The 100 Greatest Classic Rock Albums of All Time: #1. Sticky Fingers (1 Viewer)

[Anarchy99]

1975-1985 Heart is amazing. 1985 onward....not so much.

Just curious . . . how many bands have been "amazing" past their initial 10-year run? Many (most?) bands don't even make it to 10 years. Not meant as a snarky comment about what you posted or anything to do with Heart. Just more of a thinking out loud and wondering type of thing.

 

[timschochet]

1975-1985 Heart is amazing. 1985 onward....not so much.

Just curious . . . how many bands have been "amazing" past their initial 10-year run? Many (most?) bands don't even make it to 10 years. Not meant as a snarky comment about what you posted or anything to do with Heart. Just more of a thinking out loud and wondering type of thing.

This is true. But Heart is an interesting case because they achieved their biggest commercial success well after their greatest period of creativity (at least IMO.) I suspect this is the dichotomy that Northern Exposure was addressing.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

1975-1985 Heart is amazing. 1985 onward....not so much.

Just curious . . . how many bands have been "amazing" past their initial 10-year run? Many (most?) bands don't even make it to 10 years. Not meant as a snarky comment about what you posted or anything to do with Heart. Just more of a thinking out loud and wondering type of thing.

Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, The Stones come immediately to mind.

 

[Anarchy99]

This is true. But Heart is an interesting case because they achieved their biggest commercial success well after their greatest period of creativity (at least IMO.) I suspect this is the dichotomy that Northern Exposure was addressing.

Heart had two situations that were different wrinkles that benefitted them more than most artists. They had two women that were easy on the eyes in the early days. And then MTV appeared out of nowhere. Blend those two together, and with some tweaks to their sound and image, that made them more universally popular. IMO, they were more straight-ahead rockers in the early days and then morphed more into pop rock (ie, added a synth element) in the mid 80's and beyond. The other odd thing compared to most bands is beyond the Wilson sisters, the rest of the band was a revolving door of musicians. They've had 25 other band members . . . and I couldn't name one of them. Ann could belt it out with the best of them (male or female), so they never really went totally soft / pop / adult contemporary. But they definitely pivoted their sound and image, which boosted their album sales from platinum in the 70s to multi-platinum in the 80s.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

This is true. But Heart is an interesting case because they achieved their biggest commercial success well after their greatest period of creativity (at least IMO.) I suspect this is the dichotomy that Northern Exposure was addressing.

Heart had two situations that were different wrinkles that benefitted them more than most artists. They had two women that were easy on the eyes in the early days. And then MTV appeared out of nowhere. Blend those two together, and with some tweaks to their sound and image, that made them more universally popular. IMO, they were more straight-ahead rockers in the early days and then morphed more into pop rock (ie, added a synth element) in the mid 80's and beyond. The other odd thing compared to most bands is beyond the Wilson sisters, the rest of the band was a revolving door of musicians. They've had 25 other band members . . . and I couldn't name one of them. Ann could belt it out with the best of them (male or female), so they never really went totally soft / pop / adult contemporary. But they definitely pivoted their sound and image, which boosted their album sales from platinum in the 70s to multi-platinum in the 80s.

Howard Leese (guitar and keyboards) lasted the longest from the original group. He was there for the early stuff and the synthy 80s stuff.

The band was actually founded by original bassist Steve Fossen.

 

[northern exposure]

1975-1985 Heart is amazing. 1985 onward....not so much.

Just curious . . . how many bands have been "amazing" past their initial 10-year run? Many (most?) bands don't even make it to 10 years. Not meant as a snarky comment about what you posted or anything to do with Heart. Just more of a thinking out loud and wondering type of thing.

My comment was based on the sound and appearance of the band, not longevity.In the first ten years they were a hard driving rock and roll band. Then their music became slick, over produced and filled with synths.
Regarding their appearance look at the cover of Little Queen and compare it to the cover of their 1985 self titled release. Big hair, outside writers for the songs and all the members of the band changed except Ann and Nancy Wilson.
It was a result of their association with Capitol Records and how they wanted to market Heart.

 

[Anarchy99]

1975-1985 Heart is amazing. 1985 onward....not so much.

Just curious . . . how many bands have been "amazing" past their initial 10-year run? Many (most?) bands don't even make it to 10 years. Not meant as a snarky comment about what you posted or anything to do with Heart. Just more of a thinking out loud and wondering type of thing.

Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, The Stones come immediately to mind.

I meant in the rock genre. Stones is a good one. I’m sure there are other good examples, I just haven’t thought of them yet.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

1975-1985 Heart is amazing. 1985 onward....not so much.

Just curious . . . how many bands have been "amazing" past their initial 10-year run? Many (most?) bands don't even make it to 10 years. Not meant as a snarky comment about what you posted or anything to do with Heart. Just more of a thinking out loud and wondering type of thing.

My comment was based on the sound and appearance of the band, not longevity.In the first ten years they were a hard driving rock and roll band. Then their music became slick, over produced and filled with synths.
Regarding their appearance look at the cover of Little Queen and compare it to the cover of their 1985 self titled release. Big hair, outside writers for the songs and all the members of the band changed except Ann and Nancy Wilson and Howard Leese.
It was a result of their association with Capitol Records and how they wanted to market Heart.

Fixed.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Love Alive wasn't played on my FM stations, which is a bummer because I would have loved to have heard it before I turned 50.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

This isn’t the thread for it but what the hell…Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys has released a compilation of blues recordings. It’s called Tell Everybody!
This is amazing stuff. If you’re a fan of RL Burnside/Junior Kimbrough style blues (just about my favorite kind) this is for you.

He did one with the Black Keys also. So good…

Delta Kream

The Black Keys · Album · 2021 · 12 songs.

open.spotify.com

 

[northern exposure]

1975-1985 Heart is amazing. 1985 onward....not so much.

Just curious . . . how many bands have been "amazing" past their initial 10-year run? Many (most?) bands don't even make it to 10 years. Not meant as a snarky comment about what you posted or anything to do with Heart. Just more of a thinking out loud and wondering type of thing.

Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, The Stones come immediately to mind.

I meant in the rock genre. Stones is a good one. I’m sure there are other good examples, I just haven’t thought of them yet.

Not classic rock, but what about Radiohead, REM?

 

[Tau837]

1975-1985 Heart is amazing. 1985 onward....not so much.

Just curious . . . how many bands have been "amazing" past their initial 10-year run? Many (most?) bands don't even make it to 10 years. Not meant as a snarky comment about what you posted or anything to do with Heart. Just more of a thinking out loud and wondering type of thing.

Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, The Stones come immediately to mind.

I meant in the rock genre. Stones is a good one. I’m sure there are other good examples, I just haven’t thought of them yet.

For me, Tom Petty. The Heartbreakers formed in 1976 and released these albums in their first 10 years:

• Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Tim's #88 in this countdown)
• You're Gonna Get It!
• Damn the Torpedoes
• Hard Promises
• Long After Dark
• Southern Accents

After the first 10 years:

• Let Me Up (I've Had Enough)
• Full Moon Fever
• Into the Great Wide Open
• Wildflowers
• Greatest Hits (new songs Mary Jane's Last Dance and Something in the Air)
• The Last DJ
• Highway Companion

I'm sure this will be a minority opinion, but Petty is one of my top 5 favorite all-time artists. For me, that second album run is better than the first 10 year run, though I love those, too.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

1975-1985 Heart is amazing. 1985 onward....not so much.

Just curious . . . how many bands have been "amazing" past their initial 10-year run? Many (most?) bands don't even make it to 10 years. Not meant as a snarky comment about what you posted or anything to do with Heart. Just more of a thinking out loud and wondering type of thing.

Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, The Stones come immediately to mind.

I meant in the rock genre. Stones is a good one. I’m sure there are other good examples, I just haven’t thought of them yet.

Bowie did it for like four decades.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Dylan and Young also - although some may not agree with both of them.

 

[timschochet]

1975-1985 Heart is amazing. 1985 onward....not so much.

Just curious . . . how many bands have been "amazing" past their initial 10-year run? Many (most?) bands don't even make it to 10 years. Not meant as a snarky comment about what you posted or anything to do with Heart. Just more of a thinking out loud and wondering type of thing.

My comment was based on the sound and appearance of the band, not longevity.In the first ten years they were a hard driving rock and roll band. Then their music became slick, over produced and filled with synths.
Regarding their appearance look at the cover of Little Queen and compare it to the cover of their 1985 self titled release. Big hair, outside writers for the songs and all the members of the band changed except Ann and Nancy Wilson.
It was a result of their association with Capitol Records and how they wanted to market Heart.

1975-1985 Heart is amazing. 1985 onward....not so much.

Just curious . . . how many bands have been "amazing" past their initial 10-year run? Many (most?) bands don't even make it to 10 years. Not meant as a snarky comment about what you posted or anything to do with Heart. Just more of a thinking out loud and wondering type of thing.

Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, The Stones come immediately to mind.

I meant in the rock genre. Stones is a good one. I’m sure there are other good examples, I just haven’t thought of them yet.

For me, Tom Petty. The Heartbreakers formed in 1976 and released these albums in their first 10 years:

• Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Tim's #88 in this countdown)
• You're Gonna Get It!
• Damn the Torpedoes
• Hard Promises
• Long After Dark
• Southern Accents

After the first 10 years:

• Let Me Up (I've Had Enough)
• Full Moon Fever
• Into the Great Wide Open
• Wildflowers
• Greatest Hits (new songs Mary Jane's Last Dance and Something in the Air)
• The Last DJ
• Highway Companion

I'm sure this will be a minority opinion, but Petty is one of my top 5 favorite all-time artists. For me, that second album run is better than the first 10 year run, though I love those, too.

I love all of those too but for me the first run is better.

 

[timschochet]

Dylan and Young also - although some may not agree with both of them.

I won’t comment on Young- yet- because he is on this list.

Dylan, as an artist, is not on this list (he is as a songwriter.) IMO, Dylan’s peak era begins in the mid 60s and ends with Blood On the Tracks. So, roughly a decade.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Dylan and Young also - although some may not agree with both of them.

I won’t comment on Young- yet- because he is on this list.

Dylan, as an artist, is not on this list (he is as a songwriter.) IMO, Dylan’s peak era begins in the mid 60s and ends with Blood On the Tracks. So, roughly a decade.

He put out a string of good albums in his late career:
Time Out Of Mind (1997)
Love and Theft (2001)
Modern Times (2006)
Together Through Life (2009)

I get they may not be for everyone (his voice got pretty harsh) but they were as good as many of his peak albums.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Dylan, as an artist, is not on this list

Dylan doesn’t have a Top 100 Classic Rock album? I’m shocked.

 

[timschochet]

Dylan, as an artist, is not on this list

Dylan doesn’t have a Top 100 Classic Rock album? I’m shocked.

Other than “Like A Rolling Stone”, how many Dylan songs appear on classic rock radio? Don’t get me wrong; I consider some of his albums to be among the greatest of all time. But they don’t fit in this particular list.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Dylan, as an artist, is not on this list

Dylan doesn’t have a Top 100 Classic Rock album? I’m shocked.

Other than “Like A Rolling Stone”, how many Dylan songs appear on classic rock radio? Don’t get me wrong; I consider some of his albums to be among the greatest of all time. But they don’t fit in this particular list.

I may conflate with rock radio again but I heard a lot of Dylan on the radio. I’m pretty sure classic rock stations also played “Lay Lady Lay”; “Tangled Up In Blue” and a few others, but my memory could be failing.

Honestly if it’s just because of your criteria for “classic rock” then that’s cool. I was just surprised to hear it.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Jessica
Very few instrumentals have ever become a classic rock radio staple- in fact only this tune and Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” comes to mind at the moment.

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Eruption (although You Really Got Me generally follows it).
One of These Days (although one line of vocals)
Peaches En Regalia
YYZ
Green Onions
Glad (although Freedom Rider usually would follow)

Are any of those classic rock staples?

I suppose YYZ and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed are in certain regions.

Eruption, yeah, but only as a combo with You Really Got Me.

Green Onions is something you'd hear on an oldies station, not a classic rock one.

I had to look up what Glad was. Never heard it.

Those Floyd and Zappa tunes are good, but classic rock radio staples? Nah.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Jessica
Very few instrumentals have ever become a classic rock radio staple- in fact only this tune and Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” comes to mind at the moment.

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Eruption (although You Really Got Me generally follows it).
One of These Days (although one line of vocals)
Peaches En Regalia
YYZ
Green Onions
Glad (although Freedom Rider usually would follow)

Are any of those classic rock staples?

I suppose YYZ and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed are in certain regions.

Eruption, yeah, but only as a combo with You Really Got Me.

Green Onions is something you'd hear on an oldies station, not a classic rock one.

I had to look up what Glad was. Never heard it.

Those Floyd and Zappa tunes are good, but classic rock radio staples? Nah.

I used to hear Green Onions on classic rock all the time - and on that I trust my memory. I wouldn’t have heard it otherwise.
YYZ - Rush was big on LI/NYC radio
Elizabeth Reed - not often because it was a long song but I’d hear it.
Glad - I’d hear all the time but always with “Freedom Rider”

You’re probably right on Zappa and Floyd - probably just songs I heard with friends, etc.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Jessica
Very few instrumentals have ever become a classic rock radio staple- in fact only this tune and Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” comes to mind at the moment.

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Eruption (although You Really Got Me generally follows it).
One of These Days (although one line of vocals)
Peaches En Regalia
YYZ
Green Onions
Glad (although Freedom Rider usually would follow)

Are any of those classic rock staples?

I suppose YYZ and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed are in certain regions.

Eruption, yeah, but only as a combo with You Really Got Me.

Green Onions is something you'd hear on an oldies station, not a classic rock one.

I had to look up what Glad was. Never heard it.

Those Floyd and Zappa tunes are good, but classic rock radio staples? Nah.

I used to hear Green Onions on classic rock all the time - and on that I trust my memory. I wouldn’t have heard it otherwise.
YYZ - Rush was big on LI/NYC radio
Elizabeth Reed - not often because it was a long song but I’d hear it.
Glad - I’d hear all the time but always with “Freedom Rider”

You’re probably right on Zappa and Floyd - probably just songs I heard with friends, etc.

I think the only Zappa song I ever heard on the radio way back was (of all song) Catholic Girls. I would have thought Stick It Out would be a more obvious choice.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Jessica
Very few instrumentals have ever become a classic rock radio staple- in fact only this tune and Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” comes to mind at the moment.

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Eruption (although You Really Got Me generally follows it).
One of These Days (although one line of vocals)
Peaches En Regalia
YYZ
Green Onions
Glad (although Freedom Rider usually would follow)

Are any of those classic rock staples?

I suppose YYZ and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed are in certain regions.

Eruption, yeah, but only as a combo with You Really Got Me.

Green Onions is something you'd hear on an oldies station, not a classic rock one.

I had to look up what Glad was. Never heard it.

Those Floyd and Zappa tunes are good, but classic rock radio staples? Nah.

I used to hear Green Onions on classic rock all the time - and on that I trust my memory. I wouldn’t have heard it otherwise.
YYZ - Rush was big on LI/NYC radio
Elizabeth Reed - not often because it was a long song but I’d hear it.
Glad - I’d hear all the time but always with “Freedom Rider”

You’re probably right on Zappa and Floyd - probably just songs I heard with friends, etc.

I think the only Zappa song I ever heard on the radio way back was (of all song) Catholic Girls. I would have thought Stick It Out would be a more obvious choice.

I heard “Joe’s Garage” and “Catholic Girls” - maybe sporadically others.
I have no idea how I’d classify Frank Zappa, but wouldn’t argue against him not being “classic rock”.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Dylan and Young also - although some may not agree with both of them.

I won’t comment on Young- yet- because he is on this list.

I'm watching you.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Jessica
Very few instrumentals have ever become a classic rock radio staple- in fact only this tune and Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” comes to mind at the moment.

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Eruption (although You Really Got Me generally follows it).
One of These Days (although one line of vocals)
Peaches En Regalia
YYZ
Green Onions
Glad (although Freedom Rider usually would follow)

I had to look up what Glad was. Never heard it.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Jessica
Very few instrumentals have ever become a classic rock radio staple- in fact only this tune and Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” comes to mind at the moment.

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Eruption (although You Really Got Me generally follows it).
One of These Days (although one line of vocals)
Peaches En Regalia
YYZ
Green Onions
Glad (although Freedom Rider usually would follow)

Are any of those classic rock staples?

I suppose YYZ and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed are in certain regions.

Eruption, yeah, but only as a combo with You Really Got Me.

Green Onions is something you'd hear on an oldies station, not a classic rock one.

I had to look up what Glad was. Never heard it.

Those Floyd and Zappa tunes are good, but classic rock radio staples? Nah.

I used to hear Green Onions on classic rock all the time - and on that I trust my memory. I wouldn’t have heard it otherwise.
YYZ - Rush was big on LI/NYC radio
Elizabeth Reed - not often because it was a long song but I’d hear it.
Glad - I’d hear all the time but always with “Freedom Rider”

You’re probably right on Zappa and Floyd - probably just songs I heard with friends, etc.

I think the only Zappa song I ever heard on the radio way back was (of all song) Catholic Girls. I would have thought Stick It Out would be a more obvious choice.

I heard “Joe’s Garage” and “Catholic Girls” - maybe sporadically others.
I have no idea how I’d classify Frank Zappa, but wouldn’t argue against him not being “classic rock”.

In Philly I almost never heard Zappa on the radio except for "Montana" on very rare occasions. The first time I heard Phish cover Peaches En Regalia, I was like, I must have heard this once or twice before but no more than that.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Jessica
Very few instrumentals have ever become a classic rock radio staple- in fact only this tune and Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” comes to mind at the moment.

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Eruption (although You Really Got Me generally follows it).
One of These Days (although one line of vocals)
Peaches En Regalia
YYZ
Green Onions
Glad (although Freedom Rider usually would follow)

Are any of those classic rock staples?

I suppose YYZ and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed are in certain regions.

Eruption, yeah, but only as a combo with You Really Got Me.

Green Onions is something you'd hear on an oldies station, not a classic rock one.

I had to look up what Glad was. Never heard it.

Those Floyd and Zappa tunes are good, but classic rock radio staples? Nah.

I used to hear Green Onions on classic rock all the time - and on that I trust my memory. I wouldn’t have heard it otherwise.
YYZ - Rush was big on LI/NYC radio
Elizabeth Reed - not often because it was a long song but I’d hear it.
Glad - I’d hear all the time but always with “Freedom Rider”

You’re probably right on Zappa and Floyd - probably just songs I heard with friends, etc.

I think the only Zappa song I ever heard on the radio way back was (of all song) Catholic Girls. I would have thought Stick It Out would be a more obvious choice.

I heard “Joe’s Garage” and “Catholic Girls” - maybe sporadically others.
I have no idea how I’d classify Frank Zappa, but wouldn’t argue against him not being “classic rock”.

He didn't want to be classified, so he would agree with your sentiment.

In a Classic Albums segment on Over-nite Sensation, he said that the only reason he wrote lyrics was because the record company said he had to if they were going to get rock listeners to buy his albums. If he had his druthers, he would have written instrumentals only -- which he did more of from the mid '80s until his death.

 

[shuke]

Jessica
Very few instrumentals have ever become a classic rock radio staple- in fact only this tune and Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” comes to mind at the moment.

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Eruption (although You Really Got Me generally follows it).
One of These Days (although one line of vocals)
Peaches En Regalia
YYZ
Green Onions
Glad (although Freedom Rider usually would follow)

Also...
Beck's Bolero
Soul Sacrifice - Santana
Moby **** - Zeppelin
Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson (you probably don't know this by name but you've heard it)
Jessica by Allman Bros - played way more on radio than Liz Reed in my experience

I imagine there are some Joe Satriani and Stevie Ray Vaughn songs but I don't know the names of them.

 

[zamboni]

Jessica
Very few instrumentals have ever become a classic rock radio staple- in fact only this tune and Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” comes to mind at the moment.

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Eruption (although You Really Got Me generally follows it).
One of These Days (although one line of vocals)
Peaches En Regalia
YYZ
Green Onions
Glad (although Freedom Rider usually would follow)

Are any of those classic rock staples?

I suppose YYZ and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed are in certain regions.

Eruption, yeah, but only as a combo with You Really Got Me.

Green Onions is something you'd hear on an oldies station, not a classic rock one.

I had to look up what Glad was. Never heard it.

Those Floyd and Zappa tunes are good, but classic rock radio staples? Nah.

I used to hear Green Onions on classic rock all the time - and on that I trust my memory. I wouldn’t have heard it otherwise.
YYZ - Rush was big on LI/NYC radio
Elizabeth Reed - not often because it was a long song but I’d hear it.
Glad - I’d hear all the time but always with “Freedom Rider”

You’re probably right on Zappa and Floyd - probably just songs I heard with friends, etc.

I think the only Zappa song I ever heard on the radio way back was (of all song) Catholic Girls. I would have thought Stick It Out would be a more obvious choice.

I heard “Joe’s Garage” and “Catholic Girls” - maybe sporadically others.
I have no idea how I’d classify Frank Zappa, but wouldn’t argue against him not being “classic rock”.

In Philly I almost never heard Zappa on the radio except for "Montana" on very rare occasions. The first time I heard Phish cover Peaches En Regalia, I was like, I must have heard this once or twice before but no more than that.

First Zappa I ever heard on the radio was “Valley Girl”, but that was due to it being a top 40 novelty hit rather than a rocker.

 

[rockaction]

If he had his druthers, he would have written instrumentals only

Lyrics are tough and rock lyrics often lack deep meaning or are nonsensical. (Neil notwithstanding, of course.) Cleverness is usually the most intelligent thing to which rock lyrics can aspire. Zappa, for all his weirdness, does not strike me as a nonsensical guy or a guy with a lack of depth. On the contrary, he strikes me as dead serious about almost everything except for the things that society deems you should take seriously. Then whatever it is gets the piss taken out of it.

I'm no Zappa expert at all, and his lyrics are often funny and transgressive, but every time I read an interview or transcription of a video segment, he seems like a serious dude.

Perhaps not, but that's the impression I get.

 

[northern exposure]

1975-1985 Heart is amazing. 1985 onward....not so much.

Just curious . . . how many bands have been "amazing" past their initial 10-year run? Many (most?) bands don't even make it to 10 years. Not meant as a snarky comment about what you posted or anything to do with Heart. Just more of a thinking out loud and wondering type of thing.

Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, The Stones come immediately to mind.

I meant in the rock genre. Stones is a good one. I’m sure there are other good examples, I just haven’t thought of them yet.

Bowie did it for like four decades.

Great example. I might have been too restricted in who came to mind because I was focused on bands, not solo artists.

 

[northern exposure]

1975-1985 Heart is amazing. 1985 onward....not so much.

Just curious . . . how many bands have been "amazing" past their initial 10-year run? Many (most?) bands don't even make it to 10 years. Not meant as a snarky comment about what you posted or anything to do with Heart. Just more of a thinking out loud and wondering type of thing.

Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, The Stones come immediately to mind.

I meant in the rock genre. Stones is a good one. I’m sure there are other good examples, I just haven’t thought of them yet.

For me, Tom Petty. The Heartbreakers formed in 1976 and released these albums in their first 10 years:

• Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Tim's #88 in this countdown)
• You're Gonna Get It!
• Damn the Torpedoes
• Hard Promises
• Long After Dark
• Southern Accents

After the first 10 years:

• Let Me Up (I've Had Enough)
• Full Moon Fever
• Into the Great Wide Open
• Wildflowers
• Greatest Hits (new songs Mary Jane's Last Dance and Something in the Air)
• The Last DJ
• Highway Companion

I'm sure this will be a minority opinion, but Petty is one of my top 5 favorite all-time artists. For me, that second album run is better than the first 10 year run, though I love those, too.

I agree that Petty is one of my favorite all time artists. But, I prefer his 1st 10 year run to the 2nd one. His 2nd run had too much Jeff Lynne for my taste. I like ELO, but I'm not always a fan of Lynne's production.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

If he had his druthers, he would have written instrumentals only

Lyrics are tough and rock lyrics often lack deep meaning or are non-sensical. (Neil notwithstanding, of course.) Cleverness is usually the most intelligent thing to which rock lyrics can aspire. Zappa, for all his weirdness, does not strike me as a non-sensical guy or a guy with a lack of depth. On the contrary, he strikes me as dead serious about almost everything except for the things that society deems you should take seriously. Then whatever it is gets the piss taken out of it.

I'm no Zappa expert at all, and his lyrics are often funny and transgressive, but every time I read an interview or transcription of a video segment, he seems like a serious dude.

Perhaps not, but that's the impression I get.

He was a very complex dude. Highly intellectual, but also highly transgressive. And he saw himself more as a composer like Varese than a songwriter like Lennon/McCartney. His lyrics were absurd because he didn’t want to write them and that was his way of showing it.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I love that we’re having an extended discussion of Frank Zappa, who is assuredly not near any “best classic rock” list by anyone.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

If he had his druthers, he would have written instrumentals only

Lyrics are tough and rock lyrics often lack deep meaning or are non-sensical. (Neil notwithstanding, of course.) Cleverness is usually the most intelligent thing to which rock lyrics can aspire. Zappa, for all his weirdness, does not strike me as a non-sensical guy or a guy with a lack of depth. On the contrary, he strikes me as dead serious about almost everything except for the things that society deems you should take seriously. Then whatever it is gets the piss taken out of it.

I'm no Zappa expert at all, and his lyrics are often funny and transgressive, but every time I read an interview or transcription of a video segment, he seems like a serious dude.

Perhaps not, but that's the impression I get.

He was a very complex dude. Highly intellectual, but also highly transgressive. And he saw himself more as a composer like Varese than a songwriter like Lennon/McCartney. His lyrics were absurd because he didn’t want to write them and that was his way of showing it.

He also famously did not do drugs, and was vocal about it, but his music was as out there as that of anyone who did heavy psychedelics.

 

[rockaction]

He also famously did not do drugs, and was vocal about it, but his music was as out there as that of anyone who did heavy psychedelics.

I believe it.

One thing I didn't know until recently was that Lou Reed famously and publicly contended that Zappa hated The Velvet Underground, and that sort of public kerfuffle exists to this day. There are people at Steve Hoffman forums that are actually angry with each other because they've taken sides about the whole thing. By most accounts that I can muster to make sense of, Zappa was actually complimentary of the Velvets after initial coolness, but Reed never forgot the original slights. So there's another non-classic rock artist that was previously discussed in this thread to bring back into the conversation.

 

[timschochet]

I love that we’re having an extended discussion of Frank Zappa, who is assuredly not near any “best classic rock” list by anyone.

Well he DOES get mentioned in upcoming lyrics…

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I love that we’re having an extended discussion of Frank Zappa, who is assuredly not near any “best classic rock” list by anyone.

Well he DOES get mentioned in upcoming lyrics…

He was often at the best place around back then.

 

[Ghost Rider]

If he had his druthers, he would have written instrumentals only

Lyrics are tough and rock lyrics often lack deep meaning or are non-sensical. (Neil notwithstanding, of course.) Cleverness is usually the most intelligent thing to which rock lyrics can aspire. Zappa, for all his weirdness, does not strike me as a non-sensical guy or a guy with a lack of depth. On the contrary, he strikes me as dead serious about almost everything except for the things that society deems you should take seriously. Then whatever it is gets the piss taken out of it.

I'm no Zappa expert at all, and his lyrics are often funny and transgressive, but every time I read an interview or transcription of a video segment, he seems like a serious dude.

Perhaps not, but that's the impression I get.

He was a very complex dude. Highly intellectual, but also highly transgressive. And he saw himself more as a composer like Varese than a songwriter like Lennon/McCartney. His lyrics were absurd because he didn’t want to write them and that was his way of showing it.

I admittedly have to be in the right mood for Zappa's vocal-driven material given the nature of many of his lyrics, but he was seemingly a genre all to himself. Probably one of the most talented musicians we will ever see.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I love that we’re having an extended discussion of Frank Zappa, who is assuredly not near any “best classic rock” list by anyone.

He’s the Bob Dylan of his generation.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I love that we’re having an extended discussion of Frank Zappa, who is assuredly not near any “best classic rock” list by anyone.

Well he DOES get mentioned in upcoming lyrics…

I get that reference.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I love that we’re having an extended discussion of Frank Zappa, who is assuredly not near any “best classic rock” list by anyone.

He’s the Bob Dylan of his generation.

Except Frank could actually sing worth a damn.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I love that we’re having an extended discussion of Frank Zappa, who is assuredly not near any “best classic rock” list by anyone.

He’s the Bob Dylan of his generation.

Except Frank could actually sing worth a damn.

It was a joke based on neither apparently being on this list. I’m still shocked that Dylan will have zero albums on a Top 100 Classic Rock Albums list.

 

[rockaction]

I’m still shocked that Dylan will have zero albums on a Top 100 Classic Rock Albums list.

Our classic rock stations had no Dylan. First time I really heard Dylan was from the kids at boarding school and college. Dylan was nowhere to be found in my bumble**** town growing up.

 

[Don Quixote]

I may conflate with rock radio again but I heard a lot of Dylan on the radio. I’m pretty sure classic rock stations also played “Lay Lady Lay”; “Tangled Up In Blue” and a few others, but my memory could be failing.

Honestly if it’s just because of your criteria for “classic rock” then that’s cool. I was just surprised to hear it.

Same here on Dylan. Thought he was on classic rock radio a lot. Found one of the mid-90s “Firecracker 500” lists from the station that I listened to growing up. Seven Dylan songs on it (more than Queen, Tom Petty, and ELO combined).

https://www.rocklists.com/alltime48.html

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I’m still shocked that Dylan will have zero albums on a Top 100 Classic Rock Albums list.

Our classic rock stations had no Dylan. First time I really heard Dylan was from the kids at boarding school and college. Dylan was nowhere to be found in my bumble**** town growing up.

I’m not sure Blood on The Tracks isn’t considered Classic Rock.

I admit that I’m not sure if it was WNEW or K-Rock playing Dylan but he got a lot of play in NYC (which makes sense).

Like I said, Tim has his own qualifications so I’m not really criticizing the decision- I was just shocked (especially with tim being a big Dylan guy).

 

[massraider]

For example, KROQ's 1980 year end top 100 songs list, #3 was Refugee, #20 was Don't Do Me Like That, #49 was Here Comes My Girl, #70 was Even The Losers, #85 was Don't Bring Me Down, #105 was What Are You Doing In My LIfe.

They basically played the entire Damn The Torpedoes album in heavy rotation.

Check out the rest of that list though - while there was plenty of New Wave, it was a very ecclectic assortment of artists - Pink Floyd, Bob Segar, Rolling Stones, Pat Benatar, lots of others that would be dropped when they went full time New Wave.

Sorry, I see The Clash on there, clearly a misprint, can you find the correct list please, thanks

 

[Raging weasel]

Jessica
Very few instrumentals have ever become a classic rock radio staple- in fact only this tune and Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” comes to mind at the moment.

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Eruption (although You Really Got Me generally follows it).
One of These Days (although one line of vocals)
Peaches En Regalia
YYZ
Green Onions
Glad (although Freedom Rider usually would follow)

Are any of those classic rock staples?

I suppose YYZ and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed are in certain regions.

Eruption, yeah, but only as a combo with You Really Got Me.

Green Onions is something you'd hear on an oldies station, not a classic rock one.

I had to look up what Glad was. Never heard it.

Those Floyd and Zappa tunes are good, but classic rock radio staples? Nah.

I used to hear Green Onions on classic rock all the time - and on that I trust my memory. I wouldn’t have heard it otherwise.
YYZ - Rush was big on LI/NYC radio
Elizabeth Reed - not often because it was a long song but I’d hear it.
Glad - I’d hear all the time but always with “Freedom Rider”

You’re probably right on Zappa and Floyd - probably just songs I heard with friends, etc.

Fire on High by ELO got quite a bit of airplay here.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I may conflate with rock radio again but I heard a lot of Dylan on the radio. I’m pretty sure classic rock stations also played “Lay Lady Lay”; “Tangled Up In Blue” and a few others, but my memory could be failing.

Honestly if it’s just because of your criteria for “classic rock” then that’s cool. I was just surprised to hear it.

Same here on Dylan. Thought he was on classic rock radio a lot. Found one of the mid-90s “Firecracker 500” lists from the station that I listened to growing up. Seven Dylan songs on it (more than Queen, Tom Petty, and ELO combined).

https://www.rocklists.com/alltime48.html

I know someone that may not like this list:

24. Billy Joel - Piano Man

25. Billy Joel - Scenes from an Italian Restaurant