Just because they weren’t as big as The Rolling Stones, doesn’t mean they don’t deserve some love. These bands from the 70s got at least some recognition during their heyday, but we think they deserve to grace the ears of a fresh, new audience. Let’s take a deep dive into five forgotten rock bands from the 1970s!
Videos by American Songwriter
1. Wet Willie
Alabama natives Wet Willie deserve a spot on our list of forgotten rock bands from the 1970s simply because they did gritty, funk-leaning rock so well. It’s wild that “Keep On Smilin’” from 1974 was more or less their only claim to fame; they really should have been bigger. If you want to get a good dose of country-rock with Alabama roots, their self-titled album is essential listening.
2. Ambrosia
Ambrosia did prog-rock right, with rich instrumentation and the ability to convert poetry into songs. They used a Kurt Vonnegut poem for “Nice, Nice, Very Nice”, and “Holdin’ On To Yesterday” was a masterclass in early downtempo songs. They were a hit in the US, and their association with The Beatles is also noteworthy. Fortunately, they’re still touring today; but they still deserve their flowers, in our opinion.
3. Ozark Mountain Daredevils
“Jackie Blue” was all the rage in 1974, and Ozark Mountain Daredevils quickly became Missouri’s premier country-rock band. They were masters of combining OAR with country-leaning sounds, and their almost absurd songwriting made them stand out from similar artists in the space. Any of their works between 1973 and 1980 are excellent pieces of work.
4. Focus
Focus had it all: An incredible guitarist (Jan Akkerman), excellent songwriting capabilities, and a talent for performing stellar instrumental tracks. They were pretty big in The Netherlands, don’t get us wrong. “House Of The King” was used for four different television themes in the UK, too. Their breakthrough 1971 album did great, and they still tour on and off today. But we think they deserve to be held in the same regard as their more famous contemporaries.
5. Camel
Camel was another great prog-rock act to come out of the 1970s. They really stood out from the rest of the bunch; how many prog-rock bands from that era do you know of that had a resident flautist? “Never Let Me Go” and the whole of Mirage from 1974 are essential listening.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives
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