The 100 Greatest Classic Rock Albums of All Time: #1. Sticky Fingers (4 Viewers)

[Dr. Octopus]

How can anyone not like when Steve Perry bursts in to interrupt Greg Rollie's lead vocals in Feeling That Way?

When the summer's gone
She'll be there standing by the light
Once she's been to where she's gone to
She should know wrong from right
Is she feelin'
Are you feelin', you feelin' that way too
Or am I just
Am I just your fool?

I don't think I've ever heard it, but I'm still

Smalls, you're killing me.

It’s good stuff. I am serious. I had the song in my US Countdown, I believe.

 

[rockaction]

It’s good stuff. I am serious. I had the song in my US Countdown, I believe.

Dang. I thought you were being dry. I believe that it's good. Journey isn't the worst band I've ever heard.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

It’s good stuff. I am serious. I had the song in my US Countdown, I believe.

Dang. I thought you were being dry. I believe that it's good. Journey isn't the worst band I've ever heard.

This album was the transition from a bunch of dudes from Santana going out on their own (first three albums) and Steve Perry coming aboard to make them a big time arena band. I do love Greg Rollies voice - but Steve Perry does come in for the first time to just blow the song up after Greg gets the song started.

 

[DocHolliday]

"Separate Ways" runs circles around the songs I know off of this Journey album.

And the video is just boffo. "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" despite its garish and almost vomit-inducing title, also runs rings.

Completely disagree.

Steve Perry's vocals on Separate Ways are too processed and harmonized for my taste. And the synth pad enveloping the entire song gives it the MTV-esque "Eye of the Tiger/later vintage Van Halen's 80's sound" where too much makes me puke.

Perry's vocals on Infinity are much cleaner and authentic sounding. Ditto for the guitars plus you can actually hear the drum kit.

Multiple songs on Infinity simply blow Separate Ways away if a pure classic rock and roll sound is the goal.

ETA: i'm not saying separate ways sucks, just responding to the comparative comment

I like Separate Ways a lot but Infinity is just a killer album. Glad Tim put it on the list.

 

[FairWarning]

The Wall

Considered by a lot of critics as the band’s finest song, or at least close to it. A universal theme with a terrific melody, earnestly sung.

I don't know why, but the classic rock stations down here that I'm most familiar with (Louisiana & Mississippi) never, ever played "The Wall". Just a blind spot by the station directors and DJs, I guess.

For that matter, I've not heard this song on Sirius XM's Classic Vinyl or Classic Rewind stations, either.

XM stations in your car play the same songs over and over. Their internet stations offer a much broader selection in those formats.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Anytime
The only Journey song I can think of with not much Perry lead vocals (he does make a slight appearance) to make a splash on the radio

Just the Same Way was played a lot on the stations I listened to growing up.

 

[timschochet]

93. Blind Faith- Blind Faith (1969)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Can’t Find My Way Home, Presence Of The Lord

Blind Faith was one of the first of the supergroups, teaming up Steve Winwood and Ric Grech of Traffic with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker of Cream. It was, of course, the Winwood and Clapton combo that made this effort famous at the time. It was short-lived; they only managed one album, which was largely panned when it was released. Over the decades, however, critics have eventually come to view it the way I do: as one of the greatest blues rock records ever made.

Had To Cry Today
Credited to Winwood, but it’s Clapton’s opening riff that makes this tune so memorable. Without that riff it’s a standard blues song; with the riff it’s a monster: a few minutes into the song Clapton hands the riff over to Winwood, who plays it while Clapton goes off on an amazing solo. Great stuff.

Can’t Find My Way Home
This gorgeous acoustic ballad might be Steve Winwood’s best ever composition. The lyrics are sad, poignant and funny.

Well All Right
Credited to Buddy Holly, but this bluesed up version sounds nothing like the original. More superb guitar work.

Presence of The Lord
The band’s defining song. Lyrically it’s gospel, musically it’s blues rock all the way. I’ve been praising Clapton’s guitar solos all throughout but this short one in the middle of the song might be the best of his long career.

Sea of Joy
Another pretty good rock song, this one showing off the incredible range of Winwood’s vocal talents.

Do What You Like
The album closes with a 15 minute jam tune in which each of the musicians get their own lengthy solo. It’s starts off as a good blues tune but the solos are a bit showy and excessive, particularly Baker’s drum solo towards the end of the song. Baker is a legendary drummer but I’m not much of a fan of drum solos.

 

[Anarchy99]

100. Bachman-Turner Overdrive II - BTO

Can't really comment too much on this one. I am only familiar with the couple of hits but have never listened to the full album. As I mentioned earlier, without seeing the entire list, hard to debate its inclusion or not.

99. A Day At The Races - Queen

I am sure we will see more Queen albums later. I generally listen to a selection of Queen songs on shuffle play and not full albums. I have all their albums . . . I would probably pick others to listen in its entirety over this one, but it is likely a worthy selection.

98. In Through The Out Door - Led Zeppelin

I'd take their first 6 albums well before this one. So I am guessing those albums will all be included later on. The album as a whole is enjoyable . . . but IMO a step down from that run of classic albums.

97. Bella Donna - Stevie Nicks

Another album I have but rarely listen to straight through. As others have mentioned, if I am in the mood for Fleetwood Mac, I rarely would reach for any solo material from any of them. I like the majority of the album. It wouldn't jump out at me as one I would think of for a list like this, though.

96. 52nd Street - Billy Joel

Where I lived, Billy was a lot more pop than classic rock or AOR. He was played on pop stations or "recent rock" stations that played whatever was popular that month. Even now, I don't hear much of Joel on rock stations other than the occasional You May Be Right or Big Shot. His other songs might show up on pop / easy listening / adult contemporary. I probably wouldn't have included Billy in my list, but so be it.

95. Leftoverture - Kansas

After listening to the album again, my recollection is that only Wayward Son made it to the radio in my neck of the woods. I have a couple of friends that are into Kansas, so I have heard Leftoverture played a lot over the years. I like the album overall.

94. Infinity - Journey

Nothing wrong with this pick. I like Journey with Steve in the band. I'd pick Escape by far over any of their other work. Of the other options, Infinity likely the best album of the others.

93. Blind Faith - Blind Faith

Another spot where I would have to see what else from EC made the list . . . Cream? Derek? Solo albums? This one I do listen to straight through every so often. Excellent musicianship. Haven't heard many tracks other than Find My Way Home on the radio. I like all 6 songs, but that's really the only one I have heard broadcast with regularity. Might have heard Presence a couple of times. I will be interested to see what works by Clapton didn't make the list.

Since the OP has been changed to a list of the selections, I don't remember what the evaluation criteria was for what qualified an album for consideration. Maybe I am misreading the tea leaves, but I was expecting albums where many (most?) of that album received air play. Maybe there aren't that many albums that had a ton of songs that got played a fair amount? Will still be interesting to see how this list shapes up and maps out.

 

[timschochet]

100. Bachman-Turner Overdrive II - BTO

Can't really comment too much on this one. I am only familiar with the couple of hits but have never listened to the full album. As I mentioned earlier, without seeing the entire list, hard to debate its inclusion or not.

99. A Day At The Races - Queen

I am sure we will see more Queen albums later. I generally listen to a selection of Queen songs on shuffle play and not full albums. I have all their albums . . . I would probably pick others to listen in its entirety over this one, but it is likely a worthy selection.

98. In Through The Out Door - Led Zeppelin

I'd take their first 6 albums well before this one. So I am guessing those albums will all be included later on. The album as a whole is enjoyable . . . but IMO a step down from that run of classic albums.

97. Bella Donna - Stevie Nicks

Another album I have but rarely listen to straight through. As others have mentioned, if I am in the mood for Fleetwood Mac, I rarely would reach for any solo material from any of them. I like the majority of the album. It wouldn't jump out at me as one I would think of for a list like this, though.

96. 52nd Street - Billy Joel

Where I lived, Billy was a lot more pop than classic rock or AOR. He was played on pop stations or "recent rock" stations that played whatever was popular that month. Even now, I don't hear much of Joel on rock stations other than the occasional You May Be Right or Big Shot. His other songs might show up on pop / easy listening / adult contemporary. I probably wouldn't have included Billy in my list, but so be it.

95. Leftoverture - Kansas

After listening to the album again, my recollection is that only Wayward Son made it to the radio in my neck of the woods. I have a couple of friends that are into Kansas, so I have heard Leftoverture played a lot over the years. I like the album overall.

94. Infinity - Journey

Nothing wrong with this pick. I like Journey with Steve in the band. I'd pick Escape by far over any of their other work. Of the other options, Infinity likely the best album of the others.

93. Blind Faith - Blind Faith

Another spot where I would have to see what else from EC made the list . . . Cream? Derek? Solo albums? This one I do listen to straight through every so often. Excellent musicianship. Haven't heard many tracks other than Find My Way Home on the radio. I like all 6 songs, but that's really the only one I have heard broadcast with regularity. Might have heard Presence a couple of times. I will be interested to see what works by Clapton didn't make the list.

Since the OP has been changed to a list of the selections, I don't remember what the evaluation criteria was for what qualified an album for consideration. Maybe I am misreading the tea leaves, but I was expecting albums where many (most?) of that album received air play. Maybe there aren't that many albums that had a ton of songs that got played a fair amount? Will still be interesting to see how this list shapes up and maps out.

Appreciate the write-up.

The rule generally is 2 songs or more. I cheat a little bit with some of the lower selections (Leftoverture, Blind Faith, and one more coming up.) As we move up the ladder there won’t be any need to cheat most of the time, as the vast majority of albums have a whole lot of songs played all the time.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

93. Blind Faith- Blind Faith (1969)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Can’t Find My Way Home, Presence Of The Lord

Blind Faith was one of the first of the supergroups, teaming up Steve Winwood and Ric Grech of Traffic with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker of Cream. It was, of course, the Winwood and Clapton combo that made this effort famous at the time. It was short-lived; they only managed one album, which was largely panned when it was released. Over the decades, however, critics have eventually come to view it the way I do: as one of the greatest blues rock records ever made.

Had To Cry Today
Credited to Winwood, but it’s Clapton’s opening riff that makes this tune so memorable. Without that riff it’s a standard blues song; with the riff it’s a monster: a few minutes into the song Clapton hands the riff over to Winwood, who plays it while Clapton goes off on an amazing solo. Great stuff.

Can’t Find My Way Home
This gorgeous acoustic ballad might be Steve Winwood’s best ever composition. The lyrics are sad, poignant and funny.

Well All Right
Credited to Buddy Holly, but this bluesed up version sounds nothing like the original. More superb guitar work.

Presence of The Lord
The band’s defining song. Lyrically it’s gospel, musically it’s blues rock all the way. I’ve been praising Clapton’s guitar solos all throughout but this short one in the middle of the song might be the best of his long career.

Sea of Joy
Another pretty good rock song, this one showing off the incredible range of Winwood’s vocal talents.

Do What You Like
The album closes with a 15 minute jam tune in which each of the musicians get their own lengthy solo. It’s starts off as a good blues tune but the solos are a bit showy and excessive, particularly Baker’s drum solo towards the end of the song. Baker is a legendary drummer but I’m not much of a fan of drum solos.

“Ric Grech of Traffic” is a slight misnomer, as he didn’t join Traffic until after Blind Faith. Before Blind Faith he was in Family.

 

[timschochet]

93. Blind Faith- Blind Faith (1969)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Can’t Find My Way Home, Presence Of The Lord

Blind Faith was one of the first of the supergroups, teaming up Steve Winwood and Ric Grech of Traffic with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker of Cream. It was, of course, the Winwood and Clapton combo that made this effort famous at the time. It was short-lived; they only managed one album, which was largely panned when it was released. Over the decades, however, critics have eventually come to view it the way I do: as one of the greatest blues rock records ever made.

Had To Cry Today
Credited to Winwood, but it’s Clapton’s opening riff that makes this tune so memorable. Without that riff it’s a standard blues song; with the riff it’s a monster: a few minutes into the song Clapton hands the riff over to Winwood, who plays it while Clapton goes off on an amazing solo. Great stuff.

Can’t Find My Way Home
This gorgeous acoustic ballad might be Steve Winwood’s best ever composition. The lyrics are sad, poignant and funny.

Well All Right
Credited to Buddy Holly, but this bluesed up version sounds nothing like the original. More superb guitar work.

Presence of The Lord
The band’s defining song. Lyrically it’s gospel, musically it’s blues rock all the way. I’ve been praising Clapton’s guitar solos all throughout but this short one in the middle of the song might be the best of his long career.

Sea of Joy
Another pretty good rock song, this one showing off the incredible range of Winwood’s vocal talents.

Do What You Like
The album closes with a 15 minute jam tune in which each of the musicians get their own lengthy solo. It’s starts off as a good blues tune but the solos are a bit showy and excessive, particularly Baker’s drum solo towards the end of the song. Baker is a legendary drummer but I’m not much of a fan of drum solos.

“Ric Grech of Traffic” is a slight misnomer, as he didn’t join Traffic until after Blind Faith. Before Blind Faith he was in Family.

Thanks for that correction. Don’t know much about him.

 

[timschochet]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

 

[northern exposure]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

Is there a dislike option I can click?

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

Close enough. It’s not like you’re trying to include Korn or something like that.

 

[zamboni]

93. Blind Faith- Blind Faith (1969)

My favorite so far in the countdown - heck of an album IMO. All good tunes, with “Sea of Joy” as the standout for me.

 

[Anarchy99]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

The odd part about Billy is some of his 70's songs really are more classic rock / AOR oriented but aren't his big hits. Billy the Kid. Captain Jack. Miami 2017. Angry Young Man. Say Goodbye To Hollywood.

On a side note, Joel is the one universal tie to anyone I ever dated. Literally, every woman I ever got involved with loved him. Because of that, I have been going to his shows across 6 decades. Wow, am I old. 70s / 80s / 90s / 00s / 10s / 20s. Small shows, arena shows, stadium shows. He always put on good shows, even if they haven't really changed much over time. Can't think of any other artist that hasn't put out a new album in 30 years that can tour at will like he does.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

you’re wrong

 

[BobbyLayne]

93. Blind Faith- Blind Faith (1969)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Can’t Find My Way Home, Presence Of The Lord

Blind Faith was one of the first of the supergroups, teaming up Steve Winwood and Ric Grech of Traffic with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker of Cream. It was, of course, the Winwood and Clapton combo that made this effort famous at the time. It was short-lived; they only managed one album, which was largely panned when it was released. Over the decades, however, critics have eventually come to view it the way I do: as one of the greatest blues rock records ever made.

Had To Cry Today
Credited to Winwood, but it’s Clapton’s opening riff that makes this tune so memorable. Without that riff it’s a standard blues song; with the riff it’s a monster: a few minutes into the song Clapton hands the riff over to Winwood, who plays it while Clapton goes off on an amazing solo. Great stuff.

Can’t Find My Way Home
This gorgeous acoustic ballad might be Steve Winwood’s best ever composition. The lyrics are sad, poignant and funny.

Well All Right
Credited to Buddy Holly, but this bluesed up version sounds nothing like the original. More superb guitar work.

Presence of The Lord
The band’s defining song. Lyrically it’s gospel, musically it’s blues rock all the way. I’ve been praising Clapton’s guitar solos all throughout but this short one in the middle of the song might be the best of his long career.

Sea of Joy
Another pretty good rock song, this one showing off the incredible range of Winwood’s vocal talents.

Do What You Like
The album closes with a 15 minute jam tune in which each of the musicians get their own lengthy solo. It’s starts off as a good blues tune but the solos are a bit showy and excessive, particularly Baker’s drum solo towards the end of the song. Baker is a legendary drummer but I’m not much of a fan of drum solos.

IDK what your criteria is for inclusion

Whatever it might be, this pick should epitomize what you’re aiming at

 

[Pip's Invitation]

The FM stations I listened to in the 80s played every track from side 1 of the Blind Faith album. Can’t Find My Way Home and Presence of the Lord got the most play. I would even hear the electric version of Can’t Find My Way Home sometimes.

 

[Zegras11]

The FM stations I listened to in the 80s played every track from side 1 of the Blind Faith album. Can’t Find My Way Home and Presence of the Lord got the most play. I would even hear the electric version of Can’t Find My Way Home sometimes.

did they play them in random order?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

The FM stations I listened to in the 80s played every track from side 1 of the Blind Faith album. Can’t Find My Way Home and Presence of the Lord got the most play. I would even hear the electric version of Can’t Find My Way Home sometimes.

did they play them in random order?

No, they ranked them.

 

[timschochet]

93. Blind Faith- Blind Faith (1969)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Can’t Find My Way Home, Presence Of The Lord

Blind Faith was one of the first of the supergroups, teaming up Steve Winwood and Ric Grech of Traffic with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker of Cream. It was, of course, the Winwood and Clapton combo that made this effort famous at the time. It was short-lived; they only managed one album, which was largely panned when it was released. Over the decades, however, critics have eventually come to view it the way I do: as one of the greatest blues rock records ever made.

Had To Cry Today
Credited to Winwood, but it’s Clapton’s opening riff that makes this tune so memorable. Without that riff it’s a standard blues song; with the riff it’s a monster: a few minutes into the song Clapton hands the riff over to Winwood, who plays it while Clapton goes off on an amazing solo. Great stuff.

Can’t Find My Way Home
This gorgeous acoustic ballad might be Steve Winwood’s best ever composition. The lyrics are sad, poignant and funny.

Well All Right
Credited to Buddy Holly, but this bluesed up version sounds nothing like the original. More superb guitar work.

Presence of The Lord
The band’s defining song. Lyrically it’s gospel, musically it’s blues rock all the way. I’ve been praising Clapton’s guitar solos all throughout but this short one in the middle of the song might be the best of his long career.

Sea of Joy
Another pretty good rock song, this one showing off the incredible range of Winwood’s vocal talents.

Do What You Like
The album closes with a 15 minute jam tune in which each of the musicians get their own lengthy solo. It’s starts off as a good blues tune but the solos are a bit showy and excessive, particularly Baker’s drum solo towards the end of the song. Baker is a legendary drummer but I’m not much of a fan of drum solos.

IDK what your criteria is for inclusion

Whatever it might be, this pick should epitomize what you’re aiming at

I agree

 

[Ghost Rider]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

Yes. Granted, he is more likely to be played on the classic rock stations that play a lot of Elton John, Fleetwood Mac and Little River Band than the ones that play a lot of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Black Sabbath, but he is obviously classic rock.

 

[Tau837]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

you’re wrong

I understand there are a lot of Billy Joel haters here. I like him casually, not a huge fan, but I don't understand the response. What would you call his music if not rock (classic rock)? When he got to Uptown Girl, I could see that classified as pop music, but he had a lot of albums before that.

 

[Don Quixote]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

Maybe it is just by virtue of growing up in NY/NJ area where he was a staple of the classic rock station (“WNEW - Where Rock Lives” — or at least it did until Opie and Anthony killed it), but I did not even realize it was up for debate whether he was rock or not.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

you’re wrong

I understand there are a lot of Billy Joel haters here. I like him casually, not a huge fan, but I don't understand the response. What would you call his music if not rock (classic rock)? When he got to Uptown Girl, I could see that classified as pop music, but he had a lot of albums before that.

I bought 52nd Street within 2 months of its release. No hate. Just doesn’t fit, IMO.

Timmay’s list, Timmay’s choice, it’s all good. I appreciate him doing these. The disagreements are part of what makes it fun.

 

[northern exposure]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

Yes. Granted, he is more likely to be played on the classic rock stations that play a lot of Elton John, Fleetwood Mac and Little River Band than the ones that play a lot of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Black Sabbath, but he is obviously classic rock.

Please don't tell me LRB are going to show up in this countdown....what's next....Air Supply?

 

[Ghost Rider]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

Yes. Granted, he is more likely to be played on the classic rock stations that play a lot of Elton John, Fleetwood Mac and Little River Band than the ones that play a lot of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Black Sabbath, but he is obviously classic rock.

Please don't tell me LRB are going to show up in this countdown....what's next....Air Supply?

Hey now, LRB has a bunch of great songs that would fit in well on a classic rock song list (no albums worthy of a list like this, however). Go listen to the album version of It's a Long Way There and tell me that doesn't sound like total classic rock.

 

[shuke]

93. Blind Faith- Blind Faith (1969)

One of my favorite albums ever, but wouldn't have thought about it for this thread.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

Maybe it is just by virtue of growing up in NY/NJ area where he was a staple of the classic rock station (“WNEW - Where Rock Lives” — or at least it did until Opie and Anthony killed it), but I did not even realize it was up for debate whether he was rock or not.

Same thoughts for me. This seems so odd that people are fighting against him, when he was clearly played on rock and classic rock stations growing up. But I grew up on Long Island so….

 

[Tau837]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

you’re wrong

I understand there are a lot of Billy Joel haters here. I like him casually, not a huge fan, but I don't understand the response. What would you call his music if not rock (classic rock)? When he got to Uptown Girl, I could see that classified as pop music, but he had a lot of albums before that.

I bought 52nd Street within 2 months of its release. No hate. Just doesn’t fit, IMO.

Timmay’s list, Timmay’s choice, it’s all good. I appreciate him doing these. The disagreements are part of what makes it fun.

So what genre do you place Joel's early career albums in?

 

[BobbyLayne]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

you’re wrong

I understand there are a lot of Billy Joel haters here. I like him casually, not a huge fan, but I don't understand the response. What would you call his music if not rock (classic rock)? When he got to Uptown Girl, I could see that classified as pop music, but he had a lot of albums before that.

I bought 52nd Street within 2 months of its release. No hate. Just doesn’t fit, IMO.

Timmay’s list, Timmay’s choice, it’s all good. I appreciate him doing these. The disagreements are part of what makes it fun.

So what genre do you place Joel's early career albums in?

I most closely associate him as a piano songwriter. I think of classic rock as being more guitar driven. I’m open minded to to considering other opinions, I’m not intransigent.

 

[zamboni]

93. Blind Faith- Blind Faith (1969)

My favorite so far in the countdown - heck of an album IMO. All good tunes, with “Sea of Joy” as the standout for me.

Pretty cool performance of Sea of Joy in London’s Hyde Park in 1969.

Blind Faith - Sea of Joy

Blind Faith perform at London's Hyde Park, 1969Only live concert video of this group and their first gig!

youtu.be

 

[timschochet]

92. Styx- Pieces of Eight (1978)

Classic rock hits: Renegade, Blue Collar Man

This is Styx at the height of their power, following their breakthrough album Grand Illusion. Though I listed only the two Tommy Shaw hits, because they’re the ones that are played even now, I could have easily added “Sing For The Day” and “Great White Hope” both of which I heard on the radio a LOT in the years 1978 and 1979.
I really should start adding a brief mention of album covers, since some of these are so interesting. This is one I never quite understood. Who are these 3 women?

Great White Hype
The album begins with a fine rocker written and sung by James Young. For some reason I always used to get this confused with “Miss America” from the previous record. Similar chorus.

I’m OK
Dennis DeYoung’s sing along ballad has cheesy lyrics but a really catchy melody. This song has been a guilty pleasure of mine for years

Sing For The Day
More cheesy lyrics but earnestly sung and some fine keyboards. As I mentioned, man was this tune played a lot back in the day, but largely forgotten now.

The Message/Lords of the Ring
A return to the prog sound that dominated this bands’ earlier work. Lords of the Ring- get it?

Blue Collar Man
Tommy Shaw at his best. This song was a huge hit, well-deserved. Great rock and roll. And unlike some of the other lyrics on this record, these are poignant and smartly written.

Queen of Spades
Another throwback to the early days of the band. Dennis does have a nice voice.

Renegade
The theme song of my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense. Great rock and roll by Shaw. The harmonies are also really good here.

Pieces of Eight
Most of this album alternates between great Tommy Shaw rockers and somewhat forgettable Dennis De Young prog ballads.

Aku Aku
The title of this song sounds like it belongs on a Dr. John record. But the actual tune, an instrumental, is more soft listening than New Orleans style jazz.

 

[Doug B]

I bought 52nd Street within 2 months of its release. No hate. Just doesn’t fit, IMO.

Don't want to speak for Tim, but:

Recall that early in this thread, he was basing the countdown on what was played on classic-rock radio (presumably in his area) as a radio format when that particular radio format was new (ca. 1982-89). So the focus of his selections is both fairly specific and necessarily arbitrary.

Now, of course that would have varied place to place and station to station as there were still plenty of independent DJs curating their stations' lists. Given that ... as I look through Billy Joel's 1977-1980 single releases, six of them became CR radio format staples early on. A seventh CR single was added in 1981 from Joel's first live album.

EDIT: And actually ... instrumental fit be damned, the biggest hit single on Joel's second album was ALSO an early CR format staple.

 

[Doug B]

I really should start adding a brief mention of album covers, since some of these are so interesting. This is one I never quite understood. Who are these 3 women [on the cover of Pieces of Eight ]?

Hipgnosis came up with a number of ideas, so why did Styx go for this image?​

​

"Let me first of all explain how Hipgnosis work,” James Young continues. “They gave us a lot of choices, which was very impressive. But a lot of the ones we rejected I ended up seeing on other covers. So, clearly they come up with a constant stream of ideas independently of any specific commissions. But, hey, that’s cool. ​

​

“We went for the one that seemed to best reflect the concept behind the record: the idea that you shouldn’t sell out your art for gold – for pieces of eight, if you want. The women on the cover have cashed in their principles for the Easter Island set to be trendy. Besides, Hipgnosis bamboozled us with artspeak. I’m a graduate in mechanical and aerospace engineering, and didn’t understand a word. ​

​

“We all thought the women on the cover would be a lot younger than they ended up. It was strange for guys in their mid-20s to be looking at their album cover featuring women in their late 40s. But, with a tour booked, we had to get the album out. We did make some suggestions for changes, but it was too late.” ​

​

Young has, though, come to more than just be able to live with the design: “I now feel it’s the best cover we’ve ever had. Although it took me an age to come to that conclusion. I also feel that in the era of vinyl, the detail really worked. If we’d had that sleeve specifically for a CD it would have lost a lot of the impact.”​

The story behind Styx's Pieces Of Eight album artwork

Styx commissioned Hipgnosis, the high priests of album art, to provide a cover for their 1978 album Pieces Of Eight. They ended up being bamboozled by artspeak

www.loudersound.com

 

[Mr. Mojo]

92. Styx- Pieces of Eight (1978)

Classic rock hits: Renegade, Blue Collar Man

This is Styx at the height of their power, following their breakthrough album Grand Illusion. Though I listed only the two Tommy Shaw hits, because they’re the ones that are played even now, I could have easily added “Sing For The Day” and “Great White Hope” both of which I heard on the radio a LOT in the years 1978 and 1979.
I really should start adding a brief mention of album covers, since some of these are so interesting. This is one I never quite understood. Who are these 3 women?

Great White Hype
The album begins with a fine rocker written and sung by James Young. For some reason I always used to get this confused with “Miss America” from the previous record. Similar chorus.

I’m OK
Dennis DeYoung’s sing along ballad has cheesy lyrics but a really catchy melody. This song has been a guilty pleasure of mine for years

Sing For The Day
More cheesy lyrics but earnestly sung and some fine keyboards. As I mentioned, man was this tune played a lot back in the day, but largely forgotten now.

The Message/Lords of the Ring
A return to the prog sound that dominated this bands’ earlier work. Lords of the Ring- get it?

Blue Collar Man
Tommy Shaw at his best. This song was a huge hit, well-deserved. Great rock and roll. And unlike some of the other lyrics on this record, these are poignant and smartly written.

Queen of Spades
Another throwback to the early days of the band. Dennis does have a nice voice.

Renegade
The theme song of my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense. Great rock and roll by Shaw. The harmonies are also really good here.

Pieces of Eight
Most of this album alternates between great Tommy Shaw rockers and somewhat forgettable Dennis De Young prog ballads.

Aku Aku
The title of this song sounds like it belongs on a Dr. John record. But the actual tune, an instrumental, is more soft listening than New Orleans style jazz.

A solid choice. I'm guessing that we will see The Grand Illlusion even higher as it's their best album.

 

[timschochet]

I really should start adding a brief mention of album covers, since some of these are so interesting. This is one I never quite understood. Who are these 3 women [on the cover of Pieces of Eight ]?

Hipgnosis came up with a number of ideas, so why did Styx go for this image?​

​

"Let me first of all explain how Hipgnosis work,” James Young continues. “They gave us a lot of choices, which was very impressive. But a lot of the ones we rejected I ended up seeing on other covers. So, clearly they come up with a constant stream of ideas independently of any specific commissions. But, hey, that’s cool. ​

​

“We went for the one that seemed to best reflect the concept behind the record: the idea that you shouldn’t sell out your art for gold – for pieces of eight, if you want. The women on the cover have cashed in their principles for the Easter Island set to be trendy. Besides, Hipgnosis bamboozled us with artspeak. I’m a graduate in mechanical and aerospace engineering, and didn’t understand a word. ​

​

“We all thought the women on the cover would be a lot younger than they ended up. It was strange for guys in their mid-20s to be looking at their album cover featuring women in their late 40s. But, with a tour booked, we had to get the album out. We did make some suggestions for changes, but it was too late.” ​

​

Young has, though, come to more than just be able to live with the design: “I now feel it’s the best cover we’ve ever had. Although it took me an age to come to that conclusion. I also feel that in the era of vinyl, the detail really worked. If we’d had that sleeve specifically for a CD it would have lost a lot of the impact.”​

The story behind Styx's Pieces Of Eight album artwork

Styx commissioned Hipgnosis, the high priests of album art, to provide a cover for their 1978 album Pieces Of Eight. They ended up being bamboozled by artspeak

www.loudersound.com

Ha! Great find.
Love how he says he’s an aerospace engineer and didn’t understand a word. I had no idea about James Young- is he the second smartest major rock band member after a certain lead guitarist from Queen?

 

[timschochet]

As an aside, it also seems pretty funny to me that the theme of the album was “you shouldn’t sell your art for gold”- an album that went multi-platinum and featured more commercial rock hits than on any previous record by the band. WTF?

 

[Pip's Invitation]

As an aside, it also seems pretty funny to me that the theme of the album was “you shouldn’t sell your art for gold”- an album that went multi-platinum and featured more commercial rock hits than on any previous record by the band. WTF?

I think they meant you should prioritize art over cash, not vice versa.

 

[timschochet]

As an aside, it also seems pretty funny to me that the theme of the album was “you shouldn’t sell your art for gold”- an album that went multi-platinum and featured more commercial rock hits than on any previous record by the band. WTF?

I think they meant you should prioritize art over cash, not vice versa.

I know. I’m laughing because I’m not sure that’s what they did here.

 

[timschochet]

RIP Robbie Robertson. He will play a part in this list.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Styx is great, and Pieces of Eight is one of their best. Yeah, it was successful commercially, but so what? Most bands would kill to have to written the hooks that they did that appealed to the masses.

 

[Hot Diggity Dog]

Billy Joel is one of a few artists I debated putting on this list. Is he really classic rock? In the end I say yes.

Maybe it is just by virtue of growing up in NY/NJ area where he was a staple of the classic rock station (“WNEW - Where Rock Lives” — or at least it did until Opie and Anthony killed it), but I did not even realize it was up for debate whether he was rock or not.

Same thoughts for me. This seems so odd that people are fighting against him, when he was clearly played on rock and classic rock stations growing up. But I grew up on Long Island so….

I thought maybe it was a regional thing too. But in Colorado I don't think you were allowed to own a Classic Rock station unless you played Piano Man regularly.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Another one squarely in my 16 year old wheelhouse. I don't remember buying this album, though of course it was ubiquitous. Def bought and listened to The Grand illusion more.

Not a band I revisited much over the last 45 years or so.

***************

offtopic....

Help! I can't access footballguys on my mobile device.

My account appears to be banned on my mobile device. It's weird, I cannot even log out. Any action I take results in an error message

Oops! We ran into some problems.

You have been banned.

Obviously works fine on desktop version. I'm kind of stuck, I can't log out or navigate at all. I use the browser version on my iPhone, do not have the app.

Any suggestions?

 

[Eephus]

Help! I can't access footballguys on my mobile device.

My account appears to be banned on my mobile device. It's weird, I cannot even log out. Any action I take results in an error message

Oops! We ran into some problems.

You have been banned.

Obviously works fine on desktop version. I'm kind of stuck, I can't log out or navigate at all. I use the browser version on my iPhone, do not have the app.

Any suggestions?

Try clearing your browser cache on your phone

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I got logged out on both my desktop and my phone browser. Getting back in on my desktop was no problem. When I tried on the phone, the system said it didn't recognize my username. When I used my email address instead, that worked.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Help! I can't access footballguys on my mobile device.

My account appears to be banned on my mobile device. It's weird, I cannot even log out. Any action I take results in an error message

Oops! We ran into some problems.

You have been banned.

Obviously works fine on desktop version. I'm kind of stuck, I can't log out or navigate at all. I use the browser version on my iPhone, do not have the app.

Any suggestions?

Try clearing your browser cache on your phone

didn't work but switched browsers and that did work

I think (guessing) I had an alt account I haven't used in years still saved? just noticed my icon is not my normal BL photo, it's just a letter

and now I can't log out to get logged back in under the right account lol

aw well NBD

 

[BobbyLayne]

I got logged out on both my desktop and my phone browser. Getting back in on my desktop was no problem. When I tried on the phone, the system said it didn't recognize my username. When I used my email address instead, that worked.

yeah unfortunately I can't get to the login screen - I can't log out either

just kind of stuck

but I can get on using a different browser engine so got a workaround for now

 

[Gr00vus]

Help!

Any suggestions?

Try clearing your browser cache on your phone

Will that remove Styxx from this list?