mildly sleazy yet unmistakably classy rock.’ How cool is that description? They infused their sound with ‘smart, poppy choruses’ that the text says ‘dimly recalled all-night parties and wild women in tight dresses.’ Sounds like a good time, right?
Like their debut album before it, “Violation” had the benefit of being produced by the legendary Jack Douglas, who is known for his work with Aerosmith. This definitely helped give the album a polished yet powerful edge. Starz had a song called “Cherry Baby” that came ‘within a smidgen of giving Starz the hit that might have ignited their career,’ which is a shame, because according to the text, tracks like “Rock Six Times,” “All Night Long,” “Subway Terror,” and “Sing It, Shout It” haven’t faded with time. In fact, they somehow ‘retain their original resonance and vibrancy.’ That’s the mark of truly good rock and roll!
5. **Foreigner – Foreigner (Atlantic, 1977)**:Here’s another debut that just blew up in 1977! Foreigner’s self-titled album was an absolute beast, becoming ‘one of the biggest albums of 1977.’ That was ‘no mean feat,’ especially when the charts were totally dominated by disco that year. It’s wild to think about, but the text mentions that ‘every label in America had snubbed the sextet’ before the legendary John Kalodner at Atlantic spotted their undeniable potential. Talk about a missed opportunity for those other labels!
From the moment the album kicks off with the pulsating, aptly named “Feels Like The First Time,” you know you’re in for something special. It immediately ‘slams home’ with the ‘almost impossibly anthemic’ track “Cold As Ice.” Foreigner was masters at blending different styles; they ‘moulded elements of hard rock, progressive rock, R&B and pop’ into a sound that was incredibly ‘cohesive.’ And their secret weapon, their ‘ace in the proverbial pack,’ was without a doubt Lou Gramm’s voice, described as ‘sashaying’ and ‘soulful.’ His vocals were just the perfect fit for their powerful, melodic sound.
6. **The Babys – Broken Heart (Chrysalis, 1977)**:Get ready to meet a band that was kind of like a launching pad for some names you might know! The Babys, despite initially being based in Britain, really found their footing and their special sound over here in the U.S. Their vibe? It was described as this really cool and “quaintly effective balance of understated power and delicious melody.” How awesome does that sound? It captures this unique blend where the music had energy and drive, but it was also wrapped up in these really appealing, sweet melodies. It’s that perfect AOR sweet spot that aims straight for your heart and your headbanging sensibilities all at once, making them stand out in the crowded ’70s rock scene and helping them carve out their specific niche in the American market.
A big part of The Babys’ distinctive sound on “Broken Heart” came from the talent within the group and some smart production choices. For starters, there was the “estimable keyboard contribution of Michael Corby,” adding crucial textures and depth to the songs, providing that rich backdrop that’s so characteristic of great AOR. And here’s a cool detail: producer Ron Nevison decided to bring strings into the mix. This wasn’t just a random addition; the text notes that this choice “allowed the quartet to add extra colour” to their already well-crafted and “ear-catching material.” Imagine adding strings to rock songs – it must have created a really rich and unique audio experience that made these tracks even more memorable.
