# 4 Bands Formed in 1971 That Shaped Rock 'N' Roll

> Four bands formed in 1971 helped define modern rock music.
- Title: 4 Bands Formed in 1971 That Shaped Rock 'N' Roll | Shortify
- Summary: Four bands formed in 1971 helped define modern rock music. The Eagles, Steely Dan, Paul McCartney & Wings, and New York Dolls all formed in 1971 and shaped…
- Keywords: eagles, steely dan, paul mccartney wings, new york dolls, 1971, rock music, rock n roll, music, American Songwriter
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/4-bands-formed-in-1971-that-shaped-rock-n-roll-as-we-know-it-today
- Author: Melanie Davis
- Published: 2026-11-07T12:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: eagles, steely dan, paul mccartney wings, new york dolls, 1971, rock music, rock n roll, music, culture
## The Eagles
The Eagles formed in 1971 as Linda Ronstadt's backing band and released their debut album the following year.
## Steely Dan
Steely Dan formed in New York in 1971 and helped define soft rock with jazz and pop influences.
## Paul McCartney & Wings
Paul McCartney formed Wings in 1971 after The Beatles disbanded, releasing hits like Band On The Run.
## New York Dolls
The New York Dolls formed in 1971 and influenced rock music with tracks like Personality Crisis.
## Key takeaway

The Eagles, Steely Dan, Paul McCartney & Wings, and New York Dolls all formed in 1971 and shaped rock 'n' roll.