242 - 1970s Rock Legends & the Birth of British Metal
Welcome back to the Beginner Guitar Academy podcast with your host, Paul Andrews! In this second instalment of the British Guitar Music series, Paul takes us on a journey through the iconic 1970s—a decade defined by stadium rock, legendary guitarists, and the birth of British heavy metal.
If you missed last week's trip through the swinging '60s and the British Invasion, don’t forget to catch up and check out the new riffs added to the Academy from The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks.
This episode explores the rise of guitar heroes, how massive riffs filled arenas, and the revolutionary new sounds that came from some of the UK’s most influential bands. Get ready for practical tips, classic riffs to try this week, inspiration from rock greats, and a peek at what’s happening inside the Beginner Guitar Academy community.
What’s New in Beginner Guitar Academy?
New Riffs Added:
- “Paint It Black” – The Rolling Stones
- “Substitute” – The Who
- “All Day and All of the Night” – The Kinks
All available now in the Academy’s riff section, complete with a new lesson format: riff introduction, playthrough, breakdown, and various practice speeds with scrolling tab.
Main Topics Covered
1. The Rise of Stadium Rock
- 1970s British bands like Led Zeppelin, Queen, and Pink Floyd redefined rock.
- Led Zeppelin / Jimmy Page: Riff mastery (“Whole Lotta Love”), alternate tunings, innovative studio layering.
- Queen / Brian May: Homemade “Red Special” guitar, unique tone with a 6 pence coin, lush harmonies (“Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Tie Your Mother Down”).
- Pink Floyd / David Gilmour: Emphasis on note choice, emotion, and phrasing (“Comfortably Numb”).
2. The Birth of British Heavy Metal
- How bands like Black Sabbath created darker, heavier sounds.
- Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath): Overcame injury, invented prosthetic fingertips, dropped tunings (“Paranoid”, “Iron Man”).
- Black Sabbath’s recent final show in Birmingham—an epic event featuring metal legends.
- Deep Purple / Ritchie Blackmore: Classical influence (“Smoke on the Water”), a must-know riff for beginners.
- Judas Priest: Twin guitar harmonies and high-energy metal paved the way for the 80s.
3. Beginner Tips for Playing 70s Rock & Metal
- Power chords, bending, hammer-ons, pull-offs—all essential techniques rooted in the 70s.
- Metal riffs often use simple power chords, making them great for beginners.
4. Homework – Riffs To Practice This Week
- “Smoke on the Water” – Deep Purple: Learn it on one string, then progress to more advanced versions.
- “Iron Man” – Black Sabbath: Excellent for practicing power chords.
- “Tie Your Mother Down” – Queen: Coming soon to the Academy.
Resources & Links
- British Music Spotify Playlist: check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1c4k92MPjuDPXVSPnHLz19?si=315535319c304f89
- Workshop Section:
- Learn five awesome metal riffs (including Black Sabbath, Megadeth, Pantera, Iron Maiden, Slayer).
- Power chord, bending, hammer-on, and pull-off workshops for beginners.
Beginner Guitar Academy Membership:
- Try out all lessons, workshops, community support, and more for just $1 for 14 days at beginnerguitaracademy.com.
Community Question
Which 1970s British rock or metal guitarist inspires you the most?
Jimmy Page’s riffs? Brian May’s harmonies? Tony Iommi’s power chords?
Join the discussion in the community section—pinned topic at the top!
Next Week’s Preview
Don’t miss next week’s episode in the British music series! We’re moving into the 1980s to discuss the new wave of British heavy metal, punk, indie, and pop transformations.
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Keep rocking and have a fantastic week!
