The 1970s were one of the most innovative decades in music, with nearly every genre experiencing its own revival and evolution. During this decade, R&B began to include many different sounds, although the most successful songs featured strong vocals.
The following singers were some of the most legendary R&B singers of the 1970s. These singers were incredibly influential and their songs are still loved and celebrated today.
Al Green
With the release of his third album in 1971, Al Green quickly rose to superstardom. Green is known for his smooth, effortless voice and impressive high range, which he uses to dramatic dynamic effect.
Most people are familiar with his song “Let’s Stay Together,” which has appeared in many films, including Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 blockbuster “Pulp Fiction.”
Odgers
While singing groups were especially popular in the 1950s and 1960s, the tradition continued into the 1970s and continues today. The O’Jays were one of the most successful male R&B bands of the decade, fronted by the legendary Eddie Levert, whose sons also went on to become hit R&B singers.
The O’Jays achieved success in both the United States and the United Kingdom, particularly with their songs “Love Train” and “Back Stabbers.”
isley brothers
The Isley Brothers won a Grammy Award for their group vocal performance on “It’s Your Thing,” setting the tone for their success in the 1970s. Granted, the group first became famous in the 1960s when they recorded “Twist and Shout” (which became the “version” of the song everyone knows).
From that point on, the group (made up of family members) would release several songs that are still considered timeless hits of the period, including “That Lady,” which was essentially a musical embodiment of romantic attraction.
brigadier
Before he achieved earth-shattering success in the 1980s, Lionel Ritchie made his name in the Commodores. This R&B band focuses more on the funky side of R&B, which can be observed by listening to their most dancefloor-approved track, “Brick House.”
By the end of the decade, the Commodores’ sound had softened a bit, while experiencing the height of their popularity with the song “Three Times a Lady.”
Stevie Wonder
In the 1970s, Stevie Wonder released some of the most legendary albums of all time (notably “Innervisions” and “Songs in the Key of Life”), filled with hits like “Superstition” and “Higher Ground.” While Stevie Wonder’s signature sound is instantly recognizable, it’s his piano wizardry that puts him fully in his own league, considered a divine musician in the minds of many.
Barry White
Not all male R&B singers of the 1970s had a broad high range. Barry White is known for his deep voice, which sounds like soft, rich velvet, which is surprising for a singer who reportedly smokes almost a pack of cigarettes a day.
White initially became famous for writing songs and producing records for other groups before launching his solo career in 1973. .
Isaac Hayes
Another R&B singer known for his extremely rich bass vocals, who helped make slow R&B the go-to music for intimate moments in the bedroom, was Isaac Hayes. Partly for this reason, he later voiced the character of the South Park chef for nearly a decade.
Hayes rose to fame as a studio musician for Stax Records in the late 1960s, writing “Soul Man” and other Sam & Dave hits. Hayes released several notable works in the 1970s, the most influential of which was the soundtrack to the film Shaft.
Donny Hathaway
This album by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway may be one of the greatest R&B duo records of all time. The album, released in 1972, was mostly cover songs, the biggest of which was “Where Is the Love,” which the duo eventually won a Grammy Award for.
Hathaway also released a critically acclaimed live album in 1972, which included a legendary version of his song “The Ghetto”. In 1979, his life unfortunately ended.
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye is undoubtedly one of the most widely known R&B singers of all time, especially for his song “Let’s Get It On.” With this song, Gaye provides the ideal soundtrack for those sensual acts of love.
Marvin Gaye’s legacy is beyond words. With his album What’s Going On, Gaye set a precedent for black musicians’ artistic talents to be recognized and respected.
lure
Of course, The Temptations may indeed be more famous for their releases in the 1960s. However, The Temptations were one of the few bands to successfully transition and achieve success in almost every decade, while eventually experimenting with different sounds including funk and disco.
The band’s biggest hits of the 1970s came from earlier releases of the decade, including “Just My Imagination” (Running Away With Me) and “Happy People.”
Teddy Pendergrass
When he sang “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” as a member of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, one had to wonder if Teddy Pendergrass was alluding to his solo career. Because if people don’t know Harold Melvin and the Blues, they certainly know Teddy’s late-decade hit “Shut the Door.”
By the end of the century, Pendergrass was among another select group of artists whose music provided the soundtrack for romantic performances. If you were born around this time, your parents may have been listening to Teddy when you were conceived.
smokey robinson
Smokey Robinson was one of Motown’s most influential songwriters, writing some of the greatest songs of the 1960s (most of which were recorded by other artists such as The Temptations and Marvin Gaye).
Robinson eventually launched a solo career in the early 1970s while a member of the band The Miracles, which included hits such as “Baby That’s Backatcha” and “Cruisin'”.
Curtis Mayfield
Many of the artists featured in this article are indebted to the efforts of Curtis Mayfield, who helped pave the way for black musicians’ success during tumultuous times of social change, much of it through the lyrical social change commentary he provided.
Mayfield began his solo career in the early 2000s, achieving landmark success scoring the film “Up.” This decade was a prolific period for Mayfield, who by 1980 had released 15 critically acclaimed albums.
Best Male R&B Vocalists of the 1970s, Final Thoughts
This is by no means a complete list of all male R&B singers of the 1970s. However, everyone can probably agree that each of these artists has been immensely influential in their own right.
Without these artists, it’s hard to say whether R&B would have had as much of an impact on today’s popular music as it did. Despite this, songs from this decade remain popular for their good taste and lyrical relevance.
