British Guitar Legends: The 1970s, Stadium Rock, and the Birth of Heavy Metal

Welcome back, guitar fans! In this week’s episode of the Beginner Guitar Academy Podcast, host Paul Andrews takes us on a powerful journey through the golden age of British guitar music—the 1970s. If you thought the 1960s (last week’s focus) was epic with Beatlemania and British Invasion icons, buckle up for a decade of cranked amps, show-stopping riffs, and the unmistakable roar of heavy metal being born.

Fresh in the Academy: New Riff Lessons

Before diving into the 70s, Paul kicks things off by announcing three iconic new riffs now available in the Academy, each one a classic from last week’s episode lineup:

• “Paint It Black” (The Rolling Stones): Great for working on your string skipping and finger strength, featuring those signature hammer-ons and pull-offs.

• “Substitute” (The Who): A speedy, slash-chord-driven riff to hone your skills across the top three strings.

• “All Day and All of the Night” (The Kinks): The perfect power chord workout for beginners, just moving one shape up and down the sixth string.

Paul introduces a new lesson format, breaking down each riff with a playthrough, note-by-note breakdown, and multiple practice speeds—all synced with scrolling tab to make learning even more intuitive for members.

1970s: The Era of Stadium Rock & Guitar Heroes

Moving into the heart of the episode, Paul explores how the guitar and its players grew larger than life in the 1970s, dominating the global stage with sheer power and creativity. Here’s a quick highlight of the legends covered:

Led Zeppelin

Jimmy Page’s monster riffs and studio wizardry redefined what a rock guitar could sound like. From alternate tunings to layered guitar tracks, Page’s innovations made Zeppelin’s music huge, inviting beginners to try their hand at classics like “Whole Lotta Love”—a riff you can find in the Academy.

Queen

Brian May, with his homemade Red Special guitar and use of a sixpence coin as a pick, brought rich guitar harmonies and orchestral textures to stadium rock. Songs like “Bohemian Rhapsody” are prime examples of Brian’s lush soundscapes that remain mind-blowing, yet inspiringly playable.

Pink Floyd

David Gilmour’s solos, particularly in “Comfortably Numb,” showcase expressive bending, phrasing, and deep emotion, proving you don’t have to play fast to play great. For learners, he’s an example of making every note count.

Birth of British Heavy Metal

Arguably, the biggest game-changer of the ‘70s was the birth of heavy metal. Paul highlights:

Black Sabbath

Tony Iommi, Sabbath’s riff master, lost the tips of his fingers, adapted with prosthetics, and pioneered the heavy, downtuned sound that became the blueprint for metal. Legendary riffs from “Paranoid” and “Iron Man” are required learning for any modern guitarist—and are taught in Beginner Guitar Academy’s riff section.

Fun Fact: Black Sabbath played their final show in 2025, going out in their Birmingham hometown! (If you missed it, Paul suggests checking out the event on YouTube.)

Deep Purple

Ritchie Blackmore’s classical influence shaped timeless staples like “Smoke on the Water”—practically a beginner guitarist’s rite of passage.

Judas Priest

By the late ‘70s, dual guitar attacks and screaming leads pushed British metal even further, laying the groundwork for the genre's explosion in the ‘80s.

Why the ‘70s Matter to Beginners

Paul reminds listeners: Don’t be intimidated by the “guitar hero” myth. Many of the decade’s most famous riffs are built from simple power chords, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and palm mutes—essentials you can pick up right inside the Academy. Workshops on all the key techniques are available, breaking them down to beginner-friendly levels.

This Week’s Riff Homework

Ready to put these classic sounds under your fingers? Paul’s recommended riffs for the week:

• “Smoke on the Water” (Deep Purple): Playable as a one-string melody, then double the strings as you progress.

• “Iron Man” (Black Sabbath): Big, bold, and perfect for power chord practice.

• “Tie Your Mother Down” (Queen): A great new power chord workout being added this week!

You can find all of these (plus a curated playlist of British Rock staples) in the British music Spotify playlist.

Join the Discussion

If you’re a Beginner Guitar Academy member, Paul invites you to the community forum: Which 1970s British rock or metal guitarist inspires you most—Jimmy Page, Brian May, Tony Iommi, or someone else? Jump in and share!

What’s Next?

Stay tuned for next week’s deep dive into the 1980s—new wave, punk, and the rise of British indie and pop guitar.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to take your playing to the next level, check out Beginner Guitar Academy for structured step-by-step lessons, a thriving community, and support whenever you need it.

Until next week—keep rocking, tackle those riffs, and let the giants of British guitar inspire your playing journey!

Enjoyed the blog? Share your thoughts and let us know which legendary ‘70s riff you’re learning this week!