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In 1973, the 60’s band Free dissolved. Singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke recruited guitarist Mick Ralphs and bassist Boz Burrell to form a new hard rock quartet. Paul got the name from a photo in an old Victorian book captioned “beware of bad company”, and “Bad Company” was born. Led Zeppelin’s manager Peter Grant took on that role for the new band and they signed onto Zeppelin’s label Swan Song. Their 1974 self titled release was an instant hit reaching the top of the charts in both the US and UK, featuring the hits “Can’t Get Enough” and “Movin’ On”. They followed up with Straight Shooter in 1975 and Run With The Pack in 1976; both were popular records peaking at the top of the charts. By the end of the 70’s the band grew tired of touring, and their manager Peter Grant lost interest after the demise of Led Zeppelin in 1980. Bad Company would reform several times over the next decades both with and without Paul Rodgers, but the awesome straight up hard Rock sound from the first two albums was not the same. Bad Company are shown at right, from left to right: Boz Burrell, Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, and Simon Kirke. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 70’s Part One

The 1970’s were the peak years of the classic hard rock sound.

New bands heard the thunder before them, and with those

influences created new styles and sounds solidifying the hard rock

genre.

Formed in 1969 by singer/bassist/song write Phil Lynott, Irish rockers Thin Lizzy had released the hit “Whiskey In a Jar” years earlier but had not been able to follow that up with another hit. The band changed guitar players and styles several times and in 1974 found a more hard rock style. 1976’s release of Jailbreak was the first Thin Lizzy Album to chart in the UK and featured the smash hits “Jailbreak” and “The Boys Are Back In Town”. The band followed up releasing Johnny The Fox also in 1976. They followed up with succesful tours but tensions in the band rose once again, and again Irish guitarist Gary Moore was brought in to replace Brian Robertson. Robertson returned in 1978 for a tour the the recording of their live album Live And Dangerous which successfully captured their energy and hard rock sound. Thin Lizzy epitomized the dueling guitar hard rock sound and were a major influence on future music. The band continued rotating guitarists, their last successful album Chinatown, released in October 1980. By 1986 Phil Lynott was hospitalized due to multiple issues and passed away, never again recreating the great sound Lizzy was famous for. The classic lineup is shown at right; from left to right guitarist Brian Robertson and Gorham, Phil Lynott, and drummer Brian Downey.

In the late 60’s a new band with a completely new style was forming in London. Blending jazz, blues, pop, and rock with complex time signatures, changes, and multi-layered harmonies, Yes released their first self-titled album in 1970. They followed up with Time And A Word which made the UK charts. The addition of guitarist Steve Howe brought new guitar techniques to band and they retired to the English countryside to write their next LP, The Yes Album released in 1971, which made the chart with perennial hits such as “Yours Is No Disgrace”, “I’ve Seen All Good People”, and “Starship Trooper”. Keyboardist Rick Wakeman was added to complete the band and Fragile was released at the end of 1971. Yes now defined a new progressive sound, and their records were topped the charts. 1972’s Fragile was critically acclaimed and supported by extensive touring. Inspired by the traffic “roundabouts on their commute to the studio, Fragile’s hit single “Roundabout” became their best known song. The middle section contains some odd sounding percussion instruments. The band wanted some different percussive sounds and with the music stores being closed, they gathered milk bottles and filled them with different levels of liquid to create different pitches. Drummer Bill Bruford left in 1972 and was replaced by Alan White who had once sat in with the band. With a worldwide tour pending, Alan only had a few days to learn their vast and complex repertoire, which he pulled off impressively. The live album Yes Songs was recorded and released in 1973 featuring what many would consider their “classic” and most talented lineup. The bands album artwork was skillfully done by Roger Dean, who’s work became a trademark of the band. Yes struggled in the last 70’s and 80’s with personnel changes and changing music popularity. In 1980, singer Jon Anderson left and found themselves again without a keyboard player. Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes from the Buggles were recruited and a newer more edgier sound was produced. Drama was released in 1979 and peaked in the charts featuring “Machine Messiah”. The band toured to sold out shows in North America. 1981 saw the band breakup with Downes and Howe leaving to form Asia. Singer songwriter guitarist Trevor Rabin was introduced to bassist Chris Squire and Alan White in 1982. They created a new band called Cinema, however after Jon Anderson was brought back in they changed the name back to Yes. The new band featured more of a pop style which was evident on their first album release in 1983 90125, named after it’s catalog serial number. 90125 was a smash hit driven by hit singles such as “Owner of a Lonely Heart”, “Leave It”, and “It Can Happen”. They followed up with extensive tours and Big Generator in 1985. However Anderson felt stifled by Rabin’s creativity and the band broke up in 1988. There would be a grand “Union” of most of the past members of the band in 1991 which produced a 2CD release by the same name. Yes was finally introduced into the Rock ’N Roll hall of fame in 2017, an acknowledgment and tribute to their lasting impact on music. Yes continues to record new music and tour today, although no original members are present. Yes are considered the founders of “prog rock” and would be a major influence on countless bands to come. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Classic” Yes lineup, from left to right: Alan White, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, Chris Squire, and Jon Anderson.

Also in 1968 in London, another rock band was forming. UFO’s first two records did not get much attention but the addition of guitarist Michael Schenker in 1973 and the release of Phenomenon created a new hard rock format. Force It in 1975, No Heavy Petting in 1976, and with the addition of keyboard player Paul Raymond, the release of Lights Out in 1977 perfected their sound and achieved commercial success with hits “Too Hot Too Handle”, “Lights Out”, and “Love to Love”. The band toured extensively and their popularity grew internationally. They released the double live album Strangers In The Night in 1979 which peaked in the UK charts and captured the raw energy of their live shows. Tensions between vocalist Phil Mogg and Michael Schenker boiled over in late 1978 and Schenker left for a highly successful solo career. UFO continued to record new music and tour but the music was not the same. Schenker would return several times to restore the classic lineup, but after a tour would leave again to continue his solo work. UFO would continued until Phil Mogg’s health issues caught up with him in 2022. UFO would be a major influence on the heavy metal bands of the 1980’s including Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Dio, Slayer, and Def Leppard. The classic UFO lineup are shown at right: from left to right: Michael Schenker, Phil Mogg, Paul Raymond, Pete Way, and Andy Parker. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also in the late 1960’s over on the continent Michael Schenker’s older brother Rudolf started a new band in Hanover Germany. After recruiting Michael and vocalist Klaus Meine in 1972 they released their debut album Lonesome Crow. While on tour, Michael left to join UFO, but recommended Uli Jon Roth to replace him. Roth initially refused having his own group Dawn Road. Eventually the two bands merged and with the release of Fly To The Rainbow in 1974, the band we know as Scorpions took shape with their signature hard rock sound. Michael appears on several tracks on this album. In Trance and Virgin Killer followed in ‘75 and ‘76 won the band much popularity and commercial success. In 1977 they released Taken By Force featuring the hit “Steamrock Fever” which was heavily promoted . Uli Roth’s progressive influence can clearly be heard on this record in songs such as “Sails Of Charon” and “He’s A Woman - She’s A Man”. Uli left the band after recording of their live album in Japan, Tokyo Tapes. Mathias Jabs replaced Roth and in 1979 the band recorded Lovedrive with the assistance of Michael Schenker on several tracks. Lovedrive is considered the most popular record of their career with the mix of hard rock and melodic ballads. Lovedrive charted well with the hit singles “Loving You Sunday Morning”, “Always Somewhere”, and “Holiday”. The Follow ups Animal Magnetism in 1980 and Blackout in 1981 cemented their legacy as one of the world’s premier hard rock bands. Scorpions would continue performing and recording new music with release of Rock Believer in 2023, although only Klaus, Rudolf, and Mathias would remain as permanent band members in the lineup. Like UFO, Scorpions were a major influence on the hard rock and metal bands that followed. They have sold over 100 millions records achieving gold and platinum status. Rolling Stone describes Scorpions as the "heroes of heavy metal".

During the late 70’s, other than the above bands classic rock appeared to be dying. New sounds and styles were being developed both in the States and UK. More to come…

Scorpions mid 70’s lineup: from left to right: Rudolf Schenker, Uli Roth, Rudy Lenners, Klaus Meine, and Francis Buchholz.

The 70’s Part One

The 1970’s were the peak years of the classic hard rock sound.

New bands heard the thunder before them, and with those

influences created new styles and sounds solidifying the hard

rock genre.

In 1973, the 60’s band Free dissolved. Singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke recruited guitarist Mick Ralphs and bassist Boz Burrell to form a new hard rock quartet. Paul got the name from a photo in an old Victorian book captioned “beware of bad company”, and “Bad Company” was born. Led Zeppelin’s manager Peter Grant took on that role for the new band and they signed onto Zeppelin’s label Swan Song. Their 1974 self titled release was an instant hit reaching the top of the charts in both the US and UK, featuring the hits “Can’t Get Enough” and “Movin On” . They followed up with Straight Shooter in 1975 and Run With The Pack in 1976; both were popular records peaking at the top of the charts. By the end of the 70’s the band grew tired of touring, and their manager Peter Grant lost interest after the demise of Led Zeppelin in 1980. Bad Company would reform several times over the next decades both with and without Paul Rodgers, but the awesome straight up hard Rock sound from the first two albums was not the same. Bad Company are shown below, from left to right: Boz Burrell, Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, and Simon Kirke. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Formed in 1969 by singer/bassist/song write Phil Lynott, Irish rockers Thin Lizzy had released the hit “Whiskey In a Jar” years earlier but had not been able to follow that up with another hit. The band changed guitar players and styles several times and in 1974 found a more hard rock style. 1976’s release of Jailbreak was the first Thin Lizzy Album to chart in the UK and featured the smash hits “Jailbreak” and “The Boys Are Back In Town”. The band followed up releasing Johnny The Fox also in 1976. They followed up with succesful tours but tensions in the band rose once again, and again Irish guitarist Gary Moore was brought in to replace Brian Robertson. Robertson returned in 1978 for a tour the the recording of their live album Live And Dangerous which successfully captured their energy and sound. Thin Lizzy epitomized the dueling guitar hard rock sound and were a major influence on future music. The band continued rotating guitarists, their last successful album Chinatown, released in October 1980. By 1986 Phil Lynott was hospitalized due to multiple issues and passed away, never again recreating the great sound Lizzy was famous for. The classic lineup is shown below; from left to right guitarist Brian Robertson and Gorham, Phil Lynott, and drummer Brian Downey. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the late 60’s a new band with a completely new style was forming in London. Blending jazz, blues, pop, and rock with complex time signatures, changes, and multi-layered harmonies, Yes released their first self-titled album in 1970. They followed up with Time And A Word which made the UK charts. The addition of guitarist Steve Howe brought new guitar techniques to band and they retired to the English countryside to write their next LP, The Yes Album released in 1971, which made the chart with perennial hits such as “Yours Is No Disgrace”, “I’ve Seen All Good People”, and “Starship Trooper”. Keyboardist Rick Wakeman was added to complete the band and Fragile was released at the end of 1971. Yes now defined a new progressive sound, and their records were topped the charts. 1972’s Fragile was critically acclaimed and supported by extensive touring. Inspired by the traffic “roundabouts on their commute to the studio, Fragile’s hit single “Roundabout” became their best known song. The middle section contains some odd sounding percussion instruments. The band wanted some different percussive sounds and with the music stores being closed, they gathered milk bottles and filled them with different levels of liquid to create different pitches. Drummer Bill Bruford left in 1972 and was replaced by Alan White who had once sat in with the band. With a worldwide tour pending, Alan only had a few days to learn their vast and complex repertoire, which he pulled off impressively. The live album Yes Songs was recorded and released in 1973 featuring what many would consider their “classic” and most talented lineup. The bands album artwork was skillfully done by Roger Dean, who’s work became a trademark of the band. Yes struggled in the last 70’s and 80’s with personnel changes and changing music popularity. In 1980, singer Jon Anderson left and found themselves again without a keyboard player. Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes from the Buggles were recruited and a newer more edgier sound was produced. Drama was released in 1979 and peaked in the charts featuring “Machine Messiah”. The band toured to sold out shows in North America. 1981 saw the band breakup with Downes and Howe leaving to form Asia. Singer songwriter guitarist Trevor Rabin was introduced to bassist Chris Squire and Alan White in 1982. They created a new band called Cinema, however after Jon Anderson was brought back in they changed the name back to Yes. The new band featured more of a pop style which was evident on their first album release in 1983 90125, named after it’s catalog serial number. 90125 was a smash hit driven by hit singles such as “Owner of a Lonely Heart”, “Leave It”, and “It Can Happen”. They followed up with extensive tours and Big Generator in 1985. However Anderson felt stifled by Rabin’s creativity and the band broke up in 1988. There would be a grand “Union” of most of the past members of the band in 1991 which produced a 2CD release by the same name. Yes was finally introduced into the Rock ’N Roll hall of fame in 2017, an acknowledgment and tribute to their lasting impact on music. Yes continues to record new music and tour today, although no original members are present. Yes are considered the founders of “prog rock” and would be a major influence on countless bands to come. “Classic” Yes lineup, from left to right: Alan White, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, Chris Squire, and Jon Anderson. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also in 1968 in London, another rock band was forming. UFO’s first two records did not get much attention but the addition of guitarist Michael Schenker in 1973 and the release of Phenomenon created a new hard rock format. Force It in 1975, No Heavy Petting in 1976, and with the addition of keyboard player Paul Raymond, the release of Lights Out in 1977 perfected their sound and achieved commercial success with hits “Too Hot Too Handle”, “Lights Out”, and “Love to Love”. The band toured extensively and their popularity grew internationally. They released the double live album Strangers In The Night in 1979 which peaked in the UK charts and captured the raw energy of their live shows. Tensions between vocalist Phil Mogg and Michael Schenker boiled over in late 1978 and Schenker left for a highly successful solo career. UFO continued to record new music and tour but the music was not the same. Schenker would return several times to restore the classic lineup, but after a tour would leave again to continue his solo work. UFO would continued until Phil Mogg’s health issues caught up with him in 2022. UFO would be a major influence on the heavy metal bands of the 1980’s including Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Dio, Slayer, and Def Leppard. The classic UFO lineup are shown above: from left to right: Michael Schenker, Phil Mogg, Paul Raymond, Pete Way, and Andy Parker. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also in the late 1960’s over on the continent Michael Schenker’s older brother Rudolf started a new band in Hanover Germany. After recruiting Michael and vocalist Klaus Meine in 1972 they released their debut album Lonesome Crow. While on tour, Michael left to join UFO, but recommended Uli Jon Roth to replace him. Roth initially refused having his own group Dawn Road. Eventually the two bands merged and with the release of Fly To The Rainbow in 1974, the band we know as Scorpions took shape with their signature hard rock sound. Michael appears on several tracks on this album. In Trance and Virgin Killer followed in ‘75 and ‘76 won the band much popularity and commercial success. In 1977 they released Taken By Force featuring the hit “Steamrock Fever” which was heavily promoted . Uli Roth’s progressive influence can clearly be heard on this record in songs such as “Sails Of Charon” and “He’s A Woman - She’s A Man”. Uli left the band after recording of their live album in Japan, Tokyo Tapes. Mathias Jabs replaced Roth and in 1979 the band recorded Lovedrive with the assistance of Michael Schenker on several tracks. Lovedrive is considered the most popular record of their career with the mix of hard rock and melodic ballads. Lovedrive charted well with the hit singles “Loving You Sunday Morning”, “Always Somewhere”, and “Holiday”. The Follow ups Animal Magnetism in 1980 and Blackout in 1981 cemented their legacy as one of the world’s premier hard rock bands. Scorpions would continue performing and recording new music with release of Rock Believer in 2023, although only Klaus, Rudolf, and Mathias would remain as permanent band members in the lineup. Scorpions mid 70’s lineup: from left to right: Rudolf Schenker, Uli Roth, Rudy Lenners, Klaus Meine, and Francis Buchholz. Like UFO, Scorpions were a major influence on the hard rock and metal bands that followed. They have sold over 100 millions records achieving gold and platinum status. Rolling Stone describes Scorpions as the "heroes of heavy metal". Additional graphics available at higher screen resolutions, such as tablets, laptops, and desktops.