Back in the early 1970s, Can were seen as Europe's most progressive rock band, at least by British critics, and their influence is still strong in experimental rock today.

They're masters of the rock power ballad, and their songs like Still Loving You, Send Me An Angel and most notably Wind Of Change were worldwide hits. The Scorpions' album Love At First Sting (1984) even went triple platinum in the USA.

In the mid-1970s disco developed its own musical style. One of its most internationally famous bands was Boney M., who stormed into the global charts with songs like Daddy Cool and Rivers of Babylon.

Tangerine Dream's wistful, meditative synthesiser sounds inspire the imagination. For many years, the group has also provided hypnotic soundtracks for hit films such as Risky Business and Legend (both featuring Tom Cruise).

The tools of their trade are scrap metal and everyday objects that make good drums. A show by Einstürzende Neubauten combines apocalyptic sounds with lots of exciting stage action.

It was a two-man band: Dieter Bohlen, the composer, lyricist, musician and singer, and Thomas Anders, the lead singer with the high voice. They sold more than 100 million copies of their catchy dance pop songs with a computerised beat.

Nena's massive hit 99 Luftballons (1983) was a catchy peace song protest against the deployment of Pershing-II missiles. Good fortune meant that Nena's song reached the USA and, after being released as 99 Red Balloons, it went to the number one spot even in Japan, Mexico, Canada, Australia and the UK.