🎸 70s American Rock Bands – Guitar Lessons & Classic Songs

This page celebrates the best of that decade with guitar tutorials from legendary groups like Steppenwolf, Cheap Trick, Jefferson Starship, and more.

Whether you're drawn to the psychedelic edge of Blues Image, the smooth southern flair of Atlanta Rhythm Section, or the pop-rock charm of Gallery, these guitar lessons will take you back in time.

Each tutorial includes video demos, chord charts, and rhythm tips tailored for acoustic players.

Tighter Tighter is a perfect one-hit-wonder pop-rock track from their self-titled 1970 album Alive 'N Kickin'.

Written and produced by Tommy James, the single shot to No. 7 on Billboard Hot 100—an upbeat earworm of the era.

Georgia Rhythm appears on the 1976 album A Rock and Roll Alternative.

“Georgia Rhythm” reached No. 68 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song captures the band’s Southern roots with its smooth melody and authentic feel—like a melodic postcard to their Georgia heritage. While not their biggest hit, it showcases the sound that laid the groundwork for their later radio success.

Imaginary Lover was released in early 1978 as the lead single from their breakthrough platinum album Champagne Jam.

This song became the band's second Top 10 hit, peaking at No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and reaching No. 9 in Canada.

A quirky bit of trivia: a radio station once played the track at the wrong speed (45 rpm), making the vocals sound like Stevie Nicks—prompting Nicks herself to say it “gave [her] the chills”.

The song’s lyrical theme—celebrating fantasy over real romance—coupled with its smooth groove, made it a standout in their catalog.

She Knows All My Tricks appears on the bands 1997 Partly Plugged album.

“She Knows All My Tricks” shows ARS in a stripped-down yet soulful mode.

Written by long-time collaborators Buddy Buie, J.R. Cobb, and Ronnie Hammond, the song blends introspective lyrics with warm acoustic textures. Though it didn't chart prominently, it highlights the band's continued creative spirit—offering something fresh while honoring their stylistic roots in Southern rock.

So Into You emerged in January 1977 as the breakout single from Atlanta Rhythm Section’s sixth album, A Rock and Roll Alternative.

Its smooth groove and romantic lyricism quickly struck a chord with listeners — climbing to #7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and securing the #1 spot on the Mainstream Rock chart. In Canada, the song was even more of a smoldering success, soaring to #2, trailing only behind the Eagles’ "Hotel California".

The story goes that the song’s inspiration was rumored to be Leslie Hawkins, one of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s backup singers — though that's never been confirmed and it remains ARS’s signature hit and one of the most enduring Southern rock ballads of the late ’70s.

Ride Captain Ride hails from the American rock band Blues Image. It was written by the band's singer and guitarist Mike Pinera and their keyboardist Frank "Skip" Konte. The song is on their 1970 album, "Open."

When it was released as a single in the spring of 1970, it became very popular, reaching No. 4 on the US and Canadian charts. It was Blues Image's only Top 40 hit and also reached No. 23 in Australia.

Amanda was released in 1986 on the long-awaited album Third Stage, and marked Boston’s triumphant return after an eight-year studio break.

The power ballad soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band’s only chart-topping single in the U.S. Despite no official music video, radio airplay alone catapulted the song to success.

Written by Tom Scholz, “Amanda” features soaring vocals and melodic guitar lines that perfectly capture the emotion of young love and regret, making it a soft rock staple of the 80s.

Let Me Take You Home Tonight appeared as the final track on Boston’s groundbreaking 1976 debut album Boston.

The track offers a more relaxed, heartfelt tone compared to the album’s high-energy anthems. Sung by drummer Sib Hashian with backing by Brad Delp, it adds a refreshing dynamic to the record.

Though never released as a single, it remains a fan favorite and showcases the band’s ability to blend tender lyrics with a solid rock groove. The song helps round out one of the best-selling debut albums in rock history.

More Than A Feeling is arguably Boston’s most iconic song and was the lead single from their 1976 self-titled debut  that became an instant classic.

The track climbed to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped drive the album’s massive commercial success.

Written and meticulously crafted by Tom Scholz in his basement studio, the song is known for its crisp guitar riff, layered harmonies, and lyrical nostalgia. It has been featured in countless films, TV shows, and video games, and is often cited as a defining song of 70s arena rock.

Dream Police was released in 1979 as the title track from their fourth studio album, Dream Police

The song combines power-pop energy with symphonic rock textures. It reached #26 on the Billboard Hot 100, driven by its infectious hook and quirky lyrics about paranoia and surveillance.

With its blend of strings, synths, and Rick Nielsen’s signature guitar riffs, “Dream Police” was both satirical and futuristic — capturing the late-70s rock vibe while foreshadowing the polished direction of 80s arena rock. It remains a staple of Cheap Trick’s live shows.

I Want You To Want Me was originally recorded for their 1977 album In Color but it didn’t reach iconic status until its live version was released in 1979 on Cheap Trick at Budokan.

That version became the band’s breakthrough hit, climbing to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and skyrocketing them to international fame.

With Robin Zander’s pleading vocals and Nielsen’s jangly guitar, the song walks a perfect line between power pop and glam rock. Its call-and-response chorus has become one of the most recognizable singalongs in rock history.

The Flame was a notable shift in tone and is a power ballad released in 1988 on the album Lap of Luxury, marking Cheap Trick’s commercial comeback.

It became their first and only #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Unlike their earlier power-pop anthems, this track leans into emotional vulnerability, with lush production and Zander’s heartfelt vocal delivery.

Though a departure from their typical sound, “The Flame” introduced a new generation to the band and solidified their staying power in the ever-evolving world of rock radio.

I Believe In Music is a song originally written by Mac Davis.

“I Believe In Music” was covered by Gallery and included on their 1972 debut album Nice to Be with You. Gallery’s version infused a breezy soft rock sound into the already uplifting anthem, celebrating the universal power of music as a force for good.

While the Mac Davis version charted in 1970, Gallery’s cover found modest regional success, especially on adult contemporary radio, adding to their early ‘70s appeal as a feel-good, harmony-driven band

It's So Nice To Be With You was the the 1972 breakout hit single for Gallery, written and produced by Jim Gold, who also fronted the band.

Released on their debut album Nice to Be with You, the song climbed to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, eventually becoming a gold-certified single.

With its catchy acoustic rhythm, layered harmonies, and romantic lyrics, the tune became a staple of early ’70s soft rock radio. It's often remembered for its warm, uplifting vibe and easy-listening appeal — the perfect soundtrack for sunny afternoons.

Count On Me is a soft rock classic by Jefferson Starship, released in 1978 on their album Earth. Written by Jesse Barish, the song marked a stylistic shift for the band, leaning away from their earlier psychedelic roots and embracing a more radio-friendly pop-rock sound.

It was released as a single and became a major commercial success, reaching #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Featuring smooth vocals and a gentle melody, “Count On Me” helped solidify Jefferson Starship’s presence in the late-’70s rock scene.

The track remains one of their most recognizable hits and a standout from their evolving musical journey.

Runaway is a smooth, melodic track from Jefferson Starship’s Earth album, released in 1978.

Sung by lead vocalist Marty Balin, the song became a Top 20 hit, reaching #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Known for its soft rock feel and emotionally driven lyrics, "Runaway" stood out from the band’s harder-edged earlier work and showcased their evolving sound during the late '70s.

The track remains one of their most radio-friendly and enduring hits from that era.

Born To Be Wild was released in 1968 from the bands first album simple entitled Steppenwolf.

It was their only single to chart in the UK, peaking at #30. In the US the song reached #2 and hit #1 in Canada. It also appeared in the 1969 film Easy Rider with Peter Fonda.

Magic Carpet Ride was the only single released from their 2nd album in 1968 called Steppenwolf II.

This one reached #1 in Canada and #3 in the US. The band continued putting out records and singles until 1981, so I class them here as a 70's band.

Give Up Your Guns is a song written by Rupert Holmes and D. Jordan in 1972. It tells a big story about a bank robber who runs away. The song was sung by The Buoys for their first album called "The Buoys."

Even though "Give Up Your Guns" only reached number 84 on the charts, it became really popular in Europe. It was a big hit there when it first came out and again when it was released again in 1979.