4 Bands Formed in 1972 That Shaped Popular Music as We Know It
Four bands formed in 1972 later helped shape popular music across rock and pop. Their influence ranged from distinctive guitar techniques and stadium rock to enduring pop hits and the sound of Bruce Springsteen’s records.
Van Halen began as Mammoth before gaining popularity in the mid-1970s, with Eddie Van Halen’s finger-tapping guitar style becoming a defining feature. Styx emerged from a school-era group in Illinois and went on to release enduring radio favourites; ABBA, formed by two married couples, became a major pop act whose songs and legacy live on through works such as *Mamma Mia!* The E Street Band formed around a young Springsteen in New Jersey and backed most of his albums, while its members also pursued other musical work.
- Van Halen’s guitar style helped define its sound.
- Styx and ABBA built lasting hit catalogues.
- The E Street Band shaped Springsteen’s records and rock.
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The early 1970s saw rock and pop acts develop sounds that would reach audiences through radio, records and live shows. Van Halen became known for Eddie Van Halen’s distinctive finger-tapping guitar style, while Styx built a following with rock songs that remained popular on radio.
ABBA, formed by two couples in Sweden, became one of the era’s major pop groups, and its songs later inspired the musical and film Mamma Mia! In New Jersey, the E Street Band grew around Bruce Springsteen and played on most of his albums, helping shape the sound of his recorded music.