Lost Classics: Forgotten Rock Songs of the 1970s Worth Revisiting

The 1970s will always be remembered as a golden era for rock and roll. Legendary bands like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, and Lynyrd Skynyrd shaped the sound of the decade with their groundbreaking records and unforgettable live shows. Their music spread across the globe, shaking stadiums and capturing hearts.

But while the heavy hitters of the era still get plenty of attention, many other gems have been left behind in the dust of time.

Not every great tune came from the biggest names. Some incredible tracks slipped under the radar, even though they carried just as much spirit and creativity. For those who lived through the ’70s, these songs may spark nostalgia for the “good old days.” For younger listeners, they might just create that classic feeling of being born in the wrong generation.

Iron Butterfly – “New Day” (1970)
When people hear the name Iron Butterfly, most immediately think of their epic 1968 anthem In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. But the band’s catalog was much broader than that one track. By 1970, they leaned further into psychedelic rock with the release of Metamorphosis, which featured the overlooked gem “New Day.”

As one fan favorite describes it: “The groove-heavy, bluesy guitar work, trippy organ, and out-of-this-world vocal delivery from Doug Ingle and Mike Pinera make ‘New Day’ a standout on a great psych-rock album. It was the perfect way to usher in a new decade.”

Uriah Heep – “The Wizard” (1972)
The early ’70s were a huge moment for Uriah Heep, one of the pioneering names in progressive rock. Their fourth album, Demons and Wizards, solidified the lineup with Lee Kerslake on drums and Gary Thain on bass. Thain’s melodic low-end playing would soon become a key element of the band’s sound. Interestingly, though, he didn’t play on “The Wizard”—that honor went to Mark Clarke.

Either way, the result was pure magic. “The Wizard” is described as “quintessential 1970s rock. The riffs are great, the groove is heavy, and the message is one of peace, love, and togetherness. Like the rest of Demons and Wizards, this song is a snapshot of a legendary group of musicians at their peak.”

Head East – “Never Been Any Reason” (1975)
Head East burst onto the scene with their debut album Flat as a Pancake in 1975. Despite the funny title, the music was packed with powerful riffs and plenty of ’70s swagger. The biggest highlight? “Never Been Any Reason.”

This track became the band’s signature hit, climbing to No. 68 on the Billboard Hot 100. As the article points out, “This is probably the only song from this list you’re likely to hear on classic rock radio today.” Chances are, listeners have unknowingly heard it countless times without realizing who was behind it.

As one fan notes, “There’s a good chance you’ve heard ‘Never Been Any Reason’ hundreds of times, but didn’t know the name of the song or the band. Now you do.”

Blackfoot – “Road Fever” (1979)
Southern rock wasn’t just about Lynyrd Skynyrd. Another Florida-born group, Blackfoot, was turning up the volume in Jacksonville by the late ’70s. Interestingly, Rickey Medlocke—now a guitarist for Skynyrd—was part of Blackfoot’s original lineup.

By 1979, they released Strikes, an album packed with grit and swagger. Its fiery opener, “Road Fever,” remains one of their best. As the description says:

“Medlocke wrote ‘Road Fever,’ the album opener from Strikes, and it is Southern rock at its finest. This is one of those songs that makes 10 on the volume knob sound a little too quiet and 75 MPH feel a little too slow.”

The Soundtrack of a Bygone Era

The 1970s had no shortage of iconic rock anthems, but these underrated tracks prove that some of the best music doesn’t always come from the biggest names. Whether it’s Iron Butterfly experimenting with psychedelic vibes, Uriah Heep pushing prog-rock boundaries, Head East sneaking onto the charts, or Blackfoot flying the Southern rock flag—these songs deserve another listen.

For those who remember the decade, they’ll bring back a rush of memories. For everyone else, they might just be the perfect entry point into one of rock’s most unforgettable eras.