The Greatest Rock Albums Of 1979

The Greatest Rock Albums Of 1979 | I Love Classic Rock Videos

Pink Floyd live in Belgium, 1969 - Pink Floyd / Youtube

The 1970’s was a curious period for rock music. Some bands from the previous decade had already found their distinct sound, while newer outfits were struggling to compete. Hard rock, progressive rock, blues rock, southern rock, heavy metal: most of the lumbering giants and densest forms of rock music matured in this era. Before pouring in to another decade however, some of the trademark bands and even the new kids went on to produce some of the year’s most successful catalogs. Here’s a blast from the past with the best rock albums of 1979.

5. “The Pretenders” – The Pretenders

With a name that sounds like it came from a vocal group from the 50’s, The Pretenders were actually a punk rock outfit of English-American composition. Their debut album of the same name was a massive success for the juvenile band, with it being a conglomeration of pop, rock, and punk influences, with the tracks “Stop Your Sobbing”, “Kid” and “Brass in Pocket”. The album topped the UK charts, while garnering 9th place on the US Pop Charts.

4. “Rust Never Sleeps” – Neil Young And Crazy Horse

Rock innovator Neil Young and backing band Crazy Horse dished out this phenomenal live album with nothing more than minor studio brush ups to mask audience noises. A combination of classical and electric guitar hits, the album features really simple arrangements but arresting lyricism, which stunned audiences and critics alike. Young’s creativity shows with the album’s song selection, displaying his many styles into one great catalog.

3. “Damn The Torpedoes” – Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

The third album down Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ belt, Damn The Torpedoes proved to be one of the most successful ventures of the joint act. With the iconic producer Jimmy Iovine at the helm, the album was off to the races with the best tracks in it. Village Voice critic Robert Christgau even commented, “This is a breakthrough for Petty because for the first time the Heartbreakers … are rocking as powerfully as he’s writing.” 

2. “Highway to Hell” – AC/DC

AC/DC’s risky step into the land of the free paid off with a growing following, and had to be soon augmented with na album to further plant their grasp on unknown territory. The band initially didn’t favor Atlantic’s decision to take them off George Young’s care, especially by his brothers Angus and Malcolm. The album was a materialization of the band’s opinion on touring, that they were especially sick of it. While it is unfortunate to be Bon Scott’s last contribution to the band, it became a hallmark in hard rock history, proving that AC/DC was at the top of their game.

1. “The Wall” – Pink Floyd

The English prog rock act hasn’t dulled down a bit with The Wall, considering it was their 11th album release. Following the narrative of the character Pink crafted by Roger Waters, The Wall symbolizes his eventual isolation from society, symbolizing his worn-down appetite for the industry. While greatly debated by critics and fans, with some considering it pretentious and hypocritical, the concept album went on to become one of the greatest rock albums to be ever produced in rock history, bringing in tracks line “Another Brick In The Wall” and “Comfortably Numb”.