# Worst band of the Seventies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 5, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021 "2012-05-05T21:04:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/121 "2012-05-08T14:41:45Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > Oh yes, _The Bay City Rollers_ achieved a special sort of suckiness that has possibly never been equaled before or since. They _almost_ managed to produce the sort of merely inoffensive and bland, teenybop pop rock that always clogs the pop charts, but there was just something weirdly _wrong_ about their sound. I think it was that the tempos were always a bit off, in a way that was almost creepy: everything was just very slightly too slow. And, if you lived in Britain in the early '70s, because they were a huge hit with the pre-teen girl demographic, you just could not escape them. The suffering was horrendous! Interesting. About all I know from them is that Saturday Night song, which has that playground/football stomp-chant feel to it in the beginning, which I like. It would do better with a more garage-like production with a bit of punk feel, I’ll give you that, but the song itself doesn’t sound terrible to me. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/122 "2012-05-08T14:52:38Z")
OK, I just listened to some more BCR. “Rock and Roll Love Letter” is a straight-up good song, with no qualifications. “Shang-a-lang” ain’t bad (although I could do without the “hey hey” part.) It’s pretty decent bubblegum pop. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/123 "2012-05-08T15:05:01Z")
> [@Chicagojeff](#): > > Kiss.. for sure. with Grand Funk Railroad coming in second.. Those are my two as well. Kiss pushed aside the musicl for inane theatrics and GFR was put together like a boy band. Together they killed rock and roll. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/124 "2012-05-08T15:31:10Z")
I expect that part of the animosity against the Bay City Rollers comes from their marketing themselves as the next Beatles. It’s one thing to be a bubble-bum poop band, but it is quite another to garner press by claiming to the up there with one of the great groups that moved past young teeny-bopper crap. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/125 "2012-05-08T15:52:50Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > I expect that part of the animosity against the Bay City Rollers comes from their marketing themselves as the next Beatles. It’s one thing to be a bubble-bum poop band, but it is quite another to garner press by claiming to the up there with one of the great groups that moved past young teeny-bopper crap. Yeah, they’re no Beatles, by any stretch of the imagination. I was too little to know their story or their marketing in the 70s. The only reason I know them by name is because an interview of Billy Corgan talking about the Smashing Pumpkins cover of the song “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight” mentions the influence of the Bay City Rollers-style stomp. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/126 "2012-05-08T16:19:55Z")
> [@Manduck](#): > > I voted for ELP, but there are lots of bands that could have been on the list (e.g.: Styx). Also, you didn’t even get into Bo Donaldson And the Heywoods territory, to say nothing of the likes of Starland Vocal Band, etc. THIS I opened this thread to to vote \*\*STYX \*\*as the worst band of the seventies due to its chipmunk voiced singer. Lacking any real choice I went with **RUSH** due to its chipmunk voiced singer. The power chords were kind of snappy though. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/127 "2012-05-08T16:47:04Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Now, having heard some of their songs… I cannot fathom their popularity. They seem to have the inverse of talent. It’s bad teenage poetry accompanied by the worst misuse of synthesisers. And that’s saying something. As somebody already mentioned, their “misuse of synthesizers” was pretty much confined to the period of 1982-1987. Geddy’s synth playing between 1977 and 1981 was pretty tasteful. After '87, his synth use sharply tapered off on the next couple albums, was extremely minimal on the next couple, and disappeared entirely on their two most recent albums. Geddy has switched to layered vocal harmonies in the sonic space formerly filled by synths. Which isn’t to say I disagree about the “misuse”. I became a Rush fan in 1980, based on hearing and enjoying their hard-rocking stuff from 1974 to 1980 (and then 1981’s _Moving Pictures_). This was the same time I was learning to play guitar, and getting into hard rock. Then they started up with all the cheesy synths in 1982 and effectively lost me for the rest of the decade. I was into hard rock and metal, and I was convinced Rush had “gone all New Wave on me”. I didn’t get back into them until the '90s, when they started getting away from the synths. And by that time I had settled in as a bass player rather than a guitarist, and was able to look past the synths on the '80s stuff to discover that Geddy played some kickass bass parts on those albums. > [@blondebear](#): > > Lots of KISS bashing here which is quite understandable, but I saw the Destroyer tour from twelfth row center and it was one of the greatest rock concerts of my life. I read an Ozzy quote once (in Hit Parader or Circus) where he said, “I’m not a singer, I’m an entertainer”. Same thing with KISS. They’re more “entertainers” than “musicians”. > [@Loach](#): > > Just pointing out there is a big difference between “I don’t like” and “They have no talent”. I figured that out in junior high school. Maybe it was because I was a musician myself, but I was able to recognize that a lot of the artists I didn’t like were still good musicians, and I hated it when people said a band “sucks” just because they didn’t like them. I absolutely can’t stand Pink Floyd, but I’d be an idiot to say they “suck”. > [@notsoheavyd3](#): > > I’ve got to go with Orleans mostly because they did that song that sounds like a bad Coke jingle, IE “Still the One”. “Still The One” was used, with modified lyrics, as the jingle for the CBS TV network, or at least for the CBS affiliate out of Portland, OR. “We’re still havin’ fun, Channel 2’s the one!” > [@njtt](#): > > Oh yes, _The Bay City Rollers_ achieved a special sort of suckiness that has possibly never been equaled before or since. They _almost_ managed to produce the sort of merely inoffensive and bland, teenybop pop rock that always clogs the pop charts, but there was just something weirdly _wrong_ about their sound. I think it was that the tempos were always a bit off, in a way that was almost creepy: everything was just very slightly too slow. And, if you lived in Britain in the early '70s, because they were a huge hit with the pre-teen girl demographic, you just could not escape them. The suffering was horrendous! In the mid-80s I stumbled across an old issue of one of those teen fan magazines (Tiger Beat, or something similar) from the '70s, and I found a letter from a reader blasting the Bay City Rollers for “not realizing that their style of music is 20 years out of date” 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/128 "2012-05-08T17:10:07Z")
I didn’t know if I knew who 10cc was before this thread. But upon listening to “I’m not in Love” I know the song. I always thought it was ‘All out of Love’, so ignorance fought, or something. :shudder: ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/129 "2012-05-08T18:44:42Z")
In polls such as this, people inevitably interpret “Bad bands” as “bands I do not like because I don’t like their style of music.” As an example, I can’t stand _ **Yes** _, but I would never categorize them as “bad.” It would be difficult to state that a 1970s band that became \*very \*successful was objectively “bad.” Though I think _ **KISS** _ came very close. Their music truly sucked in terms of writing and technical ability. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/130 "2012-05-08T19:18:17Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I personally would rank Charlie Watts quite highly. I’m not a big Rolling Stones listener, but the guy has a nice steady coolness to his playing. Not the flashiest guy in the world, but has quite a pulse, playing in the pocket. I’d take him over many of the drummers that end up on the top drummers list. One [this randomly chosen list](http://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_drummers.html), he ranks 91… Thanks for the feedback. Looking at that [site’s other rankings](http://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_bassguitar.html), their methodology is a bit, um, esoteric. Still interesting to start a discussion with though, which is the whole point of these sorts of lists. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/131 "2012-05-08T20:49:53Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > Then they started up with all the cheesy synths in 1982 and effectively lost me for the rest of the decade. And then there was Keith Emerson, who ever so musically stabbed his Moog with knives to hold the keys down. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/132 "2012-05-09T02:29:59Z")
By pure coincidence, Rush came up in conversation yesterday, and I was told they’re practically Canada’s national band and that every Canadian is trained to love them from birth. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/133 "2012-05-09T06:54:35Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > “Still The One” was used, with modified lyrics, as the jingle for the CBS TV network, or at least for the CBS affiliate out of Portland, OR. > > “We’re still havin’ fun, Channel 2’s the one!” Are you sure you’re not confusing it [with ABC?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5evbdwKkS0) ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/134 "2012-05-09T09:26:57Z")
When I was a kid, in the 70’s, I would have said The Stones. But now, as an adult, I have to say that none of the bands in the poll are worth a vote as 'worst band of the 70’s. There was so much crap out there that would more deserving of the title than any of these. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/135 "2012-05-09T12:14:28Z")
> [@installLSC](#): > > Are you sure you’re not confusing it [with ABC?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5evbdwKkS0) Probably. It _was_ a long time ago 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/136 "2012-05-09T13:31:20Z")
I submit the poll is flawed in that they’re putting forth only one style of music as 'worst", and the OP obviously has an axe to grind against it. Why not just open a thread in IMHO declaring your disdain for progressive music, or open one in the pit and take your lumps. Also, if you want to tell us you dislike a type of music ,you have to tell us what you like so we can judge your mental health. And FWIW, I happen to like every single band you listed and probably loath the subhuman music you enjoy; the only difference being that I’d be right. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/137 "2012-05-09T13:35:14Z")
I never liked ‘Bread’. I don’t know if they’re considered competent or what, but I could not, and still cannot, stand their drippy ballads. I may have to turn in my Woman Card, being unromantic, but they seriously annoyed me. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/138 "2012-05-09T14:21:21Z")
First I lose my internet, then my entire family is struck with a particularly nasty flu, then the love of my life is deported. . . and then THIS? RUSH? Seriously? The WORST? My poor heart is broken. I thought you dopers were better than this, truly I did. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/139 "2012-05-09T14:49:30Z")
Weird. I don’t care for Rush, myself - their music just doesn’t resonate with me - but I’ll freely admit that they’re talented musicians. No way do they belong on any “worst” list, except one that starts with “ **Snickers** ’ list of worst music” or some such. I’d nominate the Bee Gees. Yeah, catchy tunes, but so, so schlocky. Oof. Or the Starland Vocal Band, just because of “Afternoon Delight.” They should burn for that song alone. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021/140 "2012-05-09T15:21:27Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > And then there was Keith Emerson, who ever so musically stabbed his Moog with knives to hold the keys down. Don’t forget his playing a flying, spinning grand piano! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-band-of-the-seventies/621021.md?page=8)