Burnt Out Light--Changes in Rock Culture in the Late 1970s

Burnt Out Light--Changes in Rock Culture in the Late 1970s

At the end of the 1960s, rock music shone as a symbol of a new way of life for young people. It was not just music, but a cultural movement that embodied an anti-establishment spirit and a yearning for freedom. In the 1970s, however, its brilliance gradually faded and many of its values became entangled in commercialism and faded away.

In the early 1970s, the breakup of the Beatles (1970) was a major turning point in rock history. Paul McCartney even said, "Rock is over," symbolizing the end of one form of the fervor that rock had in the 1960s. This was followed by bands such as Led Zeppelin and Queen, and the rise of new genres such as hard rock and progressive rock. Pink Floyd and King Crimson pushed rock into the realm of art, while glam rockers such as David Bowie and T. Rex advanced the visual expression of music. However, it has also been noted that these music styles were gradually influenced by commercialism and the anti-establishment spirit of their early days faded away.

As a reaction, punk rock was born in the late 1970s. Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols declared that "rock is dead," and Sid Vicious embodied a doomed aesthetic. Their music was a rebellion against overly sophisticated rock, provoking society with simple chord progressions and straightforward messages. This trend was carried over to the Ramones and The Clash in the U.S. and became the cornerstone of alternative rock from the 1980s onward.

In Japan, rock music was also diversifying in the late 1970s. Happiendo appeared in 1969 and laid the foundation for Japanese-language rock, but its members subsequently took different paths, with Haruomi Hosono joining YMO and Takashi Matsumoto becoming a lyricist. On the other hand, Eikichi Yazawa went solo after the breakup of Carol, proving that "rock can be done in Japan," but his music also changed with his commercial success. In addition, with the appearance of Godaigo and Kai Band, rock music for the masses became more sought after.

Rock music in the late 1970s oscillated between musical evolution and commercialization. The anti-establishment message of the past faded away, and the emphasis shifted to a more sophisticated sound and production. Rock was not just music, but a mirror reflecting society itself. Music that had been a symbol of freedom and rebellion eventually came to be treated as a "commodity," and new music was born to break through it. This cycle may continue to the present day.

Reference Information
- The Impact of the Beatles' Breakup: Interview with Paul McCartney (1970)
- The Rise of Progressive Rock in the 1970s: Discography of Pink Floyd and King Crimson
- David Bowie's Glam Rock Influence: "Ziggy Stardust" (1972)
- The Birth of Punk Rock: The Sex Pistols' "Do It Yourself" (1977) (1977)
- Changes in the Japanese Rock Scene: Album reviews of albums by Happiendo, Eikichi Yazawa, Godiego, and Kai Band