Jade Reed
From Bowie to Ali: 13 Icons Who Made the ’70s Unforgettable
The 1970s was a decade that changed everything.
Music, movies, sports, and fashion all exploded with fresh energy and bold new voices.
From rock stars who rewrote the rules to athletes who became activists, these icons didn’t just entertain—they inspired millions and left a mark that still influences us today.
1. David Bowie
Imagine changing your entire look, sound, and personality every few years—and having millions of fans follow you every step of the way.
That’s exactly what David Bowie did throughout the ’70s.
He created unforgettable characters like Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke, each one pushing the boundaries of what rock music could be.
Bowie wasn’t afraid to experiment with makeup, costumes, and sounds that no one had heard before.
His albums like The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust became instant classics.
He showed the world that artists could reinvent themselves and that being different was something to celebrate, not hide.
2. John Travolta
White suit.
Disco ball.
That iconic pointing pose.
John Travolta became the face of disco fever when Saturday Night Fever hit theaters in 1977.
His smooth dance moves and undeniable charm made everyone want to hit the dance floor.
But Travolta wasn’t just about disco.
The very next year, he starred in Grease as Danny Zuko, proving he could do it all—singing, dancing, and acting.
His back-to-back blockbusters made him one of the biggest stars of the decade.
Young people everywhere copied his hairstyle, his moves, and his swagger, cementing his place as a true ’70s legend.
3. Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali didn’t just say “I am the greatest!”, he proved it in the boxing ring again and again.
His lightning-fast punches and fancy footwork made him a champion, but his confidence and clever wordplay made him unforgettable.
Ali spoke out against injustice and stood up for what he believed in, even when it cost him his title.
The ’70s saw Ali’s most legendary fights, including the “Rumble in the Jungle” and the “Thrilla in Manila.”
He wasn’t just an athlete; he was a hero who used his fame to fight for civil rights and inspire people worldwide to stand tall and speak their truth.
4. Cher
Long black hair, dazzling outfits, and a voice that could fill any arena—Cher owned the ’70s like few others could.
She went from being half of Sonny and Cher to becoming a solo superstar with hits like “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves.”
Her variety show brought music and comedy into millions of living rooms every week.
Cher’s fashion choices were fearless.
Designed by Bob Mackie, her costumes featured feathers, sequins, and barely-there designs that shocked and amazed audiences.
She proved that women could be bold, funny, talented, and totally in control of their own image—a revolutionary message for the time.
5. Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda could have just been another Hollywood star, but she chose to be so much more.
In the ’70s, she won two Academy Awards for her powerful performances in Klute and Coming Home.
Her acting showed real emotion and depth that connected with audiences everywhere.
Outside of movies, Fonda became one of the most outspoken voices against the Vietnam War.
She traveled, protested, and used her celebrity status to draw attention to important causes.
Some people criticized her, but many more admired her courage to stand up for her beliefs, making her a symbol of ’70s activism and female empowerment.
6. Jack Nicholson
That devilish smile.
Those raised eyebrows.
Jack Nicholson brought an edge to Hollywood that audiences had never quite seen before.
His performance in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest earned him an Oscar and showed everyone that he was more than just a cool guy—he was a serious actor with incredible range.
Nicholson captured the rebellious, anti-establishment mood of the ’70s perfectly.
Whether playing a charming troublemaker or a dark, complicated character, he made every role feel real and dangerous.
His laid-back attitude off-screen, complete with sunglasses and Lakers games, made him the coolest star in town and a true icon of New Hollywood.
7. Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder didn’t just make hit songs in the ’70s—he created masterpieces.
Albums like Innervisions, Talking Book, and Songs in the Key of Life blended soul, funk, jazz, and pop in ways no one had heard before.
His use of synthesizers and innovative studio techniques revolutionized music production.
Wonder’s lyrics tackled serious topics like racism, poverty, and love with honesty and hope.
Songs like “Living for the City” and “Superstition” became anthems that made people think while they danced.
His incredible talent and positive message proved that music could entertain and educate at the same time, earning him multiple Grammy Awards and endless respect.
8. Elton John
Giant sunglasses shaped like stars. Feathered costumes that would make a peacock jealous.
Platform boots taller than most people’s shoes.
Elton John turned every concert into a spectacular show that no one could forget.
His flamboyant fashion was matched only by his incredible musical talent and emotional songwriting.
Hits like “Your Song,” “Rocket Man,” and “Bennie and the Jets” dominated the charts throughout the decade.
Elton’s partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin created some of the most beautiful and memorable songs in rock history.
His openness about his personality and struggles also helped pave the way for greater acceptance in the entertainment world.
9. Mick Jagger
Watch any Rolling Stones concert from the ’70s and you’ll see Mick Jagger strutting, dancing, and commanding the stage like no one else.
His energy seemed endless, his moves were mesmerizing, and his attitude was pure rock and roll rebellion.
Songs like “Brown Sugar” and “Miss You” kept the Stones at the top of the charts all decade long.
Jagger’s signature pouty lips and skinny frame became instantly recognizable around the world.
He proved that rock stars didn’t need to be tough guys—they could be stylish, androgynous, and still completely cool.
His longevity and continued success made him a symbol of rock music’s staying power.
10. Diana Ross
Diana Ross left The Supremes behind and proved she could shine even brighter on her own.
Her solo career took off in the ’70s with hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Touch Me in the Morning.”
Her powerful voice and glamorous presence made every performance feel special and important.
Ross also conquered Hollywood, starring as Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues and earning an Oscar nomination.
Her incredible fashion sense—featuring sequined gowns, big hair, and sophisticated elegance—influenced style trends everywhere.
She showed young women, especially Black women, that they could reach the highest levels of success and look fabulous doing it.
11. John Lennon
After The Beatles broke up, John Lennon continued changing the world through his solo work in the ’70s.
“Imagine” became one of the most powerful songs ever written, asking listeners to envision a world without war, greed, or division.
Its simple melody and profound message touched millions of hearts.
Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono became symbols of the peace movement, staging “bed-ins” and speaking out against violence.
His willingness to be vulnerable in songs like “Mother” and politically bold in tracks like “Give Peace a Chance” inspired a generation.
Even though his life was tragically cut short, his influence on music and activism remains enormous.
12. Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee moved faster than lightning and hit harder than anyone thought possible.
His martial arts movies like Enter the Dragon introduced Western audiences to kung fu and changed action films forever.
His incredible physical abilities and philosophy about discipline and self-improvement inspired people far beyond the movie theater.
Lee wasn’t just a fighter—he was a thinker who blended Eastern philosophy with Western ideas.
His famous quote “Be like water” taught flexibility and adaptation.
Though he tragically died young in 1973, his impact on martial arts, fitness, and Asian representation in Hollywood continued growing throughout the decade and beyond, making him an eternal legend.
13. Farrah Fawcett
That poster. You know the one—Farrah Fawcett in a red swimsuit with her famous feathered hair and dazzling smile.
It became the best-selling poster of the decade and hung on millions of bedroom walls.
Her role as Jill Munroe on Charlie’s Angels made her a household name practically overnight.
Farrah’s hairstyle became the most copied look of the ’70s, with women everywhere asking their stylists for “The Farrah.”
Her natural beauty, athletic charm, and girl-next-door personality made her relatable despite her superstar status.
She represented the quintessential ’70s ideal of beauty and became a cultural phenomenon that defined the era’s aesthetic perfectly.
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