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Unfinished legacies: 7 singer-songwriters of the 1970s we want to hear more from 

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Writing about extraordinary music and the musicians behind it isn’t overly challenging, particularly when focusing on the exceptional ’70s era. However, keep in mind that your selections for a list may not resonate with everyone.

They’ll provide more insightful ideas and a multitude of explanations as to why certain song titles, melodies, or recordings you bring up may not meet their standards. I can handle that, as it adds to the enjoyment of penning and perusing numerous musical pieces in my writing endeavors.

Occasionally, it can be challenging to clearly describe a list of musicians when you’re grouping them together. For instance, it wasn’t straightforward for me to explain this particular list, so please bear with me as I attempt to do so. This isn’t about seven obscure musicians from the 1970s or numerous artists you’re likely unfamiliar with already. Instead, it might involve well-known musicians, but in a unique and interesting way that warrants discussion.

7 singer-songwriters of the 1970s we want to hear more from 

For many of you, quite a few, if not all, might be familiar. This isn’t just about musicians who had a single hit or those who never found success.

Here is a list of seven renowned singer-songwriters who achieved critical acclaim and had notable hits. However, due to various circumstances, their popularity as solo artists didn’t extend far and wide, or their success wasn’t consistently bright or long-lasting compared to what it potentially could have been, even outside the 1970s.

For some of these musicians, an untimely demise casts a sorrowful veil and provides a motivation. Regardless of the circumstances, it’s regrettable that fewer people got to enjoy more of their unique music as solo artists, potentially achieving even greater fame among seven talented individuals.

John Martyn

Instead of saying “Let’s look at John Martyn as someone who deserved greater and wider success,” we could phrase it more casually as “John Martyn was a talented artist who should have had even more recognition.” To clarify, he recorded an impressive amount of music – specifically, 23 studio albums and numerous live and compilation releases. This means there’s plenty of his work out there for people to listen to and appreciate.

Martyn’s music, blending elements of folk, rock, blues, and jazz, has earned significant recognition. He belongs to a category where his talents are widely recognized among those in the know. His work and guitar skills are often enthusiastically praised by many, while others may wonder “who?” or question which songs they might recognize. Although he didn’t achieve widespread fame across the Atlantic, I’m confident that well-informed readers from the US will be familiar with him nonetheless.

Martyn’s music, characterized by a fusion of folk, rock, blues, and jazz genres, has gained considerable acclaim among those who are in the know. His skills are often admired, while others may question his identity or the songs they might recognize. Despite limited popularity across the Atlantic, I am confident that many knowledgeable US readers will be aware of him.

Many musicians were motivated by Martyn’s skillful guitar playing, particularly because he was among the first to master the looping pedal. This allowed him to create his own accompaniment and backing tracks, which greatly impacted artists like Ed Sheeran and The Edge, who have acknowledged Martyn as a significant influence on their own guitar techniques.

One of numerous artists faced hardships during their latter years, and he was no exception. His struggles were compounded by drug problems among other factors. Tragically, he passed away at the young age of 60 in 2009, thus halting any potential resurgence in his musical endeavors.

If you’re not familiar with his body of work, you might still be able to identify tunes such as “May You Never,” “Don’t Want To Know,” which are all from his 1973 album “Solid Air.” The title track itself is a well-known song by him.

Colin Blunstone

The frontman of the Zombies has achieved great milestones and at the age of 80, he’s been entertaining audiences for an impressive 60 years. He continues to tour actively, so keep an eye out if you want to catch more of him or the band. A new documentary titled “Hung On To A Dream” about the group has recently been released. This notable figure finds himself on this list due to his brief yet impactful solo career in terms of chart-topping hits, primarily concentrated in the early 1970s.

Colin Blunstone achieved several solo chart-toppers, including “Say You Don’t Mind,” a duet with Denny Laine, and subsequent hits like “How Could We Dare to Be Wrong” and “The Tracks of My Tears.” His earlier solo attempts were made under the name Neil McArthur, but it was as Colin Blunstone that he found modest success covering The Zombies’ “She’s Not There.

Listening to either The Zombies’ discography or Rod Argent’s solo albums makes it evident that he possesses an exceptional vocal talent deserving of even more solo acclaim.

John Miles

I’ve discussed John Miles previously, with no regrets for doing so again. His inaugural solo album, titled “Rebel“, released in 1976, remains a cherished and frequently played favorite of mine. It features the iconic single “Music”, a remarkable addition to an impressive debut recording. In the US, he and his hit are often considered one-hit wonders, which may technically be accurate, but is also somewhat misleading about his musical prowess.

As a gamer, I’d say: “I’ve got some tunes from the past that still rock my world! The first single off the album was ‘High Fly,’ which became a hit not just in the UK but also made it to number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another track, ‘Slow Down,’ did even better, reaching numbers 10 and 34 on the charts. On top of that, I got some major exposure to US audiences when I toured with legends like Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, and the Rolling Stones back in the late ’70s.

After his initial breakthrough, Miles kept putting out new albums, amounting to a total of ten studio releases. However, none of these subsequent albums managed to surpass the success of his debut or match the impact of “Music.” Nevertheless, each one was still remarkable and definitely worth listening to.

In a surprising twist, Miles found himself largely underrated following his initial burst of fame. He persisted with dedication, embarking on tours across Europe, composing stage musicals, collaborating with other artists, and creating music. Regrettably, his success didn’t reach the heights it deserved, as his anthems resonated more subtly than expected. Tragically, Miles passed away at 72 in 2021. His life was a testament to the power of music, and it’s a pity that his achievements didn’t receive the recognition they truly merited.

Nick Drake

A notable figure in the music world, Nick Drake may not be widely recognized by mainstream audiences. However, musicians and music enthusiasts are well aware of his talent. His recognition stems from a brief but impactful career that produced only three albums.

In 1969, Drake debuted his first album titled “Five Leaves Left“. This was followed by “Happier Later” in 1971 and finally “Pink Moon” in 1972. Tragically, another gifted musician departed us prematurely.

In 1974, Drake passed away at the young age of 26. His music had a distinctive quality, characterized by soft melodies and folk-inspired tunes. His compositions frequently featured minimalistic arrangements, accompanied by intricate finger-picking on the guitar. At times, his songs were layered, but they always maintained a quiet, somewhat melancholic tone in their lyrics.

Drake didn’t find success during his lifetime as his albums weren’t popular sellers. Don’t expect to hear any hit singles from him either. However, it wasn’t until a compilation of his work titled Fruit Tree was released in 1979 that more people took notice of him.

Throughout the 1980s, an increasing number of musicians acknowledged that Drake’s work had a significant impact on them. This group encompassed artists like Kate Bush, Paul Weller, Peter Buck, and Robert Smith – all notable figures in music composition.

In his lifetime, he had a somewhat modest level of achievement. However, it was later in his career that his contemporaries gave him recognition. Regrettably, he only released three albums. Now would be an excellent time to give those a listen or explore the “Fruit Trees” compilation to get a taste of Drake’s music.

Clifford T Ward

Clifford T Ward served as an English and Drama instructor while also penning his own melodies and tunes. In the early 1970s, he experienced a few hits with “Gaye” and “Scullery,” and achieved a top 40 UK album titled “Home Thoughts From Abroad“. His songs were thoughtfully composed, and he had a unique style, but unfortunately, he couldn’t fully capitalize on his achievements.

It turns out that Ward wasn’t fond of concerts, traveling, or being in the public eye. This was quite a challenge for his music career. As a result, he went back to teaching full-time and, unfortunately, passed away in 2001 at the young age of 57. His music truly deserved greater recognition and achievement. If only he could have toured and marketed himself more effectively, he might have enjoyed a brilliant career.

Andy Fairweather Low

It’s possible that you’ve come across Andy Fairweather Low’s music without realizing it. You might have even witnessed him performing live. His career began when he established Amen Corner in the 1960s. They enjoyed a number of chart successes, with “(If Paradise Is) Half As Nice” being their most recognized hit.

Following the disbandment of our cherished group in 1970, I found myself stepping into the world of session musicianship. I collaborated with various bands on their albums and tours, and even dared to venture out as a solo artist. My breakthrough came in 1975 with an exceptional track, “Wide Eyed And Legless,” which resonated strongly with listeners. Despite this success, my subsequent solo albums saw limited commercial recognition on the charts.

For many years, he consistently worked on studio sessions and went on tours. He was a frequent member of Roger Waters’ backing band, the Bleeding Heart Band, serving for 22 years and contributing to multiple albums by Waters as well. Fairweather Low also performed alongside notable artists such as Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris, and George Harrison on various shows.

Although there’s a lot of Fairweather Low music available, his career as a solo artist didn’t take off as expected. His one major hit hinted at greater success, but it never materialized for him. However, he’s an exceptionally skilled musician and songwriter, and his solo work is definitely worth exploring. I recommend giving his 1975 album, La Booga Rooga, which includes the hit single, a listen.

Gerry Rafferty

It’s common knowledge that Gerry Rafferty and his tunes are well-known, not hidden treasures. Hits like “Baker Street” as a solo act or “Stuck In The Middle With You” with Stealers Wheel are timeless classics. Additionally, he gained recognition as a member of the Humblebums in the late 1960s alongside comedian Billy Connolly and Tam Harvey.

Rafferty put out many albums of his own during his lifetime, a total of ten solo studio albums. Among these, the most successful was “City To City,” released in 1978, which was closely followed by “Night Owl” in 1979 and “Snakes And Ladders” in 1980. However, his success waned somewhat after that period, although he continued to be highly respected.

It’s possible that Rafferty stepping away from the business and refusing to perform live played a role in his career decline. Reports suggest that he was uneasy about performing for crowds. His album “Life Goes On,” released in 2009, was his final completed work before his death in 2011 at the age of 63, adding another talented musician to the list of those taken from us too soon.

Fortunately, his daughter took up the initiative to work on a fresh album titled “_Rest In Blue_” in the year 2021. She worked with a series of demos and songs that Rafferty had been preparing prior. The album is excellent, striking the perfect chord for a Rafferty compilation.

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2025-06-28 13:01

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