Best Hard Rock Bands of the 1970s

QUEEN - THE GREATEST BAND ON EARTH! Absolutely the most perfect band! They could do hard rock as hard as any of them, minus the cacophonous screaming. Freddie's voice was so magnificent and not screeching, which is probably why some don't consider them 'hard' rock. But they could do it all, from amazing thrash like Stone Cold Crazy and Dead On Time, to the loveliness of Love Of My Life, Barcelona, and Save Me. They were the most eclectic band ever, perfecting over 40 genres of music!

Maybe some of Brian's hard edge got tempered by Freddie's phenomenal vocals, but all four were such genius musicians, brilliant in everything they did. Freddie got the job done without resorting to the 'shriek' technique. His voice was too gorgeous to sound anything but gorgeous. However, never shying away from anything, he certainly didn't shy away from being hard rock all the way, with Bri, Roger, and John right behind him, passionately displaying all their genius and talent!

QUEEN - BOLD - BRAZEN - BEAUTIFUL - THE BEST EVER!

Rebellion! Queen sucks when compared to Led Zeppelin. The 70s were ruled by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. Freddie Mercury was great, but Queen just wasn't hard rock. They were too soft. Led Zeppelin is one of the top bands in rock history ever.

Some of the most beautiful, blissful music of all time by four of the greatest artists of a generation that has gone through slow disintegration by society, change, and frustrating misfortune.

Queen is not a hard rock band. They are definitely a rock band, but they're not a hard rock band like Led Zeppelin, who should really be number one.

The most talented, creative, innovative, technical, and advanced = THE BEST.

R. Blackmore alone is a whole music universe. The best guitar player on this list - the fastest and most technical. Jimmy Page himself admitted Ritchie had always been a step ahead.

The best band live ("Made In Japan". Other live performances - their improvisations can't be touched). DP were ahead of their time, especially their experiments with a new, non-bluesy heavy sound, now known as metal.

DP were "the globe's loudest band" of the 70s, officially listed in the 1975 Guinness Book of World Records. Their loudest show was in Copenhagen, Denmark, and there's an interesting fact: Lars Ulrich of Metallica was in the crowd. He was blown away, and this show made him want to play something that loud and fast one day. He was also mesmerized by Ian Paice's double bass on "Fireball" (saw this for the first time).

As far as progressive rock goes, this band epitomized the art of mastering their craft. Three men sounding like a five-piece, even live, were incredible musicians and have kept it going for 40 years intact.

Rush took music to a new level! They created a unique combination of prog rock, hard rock, and other influences that are completely unlike any other band.

I only discovered Rush some years ago. I wish I could have done it earlier as they are really great! Favorite albums: "Rush," "2112," and "Moving Pictures."

Pink Floyd is likely so far above your head that you just didn't get it.

This cracks me up. You look at the best metal songs of the '70s, and Sabbath dominates. Yet here they are at ten. Good grief!

Hard to choose between Sabbath, Zeppelin, Queen, and Bowie. I'm not sure I even could choose, but Sabbath should definitely be higher on this list.

What a ridiculous list. Sabbath at number one by a mile.

'Merica! Steven Tyler and Joe Perry rock! Dream On, Mama Kin, Walk This Way, Sweet Emotion, Back in the Saddle.

Uriah Heep, before Queen, pioneered the thick harmonies coupled with a heavy guitar attack. Still musically valid and highly underrated, they are still touring avidly to this day, unlike many of their contemporaries.

They were underrated because they were mostly way ahead of their time. The average mainstream listener couldn't fully appreciate their incredible musicality and experimental nature, plus their great lyrics. One could go on...

One of the best bands ever and still going strong. Mick Box is an incredible guitarist.

Best ever. They created what we now know as explosive rock. Genius riffs and incredible vocals from Bon Scott and Brian Johnson. RIP Malcolm and Bon.

These guys were good in the '70s, but it's in the '80s when they exploded.

Greatest American prog rock band of the seventies. They are still rocking 40 years later and remain an underrated band to this very day. Their first five albums are masterpieces.

One of the best live acts of the seventies, Phil was one of the best songwriters of his day. The band was musically talented and stayed true to just rocking out. They truly defined what rock was all about.

KISS was the best visually and musically. Every fan had a favorite member, and each member was distinct in many ways.

You wanted the best, and you've got the best! The hottest band in the land... KISS!

KISS was the best hard rock band of the 1970s.

This band was and still is seriously underrated. They had the three best guitar players ever: Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Ed King (in the beginning), and Steve Gaines at the end. Not to mention their drummer (Artimus Pyle), bass player (Leon Wilkenson), and piano player (Billy Powell). The lead singer, Ronnie Van Zant, was a genius.

They had so many amazing songs, but only a few get played. They should get way more recognition than they do. They should be higher.

Seriously, why are this band, Van Halen, and Kansas always underrated? I mean, they are all awesome. They give us a good feeling and let us forget about all the bad things, and just feel happy when we are listening to their music. They should be higher.

Extremely underrated Scottish band (Dunfermline), of which I am particularly proud, since my heritage is from this ancient capital.

They have been overlooked for far too long. Their influence on the Scottish music scene is vast, yet almost nonexistent in the current media fraternity, to their eternal shame.

Underrated band. Needs to be higher.