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Innovative and experimental musicians of the early 1970s

> Jun. 18, 2024 by Anthony H Frisby

Recently I recorded a mix tape for my dad, and when the song Baba O’Riley by The Who came on I saw his eye light up. Born in 1953 he would have been 18 when this track came out – and this got me thinking. So much was happening in the world at that time in music and loads of tech was coming into existence. The psychedelic phase in the late 60’s had matured, AND, all the synthesisers were just being released.

  • Moog synthesiser - 1964
  • ARP 2500 - 1970
  • Minimoog - 1970
  • ARP Odyssey - 1972
  • Yamaha CS-80 - 1977
  • Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 - 1978
  • Roland Jupiter-8 - 1981
  • Oberheim OB-Xa - 1980
  • Yamaha DX7 - 1983
  • Roland TB-303 - 1982

I put together some lists below of other music released around this time that would have been subject to the same influence and benefited from the development of the same technologies.

Progressive Rock and Art Rock
Pink Floyd Meddle (1971), The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) – Concept albums, extensive use of synthesisers, experimental soundscapes.
Genesis Nursery Cryme (1971), Foxtrot (1972) – Complex song structures, use of Mellotron, theatrical live performances.
Yes Fragile (1971), Close to the Edge (1972) – Long, intricate compositions, virtuosic musicianship, use of synthesisers.
King Crimson In the Court of the Crimson King (1969), Larks’ Tongues in Aspic (1973) – Progressive rock, use of Mellotron, dynamic shifts in musical style.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer Tarkus (1971), Trilogy (1972) – Virtuosic keyboard performances, classical music influences.
Gentle Giant Acquiring the Taste (1971), Octopus (1972) – Complex compositions, eclectic instrumentation.
Jethro Tull Aqualung (1971), Thick as a Brick (1972) – Incorporation of folk and classical elements, concept albums.
Procol Harum Broken Barricades (1971), Grand Hotel (1973) – Symphonic rock, classical influences, poetic lyrics.
Barclay James Harvest Once Again (1971), Everyone Is Everybody Else (1974) – Orchestral arrangements, melodic focus.
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (1972), Solar Fire (1973) – Space themes, innovative use of synthesisers.

Electronic Music and Minimalism
Terry Riley A Rainbow in Curved Air (1969), Poppy Nogood and the Phantom Band (1969) – Minimalist compositions, use of electronic instruments, repetitive structures.
Kraftwerk Kraftwerk (1970), Kraftwerk 2 (1972) – Pioneers of electronic music, use of synthesisers and drum machines.
Brian Eno Here Come the Warm Jets (1973) – Ambient music, use of synthesisers, production experimentation.
Vangelis Fais que ton rêve soit plus long que la nuit (1972), Earth (1973) – Ambient soundscapes, orchestral influences.
Jean-Michel Jarre Early experimental works leading to Oxygène (1976) – Use of synthesisers, ambient textures.
Philip Glass Music with Changing Parts (1970), Music in Twelve Parts (1971) – Minimalism, repetitive structures, innovative use of rhythm and harmony.
Steve Reich Drumming (1971), Music for 18 Musicians (1976) – Minimalism, phasing techniques, complex rhythmic patterns.

Jazz Fusion and Avant-Garde Jazz
Mahavishnu Orchestra The Inner Mounting Flame (1971), Birds of Fire (1973) – Fusion of jazz and rock, complex time signatures, virtuosic performances.
Weather Report Weather Report (1971), I Sing the Body Electric (1972) – Jazz fusion, electronic instrumentation, improvisational approach.
Frank Zappa Hot Rats (1969), Waka/Jawaka (1972) – Fusion of rock, jazz, and orchestral music, complex arrangements, satirical lyrics.
Miles Davis Bitches Brew (1970), On the Corner (1972) – Jazz fusion, experimental soundscapes, electric instrumentation.
Herbie Hancock Mwandishi (1971), Crossings (1972) – Electronic experimentation, use of synthesisers.
Tony Williams Lifetime Ego (1971), The Old Bum’s Rush (1973) – Jazz fusion, experimental jazz, virtuosic drumming.
McCoy Tyner Sahara (1972), Song for My Lady (1973) – Jazz, African influences, innovative piano techniques.

Psychedelic Rock and Space Rock
Gong Camembert Electrique (1971), Flying Teapot (1973) – Psychedelic rock, space themes, jazz fusion.
Hawkwind In Search of Space (1971), Doremi Fasol Latido (1972) – Space rock, extensive use of synthesisers, sci-fi themes.
Can Tago Mago (1971), Ege Bamyasi (1972) – Krautrock, experimental structures, improvisation.
Neu! Neu! (1972), Neu! 2 (1973) – Minimalist rhythms, innovative use of tape manipulation.
T. Rex Electric Warrior (1971), The Slider (1972) – Glam rock, catchy melodies, eclectic influences.
The Velvet Underground (post-Lou Reed) Loaded (1970), Squeeze (1973) – Avant-garde rock, experimental sound, influential in alternative rock.
Amon Düül II Tanz der Lemminge (1971), Carnival in Babylon (1972) – Krautrock, psychedelic rock, improvisation.
Faust Faust (1971), So Far (1972) – Krautrock, experimental rock, innovative studio techniques.
Tangerine Dream Alpha Centauri (1971), Zeit (1972) – Electronic music, ambient soundscapes, synthesisers.
The Soft Machine Fourth (1971), Fifth (1972) – Jazz fusion, psychedelic rock, experimental soundscapes.

Experimental and Avant-Garde Rock
David Bowie Hunky Dory (1971), The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972) – Conceptual albums, theatrical personas, innovative use of rock and pop elements.
Roxy Music Roxy Music (1972), For Your Pleasure (1973) – Art rock, use of synthesisers, avant-garde influences.
Van der Graaf Generator Pawn Hearts (1971), Godbluff (1975) – Complex compositions, philosophical lyrics.
Soft Machine Fourth (1971), Fifth (1972) – Jazz fusion, experimental rock, instrumental complexity.
Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band Lick My Decals Off, Baby (1970), Clear Spot (1972) – Avant-garde rock, experimental blues, unconventional song structures.
Henry Cow Leg End (1973), Unrest (1974) – Avant-garde rock, experimental compositions, use of improvisation.
The Residents Meet The Residents (1974) – Avant-garde rock, experimental sound, conceptual albums.
Captain Beyond Captain Beyond (1972), Sufficiently Breathless (1973) – Progressive rock, psychedelic rock, complex arrangements.
Todd Rundgren Something/Anything? (1972), A Wizard, a True Star (1973) – Progressive pop, multi-instrumentalism.
David Byrne (Talking Heads) Not yet released (formed in 1975), active in the New York music scene – Art rock, experimental pop, innovative song structures.

Experimental Folk and Progressive Folk
Roy Harper Stormcock (1971), Lifemask (1973) – Progressive folk, complex acoustic arrangements, poetic lyrics.
The Incredible String Band Earthspan (1972), No Ruinous Feud (1973) – Psychedelic folk, eclectic instrumentation, mystical themes.
Pentangle Reflection (1971), Solomon’s Seal (1972) – British folk rock, jazz influences, intricate acoustic arrangements.
Nick Drake Bryter Layter (1971), Pink Moon (1972) – Folk rock, melancholic lyrics, intricate acoustic guitar work.
Steeleye Span Ten Man Mop, or Mr. Reservoir Butler Rides Again (1971), Below the Salt (1972) – British folk rock, traditional folk influences, electric instrumentation.
John Martyn Bless the Weather (1971), Solid Air (1973) – Folk rock, jazz influences, innovative guitar techniques.
Fairport Convention Angel Delight (1971), Babbacombe Lee (1971) – British folk rock, traditional folk influences, narrative storytelling.
Amazing Blondel Fantasia Lindum (1971), England (1972) – Progressive folk, medieval and Renaissance influences, acoustic focus.
Gnidrolog In Spite of Harry’s Toenail (1972), Lady Lake (1972) – Progressive rock, jazz influences, complex compositions.
Captain Beyond Captain Beyond (1972), Sufficiently Breathless (1973) – Progressive rock, psychedelic rock, complex arrangements.
Author Anthony H Frisby
Date Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Categories Music History, Experimental Music.
Tags 1970s Music, Experimental Musicians, Progressive Rock, Electronic Music, Jazz Fusion, Psychedelic Rock, Avant-Garde Music, Synthesisers in Music, Music Innovation, 1970s Music Influence.