The 1970s were loaded with some of the grooviest music ever recorded. From the raucous sounds of early metal to the tasteful palette of the decade’s soft rock, the 70s had a huge range of great rock music. Here are the 15 best albums of that bygone decade to remind you how great rock music used to be.
Rumors (1977)
Fleetwood Mac is one of those bands that pretty much everyone loves. Fans of classic rock are into their grooves, while country music lovers adore the soulful singing and light palette of their playing. Your cool old aunt loves Stevie Nicks’ singing, and everyone on the planet can identify with songs about love and heartbreak. And the band was never better than they were on their 1977 opus, Rumors.
A Night at the Opera (1975)
Some people might consider Queen more of an 80s band, but they had some truly unstoppable hits in the 70s, too. A Night at the Opera finds them in their best mode: riotous, playful, joyous, and winking at the audience the whole time. From “Death on Two Legs” to “You’re My Best Friend,” this one is an all-timer.
London Calling (1979)
The Clash basically closed the book on the punk movement with their ineffable 1979 album London Calling. It’s dark, apocalyptic, and somehow still a joyous celebration of life and youth. It’s better constructed than its contemporaries in the hardcore scene and provided some of the best compositions ever offered by a punk band.
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust (1972)
What is there to say about David Bowie that hasn’t been said? He was an unparalleled songwriter, a consummate showman, and a downright fantastic rock singer. His high-concept 1972 outing, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, saw him don the guise of the titular fictional rocker and outline a tale of intergalactic excess for the ages.
The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Pink Floyd had a long journey from prog rock experimentation to rock radio domination. Dark Side of the Moon sees them marrying their heady early days with their then-new tight songwriting style to create a one-of-a-kind listening experience. This is one you throw on in your headphones and take in on an otherwise quiet afternoon.
Paranoid (1970)
Black Sabbath didn’t quite invent heavy metal on their 1970 album Paranoid, but they certainly blew the doors off the nascent genre. The title track is an anthemic tribute to, well, paranoia. “War Pigs” sees Ozzy laying out his grievances with the military industrial complex, of all things, while “Iron Man” paints a bleak picture of a man in the far future. It’s a great, if dark, rock album.
Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
It’s hard to believe Led Zeppelin had put out three albums before Led Zeppelin IV landed on record stores shelves in 1971. This one almost plays like a greatest hits album by itself, with rolling tunes like “Black Dog” and “Rock and Roll” to lengthy (and beloved) epics like “The Battle of Evermore” and “Stairway to Heaven.”
American Beauty (1970)
Okay, sure, the Grateful Dead were always known more for their live shows than for their studio albums. But American Beauty might be the best studio output the Dead ever had. “Box of Rain” is a beautiful tune about the nature of life, “Friend of the Devil” will make you want to hit the old dusty trail in search of adventure, and “Sugar Magnolia” will remind you that Jerry Garcia was a once-in-a-generation kind of talent.
Hotel California (1976)
Can you believe the Eagles caught flak back in the day for being “too commercial”? It’s true! When compared to contemporaries like Zeppelin and the Dead, some rockers of the era felt like Hotel California was just a major label cash-in and not the Eagles’ finest artistic achievement. Thankfully, the perception of this phenomenal rock album has improved with time.
Sticky Fingers (1971)
Everything about Sticky Fingers just points to the Rolling Stones’ particular brand of humor. The zipper on the cover was functional, by the way, and revealed a pair of white briefs under the “denim” of the album. No, seriously! This one had hits like “Wild Horses” and “Dead Flowers,” and some standout Stones tunes like “Moonlight Mile” and “You Gotta Move.”
LA Woman (1971)
Critical appreciation for the Doors seems to be at an all-time low these days, so let’s correct that. Jim Morrison was a phenomenally good songwriter and musician, the Doors absolutely rocked, and LA Woman was one of the best albums of the 1970s. Come on, even beyond the amazing title track, this one’s got “Love Her Madly,” “The Changeling,” and “Riders on the Storm.”
Who’s Next (1971)
Who’s Next would be on this list if it was just a single with “Baba O’Riley.” Oh, you want to hear more about The Who’s 1971 album? Okay, it had “Bargain,” “Going Mobile,” and “Behind Blue Eyes,” too. It’s easily their best album and one of the best albums of all time, let alone the 70s.
2112 (1976)
Rush’s 1976 concept album 2112 is a thrilling tour de force of the band’s various strengths. Soaring guitar tones? Check. Killer sci-fi inspired lyrics belted over epic instrumentation? Check. One of the best albums of the 1970s? Absolutely.
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Born to Run (1975)
Bruce Springsteen’s blue collar anthems were some of the most vital and tapped-in songs of the 70s. Nowhere was he more urgent and life-affirming than on Born to Run, with triumphant horns and driving rock tunes providing the soundtrack for a fictional flight out of the crushing city and into the wide world—all for the sake of being free.
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Fragile (1971)
Yes is a fascinating band. They’re one of the most successful prog rock bands of all time, and their epic-length rock tracks like “South Side of the Sun” and “Roundabout” make Fragile one of the best albums of its kind, period. We can forgive the weirdness of their 80s output, like “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” since their 70s prog rock albums were so thoroughly fantastic.
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