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The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs

Western music of the 1970s, which began with the symbolic event that signaled the end of the 1960s—the breakup of The Beatles—saw a wide variety of genres flourish alongside traditional rock, including hard rock, progressive rock, and glam rock, with many stadium bands achieving record-breaking hits.

As a counter-movement, punk rock emerged, making it undeniable that this was a pivotal era in rock history.

In this feature, we present a lineup centered on classic, definitive numbers—masterpieces and hit songs that colored the golden age of Western rock in the ’70s.

It’s a recommended guide for young music fans who are interested in ’70s Western rock but aren’t sure where to start listening!

The 1970s were the golden era of Western rock! Recommended masterpieces and hit songs (’71–’80)

Queen BitchDavid Bowie

David Bowie – Queen Bitch (Live) [Official Video] [HD]
Queen BitchDavid Bowie

David Bowie, the British artist who kept revolutionizing the music scene with his ever-changing style.

Featured on the December 1971 album Hunky Dory, this track can be called a dazzling prelude to his glam rock era.

As Mick Ronson’s aggressive guitar riff rings out, a perverse world swirling with jealousy and longing unfolds before your eyes.

From his apartment, the protagonist watches the person who dumped him wandering the nighttime streets, his feelings a complex tangle.

You can’t help but be captivated by its decadent beauty.

The song later appeared as the B-side to the single Rebel Rebel and is also known for its use in the film Milk.

Why not give it a listen when you want to feel the precarious air lurking beneath the glitter of the 1970s?

The Best of My LoveThe Eagles

Eagles – The Best of My Love (Live 1977) (Official Video) [4K]
The Best of My LoveThe Eagles

This Eagles masterpiece weaves a bittersweet love story into a beautiful melody.

While offering the deepest feelings to a beloved, it delicately portrays a man and woman who struggle to truly connect.

The gentle resonance of acoustic guitars and warm harmonies envelop the listener with a tender, heartwarming softness.

Included on the album On the Border, released in March 1974, and issued as a single the following year, the song became the band’s first number-one hit in the United States.

Its refined musicianship, interlacing elements of country rock, has continued to influence countless artists.

It’s a perfect track for reminiscing about someone special or for those in the midst of a wavering romance.

In conclusion

As the saying goes, “Study the old to understand the new,” and precisely because we’re in the 2020s, there’s so much to discover by engaging with the wonderful music born in the ’70s. Whether you remember that era well or you’re a younger music fan who’s not even very familiar with CDs, let alone vinyl, I hope you enjoy this article. If you find a band or artist you like, be sure to dive deeper!