(CNN)In the '70s, punk gave rock music back something it was missing in the '60s -- danger.
As an NBC News report from 1977, quoted on CNN's "The Seventies," put it, "This is punk rock and its purpose is to promote violence, sex and destruction, in that order."
Punk rock put the hippie music of the previous decade to bed and woke up the next generation with a sound that was loud, fast and untamed. It wasn't just the next thing in music, it was a cultural shock wave with an impact that would be felt everywhere.
Kick out the jams
It started in Detroit in the late '60s. Bands like MC5 and Iggy & The Stooges put out records that sounded like rock 'n' roll stripped down to its underwear, strapped to an A-bomb and sent hurling towards the listener's face.
Eating healthy with Iggy Pop 01:09
The sound would grow to an international roar by the end of the '70s, with an impact the mainstream could no longer ignore.
Time, in its 1977 article, "Anthems of the Blank Generation," tried to break down the sound, look and overall aesthetics of punk for the masses.
"In Tokyo, Chicago and Paris, kids are bumping, grinding, loving, hating, wailing to the loud, raucous, often brutal sounds of punk rock... Musicians and listeners strut around in deliberately torn T shirts and jeans; ideally, the rips should be joined with safety pins.... the hair is often heavily greased and swept up into a coxcomb of blue, orange or green, or a comely two-tone ... The music aims for the gut."
'Hey Ho, Let's Go!'
Though the seed was planted in Detroit, the first real fruit of the punk revolution grew out of two cities on the opposite side of the Atlantic.
Ramones
In America, no place was more important than the legendary New York night club, CBGB. There, influential bands like Television, Dead Boys, Talking Heads and Blondie got their start.
But of all the bands to come out of CBGB, none were more quintessentially punk than the Ramones.
They began playing shows in 1974 but their 1976 debut record "Ramones" is credited with laying down the foundation of the punk sound. While '70s rock gods like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd filled their songs with ever expanding guitar solos, "Ramones" packed 14 songs in under 30 minutes.
From the opening call of "Hey Ho, Let's Go!" and guitar riffs of "Blitzkrieg Bop" to songs like "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" and "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue," the Ramones kept their lyrics and themes loose, simple and fun.
The Ramones went on to inspire a generation of wannabe rockers to buy guitars and form their own bands, spreading the gospel of punk to the world. They proved that you didn't have to be the next Jimmy Page or Paul McCartney to be a rock star.
Here come the Sex Pistols
While the American punk scene was unfolding in New York, a similar movement was taking place on King's Road in London.
The street was a popular gathering spot for the members of the counterculture during the '60s. In the '70s, it was flooded with punk rockers, helping to produce bands such as the Sex Pistols and The Clash.
While the London punk acts shared a similar style, sound and attitude with The Ramones, in England, their music added a political message. As Time wrote in its article "The Sex Pistols Are Here" from January 16, 1978:
John Lydon on Royals and the Sex Pistols 03:27
"In Britain, punk is the voice (some would say vice) of working-class kids who cannot find jobs and care not a whit for the traditions of their homeland."
The UK was in the midst of a recession in the mid-1970s, which left many young people unemployed and angry at their government. This helped attract kids to raw energy and anger of the Sex Pistols and make songs like "Anarchy in the U.K." and "God Save the Queen" punk anthems.
Music, however, was only part of the reason that the Sex Pistols gained so much notoriety. Their wild behavior and look quickly made them household names and tabloid headliners. Time took note:
"As the four musicians straggled toward the plane at London's Heathrow Airport last week, it was clear from their appearance that they were not just another Top 40 act. They spat in the air, hurled four-letter words (the mildest was "scum") at the photographers and with malevolent glares set off shivers in their fellow travelers. Said one woman passenger in disbelief: "What are we flying with —a load of animals?"
'London calling'
At the end of the '70s, the most influential punk band in the world was The Clash, whose musical experimentation proved punk rock could be more than two-minute long songs with only three chords.
The Clash had all the urgency and importance of the Sex Pistols, but as Time noted in "The Best Gang in Town," from March 5, 1979, the musical differences between The Clash and the Sex Pistols were vast:
Which '70s albums did Sheryl Crow rock out to? 02:48
"The Clash, though hardly elegant instrumentalists, makes far better crafted music than the Pistols ever did. The sheets of sound they let loose have the cumulative effect of a mugging, but the songs, full of threat and challenge, never mean to menace. They are, rather, about anger and desperation, about violence as a condition more than a prescription.
"All around London, The Clash sings straight to -- and, in a sense, even speaks for -- a generation of working-class kids not only cut off from the social mainstream but disaffected from the smug, cushy sounds of most contemporary pop."
Punk is dead, long live punk
But what would happen to punk when everyone grew up? Like a meteor, the Sex Pistols were hot and bright on arrival but soon crashed and burned. They broke up in January 1978, leaving behind only one studio album and plenty of questions about the future of the genre they helped popularize. Time's "Anthems of the Blank Generation" wondered whether punk rock would be able to maintain its allure if its fan base continued to grow:
"The biggest catastrophe for punk rock would of course be huge success. How does a rebel maintain his pose while earning $1 million a year?"
Though not many saw it at that time, punk rock had already taken root in popular music and was fast evolving into the next big thing -- New Wave.
Visit Time magazine's vault for more of its coverage from the era.
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
The Eagles – This quintessential '70s band gave us classics like "Hotel California," "Take It Easy" and "Desperado." The band's success has placed it on such lists as Rolling Stone's 500 Best Albums of All Time and the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Hide Caption
1 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
David Bowie – David Bowie -- aka "Ziggy Stardust," aka the "Thin White Duke" -- is one of the most iconic pop figures of the '70s. His shape-shifting persona was emblematic of the fluidity of his sound and style, ranging from the far-out "Moonage Daydream" to more traditional songs like "Heroes" and "Changes." Learn more about the music of the 1970s in the CNN original series, "The Seventies."
Hide Caption
2 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Donna Summer – Summer's racy "Love to Love You Baby" was a few minutes of singalong with a few more minutes of something else entirely. The single catapulted her into stardom and sex-symbol status, making her the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach No. 1 on the Billboard charts.
Hide Caption
3 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
The Ramones – Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee and Tommy: four guys from New York City who introduced garage punk to the masses with "Blitzkrieg Bop" and "I Wanna Be Sedated." Their belligerent, in-your-face sound and their long-haired, dressed-down look made them instant punk archetypes, placing them among the most influential bands of the decade.
Hide Caption
4 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Led Zeppelin – In the early '70s, this English quartet was arguably the biggest band on Earth, selling out stadiums, dressing in flamboyant clothes, flying in private jets and, if the legends are true, indulging in wild, hedonistic habits excessive even by rock-star standards. They also turned out a series of chart-topping albums, including their untitled fourth that featured their immortal "Stairway to Heaven."
Hide Caption
5 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
The Jackson 5 – This born-and-bred Motown family made history by being the first recording act whose initial four singles hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list: "I Want You Back," "The Love You Save," "ABC" and "I'll Be There." Their crossover success spawned Jackson mania and a worldwide love affair with the charming little front man, Michael Jackson.
Hide Caption
6 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Lou Reed – After The Velvet Underground broke up in the early '70s, Reed transitioned to a successful solo career. He crafted songs about life on the street with the junkies and outcasts, as exemplified by tracks like "Walk on the Wild Side," "Perfect Day," and "Caroline Says II." Reed offered rock with an art-school sensibility, punk sentiment at an unhurried tempo.
Hide Caption
7 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
The Rolling Stones – One of the biggest bands of the '60s, the Rolling Stones continued their success in the new decade, beginning with their "Sticky Fingers" album in 1971 and followed by their critically acclaimed "Exile on Main St." in 1972. The band recorded Exile's songs while hiding out in a villa in southern France to avoid financial trouble. The album is considered by many to be the Stones' greatest.
Hide Caption
8 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Elton John – John's pop triumph came from a series of hits in the early '70s, including "Tiny Dancer," "Your Song" and "Bennie and the Jets," the bar-room singalong that, somehow, no one knows the words to. He's best known for his stadium tours, playing to sold out crowds in extravagant, glittering costumes and his signature tinted sunglasses.
Hide Caption
9 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Stevie Wonder – A prodigy of the '60s, Wonder became a musical powerhouse in the '70s with his boundless creativity and vibrant vision for the future of soul. His streak of genius gave us a string of masterpiece albums: "Music of my Mind," "Talking Book," "Innervisions," "Fulfillingness' First Finale" and "Songs in the Key of Life."
Hide Caption
10 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
John Lennon – The '70s began with the "death" of the Beatles, enabling the rebirth of Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr as individual artists. While McCartney found pop success with his wife in their new band, Wings, Lennon took a more personal and political approach with songs like the charged "Working Class Hero," "Instant Karma" and "Imagine."
Hide Caption
11 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
The Kinks – This English rock band had a string of hits in the '60s, but one of its most memorable -- and controversial -- songs, "Lola," came at the dawn of the '70s. The song's gender-bending narrative was an atypical subject for the Kinks but speaks to the fluidity of sex and gender that was becoming more common in the popular music of the decade.
Hide Caption
12 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Cat Stevens – Folk singer Cat Stevens, who later changed his name to Yusef Islam, had a knack for quiet, catchy songs with messages of peace. Among his notable hits of the era: "Morning has Broken," "Wild World" and "Peace Train," an anti-war song that offered optimism instead of protest.
Hide Caption
13 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Isaac Hayes – The original "Soul Man," Isaac Hayes was the embodiment of '60s and '70s R&B. Hayes was many things: record producer, singer, songwriter, actor and humanitarian, but perhaps he is best remembered for his composition of the "Theme from Shaft," which helped define the sound of '70s blaxploitation movies and earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Hide Caption
14 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Carole King – Formerly part of a 60's songwriting duo with Gerry Goffin, King stepped into the spotlight with her 1972 Grammy-winning Album of the Year, "Tapestry." King's intimate and emotive lyrics on love lost and self-love made her a beacon of feminine energy in an era dominated by male rock stars.
Hide Caption
15 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Bruce Springsteen – Hits "Born to Run and "Thunder Road" breathed new life into the rock scene in the 1970s, with some critics quick to label Springsteen as the "new Dylan." His songs told stories of everyday life and youthful rebellion, imbuing them with a sense of splendor, urgency, and importance.
Hide Caption
16 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Bob Dylan – Dylan's work in the '70s proved that the "voice of a generation" could evolve, even thrive, after '60s success. His most popular song of the decade, "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," is one of the most-covered Dylan songs of all time. Dylan became a born-again Christian in 1978, releasing the gospel-influenced album "Slow Train Coming" the following year. It featured "Gotta Serve Somebody," his last hit single of the decade.
Hide Caption
17 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Fleetwood Mac – This British-American group's inter-relational drama became the fuel for its biggest hit record, "Rumours," which follows the emotive lifespan of a love affair with songs like "Dreams," "Go Your Own Way," "The Chain" and "Don't Stop."
Hide Caption
18 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Marvin Gaye – Marvin Gaye's soulful query, "What's Going On," rings with a genuine skepticism on issues like war, poverty and racial tensions. The song was monumental for its combination of soul and protest. It has transcended its time and place to become a universal cry for answers and hope in difficult times. Rolling Stone ranked it No. 4 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Hide Caption
19 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Glen Campbell – A "good ol' boy" with top-notch musical talent, Campbell is among the most successful country-crossover acts to date. His two giant hits in the '70s were "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Southern Nights."
Hide Caption
20 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Joni Mitchell – Mitchell's acoustic-folk style took elements of the '60s hippie movement and gave them new life in the '70s by incorporating influences from pop and jazz. "A Case of You," "California," and "River" offer Mitchell's heartfelt intimations on love, loss and wanderlust.
Hide Caption
21 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Neil Young – Young's solo career in the '70s presented a successful mix of acoustic and electric folk rock. His signature voice and personal lyrics give emotional weight to songs, like the existential anxiety in "Old Man" and the aimless longing in "Heart of Gold."
Hide Caption
22 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Al Green – Known as the Reverend, Green is considered one of the most gifted soul singers of all time. His smooth, sultry sound filled the airwaves with hits like "Tired of Being Alone," "I'm Still In Love With You" and his signature song "Let's Stay Together."
Hide Caption
23 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Sex Pistols – This British punk-rock band burst onto the scene in 1977 with declarations of "Anarchy in the U.K." and "no future in England's dreaming." Its anti-establishment antics paved the way for bands like The Clash, The Runaways and the Dead Kennedys.
Hide Caption
24 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Bee Gees – These three brothers first saw success in the '60s with a sound many compared to the Beatles. With the hit "Jive Talkin'" in 1975 and significant contributions to the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack in 1977, the Bee Gees helped popularize disco, pulling the genre out of clubs like Studio 54 and into the mainstream.
Hide Caption
25 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Iggy Pop – This former frontman of the Stooges is recognized as a major influence on the early punk scene. In the '70s, his collaboration with David Bowie fueled his biggest commercial success, 1977's "Lust for Life." The unforgettable opening drumbeat has infiltrated the sonic landscape through widespread reuse in commercials, film, and songs like Jet's "Are You Gonna Be My Girl."
Hide Caption
26 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Queen – Queen is best known for its operatic performances and for singer Freddy Mercury's emotionality and whimsy on stage. The band pushed the limits of the rock genre with chart-toppers like "We Will Rock You," "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Somebody to Love."
Hide Caption
27 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
The Carpenters – The sweet, some say saccharine sibling duo saw huge commercial success with hits that exemplified the soft sound of '70s pop music -- songs like "Top of the World," "Close to You" and "Rainy Days and Mondays."
Hide Caption
28 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
ABBA – If you hear an ABBA song in the morning, chances are it'll be stuck in your head all day. This Swedish quartet was the embodiment of mainstream '70s pop with hit singles like "Honey, Honey," "Dancing Queen," and "Waterloo." The group's hyper-catchy sound catapulted it to lasting popularity, with more than 300 million records sold worldwide.
Hide Caption
29 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Kiss – Kiss' iconic makeup and hyperbolic pyrotechnic performances bred a new kind of rock where theatrics were just as important -- or even more important -- than music. For fans, there was no boundary between the band and its comic-book personas: Gene Simmons as the tongue-flicking demon, Paul Stanley as the dreamy star child, Ace Frehley as the far-out spaceman and Peter Criss as the catman.
Hide Caption
30 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
The Sugarhill Gang – Wonder Mike, Master Gee and Big Bank Hank were brought together to create "Rapper's Delight," the 14-minute rap odyssey recorded in just one take. This collaboration, meant to save a record studio from bankruptcy, became the song that brought hip-hop to the mainstream.
Hide Caption
31 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Blondie – A mainstay of New York's vibrant punk and new-wave scenes in the mid '70s, Blondie broke out in 1978 with the reggae- and disco-infused "Heart of Glass" off its third album, "Parallel Lines." Lead singer Debbie Harry used her powerful voice, punk attitude and unapologetically glamorous personal style to create a new archetype for women in rock.
Hide Caption
32 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
The Clash – The Clash was one of the few punk bands to experience mainstream, commercial success in the '70s. "London Calling," the band's third album and its first to hit big in the United States, presented songs influenced by the social, political and economic turmoil of the times.
Hide Caption
33 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Diana Ross – She found fame in the '60s with the Supremes, but American soul singer Diana Ross had a string of solo pop hits in the '70s, from "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" to "Love Hangover."
Hide Caption
34 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
The Grateful Dead – Founded in 1965, the Grateful Dead kept chugging through the 1970s with near-nonstop touring. The original jam band, seen here in 1970, featured (clockwise from top left): Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, Mickey Hart and Jerry Garcia.
Hide Caption
35 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Dolly Parton – Dolly Parton, seen here in 1978, was a respected country queen before finding mainstream success in the '70s with hits like "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" (famously covered later by Whitney Houston).
Hide Caption
36 of 37
Photos: Sounds of 'The Seventies'
Pink Floyd – Progressive British rockers Pink Floyd, here on their "Animals" tour in 1978, were one of the most acclaimed and influential bands of the decade. Their classic 1973 album, "Dark Side of the Moon," lingered on the Billboard chart for more than 14 years.
Hide Caption
37 of 37
