10 Blues Rock Icons of the 1970s

The 1970s was a golden age for blues rock, a decade where grit met groove, and blistering guitar riffs collided with soulful vocals to create music that still resonates today. The artists who thrived in this era didn’t just keep the blues alive; they amplified it, adding their own swagger and style.

Here are 10 Blues Rock icons of the 1970s.

Paul Rodgers

When it comes to blues rock vocalists, Paul Rodgers stands in a class of his own. As the voice behind Free and later Bad Company, Rodgers brought a raw, emotive power that felt both effortless and thunderous. He wasn’t just singing the blues. He was the blues. With Free, he delivered the timeless “All Right Now,” but it was his deep cuts like “Be My Friend” and “Heavy Load” that truly showcased his blues roots. In Bad Company, Rodgers kept the fire burning with classics like “Ready for Love,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” and “Shooting Star.” His voice had a gritty elegance, equal parts smoke and steel, and it never got buried beneath the guitars.

Rory Gallagher

Irish guitar hero Rory Gallagher never chased commercial trends, but his ferocious playing and relentless touring made him a cult legend. Throughout the ’70s, albums like Deuce, Tattoo, and Photo-Finish displayed a musician whose passion for the blues was fierce and unfiltered. Gallagher’s style was raw and earthy. No flash, no frills, just explosive licks, and authentic songwriting. Whether he was tearing into a stomper like “Shadow Play” or slowing it down for “A Million Miles Away,” Gallagher played every note like it mattered. And to him, it did.

Johnny Winter

Albinism and Texas heat didn’t stop Johnny Winter from becoming one of the fiercest guitarists of his generation. His high-octane approach to blues rock, delivered with a snarling voice and lightning-fast slide guitar, made him a standout in a decade full of greats. Still Alive and Well showed a musician who could match traditional blues authenticity with rock ’n’ roll bravado. Electrifying, reverent, and unapologetically loud.

Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton may have started in the ’60s, but the 1970s solidified his legend. After the breakup of Cream and a stint with Derek and the Dominos, Clapton emerged in the ’70s with a smoother, more laid-back sound, but the blues was always underneath it. From “Let It Rain” to the reggae-tinged “I Shot the Sheriff,” Clapton’s solo work in this era was rich with emotion and impeccable phrasing. Clapton proved he didn’t need to play fast to play deeply. He made restraint sound powerful.

Billy Gibbons

Billy Gibbons wasn’t just the guitarist and frontman for ZZ Top, he was the band’s signature sound. In the 1970s, Gibbons led the Texas trio through a series of gritty, groove-heavy albums that defined Southern blues rock for a new generation. His playing was raw, funky, and unmistakably steeped in tradition, but it came with a swagger all his own. The 1970s brought us “La Grange,” “Waitin’ for the Bus,” and “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” each filled with Gibbons’ thick tone and tasteful phrasing. He didn’t just borrow from the blues, he bent it, twisted it, and made it sound cooler than ever. Whether laying down greasy riffs or hypnotic slide parts, Billy Gibbons proved you could honor the blues without sounding stuck in the past.

Kim Simmonds

As the driving force behind Savoy Brown, guitarist Kim Simmonds led one of the UK’s most enduring blues rock outfits. Though the band’s lineup shifted frequently, Simmonds’ playing remained a constant, passionate, melodic, and steeped in the British blues boom. In the early-to-mid ’70s, albums like Street Corner Talking and Hellbound Train expanded the band’s reach, especially in the U.S., where their mix of blues, boogie, and hard rock earned them a loyal following. Simmonds wasn’t a showboat. He was a lifer who lived and breathed the blues.

Freddie King

By the 1970s, Freddie King had already secured his place as one of the “Three Kings of the Blues,” but it was during this decade that he fully embraced the blues rock sound. With his fiery guitar tone, soulful voice, and explosive live performances, King became a bridge between traditional electric blues and the heavier, louder blues rock explosion of the era. Tracks like “Going Down” and “Palace of the King” became staples, covered by a whos who of the genre. King’s influence ran deep. He didn’t just inspire guitarists, he intimidated them.

Alvin Lee

Alvin Lee of Ten Years After brought blistering speed and precision to blues rock. In the ’70s, albums such as Cricklewood Green and A Space in Time showed a more nuanced side of Lee’s songwriting, with tracks like “I’d Love to Change the World” highlighting his ability to weave social commentary into the mix. Lee’s guitar was a rocket ship, and he knew exactly how to steer it.

Mick Jagger

While often celebrated for his charisma and stage presence, Mick Jagger was also a crucial figure in bringing blues rock to the mainstream during the 1970s. As frontman of the Rolling Stones, Jagger helped steer the band deeper into American blues traditions, channeling legends like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf while adding his own rebellious edge. He wasn’t a technical guitarist or virtuoso, but as a vocalist and performer, Jagger gave blues rock a dangerous, electrifying energy that connected with massive audiences worldwide. He made the blues sexy, swaggering, and loud enough to fill stadiums.

Leslie West

As the guitarist and co-leader of Mountain, Leslie West had one of the thickest, most commanding guitar tones of the ’70s. His riff-heavy approach to blues rock showcased on tracks like “Mississippi Queen” and “Nantucket Sleighride,” brought a heavy, almost proto-metal edge to the genre. West’s playing was all about feel and force. He wasn’t trying to dazzle with speed. He just made every note hit. Combine that with his gruff voice and you’ve got one of the most distinct sounds in ’70s blues rock.