3 Classic Rock Frontmen From the 70s Who Could Wake up Any Party

Let’s face it: the 1970s knew how to party. It was the decade of disco, of roller-skating on the dance floor, of sunglasses indoors, and, of course, of classic rock. It seemed that in many ways, music ruled the cultural spaces during the decade. From clubs where people cut a rug to the muscle cars speeding down the highways. Below, we wanted to examine three frontmen from the decade who both knew how to party and how to wake up a sagging one. Three artists who could take a musical instrument or a microphone and breathe life into any room. Indeed, these are three 70s classic rock frontmen who could really party.

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Elton John

You know what doesn’t get talked about enough? The fact that Elton John turned the grand piano—an instrument usually reserved for stuffy classical music performances—into a rocket ship. It was one he rode to musical stardom, singing songs like “Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man” in front of thousands. Most rock stars become famous thanks to their guitar prowess or their dance moves on stage, but Sir Elton became a dynamo seated at the piano. Stunning stuff!

Jim Morrison

Jim Morrison and his psychedelic rock band The Doors knew how to party. But theirs wasn’t the kind of party with a BBQ out back, a keg in a tub of ice, and fireworks at the end. Theirs was one with lava lamps and magic mushrooms and velvet paintings and everything else that seemed a little more occult than frat house. Morrison and crew were trippy, thought-provoking. They threw concerts that would melt your mind and leave you changed forever.

Ozzy Osbourne

The late Ozzy Osbourne, one of the most famous classic rock frontmen of all time, was the life of any party. He was the person you couldn’t take your eyes off. And he rode that trait to musical and reality television fame. He was the flame that you couldn’t miss, burning bright wherever he went. Hey, if you’re willing to bite the head off a bat, there’s probably nothing you won’t do to get the vibe of the room up, up, up. That’s why Ozzy remains one of the most iconic rock frontmen of all time.

Photo by David Redfern/Redferns