Top 10 Best Pop Artists of the '70s

1. ABBA

   

   ABBA were a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972. The group consists of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.

   ABBA became one of the most commercially successful acts in the history of popular music, particularly during the 1970s and early 1980s.

   To that comment below... Some lists put ABBA as the second-best-selling instead of the fourth like you said. Anyway, ABBA will always be my favorite band, and their songs are unforgettable.

   Sad that people know them because of Dancing Queen. Their whole discography is just awesome.

   ABBA ruled pop music in the '70s. I begged my mom to get their "Voulez-Vous" album on 8-track from the Columbia House 8-track Club when I was a kid (she did).

   There are a lot of good bands on this list, but many, like the Eagles (whom I like), wouldn't be considered pop.

2. Queen

   

   Queen is an English rock band formed in London in 1970. The original lineup was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar). Before Queen, May and Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury, a fan... read more

   This is my all-time favorite group from the '70s! Freddie Mercury is an idol!

   A brilliant mix of Beatles, Led Zep, a little classical, and even with hints of Bollywood (via Freddie). And to top it off, they were stunning live as well. Best rock band of all time!

3. Eagles

   

   The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971 by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner.

   The band achieved major success in the 1970s with hits like Hotel California, Take It Easy, and Desperado. They broke up in 1980 but reunited in 1994 for the Hell Freezes... read more

4. Elton John

   

   Sir Elton Hercules John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, is an English singer, pianist, and composer. He has collaborated with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums. John has sold over 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.... read more

   This is disgusting. Elton John, not even top ten? His album sales during the '70s were only second to Elvis Presley, and his talent still draws massive crowds today, even at age 65.

   Elton defines the '70s perfectly as the consummate pop star. He should receive your vote.

   How is he not number 1? Sir Elton defined '70s radio, producing hit after hit! Albums like Tumbleweed Connection, Madman Across the Water, Honky Chateau, Don't Shoot Me, GYBR, Captain Fantastic, Caribou, and more...

   Definitely one of the greatest musical acts in history and surely THE greatest solo act in the '70s.

5. Carpenters

   

   Very talented and still underpraised today. They went from a long shot at success to one of the best-selling artists of the decade. When Close to You hit the charts, Iron Butterfly had the number one song in the country.

   They definitely appeared to many as being out of step with the current direction of music at the time. But they had enormous talent and Karen's phenomenal voice to propel them to popularity.

   Feels very homely (in the positive way) and has great songs.

6. Bee Gees

   

   The Bee Gees were a pop music group formed in 1958. The group consisted of brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. They gained international fame for their distinctive harmonies and became major contributors to the disco era with hits like Stayin' Alive and Night Fever.

   When I think of pure pop, the Bee Gees and ABBA were the best by far. It would have been nice if they could have toured together.

   No better songwriters or singers, period! The Bee Gees are the best of all time!

7. Paul McCartney and Wings

   

   Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. With John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, he gained worldwide fame as a member of the rock band The Beatles, one of the most popular and influential groups in the history of pop... read more

8. Stevie Wonder

   

   Stevland Hardaway Morris, known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He was a child prodigy and signed with Motown's Tamla label at age 11. Wonder has won 25 Grammy Awards and is known for hits like Superstition and... read more

9. Helen Reddy

   

   Helen Maxine Lamond Reddy (October 25, 1941 - September 29, 2020) was an Australian singer, actress, and activist. She achieved major international success in the 1970s, especially in the United States. Reddy placed 15 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40, with six of them reaching the Top 10, including... read more

   Helen Reddy has maintained the most fantastic voice through the '70s, '80s, '90s, and into the 21st century. Whether she is singing songs or motivationally speaking, her music with its messages has brought millions of women out of darkness. It has helped them realize they are someone special and have purpose and values to contribute to everyone's lives.

   Since Helen Reddy is the "Queen of '70s Pop," what more can one say?

10. Billy Joel

    

    William Martin Joel is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and pianist. Commonly nicknamed the "Piano Man," he began his music career in the 1960s and gained popularity with his breakthrough 1973 hit of the same name. He released numerous successful albums throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s... read more

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Tom Jones

    

    Sir Thomas Jones Woodward, known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer. He became one of the most popular vocalists to emerge from the mid-1960s. Jones is known for hits such as It's Not Unusual, Delilah, and What's New Pussycat, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 for his services... read more

12. ?

    Harry Chapin

    

    Harry Forster Chapin was an American singer-songwriter, humanitarian, and producer best known for his folk rock and pop rock songs. He achieved worldwide success in the 1970s and became one of the most popular artists and highest paid performers of that decade. His best-known songs include Cat's in... read more

The Contenders

13. The Jackson 5

    

    The Jackson 5, also known as the Jackson Five and later The Jacksons, are an American family music group. The group was formed in 1964 by the three eldest brothers, Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine. Their younger brothers, Marlon and Michael, joined shortly afterward to complete the lineup.

14. Olivia Newton-John

    

    Dame Olivia Newton-John was a British-Australian singer, songwriter, and actress. She was a four-time Grammy Award winner who amassed five number-one and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles, along with two number-one Billboard 200 solo albums. She died of breast cancer on August 8, 2022, in Santa... read more

15. David Bowie

    

    David Robert Jones, known professionally as David Bowie (January 8, 1947 - January 10, 2016), was an English singer born in London, the son of a sales promotion officer and a housewife.

    He earned praise for his experimental and creative music, winning numerous awards and gaining admiration from... read more

    More rock than pop but still worth my vote.

    By far the most creative musician of all time. Underrated work outside of the 'pop' scene.

    David Bowie. Always loved your music. I'm still playing it today.

16. Three Dog Night

    

    Three Dog Night is an American rock band formed in 1967 by vocalists Danny Hutton, Cory Wells, and Chuck Negron. The group was later expanded with the addition of Jimmy Greenspoon, Joe Schermie, Michael Allsup, and Floyd Sneed. Between 1969 and 1975, the band achieved significant success with 21 Billboard... read more

17. Donna Summer

    

    LaDonna Adrian Gaines (December 31, 1948 - May 17, 2012), known by her stage name Donna Summer, was an American singer, songwriter, and painter. She gained fame during the disco era of the late 1970s with hits like Hot Stuff, Last Dance, and Bad Girls. Summer was often referred to as the Queen of Disco... read more

18. Barry Manilow

    

    Barry Manilow is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, musician, and conductor whose career has spanned over six decades. Born Barry Alan Pincus on June 17, 1943, he is best known for hit songs such as Mandy, I Write the Songs, Can't Smile Without You, and Copacabana (At the Copa... read more

19. Neil Diamond

    

    Neil Leslie Diamond is an American singer-songwriter and musician with a career that began in the 1960s. He is known for classic hits such as Sweet Caroline, Cracklin' Rosie, and America. Diamond has sold over 100 million records worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011... read more

    The best tunes I have ever heard. Great car music!

20. Rod Stewart

    

    Roderick David "Rod" Stewart is a British rock singer-songwriter. Born and raised in London, he is of Scottish and English ancestry. Stewart has sold over 250 million records worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once as a solo artist and once as a member of Faces.

21. Electric Light Orchestra

    

    The Electric Light Orchestra, commonly known as ELO, was an English rock band from Birmingham. It was formed in 1970 by Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne, along with drummer Bev Bevan.

    The band is known for blending rock music with orchestral elements, resulting in a distinctive symphonic rock sound. Their... read more

22. Chicago

    

    Chicago is an American rock band that formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1968, they initially performed under the name Chicago Transit Authority before shortening it to Chicago in 1969. The band described themselves as a "rock and roll band with horns" and gained fame for their unique blend of... read more

23. Cher

    

    Cher is an American singer and actress. Described as embodying female autonomy in a male-dominated industry, she is known for her distinctive contralto singing voice and for having worked in numerous areas of entertainment. Over a career spanning more than six decades, she has adopted a variety of styles... read more

24. Jackson Browne

    

    Clyde Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 18 million albums in the United States. He emerged in the 1970s with a series of critically acclaimed albums and hit songs like Running on Empty and Doctor My Eyes. Browne has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall... read more

25. Carly Simon

    

    Carly Elisabeth Simon is an American singer, songwriter, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with hit singles such as You're So Vain and Anticipation. Simon has won several major awards, including a Grammy, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe.

26. The Doobie Brothers

    

    The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band that originated in San Jose, California in 1970. They have sold over 40 million albums worldwide and are known for their harmonies and blend of rock, soul, and R&B influences. Their most famous songs include Listen to the Music, Long Train Runnin', and What... read more

27. Linda Ronstadt

    

    Linda Maria Ronstadt is a retired American popular music singer. She earned 11 Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, and numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums.... read more