Music in the 1970 Essay Example

expressed through these songs. Musically, hard rock was the terminal point of an evolution of blues.The melodic sounds of blues became the faster, louder, and stronger sounds of rock and roll.

Songs in this genre use pop hooks and melodies along with heavy chords to produce a different sound. Hard rock’s popularity dominated the decade. Artists such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Steve Miller were all successful rockers whose songs topped the charts. These singer/songwriters created “soul-baring” tracks.

Artists, such as David Bowie and Led Zeppelin, became somewhat like the Beatles of the seventies. Their futuristic visions and thoughts of change took over rock and roll. Pink Floyd contributed experimental rock to this decade.One example of experimental rock is using keyboards and synthesizers to create new bursts of sound. The punk rock genre also emerged in the 1970s.

This was also a very upbeat style. What differentiated this from classic rock were its heavier sounds. Heavy guitar riffs and more decibels were added to songs to create a new sound of rock. Bands such as the Ramones and Sex Pistols became staples in punk Along with musical styles came fashion styles. The folkie chic look of the sixties progressed into the electric hipster clad musician look.

Rock stars were turned to for inspiration and became fashion icons.Tight pants, long flowing hair, and sex appeal were all aspects of this new trend. This look drew many fans, especially female, and became a staple of the industry. Leather jackets, black eyeliner and ripped jeans also were popular styles. By mid decade, some were starting to miss the dance element, as most rock was now beginning to

be produced for pop radio and album listening. This helped launch the short-lived "disco" fad.

Disco began in 1974 as an underground phenomenon. Defined by Afro wigs and tight polyester suits, the sounds of disco were the start for inspiration of pop and dance music.Funk and soul music were two contributors to the unique sound. The music was catchy and up-tempo, which made disco a genre used for disco dancing. Reverberated vocals accompanied by electric instruments created the sound.

Its origins lie in the popularity with the gay and black audiences in large United States cities. The name derives from the French word discotheque, which means nightclub, where disco became a popular style of dance. Many clubs were opened and drew the public’s attention. Performers such as the Village People, The Jackson’s, Bee Gees, and Donna Summer all contributed to the success of disco music.

It became so popular that movies such as “Saturday Night Fever” were released and these movies really pushed the popularity. The soundtrack of “Saturday Night Fever” turned disco into mainstream music in our culture. Along with this music came a flourish of new nightlife. Disco had a major influence on society.

Clubs and lofts opened for DJ’s to play disco hits accompanied by bright flashing lights and dance floors. Due to this elaborate style, drugs were also strung into the aspect of the disco scene. “Drugs were introduced to make you boogie all night. Cocaine was used to enhance the loud music and feeling of flashing lights, while club drugs such as Quaalude altered motor coordination. The purpose of these drugs was to loosen you up so you were able to

dance more freely. Despite these negative contributions to the public, disco was a major inspiration for music that would develop in future decades.

It can most certainly be said that music had a major influence over many people. Musicians had a power with their songs and with this power, they focused on issues such as the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement in the United States.Concerts were organized for not only listening to a musicians music but to address a societal or global issue such as funding relief efforts to aid war victims in Bangladesh or peacefully protesting the war. “As the industry grew, rock became more sophisticated and absorbed more influences from sources ranging from classical to world music and created a massive social impact. ” (p 179) The sonic change of music in this decade pushed the limits of society and drew attention to the more youthful generations.

The 1970’s were a continuation of social changes, the Vietnam War, and the fight for equal rights following the 60’s.People sought comfort in these new genres from the political turmoil that was surrounding our nation. The 1970’s marked a time for change. What was once the norm now became a part of the past. As the government fell apart under Nixon and obeying societies rules unquestioned vanished, the music industry boomed. These times can be summed up in the lyrics of John Lennon’s “Imagine” from the early nineteen seventies.

“Imagine there's no Heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to

kill or die forAnd no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one” Imagine by John Lennon (1971) Works Cited "American Cultural History 1970-1979. " Kingwood College Library. Sept. 2006. 15 Mar.

2008 <http://kclibrary. nhmccd. edu/decade70. tml>.

Candelaria, Lorenzo, and Daniel Kingman. American Music a Panorama. Belmont: Thomson Schirmer, 2007. Carpenter, Ellen.

"Forty Years of Rock Style. " Rolling Stone 1030 (2007): 1-6. 15 Mar. 2008 <http://proquest. umi. com/pqdweb>.

Cook, Nicholas, and Anthony Pople. The Cambridge History of Twentieth Century Music. United Kingdom: Cambridge UP, 2004. Hirshey, Gerri. "The Seventies. " Rolling Stone 773 (1997): 1-11.

15 Mar. 2008 “Music Played in the 1970’s” The People History. 15 Mar. 2008 <http://thepeoplehistory.

com/70smusic. html> Prenderast, Mark, and Eno Brian. The Ambient Centu