Greatest Rock Albums

Just for fun, I thought I would make a list of what I consider the top 25 greatest rock albums of all time. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, this music was the backdrop of my life, and I listened to most of it on vinyl, the medium in which I still prefer most today. In fact, I still own most of these albums and listen to many of them regularly. First of all, this was a hard list to compile. I have so many favorites and it was hard to whittle it down to just 25. What makes a great album? I think it comes down to the songs, performances, production, staying power, and popularity. Of course, excluding popularity, all of these criteria are a matter of opinion.

The following albums, in my mind, are all gems. They are all outstanding collections of great songs performed by brilliant musicians, and deliver a monumental sonic imprint to the universe. You might notice, barring a few exceptions, that most of this music was recorded before 1980. Once again, just my opinion, but I think that the majority of all great rock music was recorded during the 60s and 70s. Although some great rock records were made during the 80s, advances in recording techniques led to the tendency to “overproduce” which unfortunately dated many recordings from that period. By the 90s, the rock ‘n roll party was pretty much over. While grunge and alternative did have some elements of rock, the feel-good factor (along with guitar solos) seemed to be missing.

So here it is. The music that rocked the masses, the songs that inspired so many of us to grow, the sounds that made me want to learn guitar, the records I cranked full blast on my bedroom stereo after school before the parents got home, the music I listened to in my car while cruising the beach with my buddies late at night, the songs that helped solve many of life’s problems, the music of my generation and the generation just before – The greatest albums by the greatest bands from the golden era of rock!

1.

Boston – Boston

2.

Van Halen – Van Halen

3.

Are You Experienced – Jimi Hendrix

4.

Led Zeppelin IV (Zoso) – Led Zeppelin

5.

Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd

6.

Electricladyland – Jimi Hendrix

7.

At Fillmore East – Allman Brothers

8.

Led Zeppelin I – Led Zeppelin

9.

Van Halen – Fair Warning

10.

Montrose – Montrose (Sammy Hagar’s first band circa 1972)

11.

Bad Company – Bad Company

12.

Abraxas – Santana

13.

Rubber Soul – The Beatles

14.

Band of Gypsies – Jimi Hendrix

15.

Moving Pictures – Rush

16.

Revolver – The Beatles

17.

Whitesnake – Whitesnake

18.

Back in Black – ACDC

19.

Wheels of Fire – Cream

20.

Doctor Feelgood – Motley Crue

21.

Machine Head – Deep Purple

22.

Woodstock Soundtrack

23.

Get Your Wings – Aerosmith

24.

Van Halen II – Van Halen

25.

Who’s Next – The Who

What’s your take? Do you think all of these albums belong at the top of the pile? Do you think any are missing? What are your favorites? I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments.