Dave's Side One

Tommy Bolin was one of the most versatile players of the 70s

Ronnie never got huge like Eddie Van Halen or Jimmy Page. He was about tone, feel, and serving the song

"Dream Weaver" was the ultimate Sunday unwind. After a week of school, basement hangs with loud Styx or Kiss records, I'd put this on, close my eyes, and let it wash over me

Kiss in the 70s was mostly style with substance. The image was the substance—they created an experience, a larger-than-life rock fantasy that made kids feel like they were part of a secret club

Kiss in 1976 was peak spectacle—style, theatrics, and just enough rock to back it up. That night proved the Terrace could handle a big show without losing its gritty, up-close feel

It wasn't the giant Salt Palace Arena, but it was intimate—close enough to see the sweat on the performers, loud enough to feel the bass in your chest, and small enough that every show felt personal

These albums show Elton and Bernie Taupin at the absolute peak of their partnership—storytelling, melody, emotion, and ambition all coming together in ways that still feel fresh nearly 50 years later

These duets showed Elton's generosity—he elevated others while shining himself

Elton exploded in the early 70s with a sound that blended glam, rock, soul, and pure energy, and some of his biggest tracks were straight-up rockers

On the surface, it's a simple denial of love: a guy insisting "I'm not in love" while everything about the song screams the opposite

The overrated part: They're often called the greatest rock band ever, but The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, and Pink Floyd had more innovation or consistency

Fleetwood Mac—were they better before Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined in 1974? This is one of those debates that never gets old in record stores or online forums.

Walsh wasn't just a replacement guitarist; he was a personality shift. Where Meisner brought high harmonies and country bass, Walsh brought danger and levity

Randy Meisner's contributions—those high harmonies, that emotional lead vocal—defined the classic Eagles sound

Without Linda Ronstadt's stage, audience, and influence, The Eagles might not have gelled as quickly. She was the catalyst—the big voice that showed them how to blend country, folk, and rock into something timeless

Let's look at the top-selling rock bands of the 1970s and how their influence still echoes today

Being a teenager in the 1970s wasn’t always easy. School pressures, figuring out who you were, first heartbreaks, feeling like you didn’t quite fit in. When things got heavy, I’d close my bedroom door, turn off the lights, and put on a record.

Over the years, it's turned into this catch-all for popular music, where "rock" is just a loose label. And this year's list? It's exhibit A.

They weren't just a band; they were a family phenomenon that put Utah on the musical map.

Thin Lizzy deserved more love in the US—they were huge in Europe, but here they were often openers. That Salt Palace show proved why they were legends.

Terry Kath deserves more recognition—he was a complete musician who elevated rock in the 70s.

Equinox rocked so hard because it had everything: riffs, melodies, theatrics, and heart. It was the sound of a band on the cusp, and listening to it felt like being part of something exciting.

The arena was sold out and packed, the air thick with anticipation (and smoky odors that weren’t cigarettes), and we all thought Boston would own the night.

Nothing in the 1970s felt quite like a summer night cruise with the radio on.

Some disco was brilliant and innovative—it brought funk, soul, and dance together in a way that influenced everything from hip-hop to EDM. Most of the hate was about the hype machine killing variety.