Cheap Trick: Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music / Hulton Archive via Getty Images; The Clash: Roger Ressmeyer / Corbis Historical via Getty Images; Siouxsie and the Banshees: Laura Levine / Corbis Premium Historical via Getty Images; Sex Pistols: Mirrorpix / Mirrorpix via Getty Images; Beastie Boys: Lynn Goldsmith / Corbis Historical via Getty Images.
Welcome to the era of rock rebellion. Waving goodbye to the sugary, psychedelic pop of the 1960s, the 70s finally unleashed the game-changing weirdos rumbling underneath the surface, previously unable to pierce through the rigid constraints of society. Relishing in a newfound sense of freedom born of sexual liberation, feminism, the Civil Rights Movement and the close of the Vietnam War, artists now refused to let The Man determine their fate, trading in their boat-neck shift dresses for bell bottoms, black leather and glittery platforms. While the powerhouse voices of disco belted out themes of resilience and individuality, punk rock stormed the streets with electrifying guitar riffs and head-banging rhythms, causing the greatest incidents of pearl-clutching since Elvis discovered hip-thrusting. Technological advances also opened the floodgates to playful sonic experimentation, with artists gaining the ability to record more than four tracks on a song and even self-produce, as most punk rock bands did.
In honor of the revolutionary decade that forever changed the course of music, MOTHER compiled our top five artists listed below. We’re also sharing a playlist of our favorite 70s records, from The Clash to Donna Summer, celebrating the raw energy and anti-establishment spirit that defined the era. Whether you live for the fiery punk anthems that shook up Britain’s streets or irresistible power-pop melodies that uplift the soul, it’s time to crank up the volume, grab your leather jacket, and rock the f*ck on.
Blending the genres of pop, alternative rock, punk and emotive balladry, Cheap Trick certainly surrendered to the music. The Illinois band formed in 1973 and quickly gained a devoted following with a vibrant energy, quirky stage presence and novel style that maintained both indie and mainstream appeal. Known for hits like “I Want You to Want Me” and “The Flame,” the group masterfully merged Beatles-inspired melodies with raw, guitar-driven rock for iconic tunes that still play in stadiums today. Later inspiring artists like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins, Cheap Trick’s innovative impact refuses to be understated. Always staying true to their musical instinct, the band said it best: “Surrender, but don’t give yourself away.”
Enter a rag-tag group of Brits whose music ignited a generation — The Clash. The London-based band is widely considered a founder of punk rock, shaking the world awake with their heart-grabbing power chords and salient, complex themes. Once referring to themselves as a “news-giving group,” the band infused their records with perspective-shifting messages, tackling topics from the chaos of the Vietnam War to the exploitative nature of the music industry. Always bringing a political edge, iconic tracks like “London Calling” and “Rock the Casbah” showcase the eternal relevancy of their rebellious spirit. Seamlessly fusing punk with reggae, dub and classic rock, The Clash pushed boundaries by maintaining a fierce, rebellious spirit. With genre-blurring artistry, the band captured the disaffection of a generation while maintaining an infectious energy that continues to inspire the world.
In the game of punk rock, Siouxsie and the Banshees crafted a league of their own. Fronted by the enigmatic Siouxsie Sioux, the band rapidly transcended the charts after emerging from London’s punk scene in 1976. True pioneers of the genre, the group fused haunting melodies with atmospheric guitar work to develop hit records like “Spellbound” and “Hong Kong Garden.” The band held nothing back with their social critique, tackling lofty topics like the persecution of women in the Middle East and the looming threat of government surveillance. Saturating their composition and lyricism with a magical, gothic flair, Siouxsie and the Banshees tapped into a raw, experimental sound that still resonates with modern audiences. As bonified musical trailblazers, the innovative project created a blueprint that continues to influence alternative music to this day. Consider us enchanted.
Where would punk rock be without Sex Pistols? We don’t want to know. Immeasurably influential to the fate of the genre, the band embodied a provocative, anarchy-fueled energy that made parents across the globe shutter in their boots — exactly as the rowdy Brits intended. As evidenced in their riotous live performances, the band tapped into an anger at the establishment that reverberated through the hearts of Britian’s disgruntled youth. Their raw, aggressive sound, heard in anthems like “Anarchy in the U.K.” and “God Save the Queen” was a direct challenge to societal norms and predatory industries. Refusing to let their voices be suppressed, the band spoke of a wide range of anti-establishment topics from the dangers of conformity to the woes of unemployment, xenophobia and government manipulation. With Johnny Rotten’s snarling vocals and Sid Vicious’ chaotic presence, they perfectly captured the disillusionment of a generation, leaving a legacy of rebellion that will never go out of style.
Founded in 1981, The Beastie Boys stand as the only artist on our playlist that didn’t develop in the 1970s. However, our team just couldn’t resist. In honor of their genre-defying impact, we had to include the trio that started in hardcore punk before evolving into one of the most noteworthy groups in hip-hop history. Their playful spirit and bold experimentation led to chart-topping albums like Licensed to Ill and Paul’s Boutique, blending rap, punk and funk in a way that felt entirely unique. With signature hits like “Fight for Your Right” and “Sabotage,” the Beastie Boys became iconic for their fusion of irreverent lyrics, sample-heavy production and dynamic beats, defining an era and impacting the future of music forever.
