20 Rare Photos Of 1970s Rock N’ Rollers
The 1970s. A time when rock stars weren’t just musicians—they were gods.
This wasn’t just music. This was a revolution.
These 20 rare photos capture the energy, the backstage chaos, and the untamed spirit of an era when rock ruled the world. It was a decade of legendary albums, sold-out arenas, and a cultural shift that redefined music forever.
Buckle up, we’re heading straight into the wildest decade rock has ever seen. Rock on!
1. Queen in Detroit, MI, 1977
Detroit, 1977. Queen steps onto the stage, and the crowd erupts.
Freddie Mercury, a vision of sequins and pure charisma, commands the stage like a king. Brian May’s guitar sings, while Roger Taylor and John Deacon lay down a fortress of sound.
The audience? Spellbound. This isn’t just a concert—it’s a spectacle. People who were there still talk about it.
If you were lucky enough to witness Queen in their prime, you didn’t just see a show—you experienced magic.
2. Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac
Some artists sing. Stevie Nicks enchants.
This 1970s shot captures her mid-performance, eyes closed, voice dripping with heartbreak and mystery. Her long, flowing dresses twirl as she moves like some kind of rock ‘n’ roll sorceress.
With Fleetwood Mac, she gave us songs that felt like diary entries set to music—love, loss, and a voice that kept us spellbound.
And let’s be real: No one has ever made a shawl look cooler.
3. Joe Walsh of The Eagles
Joe Walsh never cared about looking like a rock star—he just was one.
With his scruffy hair, laid-back swagger, and a guitar that spoke louder than words, Walsh gave The Eagles their edge.
Born in Wichita, Kansas, he moved through Ohio and New Jersey before landing in Los Angeles, where he became a rock legend. Walsh once said, “You know you’re a rock star when you can’t tell if it’s Tuesday or July.” That pretty much sums it up.
4. David Coverdale of Deep Purple
Before Whitesnake, before the big hair and the ‘80s power ballads, there was Deep Purple. And at the helm? David Coverdale.
This 1970s shot is peak rock ‘n’ roll: pants, an open shirt, and a voice that could shatter glass.
His stage presence was electric. Fans didn’t just watch him perform—they felt it.
He cemented himself as one of the greatest frontmen in rock history..
5. Black Sabbath in the 1970s
Before metal had a name, before it was a genre, before anyone even knew what was happening—there was Black Sabbath.
This rare photo shows all four band members sitting in a park, discussing their next tours
Heavy, dark, a little bit scary—Black Sabbath didn’t just create metal. They were metal.
6. Creedence Clearwater Revival, 1970
In 1970, Creedence Clearwater Revival was at the forefront of rock music. Their outdoor performances were legendary, drawing large, enthusiastic crowds.
The band’s rustic style and powerful sound created an unforgettable experience for fans.
Despite their immense popularity, CCR never performed in their hometown of El Cerrito, California.
7. Bon Scott of AC/DC, 1979
This 1979 photo captures him mid-performance—shirtless, hair sticking to his face, microphone clutched like it owed him money.
His voice? A raspy, whiskey-soaked snarl that could cut through anything.
His stage presence? Pure chaos.
He was AC/DC’s heartbeat. And when we lost him in 1980, we lost one of rock’s greats. But his spirit? It never left the music.
8. Alice Cooper as Santa, 1970s
Rock ‘n’ roll’s original shock rocker dressed up as Santa?
Of course he did.
Alice Cooper made a career out of scaring people, but every once in a while, he reminded us he had a sense of humor.
This photo is pure gold—a rock legend swapping his usual snakes and guillotines for a Santa hat.
9. The Allman Brothers Band, 1972
In 1972, The Allman Brothers Band was synonymous with Southern rock. Southern rock at its finest.
Their outdoor performances were a celebration of music and nature.
This rare photo captures the essence of their music, which continues to inspire generations of rock enthusiasts.
A sound that still echoes today.
10. Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd
Ronnie Van Zant’s life was defined by his passion for music, and his commitment to his craft made him an icon of Southern rock.
Tragically, his life was cut short in a plane crash on October 20, 1977.
The crash claimed the lives of him and several members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, forever marking the end of an era for the band and the rock world.
11. David Bowie, 1975
Bowie wasn’t from this planet. This 1975 image captures him mid-transformation—half rock star, half cosmic being. He didn’t just push boundaries – he obliterated them.
He was one of the most important and influential musicians of the 20th century.
And honestly, we’re still catching up to him.
12. Stevie Nicks at JFK Stadium, 1978
By 1978, Stevie Nicks was more than a singer—she was a force.
This rare image captures her mid-performance at JFK Stadium, twirling in a sea of fabric, her voice soaring through the crowd.
Thousands of fans were mesmerized and swayed along.
Stevie didn’t just perform. She transported you somewhere else. Somewhere magical.
13. Angus Young of AC/DC, 1977
Angus Young. A grown man in a schoolboy outfit. And yet, somehow, the coolest guy in the room.
Best known as the electrifying lead guitarist of AC/DC.
This 1977 shot captures him mid-leap, guitar strapped tight, face locked in that signature guitar-shredding grimace.
What’s your impression of their concerts?
14. Led Zeppelin – Backstage, Indianapolis 1975
Backstage with Led Zeppelin? That’s a whole different kind of show.
This 1975 photo offers a rare glimpse behind the curtain—Page, Plant, Bonham, and Jones, relaxing in their element before they went out and destroyed the stage.
Champagne? Probably. Cigarettes? Definitely. The aura of a band that knew they were the biggest thing on the planet? Absolutely.
They didn’t just perform concerts. They conquered them.
15. Bruce Springsteen, 1970s
They called him The Boss for a reason.
This shot of Bruce Springsteen in the ‘70s captures everything that made him Springsteen—the passion and that million-dollar grin.
When he took the stage, he gave everything.
A Springsteen show was more than a concert. It was a marathon. Three hours of pure, relentless energy.
And when he sang Born to Run? You felt it in your bones
16. Steve Miller Band, 1973
Steve Miller Band didn’t need theatrics. They had groove.
This 1973 outdoor performance captures the band in their prime—sunkissed, surrounded by fans, completely in the zone.
Their music was pure feel-good energy. The Joker. Fly Like an Eagle. Songs that made you roll down the windows and just go.
Just good vibes and great music.
17. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, 1979
In 1979, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were a force in rock music.
Tom Petty, with his cool rock confidence, led the band to new heights. Their energetic performances and catchy tunes captured the hearts of fans.
This rare image showcases Petty’s charisma and the band’s undeniable chemistry, a testament to their rock legacy.
18. Phil Collins of Genesis, 1976
Genesis, the legendary English band founded in 1967, went through numerous lineup changes but was always made up of top-tier musicians.
The band was led by Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Anthony Phillips, and Chris Stewart.
Their most famous songs, such as Invisible Touch, Mama, and I Can’t Dance, topped the charts, while their spectacular concerts in America made them unforgettable for years to come.
19. ZZ TOP – Funky Cowboys, 1975
Beards. Guitars.
This 1975 shot of ZZ Top is peak Texas boogie. Cowboy hats, sunglasses, and a groove so deep you couldn’t sit still.
They weren’t flashy. They weren’t overcomplicated. They just rocked. And they made it look effortless.
And let’s be honest—few bands have ever looked this cool while doing it.
20. Elton John, 1973
Glasses? Check.
Feathered outfit? Check.
This rare 1973 shot of Elton John reminds us why he owned the ‘70s.
He grew up in a working-class family. Nobody did “larger-than-life” like Elton. Nobody made a piano look cooler.
The man wasn’t just a musician—he was a walking firework display. And we loved every second of it.