The shadowlords who run this site allowed me a little freedom when compiling this list of the top classic rock records of the '70s, so I was able to go with some personal faves mixed in with the must-haves that tend to appear on every list of this kind. That means some folks will undoubtedly get riled up when they don't see Dark Side of the Moon and even I am angry at myself right now for putting Meddle on here instead of Animals, but the idea is not to give the last word on classic rock or point out the biggest sellers of the era. I just want to shine a light on the major moments of the '70s while giving some love to the records I like to crank at parties. So please calm down. Click here for the list.
25 Classic Rock Albums of the '70s
The shadowlords who run this site allowed me a little freedom when compiling this list of the top classic rock records of the '70s, so I was able to go with some personal faves mixed in with the must-haves that tend to appear on every list of this kind. That means some folks will undoubtedly get riled up when they don't see Dark Side of the Moon and even I am angry at myself right now for putting Meddle on here instead of Animals, but the idea is not to give the last word on classic rock or point out the biggest sellers of the era. I just want to shine a light on the major moments of the '70s while giving some love to the records I like to crank at parties. So please calm down. Click here for the list.
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I have been using Rhapsody for years and am about to sign up again. I live in Cleveland and am friends with Dale Peters, the bass player for The James Gang. He owns the rights. After seeing him included in your top 25 70's list, I was excited and called him. He was glad to be included. When we began to discuss royalties, he imformed me that he and the other band members do not get paid at all. Very disappointing. How can Rhapsody continue to charge for downloading the music if the artist is not getting paid?
How anyone can list the great rock albums and NOT include Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is beyond me. Most of the albums you mention ARE great ones, but the tendency of you so-called "rock critics" to be so dismissive of Elton John's early work is mystifying.
Let me address David G's question -- my name's Tim Quirk, I oversee Rhapsody's programming team, and I'm intimately familiar with who and how we pay royalties.
Generally speaking, in order for a song or album to go live in Rhapsody, we have to license it from two entities -- whoever controls the sound recording (usually a record label) and whoever owns the composition (usually a publishing company). We pay them, and rely on those entities to pass on the artist's cut according to whatever contract they and the artist have.
In this particular case, Universal Music Group/Geffen is the label that has licensed us the album. If Dale Peters thinks they don't have the rights to do this, or if he needs help tracking down his share of the royalties from Rhapsody activity, we'd be happy (and honored) to assist however we can. He can reach me directly at tquirk@rhapsody.com.
Hey, cool list. I appreciate you including some lesser known albums. I'm going to give them a listen. My taste may be more mainstream, but...
Led Zeppelin - 2, Zoso, Physical Graffiti
David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World, Ziggy Stardust, Lodger
John Lennon - Plastic Ono Band
The Who - Who's Next, Quadrophenia
Big Star - #1 Record, Radio City
George Harrison - All Things Must Pass
Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath, Paranoid, Vol. 4
Paul McCartney - Band on the Run
Rolling Stones - Some Girls
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall
Yes - The Yes Album
Slightly Folkier (so may not have been in your original plans):
Joni Mitchell - Blue, Court and Spark
Neil Young - Harvest
Nick Drake - Bryter Layter
Just a quick follow up...
I've long counted on my Queen greatest hits album, and unfortunately never bothered to go deeper into the catalog than that. I've finally given the whole album, A NIGHT AT THE OPERA a listen, and it truly is amazing! Shame on me for not knowing that sooner.
And by the way, thanks Tim for the clarification. I'm a devoted user of Rhapsody and glad to hear you guys do what you can to get the royalties into the right hands.
A Night At the Opera is hard to beat but Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack are also awesome. thanks for your comments.
Agh you're totally right. I always forget Elton John, and I actually listen to his '70s records a lot so that's annoying. You should check out Nick Dedina's soft rock list which he made in response to this one.
actual email quote from Dedina:
>>Mike’s bearded-guitarists-in-green-Army-field-jackets heavy world-view of what made up classic rock actually helped me get the soft rock list together
http://is.gd/1jmYX. Possibly a little more level-headed list there.
I see from Jason Smith's adds below I also forgot the Who and Joni. Gah. I don't know if I'm really a rock critic though. I think I'm too into Peter Gabriel-era Genesis to really be considered a rock critic.
Hay Dave, ask Dale if he remembers playing at the Part-T Lounge in Miami back in the mid-1960's. Supposedly our band The Modds opened and our bass player didn't show up so Joe Walsh played bass for us that night, but I don't seem to recall.
Loved the James Gang!, did several covers off Rides Again. John Mascaro-Ft. Lauderdale
Now that you've brought up the lists, perhaps you could include some good Space Music like ELP's Brain Salad Surgury, Or Tarkus or All the Yes. Please name the other bands as I've forgotten! Oh to be able to play my old records again! ; )
Yay a space rock fan! I'd say check out
Tangerine Dream Zeit
Can Future Days
captain beyond captain beyond
boredoms vision creation newsun
hawkwind space ritual
monoshock walk to the fire
Personally i have never listened to what critics be it music or film have to say, i don't need there opinion to make mine, nor am i interested.
Although "The guitar riff from 'Layla' is arguably" one of rock's most famous, Clapton had nothing to do with it. In fact, "Layla" was a lackluster song until Duane Allman came in and added the lick to light a fire under the song's ass, and Duane probably lifted the lick (as musicians are prone to do) from Albert King.
Were you Smoking something when you made this list up or Smoking something when you were listening to these Albums back in the 70's?
I spent my high school years in the 70's lead singing in a band made up of some high school pals (Charlotte High - 1973) and got to see 'early incarnations'of a lot of bands travel through Rochester, New York on the old "War Memorial" stage. One I saw , and I couldn't wait to get the live album (My girlfriend at the time got it for my 19th birthday) was "Light House." They had the hit, "One Fine Morning." They were a great concert band with a horn section like Chicago. Does anybody remember them? That is a great 70's album...