They say that the most impressionable age for formulating your musical preferences is around 13-14 years old. That is when the popular music at the time becomes part of your persona. Well for me, for better or for worse, that would be 1971-1973. Just the way it is. I suppose I have been doomed to a lifetime of Led Zeppelin, The Who, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath etc. How terrible.
Talking 'bout my generation
Before I get in to the details of my list, I first had to step back and consider the era in which these sorts of songs existed. I obviously have a number of favorite bands and songs outside of 71-73. I would say the time period from 1967-1975 would be what I would consider my favorite years overall for rock music. By 1975 my type of rock was squinting at the sun as the meteor called disco, punk etc. shattered the genre. There was great rock prior to 1967 of course, but that was the year that ushered in the type of music I still enjoy. Albums such as Sgt Pepper, Surrealistic Pillow, Are You Experienced, Disraeli Gears, Pet Sounds etc. Music really changed that year.
Panic in Detroit
Here is my list in no particular order:
1. Black Sabbath Vol. 4: Supernaut was my 8th grade theme song.
2. Deep Purple Machine Head: Highway Star…Smoke on the Water…hello.
3. Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy: D'yer Mak'er. The Ocean. No Quarter...on the headphones…nothing better.
4. Who Who's Next: Won't Get Fooled Again, Behind Blue Eyes, Baba O'Reilly….
5. David Bowie Hunky Dory: 7th grade and hippie girl sitting in front of me in history class yapped about it constantly. She was right.
What?
I know I left off about 500 worthy rock albums. Where is Sticky Fingers? (first album I ever bought). Where is Dark side of the Moon? If you want that sort of list go to Rolling Stone magazine. This list is centered around that impressionable age I mentioned previously. I also spent the summer of 1975 listening to the Beatles White album as that year was crap for music, but I digress.
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