20 Forgotten 1970s Bands & Artists That Deserved More Credit

Feature Photo: Heinrich Klaffs, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The challenge in putting together this list is that some bands and artists were huge on one side of the Atlantic while being relatively unknown on the other. Many bands were very popular in the UK, but US fans hardly knew who they were. The same goes for major American bands that never received the credit they deserved in Europe. So we had to walk a fine line in deciding which bands to include. Of course, many bands were cult favorites with large followings but were not widely known on a global scale. And then there are bands like Thin Lizzy, Blue Öyster Cult, and Renaissance, groups that some people would argue should have received more credit, but who, in the end, were actually very successful, and we felt did not belong on a list like this.

We are also very aware that a large part of our audience consists of well-educated classic rock fans who know every single band on this list, have probably followed every single band on this list, and likely own every album from every band on this list. That audience is deeply in tune with this music. We hope to celebrate these bands with that audience, but the main goal of this article is to reach readers who are not as well versed in classic rock history and have probably never heard of many of these groups.

We hope that an article like this will turn people on to bands they have never heard before, or to bands they have only heard in passing, but never truly explored. Every band on this list has an accompanying video, a little bit of history, and a link to more of their music. This is what we do. We like to turn people on to music. We want to celebrate music with people who know their music, and we hope that this article serves its purpose by giving more credit to bands that did not get enough recognition or are not well known to an audience that may not be as deeply educated in classic rock.

# 20 – Fanny

Fanny’s origins began in Sacramento, where sisters June and Jean Millington first performed together before forming a band that would become one of the earliest all-woman rock groups to record a full album for a major label, eventually signing with Reprise Records and releasing their self-titled debut in 1970. Over the course of their initial run, they issued five studio albums, including Charity Ball in 1971, Fanny Hill in 1972, and Mother’s Pride in 1973, with the single “Charity Ball” becoming their highest charting hit when it reached the top forty of the Billboard Hot 100. Their classic lineup featured June Millington on guitar, Jean Millington on bass, Alice de Buhr on drums, and Nickey Barclay on keyboards with later changes adding Patti Quatro and Brie Howard.
Read More: One Of Bowie’s Favorite Bands Was The All Female Group “FANNY.”

# 19 – Be Bop Deluxe

Be Bop Deluxe took shape in West Yorkshire under the direction of guitarist and songwriter Bill Nelson whose vision guided the band from its earliest club days into one of the most distinctive art rock groups of the 1970s. Their recording career began with the 1974 album Axe Victim and continued with a run of five studio albums that included Futurama, Sunburst Finish, Modern Music, and Drastic Plastic, each reflecting Nelson’s evolving blend of rock, futurist imagery, and melodic precision. The group scored its most visible commercial success with “Ships in the Night,” which became their sole entry into the UK Singles Chart and helped introduce their sound to a wider audience.
Although they did not accumulate traditional industry awards, their reputation grew through their ambitious arrangements, intricate guitar work, and commitment to treating rock music as a genuine art form. After the band dissolved in 1978 Nelson moved into production work and launched his experimental project Red Noise which further demonstrated his interest in pushing creative boundaries outside conventional rock structures. Be Be Deluxe left behind a catalog that continues to be revisited by musicians and historians who view the band as an essential part of the decade’s innovative landscape.
Read More: Top 10 Be-Bop Deluxe Songs

# 18 – Mink Deville

Mink DeVille came together in San Francisco before making their defining move to New York City where Willy DeVille shaped the group into one of the most distinctive acts to emerge from the early CBGB scene. Their recording career began with the 1977 debut album Cabretta, which introduced DeVille’s blend of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, Latin influences, and Brill Building styled songwriting, and continued through six Mink DeVille studio albums that culminated with Victory Mixture in 1990. Among their best known songs are “Spanish Stroll,” which reached the Top Twenty in the United Kingdom, and “Savoir Faire,” both showcasing DeVille’s vocal style and the band’s streetwise romanticism.
While the group’s commercial profile was always modest, they earned critical respect for their commitment to authentic songwriting and stylish arrangements, and in Europe they developed a particularly loyal following that sustained their touring career. Outside of the band’s main catalog DeVille’s later work under his own name broadened his musical palette into Cajun and New Orleans traditions, reinforcing his reputation as an artist who always followed his own creative path. Mink DeVille left behind a catalog that still resonates with listeners who appreciate rock music grounded in character driven stories and emotional sincerity.
Read More: Top 10 Mink DeVille Songs

# 17 – The Undertones

The Undertones earned their place on our list of 20 Forgotten 1970s Bands and Artists That Deserved More Credit because their story represents how genuine talent can thrive even in the most unlikely places. Formed in Derry, Northern Ireland, during the mid nineteen seventies, the band built their reputation from local youth clubs and community halls before releasing “Teenage Kicks” in 1978, a single that became a landmark of the punk and new wave movement. That breakthrough pushed them into a prolific stretch that produced four studio albums between 1979 and 1983, including The Undertones, Hypnotised, Positive Touch, and The Sin of Pride, along with memorable singles such as “My Perfect Cousin,” “Here Comes the Summer,” and “It’s Going to Happen.”
Their success was not defined by awards but by the strength of their songwriting, their melodic instincts, and the way they brought an accessible charm to a genre often fueled by confrontation. After the band dissolved in 1983, members moved into other creative work, with Feargal Sharkey launching a successful solo career and John and Damian O’Neill forming That Petrol Emotion. The Undertones reunited in 1999 with vocalist Paul McLoone and continued recording and touring, proving how enduring their music remains. They may not always appear in the mainstream conversations about the seventies, but the quality of their catalog and the sincerity of their approach make them one of the decade’s most deserving names to spotlight.
Read More: Top 10 Undertones Songs

# 16 –  Cactus

Cactus earned a place on our list of 20 Forgotten 1970s Bands and Artists That Deserved More Credit because their story captures the raw power and musical muscle that defined so much of the early seventies rock scene. Formed in 1969 by Carmine Appice and Tim Bogert after plans to collaborate with Jeff Beck fell apart, the band quickly solidified a lineup with Jim McCarty on guitar and Rusty Day on vocals, creating a sound rooted in heavy blues, hard driving rhythm work, and explosive live performances.
Their first four albums, Cactus released in 1970, One Way or Another released in 1971, Restrictions released in 1971, and Ot ’n’ Sweaty released in 1972, showcased their blend of blues rock and hard rock with standout tracks like “Parchman Farm,” “Let Me Swim,” and “Evil.” Although they never reached major commercial success, their musicianship and intensity earned them deep respect among other artists and devoted rock fans. After lineup changes and a breakup in 1972, members pursued other musical paths, with Appice and Bogert eventually forming Beck Bogert and Appice with Jeff Beck. Cactus returned in the 2000s with new music and touring, proving the durability of the band’s legacy. They may not be widely remembered by mainstream listeners, but the strength of their work and the influence they had on blues based hard rock make them a band that absolutely deserves renewed recognition.
Read More: Carmine Appice: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview

# 15 – Pretty Things

Read More: Top 10 Pretty Things Songs

# 14 – Max Webster

Formed in Sarnia, Ontario in 1972 and led by singer and guitarist Kim Mitchell along with lyricist Pye Dubois, the band built its reputation through relentless touring and a sound that blended hard rock, progressive touches, and sharp lyrical wit. Their studio output through the decade included the albums Max Webster released in 1976, High Class in Borrowed Shoes released in 1977, Mutiny Up My Sleeve released in 1978, and A Million Vacations released in 1979 which produced the Canadian hit single “Let Go the Line.”
Their work often featured contributions from Dubois whose lyrics helped define the band’s identity and who later collaborated with members of Rush. Max Webster also earned multiple Juno Award nominations during their run and opened tours for acts such as Rush which further showcased the respect they commanded among peers. Despite strong sales and major popularity in Canada their reach did not fully extend into the United States or overseas, leaving them as one of the decade’s most inventive but underappreciated bands which makes their inclusion in this list entirely fitting.
Read More: Top 10 Max Webster Songs

# 13 – The Slits

The story of The Slits unfolds with the kind of creative force that defined the late seventies underground scene, as the London group came together in 1976 and quickly became one of the most fearless voices in punk and post-punk music. The original lineup of Ari Up, Palmolive, Tessa Pollitt, and Viv Albertine built their reputation through raw live shows before releasing their debut studio album Cut in 1979, a record that fused punk with reggae influenced rhythms and became a defining statement of its era. Their second album, Return of the Giant Slits, arrived in 1981 and expanded their sound into more experimental territory as the band pushed far beyond the constraints of traditional punk.
While The Slits never charted major hit singles, their impact was measured by the influence they had on generations of musicians who followed and by the cultural space they carved out for women in rock during a time when those doors were barely open. They also appeared in the pivotal film Rude Boy and continued making music in various forms before a later lineup released Trapped Animal in 2009. We chose The Slits for our article on twenty forgotten 1970s bands and artists who deserved more credit for their bold, innovative, and historically important contributions, even if mainstream recognition never reflected the depth of what they created.
Read More: 1970’s Punk Band “The Slits” Were Not Your “Typical Girls.”

# 12 – The Good Rats

The Good Rats built their reputation from the ground up on Long Island, where the band first took shape in the mid-sixties before becoming one of the region’s most enduring rock groups through the seventies. Led by vocalist Peppi Marchello, the group released a run of albums that included The Good Rats in 1969, Tasty in 1974, Ratcity in Blue in 1976, From Rats to Riches in 1978, and Birth Comes to Us All in 1979, records that earned them a devoted following through constant touring and a stage show built on energy and personality. Their lineup shifted at different points, but the classic era featured Peppi Marchello, Mickey Marchello, John Gatto, Lenny Kotke, and Joe Franco, musicians who helped shape the signature mix of hard rock and sharp songwriting that defined the band.
While they never scored major national hit singles, they earned recognition in their home region and were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2008, a tribute to their influence on generations of musicians who saw them as a local institution. They also continued performing and recording into the 2000s with Peppi Marchello remaining a central figure until his passing in 2013. We included The Good Rats in our article on twenty forgotten 1970s bands and artists that deserved more credit because their legacy was built on the kind of craftsmanship, longevity, and regional impact that deserved far more widespread acknowledgement than they ever received.
Read More: 15 Essential Good Rats Songs

# 11 – U.K.

U.K. arrived on the late 1970s scene as a British supergroup built around musicians who had already made major marks in progressive rock, which gave their formation an immediate sense of purpose and creative force. The original lineup of John Wetton, Eddie Jobson, Bill Bruford, and Allan Holdsworth delivered their self titled debut album in 1978, a record that blended technical rock, fusion, and intricate arrangements in a way that separated them from most of what was happening commercially at the time. After Bruford and Holdsworth departed, Wetton and Jobson continued with drummer Terry Bozzio and released their second album Danger Money in 1979 along with the live album Night After Night, both of which expanded their audience across Europe, Japan, and the United States.
Although U.K. never landed major hit singles their influence came from the musicianship at the core of the group with Jobson’s keyboard and electric violin work and Wetton’s vocals and bass playing standing at the front of their identity. The members continued on to significant careers, with Wetton later joining Asia and Jobson pursuing solo projects and collaborations. We chose U.K. for our article on twenty forgotten 1970s bands and artists that deserved more credit because their short run left behind music that was too advanced and too individualistic to ever become mainstream yet remains a key part of the decade’s progressive legacy.
Read More: 10 Essential Songs & Performances From The Band U.K.

# 10 – Garland Jeffreys

There is a special kind of storyteller who can embody an entire city’s rhythm, and Garland Jeffreys stands as one of those artists whose career deserves far more recognition than it ever received in the United States, which is exactly why he belongs on our list of twenty forgotten 1970s bands and artists that deserved more credit. Jeffreys built his foundation in New York City, studying art at Syracuse University before stepping into music professionally with the band Grinder’s Switch, which led to his self titled debut solo album in 1973. Over the decades he released a steady catalog of albums including Ghost Writer, One Eyed Jack, American Boy and Girl, Escape Artist, and many others that blended rock, soul, reggae, and poetic lyricism inspired by his multicultural upbringing.
His song “Wild in the Streets” became his signature track and gained attention on both sides of the Atlantic while he also found major success in Europe with singles like “Matador,” which charted strongly overseas even though they barely registered in the United States. Jeffreys earned lasting respect for tackling themes of race, identity, and social justice and his work outside of music included involvement in cultural advocacy and collaborations that highlighted those issues. He was admired by fellow musicians throughout his career and continued recording and performing well into the twenty first century, yet mainstream American audiences never gave him the widespread recognition his catalog deserved.
Read More: Top 10 Garland Jeffreys Songs

# 9 – Blackfoot

The group Blackfoot was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, with Rickey Medlocke, Charlie Hargrett, Greg T. Walker, and Jakson Spires building the band from the ground up and releasing their debut album No Reservations in 1975. They went on to issue a run of powerful records that included Flyin High, Strikes, Tomcattin, and Marauder, albums that defined their blend of Southern rock, hard rock, and Native American influenced identity, a theme rooted in the heritage of Medlocke and Walker.
Their breakthrough came with the platinum selling Strikes, which produced major singles such as “Train Train” and “Highway Song,” tracks that pushed them onto international stages and secured heavy touring throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. While awards were not central to their story, the band’s impact became most visible in their influence on later generations of rock and metal musicians, their reputation as a ferocious live act, and Medlocke’s later return to Lynyrd Skynyrd that ensured their musical legacy carried forward. Outside of the studio and stage, members engaged in projects tied to Native American culture and broader musical collaborations that expanded their reach, yet mainstream recognition in the United States never quite matched the strength of their catalog, making Blackfoot a natural fit for a list honoring artists who merited far more widespread credit
Read More: An Interview With Greg T. Walker (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot, Two Wolf)

# 8 – Curved Air

Curved Air earns its spot in our article on twenty forgotten 1970s bands and artists that deserved more credit because their story represents one of the most inventive and ambitious chapters of the decade, yet their name rarely comes up in the United States despite what they accomplished. Formed in London by Sonja Kristina, Darryl Way, Francis Monkman, and Florian Pilkington Miksa, the band quickly began shaping a sound that blended progressive rock, classical elements, and experimental composition, a foundation that led to their debut album Air Conditioning in 1970. They went on to release a remarkable run of studio records throughout the decade, including Second Album, Phantasmagoria, Air Cut, Midnight Wire, and Airborne, albums that featured major singles such as “Back Street Luv,” which reached the UK top ten and became their signature success.
The band’s lineup shifted several times, bringing in musicians like Stewart Copeland before his rise with the Police, and their commitment to fusing violin driven arrangements with rock instrumentation made them a critical presence in the progressive scene. Awards were not the measure of their legacy, but their influence could be heard in the work of later genre bending artists, and many members went on to respected careers in music, theater, and film. Curved Air’s constant reinvention, their musicianship, and their artistic risk taking should have earned them a much broader following, which is precisely why they belong on a list dedicated to 1970s artists who never received the widespread recognition they earned.
Read More: 11 Essential Curved Air Songs

# 7 – Judee Sill

Judee Sill’s story carries a level of artistry and emotional depth that makes her an essential choice for our article on 20 Forgotten 1970s Bands and Artists That Deserved More Credit, especially considering how extraordinary her work was compared to the limited recognition she received during her lifetime. Emerging from California with a background shaped by early hardship, she entered the music world through the Los Angeles folk scene, eventually signing with Asylum Records as the label’s first artist.
Sill released two studio albums in the 1970s, Judee Sill in 1971 and Heart Food in 1973, both of which showcased her rare skill as a songwriter and arranger, weaving baroque pop, folk, and gospel influences with sophisticated harmonic structures and deeply personal lyrical themes. Her most well known single, “Jesus Was a Cross Maker,” brought attention to her debut album and demonstrated her talent for pairing spiritual imagery with emotional storytelling. Although her career struggled commercially and personal challenges limited her ability to tour and record, Sill’s work has continued to resonate long after her passing, with later generations recognizing the brilliance that went overlooked in her own era. For a decade filled with remarkable singer songwriters, Judee Sill remains one of the most deserving artists to be revisited and celebrated.

# 6 – Budgie

Budgie holds a rightful place in our article on twenty forgotten 1970s bands and artists that deserved more credit because their impact on the evolution of heavy rock far outweighed the level of recognition they received, especially in the United States. Formed in Cardiff by Burke Shelley, Tony Bourge, and Ray Phillips, the group built its reputation on a hard hitting trio format and released a run of influential albums throughout the decade, including Budgie in 1971, Squawk in 1972, Never Turn Your Back on a Friend in 1973, In for the Kill! in 1974, Bandolier in 1975, and several more as the years progressed. Their catalog featured standout tracks such as “Breadfan” and “Crash Course in Brain Surgery,” songs that showcased Shelley’s high tenor vocals and the band’s powerful musicianship. While chart success remained elusive compared to their contemporaries, their work quietly shaped the sound of later metal acts and earned them lasting respect among musicians who admired the intensity of their recordings and their willingness to push the genre forward. Budgie continued performing into the twenty first century and left behind a legacy of innovation, grit, and forward thinking songwriting that should have earned them far more recognition, which is why they are essential to a list celebrating 1970s artists who deserved more credi
Read More: Top 10 Budgie Songs

# 5 – Big Star

It is impossible to look back on the 1970s without feeling a sense of lost opportunity when considering Big Star, a Memphis group whose incredible songwriting strength never matched the commercial recognition they deserved, which is exactly why they belong on our list of 20 Forgotten 1970s Bands and Artists That Deserved More Credit. Formed in 1971 by Alex Chilton, Chris Bell, Jody Stephens, and Andy Hummel, the band drew early attention for their melodic instincts and sharp guitar driven production, first showcased on their debut album Number 1 Record, followed by Radio City in 1974 and the haunting third album known as Third or Sister Lovers, recorded in 1974 but not released until 1978. Their debut singles, including songs like “When My Baby’s Beside Me,” received strong critical praise but failed to generate meaningful commercial returns at the time, a frustration compounded by distribution issues that hindered their early momentum. Personnel changes, internal tensions, and Bell’s tragic death in 1978 all contributed to the group’s turbulent history, yet the power of their songwriting created a legacy that would influence generations of musicians long after they disbanded in 1975. For a band whose catalog now defines the very heart of power pop, Big Star stands as a perfect example of a 1970s act whose impact reached far beyond the recognition they received during their own era.

Read More: Jody Stephens of Big Star: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview

# 4 – Spooky Tooth

Formed in England in 1967, the band initially came together when members of The VIPs and Art merged their creative forces, eventually building a catalog defined by a dramatic blend of rock, soul, and early progressive elements. Across the 1970s they released multiple albums including Spooky Two, The Last Puff, You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw, Witness, and The Mirror, showcasing a lineup that featured key figures such as Gary Wright, Mike Harrison, Luther Grosvenor, Greg Ridley, and Mike Kellie.
Although they never produced a massive chart hit, their songs, particularly selections like “Evil Woman” and “Better By You Better Than Me,” demonstrated powerful musicianship and left a lasting mark through later covers and the later success of their former members in groups such as Humble Pie and Foreigner. Their career also included periods of reformation and continued recording into the late 1970s, helping to solidify a legacy that deserves far more attention from audiences who may only know the artists they influenced. Spooky Tooth’s dynamic sound and the impressive careers launched from within their ranks make them an essential inclusion on a list devoted to the overlooked brilliance of the decade.
Read More: Top 10 Spooky Tooth Songs

# 3 – John Miles

John Miles carved out a remarkable career that began in Tyne and Wear in England where he first gained attention in the early seventies through a series of singles that led to his debut album Rebel in 1976. That record produced the massive hit “Music,” a song that reached the top five in the United Kingdom and set the tone for a run of albums that included Stranger in the City in 1977, Zaragon in 1978, and More Miles Per Hour in 1979, all of which showcased his strength as a singer, guitarist, keyboardist, and songwriter. His singles “Highfly” and “Slow Down” also charted strongly in Europe and Australia which helped solidify a loyal international audience while he remained largely unknown in the United States where I remember being one of the only fans among my friends who knew his name.
His career extended beyond his own albums through extensive touring and performing as a featured vocalist and instrumentalist with major artists including a long association with Tina Turner and decades of appearances at the Night of the Proms concerts where he became one of the event’s most recognizable performers. John Miles earned the Outstanding Musical Achievement Award at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour in 2017 which offered formal recognition for a lifetime of work that resonated deeply overseas even if it never received the widespread exposure it deserved here at home. We included him on our list of twenty forgotten 1970s bands and artists that deserved more credit because his catalog and his accomplishments far exceeded the limited attention he received in the United States despite his tremendous success throughout Europe and the United Kingdom.
Read More: Top 10 John Miles Songs

# 2 – Mahogany Rush

Mahogany Rush emerged out of Montreal under the leadership of guitarist and vocalist Frank Marino, whose early career began with local bands before he formed the group that would carry his name into the international rock scene throughout the 1970s. The band released a steady run of albums across the decade, including Maxoom, Child of the Novelty, Strange Universe, Mahogany Rush IV, World Anthem, and Live, each one built around Marino’s explosive guitar work and the trio format that featured Paul Harwood on bass and Jimmy Ayoub on drums throughout their classic years.
Although they never scored major charting hit singles, their albums attracted a loyal audience in Canada and Europe, and they became a powerful touring act, which carried them into major festivals and widespread recognition among musicians and rock fans who valued instrumental skill and heavy blues-influenced rock. Marino’s outside work included later solo projects under his own name that continued the musical direction he had developed with Mahogany Rush which only strengthened the band’s legacy. We included Mahogany Rush in our article on twenty forgotten 1970s bands and artists that deserved more credit because their run of albums and their influence on guitar-driven rock far outweighed the mainstream attention they received, particularly in the United States, where their impact never matched the depth of their music.
Read More: Top 10 Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush Songs

# 1 – Rory Gallagher

Rory Gallagher built a career defined by relentless touring, masterful musicianship, and a devotion to blues-based rock that began in Ireland, where he first gained recognition with the power trio Taste before launching his solo career in 1971. From that point forward, he released a steady run of albums throughout the seventies, including Rory Gallagher, Deuce, Blueprint, Tattoo, Irish Tour ’74, Against the Grain, Calling Card, Photo Finish, and Top Priority, each one centered around his fiery guitar work and his unmistakable voice. His live performances became the heart of his legend through constant touring across Europe and beyond, which earned him devoted fans and widespread acclaim, even though mainstream chart success remained limited. Gallagher received honors that included being voted Melody Maker’s International Top Guitarist in 1972, which placed him at the forefront of the era’s instrumental talent while he continued to appear on television concerts and radio broadcasts that documented the full power of his shows.
Outside of recording, he contributed music to the 1973 German film The Session, and The Rolling Stones approached him to audition following Mick Taylor’s departure, which reflected the deep respect he commanded among major artists. We selected Rory Gallagher for our article on twenty forgotten 1970s bands and artists that deserved more credit because his influence, his body of work, and his dedication to live performance were monumental, even though his name never reached the widespread recognition in the United States that matched his impact across Europe and the United Kingdom.
Read More: Gerry McAvoy of The Rory Gallagher Band: 10 Albums That Changed My Life

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