Most Legendary Classic Rock Albums
The most legendary classic rock albums of all time are jam-packed with the best rock songs and greatest sounds. – Author: Anne Erickson, Robert Plant photo via Ken Settle
Classic rock is a legendary musical genre, so it makes sense that the genre would be packed with groundbreaking albums that comprise the best classic rock albums of all time. Unlike some other styles of music, such as pop, classic rock is and always will be an album-based genre, where the art of the old-fashioned full-length album is king. Throughout the decades, many classic rock bands have served up some of the greatest classic rock albums ever created, and those records still popular years later. To commemorate these musical greats, we’re highlighting the most legendary classic rock albums of all time. Note that for this feature, the cutoff was 1987, so nothing released from 1987 on was counted as classic.
Greatest Classic Rock Albums
AC/DC, “Let There Be Rock”
AC/DC’s “Back in Black” is their most popular and recognizable record, but 1977’s “Let There Be Rock” is the finest from the late Bon Scott era of the band. Some of the songs on “Let There Be Rock” are still some of AC/DC’s biggest hits, such as “Whole Lotta Rosie” and “Bad Boy Boogie.” Brian Johnson is great, but nothing tops this Scott collection.
Fleetwood Mac, “Rumours”
Christine McVie, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks created a masterpiece with 1977’s “Rumours.” Not only was this one of the greatest albums of its era but it also served as a great example for women who wanted to get into rock music. Aside from showing that women could rock, “Rumours” just has great pop-rock songs that are among the best in classic rock. This album also made the cut for our tally of the most iconic albums in rock history.
Guns N’ Roses, “Appetite for Destruction”
Guns N’ Roses’ 1987 opus “Appetite for Destruction” also made it into Audio Ink Radio’s feature on the most iconic albums in rock history. It’s simply a masterpiece, with chart-topping rock hits such as “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Paradise City” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine” that are still regulars on rock radio. “Appetite for Destruction” not only kickstarted Guns N’ Roses’ career, it also showed that you didn’t have to be “hair metal” to bring a hard rock and metal sound to the masses. The band sometimes gets lumped into hair metal, but it’s really not, and these guys really stood on their own.
Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Electric Ladyland”
While the Jimi Hendrix Experience is often revered for their “Are You Experienced” album, it’s hard to deny the long-lasting power of their 1968 double LP, “Electric Ladyland.” This album has plenty of Hendrix’s legendary guitar playing and soloing, plus a range of genres, from flat-out rock ‘n’ roll to soothing R&B to proto-metal. It belongs in a category all its own, but it’s still one of the greatest classic rock albums of all time.
Led Zeppelin, “Physical Graffiti”
Any Led Zeppelin album could have made it on this tally, but we picked “Physical Graffiti,” because it’s often overlooked in their catalog. Sure, “Stairway to Heave” appears on “Led Zeppelin IV,” but the sounds created by Robert Plant, John Bonham, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones on “Physical Graffiti” is simply magical.
The Beatles, “The Beatles (The White Album)”
Before the Beatles went pop, they were certainly a rock band, and they showed off that melodic rock side on their 1968 release, “The White Album.” This album has a bit of everything, and it’s very eclectic, which is very Fab Four. It’s also the Beatles’ only double-album, making it extra special.
The Beach Boys, “Pet Sounds”
The Beach Boys ruled the ’60s, and their “Pet Sounds” album is absolutely one of the best classic rock albums of all time. Sure, the Beach Boys might be on oldies radio more than classic rock radio these days, but “Pet Sounds” was one of the first albums in the rock movement that really took off, so it deserves its spot on this tally.
The Rolling Stones, “Exile on Main St.”
On 1972’s “Exile on Main St.,” the Rolling Stones created the blueprint for popular, mainstream hard rock. This album was simply a statement record, packed with high-energy riffing and Mick Jagger’s unique, slippery tenor. “Exile on Main St.” started an entire musical movement, and for that, classic rockers should be forever grateful.
Also check out Audio Ink Radio’s feature on the greatest classic rock personalities.
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