1969’s Best Rock Albums

1969's Best Rock Albums

Photo: Heinrich Klaffs / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

1969’s Best Rock Albums list takes a look at a year that many people believe was the greatest year in rock and roll history. We have covered every year from 1960 to 1989 and if we had to pick a year in which we believe was the best out of those three decades of classic rock, 1969 would be the one. In fact, there were so many albums to choose from, we had to create the longest list that we have ever published in our best albums of the year series. In this one we listed our top 150 albums of 1969. It was tough to do, and there were still many left out. The top 25 was brutal.  1969’s Best Rock Albums list is almost all rock and roll. While many of the mid 1960s lists crossed genres because of the domination of Motown, soul  and R&B, 1969 is almost all rock with a few exceptions.

1969’s Best Rock Albums article shines as our favorite for many reasons. Standing at the top of those reasons was the fact that 1969 showcases a year in which Led Zeppelin released their debut album. Further cementing that one particular point was the fact that Led Zeppelin followed up their debut album with an even stronger effort entitled Led Zeppelin II also in 1969. At the same time, three of the greatest rock bands of all time The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who released some of the greatest albums of their careers.

The trend for bands to release multiple albums year continued in 1969. Creedence Clearwater Revival released three spectacular albums in 1969. Its amazing how bands turned out music so quickly. Music that would become legendary. Musical artists used to react to turmoil in society by creating deeply written musical and lyrical responses to the issues. In 1969 there was no shortage of issues.

The year saw the greatest roster of debut albums ever released. Some of the most legendary would include the debut albums from Chicago, Grand Funk Janis Joplin, The Allman Brothers Band, Neil Young, Santana, King Crimson, Crosby,Stills & Nash, Free, Bob Seger, Poco and Alice Cooper, Elton John and Yes. There were so many more that you will discover on this incredible list of rock albums form 1969.

# 150 – The Wedding Album – John Lennon & Yoko Ono

The Wedding Album - John Lennon & Yoko Ono

# 149 – Unfinished Music No. 2: Life with the Lions  – John Lennon & Yoko Ono

# 148 – Electronic Sound  – George Harrison

Electronic Sound  - George Harrison

# 147 – 2525 (Exordium & Terminus) – Zagger & Evans

2525 (Exordium & Terminus) - Zagger & Evans

# 145 – Happy TrailsQuicksilver Messenger Service

Happy Trails - Quicksilver Messenger Service

# 142 – The Climax Chicago Blues Band – Climax Blues Band

# 141 – Folkjokeopus – Roy Harper

Folkjokeopus – Roy Harper

# 140 – The Howlin’ Wolf Album – Howlin’ Wolf 

The Howlin' Wolf Album - Howlin' Wolf 

# 139 – Four Sail  – Love

Four Sail  - Love

# 138 – Dizzy – Tommy Roe

Dizzy – Tommy Roe

# 137 – Elephant Mountain – The Youngbloods

Elephant Mountain – The Youngbloods

# 136 – Pacific Gas and Electric – Pacific Gas & Electric

Pacific Gas and Electric debut album

# 135 – Keep On Moving – Paul Butterfield

Keep On Moving – Paul Butterfield

# 134 – Hollies Sing Dylan – The Hollies 

Hollies Sing Dylan - The Hollies 

# 133 – Hot Buttered Soul – Isaac Hayes

# 131 – The Good Rats – The Good Rats

The Good Rats debut album

# 130 – Valentyne Suite – Colosseum

Valentyne Suite - Colosseum

# 129 – Testifyin’ – Clarence Carter

Testifyin' - Clarence Carter

# 128 – Songs for a Tailor – Jack Bruce

Songs for a Tailor - Jack Bruce

# 127 – The Charlatans – The Charlatans

The Charlatans debut album

# 126 – Jimmy Cliff – Jimmy Cliff

Jimmy Cliff debut album

# 125 – The AssociationThe Association 

The Association  album

# 124 – The Meters – The Meters

The Meters album

# 123 – Completely Well – B.B. King

Completely Well - B.B. King

# 122 –The Gilded Palace of Sin – The Flying Burrito Brothers

The Gilded Palace of Sin - The Flying Burrito Brothers 

# 121 – Boz Scaggs – Boz Scaggs

Boz Scaggs debut album

# 120 – Harry – Harry Nilsson

Harry - Harry Nilsson album

# 119 – Fathers and Sons – Muddy Waters

# 118 – The Age Of Aquarius – The Fifth Dimension

The Age Of Aquarius - The Fifth Dimension

# 117 – Monster Movie – Can

Monster Movie - Can

# 116 – Tons of SobsFree

Tons of Sobs - Free

# 115 – At Home – Shocking Blue

# 114 – Monster – Steppenwolf

Monster - Steppenwolf

# 113 – Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m ProudJames Brown

Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud - James Brown

# 112 – Spare Parts – Status Quo

Spare Parts - Status Quo

# 111 – It’s Not Killing Me – Mike Bloomfield

It's Not Killing Me – Mike Bloomfield

# 110 – Noah  – Bob Seger System

Noah  - Bob Seger System

# 109 – Love Chronicles – Al Stewart

Love Chronicles - Al Stewart

# 108 – Concerto in “B Goode” – Chuck Berry

Concerto in "B Goode" - Chuck Berry

# 107 – Hollies Sing Hollies(UK) He Ain’t Heavy (US) –The Hollies

Hollies Sing Hollies(UK) He Ain't Heavy (US) -The Hollies

# 106 – Turtle Soup  – The Turtles

Turtle Soup  - The Turtles

# 105 – Beginnings – Ambrose Slade

Beginnings - Ambrose Slade

# 104 – At San Quentin – Johnny Cash

At San Quentin - Johnny Cash

# 103 – Instant ReplayThe Monkees

Instant Replay - The Monkees

# 102 – From Genesis to RevelationGenesis

From Genesis to Revelation - Genesis

# 101 – Moby Grape ’69Moby Grape

Moby Grape '69 - Moby Grape

# 100 – Your Saving Grace – Steve Miller Band 

Your Saving Grace - Steve Miller Band 

# 99 – 20/20  – The Beach Boys

20/20  - The Beach Boys

# 98 – Dusty in MemphisDusty Springfield

Dusty in Memphis - Dusty Springfield

# 97 – Touching You Touching Me – Neil Diamond

Touching You Touching Me - Neil Diamond

# 96 – Spooky TwoSpooky Tooth

Spooky Tooth debut album

# 95 – Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde – The Byrds

Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde - The Byrds

# 94 – Nazz Nazz – The Nazz

Nazz Nazz - The Nazz

# 93 – Pickin’ Up the Pieces – Poco

Pickin' Up the Pieces - Poco

# 92 – More – Pink Floyd

More - Pink Floyd

# 91 – Get Ready – Rare Earth

Get Ready - Rare Earth

# 90 – From Elvis in Memphis – Elvis Presley

From Elvis in Memphis - Elvis Presley

# 89 – Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum

Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum

 # 88 –To Our Children’s Children’s Children –The Moody Blues

To Our Children's Children's Children -The Moody Blues

# 87 – Renaissance – Renaissance

Renaissance debut album

# 86 – Crimson & Clover – Tommy James & The Shondells

Crimson & Clover - Tommy James & The Shondells

# 85 – Rock and Roll – Vanilla Fudge

Rock and Roll - Vanilla Fudge

# 84 – Everything As Nice As Mother Makes It  – The Nice

Everything As Nice As Mother Makes It  - The Nice

# 83 – As Safe as Yesterday IsHumble Pie

As Safe as Yesterday Is - Humble Pie

# 82 –Wanted Dead or Alive – Warren Zevon

Wanted Dead or Alive – Warren Zevon

# 81 – Unicorn – Tyrannosaurus Rex

Unicorn - Tyrannosaurus Rex

# 80 – BabylonDr. John

Babylon - Dr. John

# 79 – What We Did on Our Holidays – Fairport Convention

What We Did on Our Holidays - Fairport Convention

# 78 – Sound of Sexy Soul – The Delfonics

Sound of Sexy Soul - The Delfonics

# 77 – Bull of the Woods – 13th Floor Elevators

Bull of the Woods - 13th Floor Elevators

# 76 – Ballad of Easy Rider – The Byrds

Ballad of Easy Rider - The Byrds

# 75 – Mountain – Leslie West

Mountain - Leslie West

# 74 – Ahead Rings Out – Blodwyn Pig

Ahead Rings Out - Blodwyn Pig

# 73 – Brave New WorldSteve Miller Band

Brave New World - Steve Miller Band

# 72 – After the Rain – Muddy Waters

After the Rain - Muddy Waters

# 71 – Five Leaves Left – Nick Drake

Five Leaves Left - Nick Drake

# 70 – Ball – Iron Butterfly

Ball - Iron Butterfly

# 69 – Soul ’69 – Aretha Franklin

Soul '69 - Aretha Franklin

# 68 – Blue Matter – Savoy Brown

Blue Matter - Savoy Brown

# 67 – Near the Beginning  – Vanilla Fudge

Near the Beginning  - Vanilla Fudge

# 66 – Stonedhenge – Ten Years After

Stonedhenge - Ten Years After

# 65 – Live / Dead – The Grateful Dead

Live / Dead - The Grateful Dead

# 64 – Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man – The Bob Seger System

Ramblin' Gamblin' Man - The Bob Seger System

# 63 – Uncle Meat – The Mothers of Invention

Uncle Meat - The Mothers of Invention

# 62 – Liege & Lief  – Fairport Convention 

Liege & Lief  - Fairport Convention 

# 61 – Grand Funk (The Red Album) Grand Funk

Grand Funk (The Red Album) Grand Funk

# 60 – At Your Birthday Party – Steppenwolf

At Your Birthday Party - Steppenwolf

# 59 – New! Improved!Blue Cheer

New! Improved! - Blue Cheer

# 58 – Joe Cocker – Joe Cocker

Joe Cocker album

# 57 – Second Winter – Johnny Winter

Second Winter - Johnny Winter

# 56 – A Salty Dog – Procol Harum

A Salty Dog - Procol Harum

# 55 – Volunteers – The Jefferson Airplane

Volunteers - The Jefferson Airplane

# 54 – Then Play On  – Fleetwood Mac

Then Play On  - Fleetwood Mac

# 53 – Ssssh – Ten Years After

Ssssh - Ten Years After

# 52 – Suitable for FramingThree Dog Night

Suitable for Framing - Three Dog Night

# 51 – Canned Wheat  – The Guess Who

Canned Wheat  - The Guess Who

# 50 – Pretties for YouAlice Cooper

Pretties for You - Alice Cooper

# 49 – New York Tendaberry – Laura Nyro

New York Tendaberry - Laura Nyro

# 48 – Freedom Suite – The Rascals

Freedom Suite - The Rascals

# 47 – The Rod Stewart Album – Rod Stewart

The Rod Stewart Album - Rod Stewart

# 46 – Neil Young – Neil Young

Neil Young album

# 45 – Johnny Winter – Johnny Winter

Johnny Winter album

# 44 – Trout Mask Replica – Captain Beefheart 

Trout Mask Replica - Captain Beefheart 

# 43 – Beck-Ola – Jeff Beck Group

Beck-Ola - Jeff Beck Group

# 42 – Clouds – Joni Mitchell

Clouds - Joni Mitchell

# 41 – Stand – Sly & the Family Stone

Stand - Sly & the Family Stone

# 40 – Sweet Caroline/Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show – Neil Diamond

Sweet Caroline/Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show - Neil Diamond

# 39 – Yer’ Album – The James Gang

Yer' Album - The James Gang

# 38 – Last Exit – Traffic

Last Exit - Traffic

# 37 – Aoxomoxoa – The Grateful Dead

Aoxomoxoa - The Grateful Dead

# 36 – Wheatfield Soul – The Guess Who

Wheatfield Soul - The Guess Who

# 35 – The Velvet UndergroundThe Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground debut album

# 34 – On the Threshold of a Dream  – The Moody Blues

On the Threshold of a Dream  - The Moody Blues

# 33 – With a Little Help from My Friends  – Joe Cocker

With a Little Help from My Friends  - Joe Cocker

# 32 – Santana – Santana

Santana debut album

# 31 – Arthur – The Kinks

Arthur - The Kinks

# 30 – Ummagumma  – Pink Floyd

Ummagumma  - Pink Floyd

# 29 – I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama!Janis Joplin

I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama! - Janis Joplin

# 28 – Hot Rats – Frank Zappa

Hot Rats - Frank Zappa

# 27 – Bayou Country – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Bayou Country - Creedence Clearwater Revival

# 26 – Yes – Yes

Yes debut album

# 25 – The Stooges – The Stooges

The Stooges debut album

# 24 – Empty Sky – Elton John

Empty Sky - Elton John

# 23 – Goodbye – Cream

Goodbye - Cream

# 22 – The Soft ParadeThe Doors

The Soft Parade - The Doors

# 21 – Deep Purple (III) – Deep Purple

Deep Purple (III) - Deep Purple

# 20 – David Bowie (Space Oddity) – David Bowie

David Bowie (Space Oddity) - David Bowie

# 19 – Kick Out The Jams – MC5

Kick Out The Jams - MC5

# 18 – On Time – Grand Funk Railroad

On Time - Grand Funk Railroad

# 17 – Yellow Submarine – The Beatles

Yellow Submarine - The Beatles

# 16 – Nashville SkylineBob Dylan

Nashville Skyline - Bob Dylan

# 15 – Green River – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Green River - Creedence Clearwater Revival

# 14 – Stand Up – Jethro Tull

Stand Up - Jethro Tull

# 13 – Everybody Knows This Is NowhereNeil Young & Crazy Horse

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - Neil Young & Crazy Horse

# 12- Blind Faith – Blind Faith

Blind Faith album

# 11 – The Band – The Band 

The Band album

# 10 –The Chicago Transit AuthorityChicago

The Chicago Transit Authority - Chicago

#  9 – Willie And The Poor Boys – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Willie And The Poor Boys - Creedence Clearwater Revival

#  8 – In the Court of the Crimson KingKing Crimson

In the Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson

#  7 – Crosby, Stills & NashCrosby, Stills & Nash

Crosby, Stills & Nash debut album

#  6 – The Allman Brothers Band –The Allman Brothers Band

The Allman Brothers Band

#  5 – Tommy – The Who

Tommy - The Who

#  4 – Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin debut album

#  3 – Let It Bleed – The Rolling Stones

Let It Bleed - The Rolling Stones

#  2 – Led Zeppelin II – Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin II - Led Zeppelin

#  1 – Abbey Road – The Beatles

Abbey Road - The Beatles

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Best Albums of The Year Series

1960’s Best Rock Albums

1962’s Best Rock Albums List

1963’s Best Rock Albums List

1964’s Best Rock Albums List

1965’s Best Albums

1966’s Best Albums

1967’s Best Rock Albums

1968’s Best Rock Albums

1970’s Best Rock Albums

1970’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1971’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1972’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1973’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1974’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1975’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1976’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1977’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1978’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1979’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1980’s Best Rock Albums

1980’s Best Rock Albums List

1981’s Best Rock Albums List

1982’s Best Rock Albums List

1983’s Best Rock Albums List

1984’s Best Rock Albums List

1985’s Best Rock Albums List

1986’s Best Rock Albums List

Updated May 11, 2023

1969’s Best Rock Albums article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023

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