A few months ago, some friends on Facebook were challenged to share their own lists of the 20 most influential albums growing up. The exercise combines two of my favorite mental activities – thinking up lists, and reminiscing about why something means what it does to me. So I’m making my own, and sharing it with you.
A couple (3 actually) rules. It’s MY list, so it’s MY rules.
First – they are not listed “least to best” or in any chronological release order, (but I did use a hint of organization in each group of 5. See if you can figure it out.)
Second – only 1 entry per act. Can’t list every record by a band. It’s a cop out! It also doesn’t have to be the band’s best, most successful, or most critically acclaimed album; only the one that was personally significant, for whatever reason.
Third – Multi – artist compilation albums (K-Tel “best of the 70’s” or movie soundtracks) are not allowed, but a band’s greatest hits is OK.
Without further delay, the list:
- The Stranger – Billy Joel
- American Pie – Don McLean
- Don’t Say No – Billy Squire
- Tapestry – Carole King
- Crimes of Passion – Pat Benatar
- Through the Fire – HSAS
- Finyl Vinyl – Rainbow
- Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy – The Who
- Classics Live! – Aerosmith
- At Budokan – Cheap Trick
- E5C4P3 – Journey
- High Infidelity – REO Speedwagon
- CODA – Led Zeppelin
- Pyromania – Def Leppard
- Diver Down – Van Halen
- Aqualung – Jethro Tull.
- Bat Out of Hell – Meatloaf
- Rumors – Fleetwood Mac
- Paradise Theater – Styx
- Hotel California – Eagles
So, there it is. Now it’s YOUR turn. I’m tossing the challenge out into the universe. Agree or disagree? Leave a comment. Give your own list, or include any thoughts of what these records meant to you. I love food for thought!
-Toph
I can almost smell the incense and vinyl.