Progressive rock moved away from the rhythm and blues formula of rock 'n' roll to a more improvisational and classical structure. Bands like Yes, Rush and Genesis formed classical tapestries within their musical scores.
Disco found its way onto the dance floor through the earlier funk influences of James Brown and Sly and The Family Stone. Musicians such as War and the Jackson Five created dance music, but Robert Moog's introduction of the synthesizer solidified disco as envisioned today through the likes of the Bee Gees and Donna Summer.
Punk music originated in the states with the Ramones, but escalated into a social phenomenon in London when unemployment rates went up in the industrial cities. The Sex Pistols's lyrics from God Save The Queen registered with the audience's unfavorable view of Margaret Thatcher.
A typical singer songwriter wrote and sang the material himself. Solo musicians like James Taylor and Carole King wrote, orchestrated and performed their own material. Billy Joel and Elton John, both classically trained artists, also wrote and performed their own songs.
Critics called new wave a transformed, lighter version of punk rock with a mixture of other styles. Most people think of the 80s when they hear new wave, but its roots started in the 1970s. New wave did not popularize until the late 70s with Blondie, The Cars, the Talking Heads and the B-52s.
Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath implemented distortion in their guitar riffs, creating the rough and hoarse trademark sound of heavy metal bands like Blue Oyster Cult and AC/DC.