
1970-1979

Record sales tripled over the course of the decade. Music marketers analyzed audiences for their "sales demographics." Radio stations which had played a variety of musical styles began programming only one style. This led to a fragmenting of musical styles as musicians geared performances for particular audiences. Disco, punk rock, heavy metal and new wave music grew in popularity. More frequent broadcasting of opera on television increased its popularity and led to the development of more regional opera companies.
1970 - Hal Davis was elected AFM President and served until 1978.
1972 - The US Congress passed a law making music piracy subject to criminal prosecution.
1975 - The AFM recognized the Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians (OCSM) as an organization representing orchestral musicians within the union.
1978 - The AFM opened its membership to military musicians. Victor Fuentealba was elected AFM President and served until 1987.
1979 - The AFM established a full-time international office in Toronto.









