It's pretty tough to say who was the most powerful family in the 60's and 70's.

I think when Gambino died in 1976 he was the wealthiest LCN boss ever up to that point. But the Genovese family have always been a powerhouse from the very beginning.

Again it's just my opinion, but i think after Lucchese died in 1967 and up to his own death in 1976 that Carlo Gambino and his crime family were the top family in NYC. After Castellano took over i still think the Gambino's might of had the edge for a couple years but then i think the 2 families were pretty equal with the Genovese definitely pulling away from the pack after Gotti took Big Paul out. But thats just my opinion, who really knows.