Top 10 Best Hard Rock Bands of the 1970s

The 1970s didn't just give you disco balls and bell bottoms. It handed you an entire generation of hard rock bands that turned volume knobs past ten, shredded guitars into sawdust, and gave every garage band a blueprint for rebellion. These groups weren't just playing music. They were shaping culture, selling out stadiums, and throwing down riffs that still fuel everything from movie soundtracks to football warm-ups. You've probably cranked up more than a few of their tracks while driving way too fast or trying to drown out your neighbor's leaf blower.

This list is your chance to decide who ruled that decade of denim and distortion. Not everyone will agree, and that's half the fun. Maybe you're all in on the thunderous proto-metal vibe, or maybe you prefer the bands that slipped a bit of glam or theatrical flair into their thunder.

You're not just voting on talent. You're weighing in on influence, swagger, stage presence, album after album of bangers, and how often a certain song still gets stuck in your head forty years later. Did the band change the sound of rock radio? Did they sell out Madison Square Garden five nights in a row? Did your dad try to convince you they were the greatest thing since sliced bread and now you finally believe him? That's the kind of legacy we're talking about here.

The Top Ten

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin was an English hard rock band formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds. The group consisted of Robert Plant (vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass, keyboard), and John Bonham (drums). The band was largely the brainchild of Jimmy Page, who even financed their first tour... read more

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.
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

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!
Deep Purple

Deep Purple is an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are regarded as pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical style has changed over the years. They originally played progressive rock, but shifted to a heavier sound around 1970.... read more

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).
Rush

Rush is a Canadian progressive rock band that was formed in 1968. The band's most iconic lineup consisted of guitarist Alex Lifeson, bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee, and drummer Neil Peart, who joined in 1974. Following Peart's death from brain cancer on January 7, 2020, Lee and Lifeson announced in October... read more

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."
Aerosmith

Aerosmith is an American rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums), and Brad Whitford (guitar).
Their style, rooted in blues-based hard rock, also incorporates elements of pop rock, heavy metal... read more

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

Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969, and they were one of the top rock bands in the early 1970s. Twelve of their albums have reached the UK Albums Chart, with Return to Fantasy peaking at number 7 in 1975.... read more

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.
Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath were a heavy metal band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1968 by guitarist and songwriter Tony Iommi, singer John "Ozzy" Osbourne, bassist and main lyricist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. Their self-titled debut album received mixed reviews, but they quickly gained a strong following... read more

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.
KISS

Kiss, often stylized as KISS, was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973. The original members were Paul Stanley (vocals, rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals, bass guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar, vocals), and Peter Criss (drums, vocals). Known for their face paint and elaborate stage... read more

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.
AC/DC

AC/DC is an Australian hard rock band founded in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Bon Scott was the lead singer until his death in 1980 from alcohol poisoning. He was succeeded by Brian Johnson.
The band is known for its blues-influenced rock sound and enduring hits such as Highway... read more

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.
Nazareth

Nazareth is a Scottish hard rock band that was formed in Dunfermline, Fife, in December 1968. They achieved global recognition in the early 1970s with albums such as Hair of the Dog and hits like Love Hurts and This Flight Tonight. The band continues to record music and tour internationally more than... read more

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.

The Newcomers

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Budgie

Budgie is a Welsh rock band formed in Cardiff in 1967. The group, led by bassist/vocalist Burke Shelley, is known as a precursor to heavy metal. They have influenced bands such as Metallica and Iron Maiden.
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UFO

UFO is an English rock band that was formed in 1969. They played a significant role in bridging early hard rock and heavy metal. The band also influenced the development of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and inspired many later artists in the genre.

Underrated band. Needs to be higher.

The Contenders

Rainbow

Rainbow is a British rock band led by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, active from 1975 to 1984 and again from 1993 to 1997. The band was originally formed with Ronnie James Dio as the lead singer and lyricist. Rainbow was ranked No. 90 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock and has sold over 28 million... read more

My favorite rock and roll band. I prefer Rainbow over Deep Purple, especially the Dio era. The riffs and the vocals of the first three albums are just too good.

Dio and Ritchie Blackmore were the most amazing, powerful, and creative tandem ever.
Kansas

Kansas is an American rock band formed in Topeka, Kansas, in 1973. They became popular in the 1970s with albums like Leftoverture and Point of Know Return. The band is best known for their hit songs "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind."

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.
Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy are an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Their leader, Phil Lynott, was composer or co-composer of almost all of the band's songs and was the first black Irishman to achieve commercial success in the field of rock music.... read more

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.
April Wine
Molly Hatchet

Molly Hatchet is an American Southern rock band that was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1971 by guitarist Dave Hlubek. The band gained popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s with a sound that blended boogie, blues, and hard rock. Their second album, Flirtin' with Disaster (1979), became their... read more
Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band best known for popularizing the Southern rock genre during the 1970s. They are famous for songs like "Free Bird," "Sweet Home Alabama," and "Tuesday's Gone."
The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964 and originally went by the name My Backyard... read more

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.
Van Halen

Van Halen was an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. From 1974 until 1985, the band's lineup consisted of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, vocalist David Lee Roth, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony.... read more
Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper is an American rock band formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1964. The band consisted of lead singer Vince Furnier, Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway, and Neal Smith. They pioneered a theatrical brand of hard rock designed to shock audiences, and their influential stage shows famously... read more
Helix

Helix is a Canadian hard rock and heavy metal band formed in 1974. They are best known for their 1984 single "Rock You". The band achieved significant popularity in the 1980s and has continued to perform and release music in the decades since.
Boston

Boston is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, best known for their success in the 1970s and 1980s. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1976, remains one of the best-selling debut albums in U.S. history. The band was founded by Tom Scholz, who also served as the principal songwriter... read more

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.
Foreigner

Foreigner is a British-American arena rock band, originally formed in New York City in 1976 by veteran English musician Mick Jones and fellow Briton and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald, along with American vocalist Lou Gramm. The band became known for hits like I Want to Know What Love Is and Cold... read more
Free

Free were an English rock band formed in London in 1968, best known for their 1970 signature song "All Right Now". The band consisted of Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff, Andy Fraser, and Simon Kirke. Despite their relatively short career, Free had a significant influence on British blues rock and hard rock... read more
The Who

The Who is an English rock band formed in London, England, in 1964. The most recognizable lineup consisted of Roger Daltrey (lead vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), John Entwistle (bass guitar), and Keith Moon (drums). They are best known for their live performances and hit songs "Baba O'Riley," "My Generation... read more
Grand Funk Railroad

Grand Funk Railroad, sometimes shortened to Grand Funk, is an American rock band that gained major popularity during the 1970s. Known for their energetic live performances, they toured extensively and played to sold-out arenas around the world. The band is best known for hits like We're an American Band... read more
Montrose

A great intro album in 1973 defined them as a hard rock contender right off the bat. Space Station No. 5, Rock Candy, Bad Motor Scooter, and Rock The Nation are all classics in the hard rock genre.
Montrose may be positioned correctly in this poll, but their debut album, along with Led Zep I, Boston, Van Halen I, and Zebra's first album, are among the finest debuts in hard rock ever!

Could not agree more with your list, even Zebra. The problem with Montrose is that they did not get enough national airplay. If they had, things would have turned out very differently.