1 ABBA
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 2nd best selling instead of the 4th 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 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.
Talk about four Swedish viking invaders who plundered the British and American music charts to study the art of pop music, you know, who lived it, breathed it, and where like professors at it.
Not a disco band as a lot of people think - sold almost 1/2 Billion record units. Only The Beatles, Elvis, and Michael Jackson have sold more units than this band.
2 Queen
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 named Smile. Freddie Mercury was a fan of Smile and encouraged them to experiment with more elaborate stage and recording techniques. He then joined the band in 1970, suggested "Queen" as a new band name, and adopted his familiar stage name. John Deacon was also recruited to complete the line-up. ...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!
Greatest live band ever!
More pop rock
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. Best traveling music ever.
4 Elton John
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 more than fifty Top 40 hits in the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100, including nine number ones in the UK and nine in the US, as well as seven consecutive number-one albums in the US. His tribute single "Candle in the Wind 1997", rewritten in dedication to Diana, Princess of Wales, sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling chart single of all time. According to Billboard ...read more. This is disgusting. Elton John, not even top ten? He album sales during the 70's were only second to Elvis Presley, and his talent still draws massive crowds today, even at age 65. Elton defines the 70's perfectly as the consummate pop-star, he should recieve your vote.
How is he not number 1? Sir Elton defined 70s radio, producing hit after hit! Albums like Tumbleweed Connection, Madman Axroos 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
He is still touring and singing today! And people still listen to his music. If that doesn't prove it then I don't know what will!
He has many great hits.
5 Carpenters
Very talented and still under praised today. They went from a long shot at success to one of best selling artists of the decade. When Close to You hit the charts, Iron Butterfly had the #1 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. 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!
Hats off to you guys.
7 Paul McCartney / 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 with the rock band the Beatles, one of the most popular and influential groups in the history of pop and rock music.One of the most successful composers and performers of all time, he is known for his melodic approach to bass-playing, his versatile and wide tenor vocal range and his musical eclecticism, exploring styles ranging from pre-rock 'n' roll pop to classical and electronica. His songwriting partnership with John Lennon remains the most successful in history
8 Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris, known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
9 Helen Reddy
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 70's, 80's, 90's 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, into the light of knowing 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?
Love me some Helen Reddy!
I don't know her
10 Billy Joel
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 Contenders
11 Jackson 5
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. Has some good songs
12 Olivia Newton-John
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 Ynez, California. Olivia exemplified the 70's.
13 Three Dog Night
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.
14 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 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.
The man who the world knew as David Bowie was an actor, a painter, a philosopher, and many other things. But first and foremost, and what he was known for most, he was a rock star, covering every genre from psychedelic folk to industrial. His influence on fashion, music, and pop culture in general remains as his legacy--along, of course, with his unforgettable music. More rock than pop but still worth my vote.
By far the most creative musican of all time, underrated work outside of the 'pop' scene.
David bowie. always loved your music I'm still playing the today
15 Donna Summer
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.
16 Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, musician, and producer with a career that has spanned more than 50 years.
17 The Cure
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.
18 Neil Diamond
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!
19 Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart is a British rock singer-songwriter. Born and raised in London, he is of Scottish and English ancestry.
20 Electric Light Orchestra
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. It was prog rock, but best nevertheless...
21 Chicago
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.
22 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, as well as adopting a variety of styles and appearances during her five-decade-long career, which has led to her being nicknamed the Goddess of Pop.
23 Jackson Browne
Clyde Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 18 million albums in the United States.
24 Carly Simon
25 The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers is an American rock band from San Jose, California. The group has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide.