From Vinyl to Streaming: 70s Rock Icons Still Making Noise Today
The 1970s were more than just a decade — they were a revolution. Rock was at its loudest, rawest, and most creative. The world saw the rise of arena-filling giants, leather-clad rebels, and visionaries who bent sound into art. And while some decades fade into nostalgia, the icons of the 70s still echo in today’s music, proving that true rock spirit doesn’t retire.
Still Rocking the Stage
Take Mick Jagger and Keith Richards — two names that seem immortal. The Rolling Stones are still pulling massive crowds in their 80s, tearing through classics with the swagger of men half their age. Their 70s era gave us countless gems, including “Child of the Moon” (originally a B-side from 1968 but fully in stride with their psychedelic-into-rock evolution). That song’s layered textures hinted at how adventurous the Stones could be. Today, they continue releasing fresh material and touring with a fire that defies time.
Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who are no different. From “Heaven and Hell” (1970, B-side to Summertime Blues), a thunderous showcase of John Entwistle’s bass, to their modern-day live performances, they’ve never lost their knack for delivering music that rattles your bones and makes you think.
Studio Wizards
Not every 70s icon kept to the stage. Some reshaped sound itself. Brian Eno, once the feather-caped wizard of Roxy Music, went on to pioneer ambient music and produce albums for U2, Talking Heads, and Coldplay. His fingerprints are on decades of music, proving that a 70s mind can still sound futuristic.
Songwriting & Collabs
Elton John remains one of rock’s most versatile survivors. His 1974 B-side “Screw You (Young Man’s Blues)” captured the bite and flamboyance that made him unstoppable. Fast-forward nearly 50 years and he’s still topping charts — his 2021 collab Cold Heart with Dua Lipa brought Elton’s melodies to an entirely new generation. Few artists bridge such a massive gap in eras without losing authenticity.
Quiet Legends
Then there are figures like Jimmy Page. While he hasn’t been as public in recent years, his work curating Led Zeppelin’s archives, remastering classic tracks, and mentoring guitarists keeps his influence alive. Zeppelin’s “Hey, Hey, What Can I Do” (1970, B-side to Immigrant Song) still inspires countless players who find themselves chasing Page’s mix of thunder and finesse.
Rebel Spirit Lives On
And of course, we can’t talk about the 70s without Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop. Cooper’s B-sides like “Public Animal #9” (from the early 70s School’s Out sessions) carried his twisted humor and shock-rock style, which he still performs with gleeful menace today.
Iggy? He’s pure survival. His 1977 B-side “Johanna” remains one of his snarling, street-poet gems. And even now, shirtless and wiry, Iggy still throws himself into live shows as if the punk revolution never ended.
Gone but Not Forgotten: Ozzy Osbourne
We’d be remiss not to honor the late Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away after decades of redefining metal. In the 70s, Sabbath’s B-side “Evil Woman” (1970) laid down a heavy foundation for metal to build upon. Ozzy carried that legacy far beyond the decade, influencing generations of bands. His voice — equal parts menace and vulnerability — remains immortal on vinyl and in memory.
The Playlist: 70s Icons Then & Now
To celebrate these legends, here’s a playlist that blends 70s B-sides with their more recent sparks — a journey from vinyl to streaming:
The Rolling Stones – “Child of the Moon” (1968 B-side) → paired with “Angry” (2023).
The Who – “Heaven and Hell” (1970 B-side) → paired with live cuts from their 2022 tour.
Elton John – “Screw You (Young Man’s Blues)” (1974 B-side) → paired with “Cold Heart” (2021, with Dua Lipa).
Led Zeppelin – “Hey, Hey, What Can I Do” (1970 B-side) → paired with Jimmy Page’s 2014 remasters.
Alice Cooper – “Public Animal #9” (1972 B-side) → paired with “Road Rats Forever” (2023).
Iggy Pop – “Johanna” (1977 B-side) → paired with “Frenzy” (2022).
Black Sabbath – “Evil Woman” (1970 B-side) → paired with a tribute to Ozzy’s “Ordinary Man” (2020).
This list isn’t just nostalgia — it’s proof that the same artists who fueled the golden age of rock are still inspiring us decades later.
The Legacy of the 70s
The 70s weren’t just about sound — they were about setting a standard for authenticity. These icons, whether still touring, producing, writing, or remembered in legend, continue to shape how we hear music today. They remind us that rock isn’t trapped in time; it grows with us, follows us, and sometimes, outlives us.
So tell me — which 70s icon still makes your playlist today?
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