5 Timeless Rock Albums from the 1970s
In honor of the 1970s music, Audio Ink Radio names five huge rock albums from the ’70s that are still timeless today. – Author: Cat Badra, Photo via Mary McCartney
Every decade of music has its bright spots, but it would be difficult to argue that the 1970s wasn’t one of the most dynamic and exciting decades for music. The 1970s brought a very unique mix of music to the world, with everything from classic rock to funk to soul. Some of these genres were short lived, such as funk music, which really only saw a few years of being huge. Not that funk music isn’t awesome, but it didn’t go on to rule the radio like classic rock did. Regardless, the 1970s also brought some pioneering heavy metal and punk.
In honor of the incredible music of the 1970s, Audio Ink Radio names five huge rock albums from the ’70s that are still timeless today. Find more great rock albums from the ’70s here.
5 Major Rock Albums from the 1970s
Black Sabbath, “Black Sabbath”
The kings of heavy metal really pioneered the genre in the early 1970s, and their 1970 self-titled album is one for the books. This album really served as the blueprint for heavy metal. It’s dark, doomy, creative and super heavy, which is a perfect mix. It was obvious from the get-go that Black Sabbath would change the face of music, even through recent years, and they did. They made it a lot heavier.
The Beatles, “Let It Be”
We would have included “Abbey Road” as one of the most defining albums of the 1970s, expect that it was released just shy of the mark, in 1969. While “Abbey Road” was the band’s final album to feature all four original band members, there’s something to be said for “Let It Be.” The latter was recorded in early 1969, before “Abbey Road,” but didn’t come out until later because the sessions were not considered, well, good. But, there is plenty of charm on “Let It Be,” and it’s one of the greatest rock albums of the early 1970s.
Led Zeppelin, “Led Zeppelin III”
Led Zeppelin ruled the 1970s with their fantastic hard rock music that really defined what it meant to be a hard rock band. They were innovative and unique. Led Zeppelin were certainly hard rock but worked plenty of folk sounds into their music, especially acoustic textures. Highlights on “Led Zeppelin III” include “Immigrant Song” and the blues anthem “Since I Been Loving You.”
Pink Floyd, “The Dark Side of the Moon”
Pink Floyd and the 1970s go together like peanut butter and jelly, and the decade was really the quintessential time for Pink Floyd to get recognized by the masses. One of the band’s most legendary album, of course, is 1973’s “Dark Side of the Moon.” The album was Pink Floyd’s eighth studio release, so they already had plenty of music out before it dropped, but it showed off David Gilmour, Roger Waters and the crew in the best light.
The Rolling Stones, “Sticky Fingers”
We couldn’t wrap up this tally without mentioned one of the bands known for creating the best rock albums ever: the Rolling Stones. “Sticky Fingers” is considered one of the band’s most straight-ahead rock releases. This isn’t pretty, radio-ready rock packaged for the masses. Here, the Stones took risks, and it paid off.
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