1970: A Year In Rock. The Year Rock Became Mainstream

1970 was a year of change in pop and rock music, with more ambitiously-constructed epics, heavy rock numbers, and contemporary folk songs competing with mainstream and easy listening fare. Festivals came into their own, live albums were released, singer-songwriters found major acceptance, and the death of Jimi Hendrix was mourned.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2021
Publisher: Sonicbond Publishing

1970 marked a significant year in the evolution of pop and rock music, witnessing a blurring of the boundaries between the two genres. The music landscape was filled with a diverse range of compositions, including ambitiously constructed epics, heavy rock numbers, and contemporary folk songs. On the popular charts, mainstream and easy listening fare coexisted with progressive and jazz-rock offerings. Several bands disbanded or underwent changes, such as The Beatles, who embarked on successful solo careers, and Simon & Garfunkel, who parted ways and later regrouped under new names. Festivals gained prominence, particularly in Britain, with the launch of the iconic Glastonbury event. Live albums, notably from The Rolling Stones and The Who, emerged to combat the market for bootleg recordings. Singer-songwriters found widespread acceptance, and the music world mourned the passing of legendary musician Jimi Hendrix. Additionally, artists like Marc Bolan, Elton John, Rod Stewart (both as a soloist and as the front man of The Faces), Lindisfarne, and Hot Chocolate achieved their initial breakthrough successes. As the year drew to a close, critics and music enthusiasts alike were astounded by the profound changes that had taken place within the music industry over the past 12 months. This period marked a turning point in the history of popular music, leaving an indelible mark on the genre and shaping the future of music to come.

1970 was a year of significant change in pop and rock music, with the lines between the two genres becoming increasingly blurred. The music landscape was filled with a diverse range of compositions, including ambitiously constructed epics, heavy rock numbers, and contemporary folk songs. On the popular charts, mainstream and easy listening fare coexisted with progressive and jazz-rock offerings. Several bands disbanded or underwent changes, such as The Beatles, who embarked on successful solo careers, and Simon & Garfunkel, who parted ways and later regrouped under new names. Festivals gained prominence, particularly in Britain, with the launch of the iconic Glastonbury event. Live albums, notably from The Rolling Stones and The Who, emerged to combat the market for bootleg recordings. Singer-songwriters found widespread acceptance, and the music world mourned the passing of legendary musician Jimi Hendrix. Additionally, artists like Marc Bolan, Elton John, Rod Stewart (both as a soloist and as the front man of The Faces), Lindisfarne, and Hot Chocolate achieved their initial breakthrough successes. As the year drew to a close, critics and music enthusiasts alike were astounded by the profound changes that had taken place within the music industry over the past 12 months. This period marked a turning point in the history of popular music, leaving an indelible mark on the genre and shaping the future of music to come.

Weight: 234g
Dimension: 149 x 209 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789521474