Best Pop Artists of the '70s
ABBA are a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. 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.
Queen are 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, vocals). Before forming into Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor had played together in a band... 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!
The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971 by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner.
Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is an English singer, pianist and composer. Collaborating 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. He has... 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.
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.
The Bee Gees were a pop music group formed in 1958. Their line-up consisted of brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. 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!
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 with the rock band the Beatles, one of the most popular and influential groups in the history of pop and rock... read more
Stevland Hardaway Morris, known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
Helen Maxine Lamond Reddy was an Australian singer, actress, and activist. In the 1970s, she enjoyed international success, especially in the United States, where she placed 15 singles in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. Six made the Top 10. 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?
William Martin Joel is an American singer-songwriter, composer and pianist. Commonly nicknamed the "Piano Man", he has been making music since the 1960s, releasing popular albums throughout the '70s, '80s and '90s.
The Newcomers
Sir Thomas Jones Woodward was a Welsh singer known by his stage name Tom Jones. He became one of the most popular vocalists to emerge from the mid-1960s.
Harry Forster Chapin was an American singer-songwriter, humanitarian, and producer best known for his folk rock and pop rock songs, who achieved worldwide success in the 1970s and became one of the most popular artists and highest paid performers.
The Jackson 5, or Jackson Five, currently known as The Jacksons, are an American family music group. Formed in 1964, the founding members were elder brothers Jackie, Tito and Jermaine. Younger brothers Marlon and Michael would join after.
Dame Olivia Newton-John was a British-Australian singer, songwriter and actress. She was a four-time Grammy award winner who had amassed five number-one and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles, and two number-one Billboard 200 solo albums. She died on August 8, 2022 of breast cancer in Santa... read more
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 fundraiser and a waitress. He is credited for his experimental and creative musical discography which has won praise and accolades for many critics and fans... 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.
Three Dog Night is an American rock band. They formed in 1967 with a line-up consisting of vocalists Danny Hutton, Cory Wells, and Chuck Negron. This lineup was soon augmented by Jimmy Greenspoon, Joe Schermie, Michael Allsup, and Floyd Sneed. The band registered 21 Billboard Top 40 hits between 1969... read more
Ladonna Adrian Gaines (31 December 1948 - 17 May 2012) was known by her stage name, Donna Summer. She was an American singer, songwriter, and painter.
Barry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, musician, and producer with a career that has spanned more than 50 years.
The Cure are an English post-punk/gothic rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1978. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member.
Neil Leslie Diamond is an American singer-songwriter and musician with a career that began in the 1960s. The best tunes I have ever heard. Great car music!
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart is a British rock singer-songwriter. Born and raised in London, he is of Scottish and English ancestry.
The Electric Light Orchestra are an English rock band from Birmingham. They were formed in 1970 by songwriters/multi-instrumentalists Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne with drummer Bev Bevan.
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, calling themselves the Chicago Transit Authority in 1968 before shortening the name in 1969. The self-described “rock and roll band with horns” began writing politically charged rock music, and later moved to a softer sound, generating... read more
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, as well as adopting a variety of styles and appearances during her five-decade-long... read more
Clyde Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 18 million albums in the United States.
The Doobie Brothers is an American rock band from San Jose, California. The group has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide.