The 70s were an amazing decade for music, and the Black Country artists were a huge part of that. Music from the Black Country has always been diverse and unique, but the artists of the 70s took it to a whole new level. This article will look at some of the most influential and important Black Country artists of the 70s, and the impact they had on the music scene.
Willie Dixon
Willie Dixon was a blues artist from the Black Country, and he is widely regarded as one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. He wrote many songs that have become classics, and his influence can be heard in countless songs even today. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and he was also awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992. His songs have been covered by many different artists, including Led Zeppelin, Cream, and The Rolling Stones.
Fela Kuti
Fela Kuti was a Nigerian artist who moved to the Black Country in the 70s. He was a pioneer of the Afrobeat genre, and his music was heavily influenced by traditional Nigerian music. He was also a political activist and his music often contained social commentary. He was arrested more than 200 times during his career and he was even deported from Nigeria in 1978. His music is still popular today, and his influence can be heard in many different genres.
Robert Plant
Robert Plant is perhaps the most famous Black Country artists of the 70s. He was the lead singer and lyricist of the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin. Plant was born in West Bromwich, and he was heavily influenced by the music of the region. His unique voice and songwriting style helped to make Led Zeppelin one of the most popular bands of all time. He also had a successful solo career after the breakup of Led Zeppelin.
Alvin Stardust
Alvin Stardust was a glam rock singer from the Black Country. He had a number of hits in the 70s, including the hit single “My Coo Ca Choo”. Stardust was known for his outrageous stage costumes and his flamboyant performances. He was also an actor, and he starred in a number of films in the 80s and 90s. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.
Judas Priest
Judas Priest was a heavy metal band from the Black Country. They were one of the pioneers of the genre, and they were hugely influential in the development of metal music. Their albums from the 70s, including Sad Wings of Destiny and Stained Class, are considered metal classics. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
Sly and Robbie
Sly and Robbie were a reggae duo from the Black Country. They were one of the most prolific and influential reggae artists of the 70s, and their music was heavily influenced by funk and jazz. They worked with many different artists, including Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. They have been credited with helping to shape the sound of reggae music and they are widely regarded as one of the most important reggae acts of all time.
UB40
UB40 was a reggae-pop band from the Black Country. They had a number of hits in the 80s and 90s, including the classic “Red Red Wine”. They were known for their accessible, radio-friendly sound and their often political lyrics. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
Conclusion
The 70s were an incredible decade for music, and the Black Country artists were a huge part of that. This article has looked at some of the most influential and important Black Country artists of the 70s, and the impact they had on the music scene. From Willie Dixon to UB40, these artists have left a lasting impression on the music world and their influence can still be heard today.