If Michael, Prince, & Madonna are the BIG 3 of the 1980's, then who are the BIG 3 of the 1970's?

Please help me figure this out.

BTW, I know for a fact that Stevie Wonder should count as one of the 70's BIG 3.

Remember: Solo Artists, not bands.

For me, David Bowie springs 2 my mind!!

hmm..was Tapestry from the 60's or 70's?


cha know..that reminds me.....Carol King doesnt get enough props up in this place....wasnt Tapestry the biggest selling album of all times at one point?

Also Carly Simon as well!!

Donna Summer

David Bowie

Elton John

Bruce Springsteen

Stevie Wonder
Elton John
Donna Summer



It was easy picking the first two---Stevie and Elton were easily the two most consistent hitmakers of the 70s.But,even though she is one of my favorite artists,I'm not sure if Donna should be the third.She didn't release her first album until the middle of the decade,and her greatest success was limited to the last two years of the decade.I'll have to think about this....

sosgemini said:

'Tapestry' was released in 1971 and yes, for a while,it was the biggest selling album of all time,probably until the latter part of the decade,when landmark albums like 'Frampton Comes Alive','Rumours' and the 'Saturday Night Fever' soundtrack came out.

Clear cut answer to me in terms of commercial/critical/artistic success spanning the entire decade. The big 3 to me will always be:

1. David Bowie
2. Stevie Wonder
3. Joni Mitchell

DavidEye said:

How did I miss Donna Summers?

Ted Nugget
Rick James
Barry White

some other names that could be considered and debated...

Diana Ross---her 70s output was consistent,she had hit records all throughout the decade and nobody doubts her "icon" status.

David Bowie

Barry Manilow---go ahead and laugh,but he truly represented the mellower side of 70s pop...lol...I like many of his recordings.

Carly Simon

Olivia Newton-John

Carole King

Linda Ronstadt

Peter Frampton

GangstaFam said:

TonyVanDam said:

The 70's were the best years of music history, there were so many great artist during this time, each year an artist or a band was releasing a new classic album...

It's hard to say who were the three biggest icons, there were too many...

But if I have to choose three I would say Bowie, Stevie and Marvin...

But there were too many man...

The 70's were great for Music...
[Edited 5/12/05 6:25am]

Elton John
David Bowie
Kiss

oh...and Led Zeppelin, of course.

James Taylor
Stevie wonder
Donnie Hathaway

You're all fucking crazy...

David Bowie
Stevie Wonder
Marvin Gaye

Obviously.

Cliff Richard

Cilla Black

Dusty Springfield

elvis {he was still around in the 70s}
hendrix
bowie

Marvin Gaye
Stevie Wonder
Donna Summer (redefined dance music)

in my household, it was bowie, olivia and zappa. results may vary with the rest of the world.

Stevie Wonder



Marvin Gaye



Elton John


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

I'll go with tA's list.

From an objective standpoint, and I say this out of love and respect for everyone on this thread . . .

Any list that does not include Stevie is not credible on this point.

Stevie Wonder
Elton John
Linda Ronstandt


Not one of the big three:
Marvin Gaye - output was spotty
David Bowie - he was a FM radio star. he was not putting out albums after album with numerous top ten hits
Elvis - he was alive in the 70's & thats about it
Peter Frampton - aside from Frampton Comes Alive! what is there?
James Taylor - same as Marvin Gaye
Carole King - same as Marvin Gaye
Joni Mitchell - same as Bowie

Elton John, Stevie Wonder & Linda Ronstandt put out album after album with numerous hit singles off each album. Thats what makes them the big three.

If we're talking only popularity, then the answers might be different.

But we're talking Icons of the 70's, and to me that means lasting acclaim, fame and influence. Anyone leaving Bowie off their list is nuts. He's by far the most influential musician since the Beatles. There's just no debating that.

Novabreaker said:

Hey, I was 2/3 right!

Stax said:

Of course I agree, but this is solo artists. Not bands.

What is the standard for iconic status? Commercial sales, artistic prowess or a combination of the two?

Stax said:

REMEMBER: Solo Artists only!!!

See, you were almost there.