19 Rock Songs You Must Learn To Play 1970s – Tabs Included

It always existing learning a new rock song on an electric guitar. It brings in a thrill as well as a satisfaction to me when I succeed a playing correctly the riff or the solo.

Rock music was taken into a whole new dimension during the 1970s. It was a decade where we could experience the decline of Psychedelic music. On the other hand, it was possible to see the emergence of a new music genre named Hard Rock. Along with that, heavy metal and progressive rock also came into play.

Touring bands started moving into the theatres and clubs during the decade. Soft rock dominated the early days of the 1970s, but it was later captured by hard rock. In other words, it was possible to see Glam or Glitter Rock shining during the first half of the decade. It is during this time where the live rock albums received their peak popularity.

Pink Floyd – Another Brick in the Wall

Year: 1979
Album: The Wall
Genre: Classic Rock
Difficulty: Medium

Pink Floyd is a rock band that was established back in 1965. This rock band was based in London. They were able to become world-famous through psychedelic and progressive music styles. The unique lyrics of the song helped it to gain a lot of attention back in the day.

Another Brick in the Wall is an opera based on an album compiled by Pink Floyd. It became extremely popular during 1979. However, it is not actually a pure rock song but belongs to the opera genre.

Technical Information:

• Tuning: E A D G B E
• Tempo: 104 bpm
• Played by: Lead and rhythm guitars
• Chords used: Dm, G, F, Am, C, Bb
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): Dm, The solo is in Dm pentatonic
• Played with: Pick
• Amp settings: Moderate soft distortion for solo, back up chords with overdrive (lead guitar), Clean (rhythm guitar)
• Right-hand techniques:  mute strings
• Left-hand techniques: Hammer-on, pull-off, slide up, slide down.

Another Brick in the Wall guitar tabs

Queen – We Will Rock You

Year: 1977
Album: News of the World
Genre: Arena rock
Difficulty: Medium

Queen is an English rock band, which was established back in 1970. This rock band was able to revolutionize rock music and take it into a whole new era. Brian May (lead guitar, vocals), Freddie Mercury (piano, lead vocals), John Deacon (bass) and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals) formed the classic line up of the band. The initial work of the Queen band was based upon a progressive rock, heavy metal, and hard rock.

Brian May, the lead guitarist wrote the song We Will Rock You. The band compiled this song seven years after its formation. This song is generally set out in the Acappella form. One of the most unique aspects of this song is that it uses a rhythmic body percussion beat based upon clapping. This contributed a lot to the overall popularity of the song as well.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 84
• Played by: lead guitar
• Chords used: None
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): E-minor (pentatonic), A-Mixolydian Major
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: Moderate soft distortion
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: vibrato, bend, pull-off, hammer-on, dead note

We Will Rock You guitar tabs

The Eagles – Hotel California

Year: 1976
Album: Hotel California
Genre: Classic Rock
Difficulty: Hard

The Eagles is an American rock band, which was established back in 1971. Randy Meisner (bass, vocals), Bernie Leadon (guitar, vocals), Don Henley (drums, vocals) and Glenn Frey (guitar, vocals) founded the band. The band became extremely popular in all parts of the world.

Hotel California is the most popular song that Eagles produced. In fact, they even gave the album the same name. Also, in 1988 Guitarist magazine voted that the song had the best guitar solo ever produced.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 74
• Played by: rhythm and lead guitar
• Chords used: Bm, F#, A, E, G, D, Em
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): Bm
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: soft distortion for the lead guitar and clean for the rhythm.
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: vibrato, bend, pre-bend, pull-off, hammer-on, dead note, slide

Hotel California guitar tabs

Boston – More Than A Feeling

Year: 1976
Album: Boston
Genre: Rock
Difficulty: Hard

Boston is an American rock band, which was originated from the city of Boston in Massachusetts. It was one of the most successful rock bands during the 1970s and 1980s. The band was created by Tom Scholz, who was a multi-instrumentalist. As per the statistical records, Boston has been able to sell more than 75 million records. They include 31 different albums as well. Out of all the records that Boston sold, 17 million comes from their first album. The band has a rich career, which spans across four decades. During this time, it has been able to release six different studio albums as well.

More Than a Feeling song was compiled by the founder and the leader of the band. It was released along with the very first album of the band as well. As mentioned earlier, this was the most successful album that the band was able to release. The song, More Than A Feeling contributed a lot towards the popularity of the album. This song was able to get into the list of best 500 Rock and Roll songs that were released in the history of music as well. Therefore, it would be an exciting experience to learn how to play this song.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 108
• Played by: rhythm and lead guitar
• Chords used: Dsus4, D, C, Cadd9, G, Em, Eb, Em7, Asus4, A, Asus2, D/F# 
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): G
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: distortion for the rhythm and lead guitar, some parts of the song rhythm guitar is set to clean.
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: vibrato, bend, bend release, pull-off, hammer-on, slide

More Than A Feeling guitar tabs

Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven

Year: 1971
Album: Led Zeppelin IV
Genre: Progressive rock, hard rock
Difficulty: Medium

Led Zeppelin was a rock band from England. The band was established back in 1968 in London. An excellent team of players teamed up for the formation of this rock band. They included the singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, keyboardist and pianist John Paul and drummer John Bonham. This band was able to tap into rock music with a unique approach. In other words, they paid special attention to making music with heavy guitar-driven sounds. Due to this reason, the band is also called as the progenitors of heavy metal.

Stairway to Heaven was the most popular song released by Led Zeppelin. The vocalist Robert Plant and guitarist Jimmy Page contributed a lot towards the song. This is identified as one of the best rock songs of all time. Also, the song Stairway to Heaven is made out of three different sections. In each of the sections, the volume and tempo are increasing progressively. The song begins with a slow tempo and proceeds to a higher tempo, which makes it a unique and a one of a kind masterpiece.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 63
• Played by: rhythm and lead guitar
• Chords used: Am, Am7, Fmaj7, G, F
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): Am
• Played with: pick and fingers
• Amp settings: soft distortion for the rhythm and lead guitar, some parts of the song lead guitar is set to clean.
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: bend, pull-off, hammer-on, slide

Stairway to Heaven guitar tabs

Kiss – I Was Made For Lovin’ You

Year: 1979
Album: Dynasty
Genre: Hard rock
Difficulty: Easy

KISS is an American rock band established in New York City back in 1973. Paul Stanley (Rhythm Guitarist), Gene Simmons (Bass Guitarist), Peter Criss (Drum and percussion) and Ace Frehley (lead guitarist) are the members of the band. Further, the rock band is especially known for its members’ face painting and their elaborate stage outfits. Kiss is one of the all-time best selling and without a doubt is one of the world’s greatest rock bands. With over 100 million records sold, Kiss justified their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

I was made for loving you was the first song born out of the collaboration between KISS and Desmond Child showing that a rock band could seek help from a professional songwriter. Released on the 1979 Dynasty album, It is one of the band’s biggest hit singles till this date. In fact, they sold over 1 million copies and certified gold in the US on August 16, 1979. The song made number 11 on the US Billboard singles chart and number 1 on the Canadian RPM national singles chart becoming the band’s second chart-topping single, second to shout it loud.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 128
• Played by: rhythm and lead guitar
• Chords used: Em, Am, D, G, B, C, Cmaj7
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): E major
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: soft distortion for the rhythm and lead guitar.
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: bend, pull-off, hammer-on

I Was Made For Lovin’ You guitar tabs

Deep Purple – Smoke On The Water

Year: 1972
Album: Machine Head
Genre: Rock
Difficulty: Medium

Deep Purple is a Hertford formed English rock band. The band is without a doubt one of the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock. The band group was formed in March 1968 and originally known as a roundabout. They sold more than a hundred million albums that are a source of inspiration for many rock bands. All the evidence surrounding this rock band proves that the compelling band just might be the ultimate rock band of all time. Chris Curtis and Tony Edwards created the band alongside John Coletta and Ron Hire.

Smoke on the fire was first released by the band on their 1972 Machine head album. The song took its inspiration from the fire outbreak in the casino at Montreux, Switzerland in December 1971. To illustrate, the band saw a layer of smoke cover lake Geneva when the fire was put out. The song was 434th on the rolling stone magazine’s list of 500 greatest songs of all time. Also, it reached 4th in the top 20 greatest guitar Riffs ever. The most peculiar thing about the song was its central theme which was Ritchie Blackmore’s handiwork. The most amazing thing I find about this song is that it was gloriously simple and greatly satisfying, all thanks to Ritchie’s riff.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 114
• Played by: lead guitar
• Chords used: E, G, A, F, G#
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): C major
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: distortion for the lead guitar.
• Right-hand techniques:  palm muting,
• Left-hand techniques: bend, pull-off, hammer-on, slides, dead notes, bend release, ghost note, vibrato, bend, pre-bend, bend release

Smoke On The Water guitar tabs

Aerosmith – Walk This Way

Year: 1975
Album: Toys in the Attic
Genre: Classic Rock
Difficulty: Hard

Aerosmith often referred to as “the bad boys from Boston” are an American rock band. They originally rooted in blues-based hard rock but they eventually incorporated heavy metal, pop-rock, and rhythm and blues. They are a source of inspiration not just to thousands of rock artists from Boston where the band was originally formed but also rock artists and bands across the world. Joe Perry (Guitarist) Tom Hamilton(Bassist), Steven Tyler(Vocalist), Joey Kramer(drummer) and ray Tobano (Guitarist) formed the band.

Walk this way was originally written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, “Toys in the Attic” album. The song hit the number 10 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1977. Apart from being one of the successful hit singles that helped bring Aerosmith into the mainstream, it was also the song that helped revitalize their career.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 109
• Played by: lead guitar
• Chords used: C/G, Am/G, C5/G, C7/G, Cm6/G, Fsus2, Csus2/F, Cm/F, F7
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): F major
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: distortion for the lead guitar and rhythm guitar.
• Right-hand techniques:  palm muting,
• Left-hand techniques: bend, pull-off, hammer-on, slides, dead notes, bend release, ghost note, vibrato, bend, pre-bend, bend release

Walk This Way Rhythm guitar tabs
Walk This Way Lead guitar tabs

Black Sabbath – Paranoid

Year: 1970
Album: Paranoid
Genre: Rock
Difficulty: Medium

Black Sabbath is an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968. The band was originally named Pulka Tulk Blues Band. However, they eventually renamed themselves Black Sabbath after the film Black Sabbath. They ranked on MTV’s greatest metal bands ever. In addition, they reached number 85th among the 100 greatest artists of all time. Various songs released by the band such as Black Sabbath, Paranoid, master of reality and a host of others go to define what heavy metal music is all about. The group consisted of Tony Iommi (guitarist), Geezer Buttler (bassist), Bill Ward (drummer) and Ozzy Osborne(singer).

Paranoid is a Black Sabbath song that featured on their 1970 and second album titled Paranoid. The song was number 1 on the VH1’s 40 greatest metal song, clinched the 11th position in the list of the 100 greatest guitar songs, number 61 on the Billboard’s hot 100, and the song also reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was also used in the famous Rock and Roll Racing, Guitar hero 3, WWE 2K17 amidst other games

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 164
• Played by: lead guitar
• Chords used: D, E, Em. G. C. Gsus2
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): Em
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: distortion for the lead guitar
• Right-hand techniques:  palm muting,
• Left-hand techniques: bend, hammer-on, slides, vibrato, bend, bend release

Paranoid guitar tabs

The Police – Roxanne

Year: 1978
Album: Outlandos d’Amour
Genre: Reggae rock
Difficulty: Easy

The police is an English rock band formed in London in 1977. Sting (bassist, songwriter and lead singer), Andy Summers (guitar), Stewart Copeland (drums and percussion) are the members of the band. They gradually became popular and in the 1980s. Due to the fact that they became one of the first new-wave bands to achieve success in the mainstream. One thing I find very fascinating about their music is the way the band uniquely blended punk, and jazz into their rock. The band disbanded in 1986 but they eventually reunited in 2007

Roxanne was written by the lead singer and bassist Sting. The song was originally released in April 1978 but as at then, it wasn’t a hit. In fact, it wasn’t even a blip on the UK chart, not until they rereleased in 1979 when it resonates with listeners and eventually cracked the US top 40, sitting in number 32 and hitting number 12 in the UK. The song was writing from the point of view of a man who fell in love with a prostitute. Though a lot of people say the song is reggae but I believe it is actually tango and not reggae. In 1997, the band recorded a version of the song with rapper Puff Daddy and during concerts. They also had reggae driven interpretation and gentle orchestral rendition performed.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 134
• Played by: lead guitar
• Chords used: Em, Bm/D, Cmaj7, Bm, Am, Dsus4, Esus4. G. C, D, D/A
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): F
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: soft clean for the lead guitar
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: none

Roxanne guitar tabs

Fleetwood Mac – Dreams

Year: 1977
Album: Rumours
Genre: Classic Rock
Difficulty: Easy

Fleetwood Mac is a British-American rock band started as a blues group paying tribute to other American bluesmen they loved. Peter Green (guitarist), Mick Fleetwood (drummer) and Jeremy Spencer (guitarist) formed the band The in London in 1967. The band is one of the world’s best-selling bands, with over 100 million records sold and tens of songs. They managed to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame and have the Brit Award of outstanding contribution to music. The band was also declared a Music Cares person of the year 2018.

Dreams is a song from Rumors, the Fleetwood Mac eleventh studio album. The song sat at the top spot of the Billboard’s hot 100 charts and held it for over a week; it is the band’s only single to have ever sold over 100 copies. The song also reached the number 1 on the Canadian’s RPM top 100 singles chart. I think what made the song so interesting was the emotional upheavals the whole team was going through while recording the album. In fact, Mick Fleetwood was going through a divorce with his wife. While Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were also going through a breakup from his 8-year-old marriage.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 121
• Played by: lead guitar
• Chords used: F, G, Fmaj7, G6,
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): C
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: soft clean for the lead guitar
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: none

Dreams guitar tabs

Eric Clapton – Cocaine

Year: 1977
Album: Troubadour
Genre: Blues Rock
Difficulty: Medium

Eric Clapton is an English born rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Rock and Roll Hall inducted him three times, the only three times inductee in the history. The first time as a solo artist, second as a member of the Yardbirds and the other as a member of cream. He was second in the Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. In addition, Gibson’s 50 guitarists of all time ranked him 4th. In 2009, Time Magazine named it as number five in the list of “ the 10 best electric Guitar players”

Cocaine was originally written and recorded by singer and songwriter J.J. Cale. But the song did not receive enough recognition or popularity. Not until Eric Clapton did his cover version of it in his 1977 Slowhand album. During the recording of the album (Slowhand), Clapton and his band visited Cale’s concert. In that visit, Cale brought Clapton to the stage and they both did a duet of the song. In Addition, the song peaked at number 30 on the US Billboard’s hot 100. Also reached the 3rd place on the Canadain’s RPM top singles. One thing I find soothing about Eric is that even if he doesn’t sing this song in a concert, he still uses the lyrics to underline the anti-drug message of the song.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 106
• Played by: Rhythm and lead guitar
• Chords used: E, D, B, C,
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): A
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: soft distortion for the lead guitar and rhythm
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: hammer on, pull off, bend, bend release, slides, natural harmonics, artificial harmonics, vibrato, trill

Cocaine Rhythm guitar tabs
Cocaine Lead guitar tabs

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Have You Ever Seen The Rain

Year: 1970
Album: Pendulum
Genre: Rock, Country
Difficulty: Easy

Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) otherwise known as the Creedence is an American rock band. They exist in the 1960s and 1970s. John Forgety(songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist), Tom Forgety(rhythm guitarist), Stu Cook(bassist) and Doug Clifford(drummer) were the members of the band. The band style includes many sub-genre of rock such as swamp rock, blues-rock, and root rock. Their iconography and politically and socially conscious lyrics were hard to miss. The band saw its end when the group disbanded over matters of business and artistic control. The four years of chart-topping success the band enjoyed and the great music they recorded, we cannot forget, which “ Have You Ever Seen The Rain” is one.

Have You Ever Seen the Rain is a CCR song that was written by John Forgerty. It was released in the 1970 Pendulum album. The song peaked at the top spot on the RPM 100 national singles chart. Also, it was the group’s eighth gold-selling single. A lot has tried to understand the message behind the song. Some even suggested that it was pointing to the Vietnam war and the bombs. However, the songwriter himself clarify this in an interview by saying that it is about the rising tension within the band saying that you can have a bright beautiful sunny day and it can be raining at the same time.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 116
• Played by: lead guitar
• Chords used: Am, F/C, C, G, F, C/B, Am/G
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): C Major
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: soft clean for the lead guitar
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: none

Have You Ever Seen The Rain guitar tabs

The Kinks – Lola

Year: 1971
Album: Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock
Difficulty: Medium

Formed in Muswell Hill London in 1964 by two brothers Ray and Dave Davies. The Kinks are one of the most important and certainly the most influential rock band in the 1960s. The Band is part of the British invasion because it was born during the height of British rhythm and blues and Merseybeat. The band has a wide range of genres, which include country, British music hall, folk, rhythm, and blues. They pride themselves with the duty of reflecting the English culture and lifestyle and soon gained a reputation at it. Their albums include Face to Face, Something else, Lola versus Powerman and the Moneyground, just to mention a view.

Lola is a song written by Ray Davies about a guy who meets a girl (Lola) at a club. The girl took him home and then rocked his world. However, there was a twist to this song because, in the end, we find out that Lola is a guy. The single reached the number two spot on the UK singles chart and number nine on the Billboard’s hot 100. David explained that the song was born out of the band’s manager’s experience in Paris. When he danced with a transgender woman.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 152
• Played by: lead guitar
• Chords used: C, D, E, Asus4, A, C#m, B, G#m, F#,
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): A Major
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: soft clean for the lead guitar
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: none

Lola guitar tabs

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird

Year: 1973
Album: Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd
Genre: Hard Rock, Blues Rock
Difficulty: Hard

Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band. They known for making the southern rock genre popular in the 1970s. The band was initially known as the Nobel five. But, finally settled down with the name Lynyrd Skynyrd. The band received worldwide recognition from their live performance all thanks to their two signature songs “free bird” and “sweet home Alabama”. Unfortunately, for the band, they suffered the loss of three of their members in a plane accident in 1977. Which led to the abrupt end of the band which promised so much. The brand sold over 28 million records in the United States alone. Also, the rock and roll hall of fame inducted them.

Free Bird is a Lynyrd Skynyrd song that first featured on the debut album of the band. Also, it was included in a few other albums that followed it. A few days after the official release of the single in November 1974, the song found its way to the no 87 on the Billboard’s hot 100. It eventually peaked at number 38. Free birds became number 3 on the guitar 100 greatest solos and became the band’s signature song, and used as the finale song during their performance.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 118
• Played by: Rhythm and lead guitar
• Chords used: G, D, Em, F, C. Bb
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): G Major
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: soft distortion for the lead and rhythm guitar
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: hammer on, pull off, bend, release bend, slides, vibrato, tapping, heavy dumping

Free Bird Rhythm guitar tabs
Free Bird Lead guitar tabs

Thin Lizzy – Boys Are Back In Town

Year: 1976
Album: Jailbreak
Genre: Hard Rock, Blues Rock
Difficulty: Medium

Thin Lizzy is a hard rock band that was started in Dublin, Ireland in 1969. Two friends Brian Downey (Bassist) and Phil Lynott (lead vocalist) formed the band. The band got its name “Lizzy” from a robot character in the movie Dandy Tin Lizzie. The leader of the band was Phil Lynott. Their recording career totaling about 12 albums and a handful of hit songs some of which are “Jailbreak”, “The boys are back in town”, “Whisky in the jar”. The band had series of changes after the death of their lead singer, Phil Lynott in 1986. Over the years, Thin Lizzy has continued to serve as a major source of inspiration to major heavy metal bands and artists, which Metallica, testament, and Mastodon some of them.

“The boys are back in town” is a single that was originally released on the band’s 1976 jailbreak album. The song became the band’s hit song, turning their unsuccessful career around overnight. It became the 499th of the rolling stone’s 500 greatest songs of all time in 2004. Also, the song peaked at 12 on the US Billboard’s hot 100, 38 on the list of the 100 greatest guitar tracks and won the 1976 NME award of best singles.

Technical information:

• Tuning: Eb
• Tempo: 81
• Played by: Rhythm and lead guitar
• Chords used: A, C#m7, D, F#m, Bm7, Bm7/E, B, A/B, E, Dsus4, G, Fm
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): Ab Major
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: soft distortion for the lead and rhythm guitar
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: dead note, hammer on, pull off, bend, slides

Boys Are Back In Town guitar chords
Boys Are Back In Town guitar tabs

Van Halen – Runnin’ with the devil

Year: 1978
Album: Van Halen
Genre: Rock
Difficulty: Easy

Van Halen is an American hard rock band. Eddie Van Halen (Guitarist), David Lee Roth (Vocalist), Alex Van Halen (Drummer) and Michael Anthony (Bassist) created the band in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band went ahead to become a huge success. Before the mid-1980s, it has established itself as one of the most successful rock bands of all time. Also, the band became one of the world’s best-selling rock bands. With over 80 million records sold they inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame in the year 2007.

Running with the devil is the second single from the band’s 1978 debut album. The song draws its inspiration from the Ohio players “Running from the Devil”. In 2009, it became the 9th greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1. Though the songwriters failed to reveal the true meaning and interpretation of the song. A lot have misinterpreted the true meaning of the song saying that it is satanic. However, some say that the song is a reference to freedom.

Technical information:

• Tuning: Eb
• Tempo: 96
• Played by: lead guitar
• Chords used: E, C/E, D/E, G/E, D/E, A5, F#m/A, G/A, Em/A, Em
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key): C#m
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: distortion for the lead guitar
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: dead note, hammer on, pull off, bend, bend release, slides, tapping

Runnin’ with the devil guitar chords
Runnin’ with the devil guitar tabs

Sex Pistols – Anarchy In The UK

Year:1977
Album: Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols
Genre: Punk Rock
Difficulty: Easy

This English rock band that came to life in London in 1975. They are responsible for the initiation of the punk movement in the UK. In Addition, being a major source of inspiration for many punk and alternative rock singers. Despite that, the band enjoyed a very short musical spell. That was barely two and a half years, they manage to produce four singles and one album. Further, they established themselves as one of the most influential acts to go down in history. The controversies that the band causes captivated the whole of Britain and the constant troubles between them and the authorities often end in mayhem.

Anarchy in the UK was released in November 1976 by EMI. It was later featured on their Never mind the Bollocks album. Also, the song was number 56 on the Rolling Stone magazine of the 500 greatest songs of all time. In addition, it was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame’s 500 greatest songs of all time. It reached number 38 on the UK singles chart before the group was eventually dropped as a result of them using profanity on a live TV broadcast. Also, it appeared in a handful of video games and movies and TV series.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 127
• Played by: lead guitar
• Chords used: G, F, Em, D, G, C, Dm7, Em7
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key):  E Major
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: distortion for the lead guitar
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: hammer-on, slides, vibrato

Anarchy In The UK guitar tabs

Judas Priest – The Ripper

Year: 1976
Album: Sad Wings of Destiny
Genre: Heavy Metal
Difficulty: Medium

Judas Priest is an English heavy metal band that was formed in West Bromwich in 1969. They sold over 50 million records. Despite that, the innovative and pioneering work the band put into their music, they still failed to get popularity and attention. Due to constantly changing drummers. They had no major commercial success until 1980 when they adopted a new and fairly simplified sound. They eventually found themselves in the rock superstar level which they desired. In May 2006, the band was inducted into the VH1 Rock Honors and in 2012, the band retired. The band has series of its song in video games such as Rock Band, Guitar Hero, just to mention a view.

The ripper is a British heavy metal single released by the band in March 1976. The song is one of the band’s most queen inspired songs. In addition, the song featured on the 1976 sad wings of the destiny studio album. The song became the fan’s favorite and the band’s signature song.

Technical information:

• Tuning: E Standard
• Tempo: 146
• Played by: lead guitar
• Chords used: Am, C, G, F, E, A
• Special accessories:  No
• Scales used (key):  D Major
• Played with: pick
• Amp settings: distortion for the lead guitar
• Right-hand techniques:  none
• Left-hand techniques: bend, release bend, pull off, slides, vibrato

The Ripper guitar tabs

Conclusion

The 1970s saw the rise of rock as well as other genres of music. During this period, rock music made up the most important part of western music. The period also witnesses the uprise and thriving of other sub-genre of rock such as hard rock, punk rock, glam rock, heavy metal. Hard rock was one of the most prominent genres of music that emerged in the 70s the likes of Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath gained serious popularity during the first half of the decade while the likes of Aerosmith, Van Halen, Kiss, and the police gained popularity in the second half of the decade.

The 1970s continued the trend of proliferation of number 1 hit songs on the US and UK Billboard’s hot singles charts, songs that can be regarded as classics. If just like me, you are always to meet new challenges then these are for you, some of them are easy while others are not.

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