The 1970s

The 1970s

1. Rock

   • Broad term for sub-genres that evolved since 1950s.
   • Typically in 4/4
   • Verse-chorus structure
   • Vocalisation - wordless singing
   • Bass, drums, guitar lineup
   • Formation was influenced by 50s rock 'n' roll and syncopated rhythms of blues and country music.
     • Rock 'n' Roll

2. Folk rock

   • Populated by artists like Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Paul Simon.
   • When Bob Dylan first brought out his electric guitar at a folk festival it could be said to have kickstarted this genre.
   • Mostly centred on melodies of acoustic guitar.
   • Accompanied by typical rock band lineup: electric guitar, bass and drums; or sometimes bluegrass instruments.

3. Prog. rock

   • Experimented with complex structures, time signatures and rhythms.
   • Experimented with unusual harmonies.
   • Musically virtuoso
   • Popularised by Pink Floyd and followed by artists Yes and Genesis.
   • Followed on from psychedelic rock
   • Often used reverbs alongside other layered effects that were combined with guitar sounds.
   • Synthesisers were important.

4. Glam rock

   • David Bowie, Slade
   • Glitzy, full make-up, colourful costume performances.
   • Typical rock band instrumental set up with predominantly male vocals plus keyboards, sometimes with horns.
   • Distorted guitar riffs, melodic hooks and driving rock beats

5. Disco

   • 4/4 beat around 120bpm
   • Originated in the USA for the youth club scene.
   • Uses synthesisers (you'll often hear strings and brass)
   • Samplers - piece may start with sound clip from a film
   • Drum machines - kick playing 4 to the floor, snare on beat 2 and 4, high hats playing fast quaver/semi-quaver patterns.
   • Catchy melodic hook and syncopated bass line.
   • BeeGees, Gloria Gaynor

6. Punk

   • The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Ramones
   • Typical rock band set up plus keyboards for some bands.
   • Raw, hard-edged music
   • Shouted or chanted vocals
   • Little complex harmony as players were often unskilled in their knowledge of chords. It was more about the DIY ethic.
   • Fast tempo, slightly syncopated, lots of cymbal crashes
   • DIY production ethic - no production tricks.
   • Used effects such as distortion but to a lesser extent.
   • Rebellion against previous highly polished pieces.

7. ABBA

   • Swedish pop band
   • Breakthrough with song "Waterloo" which won the 1974 Eurovision song contest.
   • "Ring Ring" came third in the Eurovision song contest the year before.
   • Used the Wall of Sound approach to many songs.
   • Known for cheerful melodies and strong, interpretative vocalists