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!
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The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs (41–50)
(Don’t Fear) The ReaperBlue Oyster Cult
A monumental presence in ’70s rock that confronts the fear of death.
Released by Blue Öyster Cult in 1976, this song is known for its distinctive guitar riff and philosophical lyrics.
Featured on the album Agents of Fortune, it became a major hit, reaching No.
7 on the U.S.
singles chart.
Said to draw inspiration from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the piece explores themes of life, death, and eternal love.
Seamlessly blending hard rock and psychedelic elements, it’s recommended not only for rock enthusiasts but also for those who want to reflect deeply on life and love.
Its influence extends beyond the music world, having been quoted in works by Stephen King.
Search and DestroyIggy & The Stooges
This is a track by the American band Iggy and the Stooges, often hailed as the godfathers of protopunk.
Released as a single in June 1973, it was also included on the landmark album Raw Power, mixed by glam rock icon David Bowie.
The song voices the feelings of a young person who thinks society has abandoned them, calling themselves a “cheetah walking down the street,” torn between destructive impulses and a hunger for recognition.
Its machine-gun-like guitar riff and feral vocals radiate a raw energy that stands apart from glittering glam rock.
It was memorably used in Wes Anderson’s film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
When you feel the urge to tear everything down, why not surrender yourself to this roaring wall of sound?
Benny and the JetsElton John
Opening with audience cheers and a striking piano riff, this track appears to be influenced by the glam rock boom and was crafted by the legendary British musician Elton John.
Included on the classic 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and released as a single in February 1974, it soared to No.
1 on the U.S.
charts.
The song depicts a fervor for a futuristic, sci-fi-style fictional band.
You can practically picture their stage show—dazzling costumes and performances that captivate the crowd.
Its live-like immediacy, despite being a studio recording, transports you to the glittering world of the 1970s.
Why not give it a listen on a night when you want to forget the everyday and lose yourself in a sparkling spectacle?
London CallingThe Clash
In the 1970s, Western music saw rock band concerts drawing skyrocketing crowds, giving rise to terms like “stadium rock” and “arena rock.” As a counter to this bloated form of rock, punk rock emerged.
Without delving into the full historical context here, one of the definitive representatives of London punk—which is said to have begun around 1976—and a band that remains beloved alongside the Sex Pistols as an enduring symbol of the movement, is The Clash.
Blending the raw thrills of straight-ahead punk with reggae and dub, R&B, rockabilly, and jazz, they also found success in the United States.
Their 1979 masterpiece London Calling, and particularly its title track, is packed with elements that showcase The Clash’s uniqueness.
Politically charged lyrics, reggae-inflected beats, rough-and-ready guitar backing, and the punkish vocals of the now-late charismatic Joe Strummer—countless bands have drawn inspiration from this style.
If you approach this song expecting the typical punk image of “fast and short,” you’re in for a surprise!
Locomotive BreathJethro Tull
When it comes to classic rock masterpieces of the ’70s, you can’t forget this landmark of progressive rock.
Featuring a heavy sound and an awe-inspiring flute performance, this track appears on the acclaimed album Aqualung, released in March 1971.
Its lyrics, which symbolically depict the busyness of modern society and a sense of personal despair, resonate deeply with listeners.
As one of Jethro Tull’s signature songs, it continues to be loved by many fans to this day.
It’s a must-listen not only for those who enjoy hard-edged music, but also for anyone interested in progressive rock.