5 best bands of the 1970s that fused great horns and killer guitars

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During the late ’60s and early ’70s, a number of exceptional musical acts emerged within the industry. Five of these bands skillfully combined jazz and rock, yielding remarkable outcomes. The harmonious fusion of their horns and guitars significantly influenced the development of the genre.

In the realm of arts, particularly music, a common saying seems to hold more weight than elsewhere. It’s often stated as, “One person’s treasure is another person’s trash.” This might be fitting, but it shouldn’t be. When we delve into these five iconic jazz-rock bands, however, it still rings true, though debatable. After all, discussions about who should or shouldn’t be included are inevitable. You could always ask, “But what about _____?

I’m confident that my list doesn’t include all your favorite jazz-rock bands. The term ‘jazz-rock’ can be a bit vague, much like the genre of jazz itself. Many people consider Miles Davis as one of its pioneers, primarily due to his influential fusion album titled “Bitches Brew”. To me, it still falls under the realm of jazz, which is evident in its critical acclaim. To fully experience the blend of jazz and rock, let’s delve into these bands’ music.

Five early titans of the fusion of jazz and rock arrived in the 1970s

In my earlier post, you might notice that I didn’t include King Crimson, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Santana, or Weather Report on my list. Although I appreciate each of those bands, they lean more towards one style for me, or their sound is significantly impacted by another genre to the point where they have essentially created a new genre – like Santana did with its fusion of rock and Latin music. This topic deserves further exploration, but for now, let’s focus on my current thoughts as this serves as a personal reflection.

Just like many jazz and rock groups, these bands experienced multiple lineup shifts. Interestingly, four of them are still performing today, not on their final tours. However, they have all passed the creative zenith of their careers. In fact, I must admit that one band’s decline, which began long ago, deeply disappoints me. But let’s discuss the bands, shall we?

This version maintains the original’s informal tone and keeps the essential points intact while using more straightforward language and a slightly different structure for some sentences.

Ides of March

Back in 1964, a group that started as the Shon-Dels in the Chicago area didn’t find success right away, would you believe it? They didn’t strike gold until six years later with their debut and only hit single. A name change to the Ides of March happened in 1966, which may have contributed to their popularity as it made them stand out among other bands.

The popular tune you’re referring to is called “Vehicle,” a high-energy song (pun intended), which starts off with a powerful burst of horns before transitioning into its unique guitar riff. This single reached the second spot on the Billboard charts, and an album titled Vehicle came out after its release. However, aside from this one hit, The Ides of March didn’t create much excitement in the music industry.

If Jim Peterik, one of the original founders, had owned a Plymouth Barracuda rather than a 1964 Valiant, it’s possible that Survivor might have maintained their position at the top. However, songs like “Superman” and “Tie-Dye Princess,” which continue to resonate strongly in live performances even decades later, suggest otherwise. Incredibly, four of the original members are still active on tour.

Blood, Sweat & Tears

If you weren’t aware, I’ll let it slide for the first time regarding that initial band. However, Blood, Sweat & Tears were quite a force in the late 1960s and early 1970s rock era. At one point or another, over 176 musicians, including substitutes, have been part of the group. This band was known for its unique blend of horns’ power with the intensity of guitars, making it highly successful in merging those two elements.

In January of 1968, they debuted their first album titled “Child is Father to the Man“. Although it only reached number 47 on the charts initially, greater successes were imminent. Their self-titled album dropped in December and skyrocketed to the top spot, eventually earning multi-platinum certification. The three most popular singles from them all climbed to number two on the charts the following year.

Of course, even novices in this genre are familiar with songs like “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” “And When I Die,” and “Spinning Wheel.” Their subsequent album, titled “Blood Sweat & Tears 3, also reached number one on the charts in 1970.

Discuss the practice of rotating personnel in the band, Blood, Sweat & Tears, was reminiscent of McDonald’s cycling through high school employees. Founder and primary vocalist Al Kooper (not the one with the snake) was succeeded by David Clayton-Thomas within their inaugural year. Just 18 months after that, Clayton-Thomas departed to pursue solo endeavors.

By the year 1974, only two of the original eight band members remained. Bob Colomby, the drummer, was the last one left and departed in 1977. Their final studio album, “Nuclear Blues,” came out in 1980, but the band continues to tour even today. It’s possible that I might be part of this band now, as my skills as a backup trombone player from high school have finally found their use.

Chase

Guided by trumpeter and leader Bill Chase, this band with a distinctive name is one of three musical groups hailing from Chicago. Interestingly, two tracks on their third studio release were collaboratively penned with Kim Peterik from Ides of March, who also lent his vocals to the album. However, let’s step back for a moment and delve into their origins first.

As the soloist rather than the entire band, Chase showcased genuine jazz abilities, serving as lead trumpet for legendary jazz musicians such as Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton, and Woody Herman. In the month of April, 1971, he established his own ensemble, which was distinctive due to its four trumpets. He incorporated keyboards, a bass, one guitar, percussion, and another vocalist into this group. Their inaugural album, titled “Chase“, was unveiled in April of 1971.

It’s uncertain whether he was a marketing genius or not, but his music was certainly popular. The single “Get It On” managed to reach the 24th spot on the charts. To clarify, this isn’t the same song as T. Rex’s hit “Bang a Gong,” which had an identical title and was released only three months prior.

The group was up for a Grammy in the Best New Artist category, but they lost to Carly Simon. Their second album, titled “Ennea,” didn’t perform as well, only making it to the charts with one single, “I Can Feel It.” This may be why Peterik was brought in by Chase for 1974’s “Pure Music.” Regrettably, a plane crash took the lives of Bill Chase and three other band members later that year, putting an end to their career.

Cold Blood

Truman Capote, a renowned author, had no known affiliation with the band, as my research has shown. However, influential promoter Bill Graham admired them so much that he booked them for performances at Fillmore West. Notably, this band, Cold Blood, stood out among their contemporaries due to its female lead singer, Lydia Pense. Give a listen to “If You Will,” the second track on their debut album from 1969 titled “Cold Blood“. This will explain why Pense was quickly likened to Janis Joplin.

After their previous release, the band came out with “Sisyphus” in the ’70s, followed by “First Taste of Sin” in 1972, and “Thriller” a year later. You might have thought Michael Jackson was the first one there, but it was actually lead guitarist Larry Field who put together an exceptional group with two trumpets, two saxophones, trombone, bass, percussion, and the iconic Hammond B-3 organ.

Currently, the band known as Lydia Pense & Cold Blood continues to produce music and perform live shows under that name. If you’re looking for a powerful tune, I recommend listening to their 1970 single titled “You Got Me Hummin'” which was featured on their first album.

Chicago

I stand firm in my decision to include this band in my work, despite my editor’s disagreement. You see, when he envisions one of the iconic bands from the 1970s, he conjures up bubble-gum pop music by Peter Cetera. While everyone has their own preferences, I won’t back down from labeling his music that way. Yes, he was an original member of the band, playing bass, but at that time, he hadn’t yet introduced the sweet ballads that would later become characteristic of his solo career.

With Robert Lamm on keyboards and vocals, Walter Parazaider on saxophone, James Pankow on trombone, Lee Loughnane on trumpet, Danny Seraphine on drums, Setera playing the bass, and Terry Kath’s incredible guitar work, Chicago Transit Authority produced four successful singles from their first album. These hits included “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is” and “Beginnings.

Under the mandate of being less contentious by a particular public transportation company, the band abbreviated its moniker. Their subsequent album, the 1970s release titled “Chicago“, marked their significant breakthrough. The influential tracks “Make Me Smile” and “Colour My World” were derived from the captivating 13-minute suite on side two, “Ballet For a Girl From Buchannon.” The powerful vocals, characterized by their rough, gravelly tone, belong to Terry Kath, an exceptionally talented guitarist in the band. To me, that is the authentic sound of Chicago.

In their third album, titled “Chicago III,” the band continued to include lengthy instrumental suites. However, Columbia Records expressed a preference for more radio-friendly singles. As a result, Chicago gradually shifted towards a more mainstream pop sound. Unfortunately, this change led to the production of several uninspired hits, much like many bands from the ’70s. The story of Chicago’s rise and fall is a complex topic that merits further exploration – if my editor agrees to let me delve deeper into it for future articles on the site.

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2025-07-26 13:00