World news and discussion on TalkFuse.
3 Rock Bands From the 1970s That Went Country Before It Was Cool
Three 1970s rock bands helped shape country rock by bringing country sounds and instrumentation into rock before the blend became common. The article argues their influence reached later rock and country artists, even though some of the pioneers did not achieve mainstream success.
The Flying Burrito Brothers, associated with Gram Parsons, recorded “Wild Horses” before the Rolling Stones and built a devoted following. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band connected Southern rock and West Coast music, with their version of “Mr. Bojangles” among their best-known songs. Poco, formed from the remnants of Buffalo Springfield, combined melodic rock, harmonies and country instrumentation, and scored a major 1970s hit with “Crazy Love”.
In short
- Three bands helped establish country rock in the 1970s.
- The Flying Burrito Brothers recorded “Wild Horses” first.
- Poco and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band broadened the genre’s sound.
Explained simply
Country rock blends rock music with country sounds, such as acoustic instruments and close harmonies. In the 1970s, that mix was less familiar to mainstream audiences, but it later became common across both country and rock.
The Flying Burrito Brothers, linked with singer Gram Parsons, became influential despite a relatively small following. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band brought together Southern and West Coast musical influences, while Poco grew out of Buffalo Springfield and paired melodic rock with country instruments.
Their careers took different paths: Poco had a major hit with “Crazy Love”, while the others are remembered for songs and recordings that helped shape the genre. Their influence can be heard in later country and rock music.
Americas Entertainment Music World