The vibrant 1970s marked a transformative era in music, characterized by iconic superstar recording artists who achieved unprecedented commercial success and popularity. During this remarkable decade, six of the ten best-selling albums in history emerged, showcasing the diverse musical landscape. Notable releases included Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (ranked No. 4), Eagles’ collections Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) and Hotel California (Nos. 5-6), Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours (No. 8), Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell (No. 9), and Bee Gees’ Saturday Night Fever (No. 10). Notably, Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) made history as the first-ever platinum-selling album in 1976, solidifying the Eagles as a significant force in music.

However, not every band experienced the same level of stability or success during this dynamic period. Some groups faced challenges such as member departures or tragic deaths, while others enjoyed regional acclaim yet struggled to gain wider recognition. Additionally, a few artists simply experienced unfortunate circumstances that hindered their potential. Despite these setbacks, the decade produced a diverse array of talent that contributed to the rich tapestry of rock music history.

EXPLORE THE PHENOMENAL ERA: Discover the ’70s Biggest One-Hit Wonders, showcasing the fleeting yet impactful careers of artists who captured the public’s attention.

The following compilation highlights ’70s bands that truly deserved greater recognition than they received. While many of these artists achieved a degree of fame during their heyday, they struggled to maintain that momentum in the years that followed. A select few were more influential within the industry than they were beloved by the general public, further complicating their legacy.

Nevertheless, as demonstrated in the countdown of the Top 5 bands below, their contributions to the music scene were significant and warrant a second look through the lens of history.

Spotlight on No. 5: Poco – Country-Rock Innovators

Poco, known for their pioneering sound in the country-rock genre, released an impressive trio of Top 40 albums, highlighted by the gold-selling No. 14 hit Legend in 1978. The band’s journey included four Top 40 singles, starting with the beloved tracks “Crazy Love” and “Heart of the Night.” Poco’s lineup boasted renowned musicians like former Buffalo Springfield members Richie Furay and Jim Messina, as well as future Eagles members Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmit, yet these associations resulted in greater acclaim for those other bands. Despite becoming eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, the band had not received a nomination before the passing of stalwart members Rusty Young and Paul Cotton in 2021.

Spotlight on No. 4: Sweet – Glam Rock Trailblazers

Sweet transitioned from their roots in bubblegum pop of the ’60s to embrace the glam rock and hard rock movements of the ’70s, featuring the well-known lineup of frontman Brian Connolly, guitarist Andy Scott, bassist Steve Priest, and drummer Mick Tucker. By the middle of the decade, Sweet had released several Top 30 albums in both the U.K. and the U.S., with standout releases like 1974’s Sweet Fanny Adams and Desolation Boulevard, along with the iconic international hit “The Ballroom Blitz,” which reached the Top 5. However, the departure of Connolly for a solo career following the success of “Love Is Like Oxygen” in 1978 marked a turning point for the band. As of the ’20s, Scott remains the only surviving member of the original lineup.

Spotlight on No. 3: Little Feat – Roots-Rock Resilience

Little Feat demonstrated remarkable resilience following the 1979 passing of their charismatic frontman Lowell George. Despite this tragedy, the band was unable to replicate the commercial success of their roots-rock classics, such as 1973’s gold-selling Dixie Chicken and 1974’s Feats Don’t Fail Me Now, both of which achieved Top 40 status by the end of the decade. George’s signature song, “Willin’,” which contained drug references, was famously covered by The Byrds and Linda Ronstadt, adding to its enduring legacy. Despite their enduring contributions, Little Feat remained largely under the mainstream radar, although they continued to release critically acclaimed albums like 2024’s Sam’s Place well into the new century.

Spotlight on No. 2: 10cc – British Art-Pop Superstars

10cc, comprising members Lol Creme, Kevin Godley, Graham Gouldman, and Eric Stewart, was a quintessential British art-pop supergroup. This unique approach, while artistically ambitious, may have inadvertently limited their commercial reach. The band showcased exceptional versatility, with each member contributing to songwriting and instrumentation, propelling five consecutive albums into the U.K. Top 10 during the ’70s. However, they faced challenges in breaking into the U.S. market, likely due to their eclectic style that defied easy categorization. Their breakthrough came with the 1975 hit “I’m Not in Love” and the 1976 single “The Things We Do for Love,” both of which soared into the Billboard Top 5. Unfortunately, the departure of Godley and Creme for careers in video directing led to a significant loss of momentum for the band.

Spotlight on No. 1: Badfinger – The Beatles’ Protégés

Badfinger experienced a monumental boost in their career thanks to The Beatles, who signed the group and collaborated with them on the completion of Paul McCartney’s unreleased track, “Come and Get It,” which became their breakout single. The band kicked off the ’70s with an impressive trio of nearly flawless Top 15 hits in the U.S., including the No. 4 anthem “Day After Day.” Their ballad “Without You” gained immense popularity when Harry Nilsson covered it, reaching No. 1 in both the U.K. and the U.S. in 1972. Sadly, the band’s fortunes took a tragic turn amid financial turmoil, leading to the devastating loss of both main songwriters to suicide. The last surviving member of the classic lineup continued the legacy with Joey Molland’s Badfinger until his passing in 2025.