[Golden Age of Rock] Debut Songs by Western Rock Bands of the 1970s
The rock scene of the ’70s was a golden era in which guitar riffs and psychedelic sounds evolved, vastly expanding the possibilities of music.
It was a tumultuous time that saw the birth of new genres one after another, including hard rock, progressive rock, and glam rock.
So, with what debut tracks did the bands that etched their names into the world’s rock history in that brilliant decade take their first steps? Here, we present a selection of debut songs that fired up rock fans of the time and remain as vibrant as ever today.
- The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs
- 1980s: Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Classic and Hit Songs
- [A Collection of Classics] Nostalgic 70s Western Hit Songs
- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Classic nostalgic hits: A collection of youth songs
- [Western Music] A roundup of debut songs by female artists from the 1970s
- Debut songs by Western rock bands from the 2000s
- A roundup of debut songs by Western bands that lit up the 2000s
- [80s Western Music] A roundup of debut songs by girl bands
- [80s Western Music] Debut Songs by Male Artists
- Classic and hit Western pop songs from the 1970s
- The allure of 70s glam rock! A host of masterpieces that colored a dazzling chapter of music history
- Love songs in Western music that were hits in the 1970s. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
- Debut songs by female Western artists from the 1980s
[Golden Age of Rock] Debut Songs by 1970s Western Rock Bands (21–30)
TransmissionJoy Division
A single released in 1979.
A four-piece post-punk band from Manchester formed in 1977.
Although their active period was only three years, this is their debut single, and they went on to influence later bands, including Radiohead.
Their sound, with its flashes of rawness, and Ian’s highly theatrical vocals captivate both the eyes and ears of the listener.
Can I Tell YouKansas
Included on the 1974 album “Kansas.” A seven-piece rock band from Kansas, formed in 1973.
They are one of the groups that emerged from the American progressive hard rock scene that flourished in the 1970s.
At that time, they were playing songs in a classic progressive rock style, and those elements are clearly evident in this debut single as well.
[Golden Age of Rock] Debut Songs by 1970s Western Rock Bands (31–40)
Personality CrisisNew York Dolls
Included on the 1973 album “New York Dolls.” A five-piece punk band from New York State formed in 1971.
They were one of the bands that led the New York punk movement of the 1970s and influenced many later groups.
While retaining a raw, rough-edged quality, their songs are crafted with melodies that are somehow easy to listen to.
157 Riverside AvenueREO Speed Wagon
Included on the 1971 album “R.
E.
O.
Speedwagon.” A five-piece rock band from Illinois formed in 1967.
This is their debut single, and they’ve since become one of America’s representative rock bands, with a career spanning 50 years.
It’s a cool track featuring upbeat, bright melodies sung over a bluesy rhythm.
Blitzkrieg BopRamones
Included on the 1976 album “Ramones.” A four-piece punk band from New York State formed in 1974.
As a key band of the New York punk movement, they’ve earned respect from later generations of bands.
This is their debut single, crafted into a characteristically simple, sing-along-friendly number.
Best ThingStyx
Included on the 1972 album “Styx.” A six-piece rock band from Chicago formed in 1972, they were one of the representative bands of the American progressive hard rock that surged in the ’70s.
This is a single from their debut album.
The hard rock guitar sound and mellow melodic lines come together nicely.
DeboraT-REX
A single released in 1968.
A five-piece rock band from London formed in 1967.
This is their debut single, and together with David Bowie they helped lead the genre known as glam rock.
The percussion and strings sound pleasing to the ear, and I think his sultry vocals over that backdrop are really cool.