10 Best Classic Rock Double Albums Released In The 1970s

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Our article on the “10 Best Classic Rock Music Double Albums Released In The 1970s” explores a significant trend in rock and roll music that began in the 1960s and mostly concluded in the 1980s. The advent of the CD format, which could hold up to 70 minutes of music, effectively blurred the lines between double and single albums. However, for a solid thirty years, particularly in the 1970s, double albums were often akin to a Christmas morning gift for rock and roll fans. There were plenty of great ones released during this decade, so narrowing this down to just ten will not be easy.

We are not counting LIVE Albums. We believe that deserves its own list.

# 10 – Tusk – Fleetwood Mac

We kick off our list of the 10 Best Classic Rock Double Albums Released in the 1970s with Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk. This album was the ambitious follow-up to their massively successful Rumours. At the close of the decade, numerous new musical trends were emerging, and Tusk reflects these in various ways. Despite its experimental nature, at its core, the album remains true to the Fleetwood Mac sound, showcasing the talents of each member in what they do best.

Some standout tracks from Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk include Stevie Nicks’ enchanting “Sara” and “Sisters of the Moon.” Christine McVie contributed heavily with tracks like “Over & Over,” the single “Think About Me,” and other songs such as “Brown Eyes,” “Never Make Me Cry,” and “Honey Hi.” Lindsey Buckingham brought his distinctive style to the album with the title track “Tusk” and others like “The Ledge,” “What Makes You Think You’re the One,” “That’s All for Everyone,” and “Not That Funny.” An interesting note on the album is Peter Green’s guest appearance on the track “Brown Eyes,” alongside the USC Trojan Marching Band, which famously added the horns on the track “Tusk” — a memorable moment captured in the music video. Did you see Stevie twirling that baton?

# 9 – Out Of The Blue – Electric Light Orchestra

In 1977, Jeff Lynne and his band Electric Light Orchestra released their seventh studio album, which marked yet another step forward in their already impressive discography. Preceding albums like Face the Music and A New World Record were exceptional, but this two-record set exceeded all expectations. It was filled with spectacular songs that skyrocketed on the Billboard charts and captivated fans’ imaginations.

This album is remembered as a monumental release, fueled by tracks like the lead single “Turn to Stone,” followed by the iconic “Mr. Blue Sky” and another hit, “Sweet Talking Woman.” Even less played tracks like “Night In The City” and “Summer and Lightning” or “Across The Border” were vibrant, combining rock and roll with classical overtones and the high production quality that made the band stand out.

# 8 – Songs In The Key Of Life – Stevie Wonder

One simply cannot discuss the music of the 1970s without mentioning the legendary Stevie Wonder. While many would not categorize him as a classic rock artist, his influence across all musical genres, including classic rock, is unmistakable. Consider how many classic rock artists have covered Stevie Wonder hits like “Superstition.” If the connection isn’t clear, there’s not much more to be said. Throughout the 1970s, Stevie Wonder released a series of brilliant albums that won acclaim from critics and fans alike.

Albums like Talking Book, Innervisions, and Fulfillingness’ First Finale were all highly praised, but many argue that his true masterpiece was the double album Songs in the Key of Life. I remember buying this album at the age of fifteen and being surprised when an extra 45 fell out—something I hadn’t expected. Tracks like “I Wish,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Sir Duke,” “Another Star,” “As,” and many others contribute to what is an extraordinary double album that pretty much swept the Grammy Awards.

# 7 – Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs – Derek & The Dominoes

The Layla Sessions: Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos

Derek and the Dominos, often hailed as one of the greatest supergroups, was indeed a phenomenal but short-lived ensemble. The group was composed of Eric Clapton on guitar, Bobby Whitlock on keyboards, Jim Gordon on drums, and Carl Radle on bass. A standout feature of their music was the contribution of Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band. Allman’s guitar work, especially his slide guitar on “Layla,” is considered some of the finest in rock history.

The album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is notable not just for its hit title track but also for classics such as “Bell Bottom Blues,” “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out,” “Key to the Highway,” “Have You Ever Loved a Woman,” and a striking cover of “Little Wing.” Each track on this album showcases the group’s deep dive into blues and heartfelt performances, securing its place as a gem in classic rock history.

# 6 – The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway – Genesis

Ask any old school Genesis fan to name their favorite Genesis album, and many will likely mention The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Some might also highlight Selling England by the Pound. Nonetheless, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is often regarded as the band’s crowning achievement. The album was released in 1974, and featured Peter Gabriel on vocals, Steve Hackett on guitars, Mike Rutherford on bass, Tony Banks on keyboards, and Phil Collins on drums. Brian Eno also contributed to a few songs on the album. This album was significant as it marked Peter Gabriel’s last involvement with Genesis; he left the group after the album’s release.

# 5 – The Wall – Pink Floyd

While The Wall may not be our favorite Pink Floyd album of all time, its greatness cannot be denied. This website often leans towards subjectivity, which we openly acknowledge, but sometimes objectivity must prevail, and that’s where this album stands out. It also features some of David Gilmour’s most remarkable guitar work, with tracks like “Comfortably Numb” being among the band’s best. Although released in 1979, The Wall just barely makes it into the 1970s category. Yet, it’s a bit of a stretch because it truly came into its own and reached peak popularity in the 1980s. The debate whether a release at the very end of a decade should be attributed to that decade or the following one can be seen as mere semantics. In the end, while it’s technically a ’70s album, its influence and enduring status are more aligned with the 1980s.

# 4 – Quadrophenia – The Who

The Who’s Quadrophenia was the band’s second double album in three years and their sixth studio album overall. Released in the fall of 1973, it came on the heels of Who’s Next, widely hailed as one of the greatest rock albums ever. Quadrophenia stood out as a significant follow-up, showcasing Pete Townshend’s disregard for public expectation and critical pressure. The album is often considered superior to Tommy, despite Tommy‘s fame, particularly after its adaptation into a film in 1975 starring Jack Nicholson and Ann-Margret—a film that critics largely panned. Despite being only fourteen when the movie was released, I found it entertaining, except for Tina Turmer, who scared the heck out of me.

Returning to Quadrophenia, it is acclaimed for being an exceptional rock opera, with Roger Daltrey delivering some of his career-best vocals on tracks like “The Real Me,” “I Am the Sea,” and the climactic “Love, Reign O’er Me.” The band’s performance across the album is fiery, cementing it as potentially Pete Townshend’s crowning achievement. While Who’s Next is often considered the pinnacle of The Who’s discography, the groundbreaking work on Quadrophenia is almost if not equally remarkable.

# 3 – Exile On Main Street – Rolling Stones

If there ever was an album that critics adored, it was the Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Street. How could they not? Exile was an extraordinary album. However, for two records, not many singles were released from this album. Of course, there was the big-time hit “Tumbling Dice” and the follow-up “Happy,” but not too many others. And yet, that’s what makes the album so special. It’s an album filled with what we usually would call deep tracks. Deep tracks that would, over time, infiltrate rock and roll culture later on various live albums and album-oriented rock.

Some of the best Stones material is released on this double album. Songs like “Sweet Virginia,” “Torn and Frayed,” “Rip This Joint,” and “Shine a Light,” which Marticn Scrosesse titled his concert documentary of The Rolling Stones. This was an album that you could sit down and listen to repeatedly and never get bored because there’s just so much going on in this record. Of course, the album featured the lineup of the Stones at the time, which was comprised of Mick Jagger on vocals, Keith Richards and Taylor on guitars, Bill Wyman on bass, and Charlie Watts on drums.

Once again, there are the very special contributions by musicians such as Nicky Hopkins, Bobby Keys, Jim Price, Ian Stewart, Jimmy Miller, Bill Plummer, and, of course, Billy Preston. The album was a massive success worldwide, hitting number one in the UK and the United States. Is it the best Rolling Stones album of all time? Well I think there are a lot of people out there who would argue it is. Personally, I feel Sticky Fingers is their number one, but this is really close and on any given day I could change my mind—that’s what rock and roll is all about, my friends.

# 2 – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John

Elton John’s run from 1970 to 1976 was nothing short of phenomenal, marked by a series of successful albums and a cascade of hit singles. In the midst of this extraordinary period came his acclaimed double album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The album opens powerfully with “Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding,” followed by “Candle in the Wind” and “Bennie and the Jets” — an impressive lineup just on side one, resembling a greatest hits collection. Interestingly, none of these tracks were the initial single released from the album; that distinction went to the vibrant “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.”

The album also features the iconic title track, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” and a beloved track not released as a single, “Harmony.” Beyond the hits, the album is filled with deep cuts like “The Ballad of Danny Bailey,” “All the Girls Love Alice,” “Grey Seal,” and “Your Sister Can’t Twist (But She Can Rock ‘n Roll),” all contributing to a record that unfolds like a grand celebration of rock and pop music, complete with a triple gatefold presentation.

# 1 – Physical Graffiti – Led Zeppelin

We probably should count how many times Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti took the number one spot on various music articles we have composed on this site. Yes, it’s probably a little unfair at times to other groups because we have a favorite. If you grew up in the 1970s and got the chance to witness Led Zeppelin in concert, you might really understand just how infatuated rock fans would become with this band. But infatuation or not, the basic point here is that Led Zeppelin was the greatest rock and roll band to ever come out of the decade of the 1970s, and at least in our opinion, by far, Physical Graffiti was their true masterpiece.