Music in the UK in the 1970s

Music in the UK in the 1970s

Following the mods and rockers rivalry of the 1960s, the next decade saw popular music continue to evolve and branch out into an array of new sounds and styles, each developing its own unique fashion and sense of identity.

From prog to punk, disco to heavy metal and glam rock to ska and reggae, the musical styles of the 1970s reflected a rapidly diversifying youth culture, with influences ranging from exciting new technologies to the international cultures that earlier waves of migration had introduced to the UK.

Popular music of the United Kingdom in the 1970s built upon the new forms of music developed from blues rock towards the end of the 1960s, including folk rock and psychedelic rock movements. Several important and influential subgenres were created in Britain in this period, by pursuing the limitations of rock music, including British folk rock and glam rock, a process that reached its apogee in the development of progressive rock and one of the most enduring subgenres in heavy metal music. Britain also began to be increasingly influenced by third world music (roots of World music), including Jamaican and Indian music, resulting in new music scenes and subgenres. 

Now we will move on to the representatives, namely the famous musicians of the time. Perhaps the most significant event in British music history in 1970 was the break-up of the iconic band The Beatles, when the four former members of the group parted ways and each of them went their own way. But this event is worthy of a separate discussion, and for now we will talk about other, no less interesting projects!

In January 1970, the previous year's hit by the cartoon group The Archies, "Sugar, Sugar", went gold. This song is still played on retro radio stations around the world almost every day, but it was originally intended only for a cartoon and was not intended as a release!

Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" opened the new musical year, reaching number one on the UK charts for five weeks. As in the previous case, the success came by chance - the song was written by unknown authors Tony Macaulay and Barry Mason, and performed by session vocalist Tony Burrows.

One of the most talked-about musical works of 1970 was John Lennon's single "Instant Karma!", released on 6 February. It is one of three Lennon songs (along with "Imagine" and "Give Peace a Chance") to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and one of the fastest recorded songs in pop history.