1970s Heavy Metal
Heavy Metal was at the other end of Techno-Flash. Where that was sophisticated Heavy Metal was basic. It revolved around the use of Heavy guitar riffs played very loud. In their own inimitable way they developed their stage acts with lights, canons and fireworks.
The first part of the 1970s was dominated by 1960s Heavy Metal units. Deep Purple continued their chunky progress with Gillan on vocals. Black Sabbath developed their black clothes and studs image and continued their black magic theme. Judas Priest developed their S&M theme and double guitar attack. Status Quo boogied along in denim synchronising their guitar rockin’ with split leg stances, head-banging and long hair flying. Led Zeppelin used Robert Plants naked chest, hand movements and Jimmy Pages embroidered flares and guitar hero stances to create a visual impression. They strutted their stuff through a lot of heavy chords, shrill vocals to a solid beat courtesy of John Bonham’s pounding drums and John Paul Jones Bass. They were different to most other Heavy Metal bands in that their music was more complicated, varied and the musicianship was on another level.
In the mid 1970s they were joined by a second generation of Heavy Metal Bands. They included AC/DC from Australia complete with Angus’s guitar stances and his schoolboy image complete with shorts blazer and cap. Then there was Rainbow, Whitesnake and Gillan (who formed from Deep Purple). Iron Maiden and Saxon were joined by the threatening Motorhead featuring Lemmy who had been a member of Hawkwind. They were more of a cross between Punk and Heavy Metal. Girlschool took over from Fanny as the top female heavy band. They ere joined by Def Leppard and Twisted Sister.
Most of these bands churned out banal lyrics and projected the testosterone fuelled macho image of aggressiveness complete with fist waving, heroic stances, black leather, studs, flares, wrist straps and large belts. They were generally loud, violent and simple and attracted hordes of young adolescent males who saw them as the last refuge of Rock Music. They were exciting just like the earl Rock ‘n’ Rollers. They were rebellious and the establishment hated them. What more could you want? You could put on your sleeveless denim jacket covered in decals and badges and display your ‘colours’ as well as any Hell’s Angel.
| Artist | Stand out tracks |
| Led Zeppelin | Good times bad times
Dazed and confused Communication breakdown I can’t quit you baby Whole lotta love Heatbreaker Living loving maid(she’s just a woman) Ramble on Moby Dick Bring it on home The lemon song Celebration day Hats off to (Roy) Harper Bron-y-aur-stomp Gallows pole Black dog Stairway to heaven The battle of evermore The song remains the same Over the hills and far away Kashmir Trampled underfoot Houses of the Holy Achilles last stand Nobody’s fault but mine All my love Hot dog I can’t quit you baby |
| Deep Purple | Hush
Kentucky woman The painter Speed King Child in time Fireball The mule Strange kind of woman Smoke on the water Space truckin’ Woman from Tokyo Burn Highway star Lady double dealer |
| Black Sabbath | Paranoid
War pigs Black Sabbath N.I.B Paranoid Iron man After forever Sabbra Cadabra Sabbath Bloody Sabbath Hole in the sky Symptom of the Universe Never say die |
| Judas Priest | Victim of changes
Rocka Roller Better by you, better than me Beyond the realms of death Rock forever |
| Status Quo | Down the dustpipe
Gerundula Caroline Mean girl Paper plane Roll over lay down Backwater Down down Rockin’ all over the world Again and Again Whatever you want What you’re proposing Lies Marguerita time |
| Saxon | 747 (Strangers in the night)
Heavy metal thunder To hell and back again Rough & Ready The bands played on |
| Motorhead | Ace of spades
Motorhead White line fever Train kept a rollin’ Louie Louie Overkill Bomber Stone dead forever Live to win Iron fist |
| Girls School | Race with the devil
Hit and run |
| AC/DC | If you want blood (you’ve got it)
Rocker TNT High Voltage It’s a long way to the top (if you want to Rock ‘n’ Roll) The Jack Dirty deeds done dirt cheap Let there be Rock Whole lot of Rosie Rock ‘n’ Roll damnation Highway to Hell Touch too much Shot down in flames Rock ‘n’ Roll ain’t noise pollution Hell’s bells Back in black For those about to Rock (We salute you) |
| Gillan | Vengeance
Future shock I’ll rip your spine out |
| Def Leppard | Bringin’ on the heartbreak
Photograph Rock Brigade Wasted Rocks off High & dry Rock of ages Foolin’ |
| Iron Maiden | Runnin’ free
Iron Maiden Wrathchild Run to the hills Number of the beast Flight of Icarus |
| Rainbow | Man on the silver mountain
Catch the rainbow Starstruck Stargazer Long live Rock ‘n’ Roll All night long Since you’ve been gone |
| Whitesnake | Long way from home
Ain’t no love in the heart of the city Fool for your loving Ready & Willing Don’t break my heart again |
Everything you ever wanted to know about Rock Music!
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