Our 1971’s Best Classic Rock Albums article takes a look at one of the most spectacular years in classic rock history. Historic rock bands like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and The Who put out what many feel were the best albums of their careers. Thousands of great rock records were released with hundreds of them standing the test of time. It was extremely difficult to put together a top 25 list for the year 1971. There was absolutely no way we could just pick 25. In this article we have included our 25 favorites along with the best of the rest. We take a look at every month of the year in 1971 and choose the best and most legendary releases that came out in each particular month.
# 25 –Every Good Boy Deserves Favour – The Moody Blues
# 24 – Meddle – Pink Floyd
# 23 – Tupelo Honey – Van Morrison
# 22 – Leon Russell and the Shelter People – Leon Russell
# 21 – Hunky Dory – David Bowie
# 20 – Ram – Paul McCartney
# 19 – Cahoots – The Band
# 18 – What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
# 17 – Every Picture Tells a Story – Rod Stewart
# 16 – Master of Reality – Black Sabbath
# 15 – Pictures at an Exhibition – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
# 14 – L.A. Woman – The Doors
# 13 – The Yes Album – Yes
# 12 – Electric Warrior – T. Rex
# 11 – Tapestry – Carole King
# 10 – Pearl – Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin’s posthumous release defines what a brilliant talent she was, and how much we all lost with her passing.
# 9 – Aqualung – Jethro Tull
This legendary Jethro Tull album was an easy shoo-in for our top 10 section of our 1971’s Best Classic Rock Albums list. It was the band’s fourth album. Standout tracks included the title cut “Aqualung,” and the iconic song “Locomotive Breath.”
# 8 – Madman Across The Water – Elton John
Elton John’s landmark LP Madman Across The Water contained the songs “Levon,” and “Tiny Dancer.” For just those two alone it would have made this top 10. However, the rest of the album was just as brilliant.
# 7 – Blue – Joni Mitchell
Most Joni Mitchell fans claim the Blue album as her most wonderful work. We agree with that opinion. Joni Mitchell’s Blue has been cited by so many rock and jazz artists as one of the most inspirational albums ever released.
# 6 – At Fillmore East – The Allman Brothers Band
One of the greatest live albums of all time. Live At The Fillmore East has been re-released so many times because the performances the band put on at the Fillmore East are of legend.
# 5 – Fragile – Yes
“Roundabout,” “Long Distance Runaround,” and so many more great tracks. Radio friendly progressive rock written and performed by talent off the charts. An incredible album from the incredible band Yes.
# 4 – Imagine – John Lennon
If there was ever one song written that could change the world it was John Lennon’s “Imagine.” His greatest solo song is taken from his greatest solo album entitled Imagine.
# 3 – Sticky Fingers – The Rolling Stones
Three of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time released what many people believe were their greatest albums ever released all in the same year. It’s tough to choose the best Rolling Stones album ever, but Sticky Fingers just may be it.
# 2 – Who’s Next – The Who
The Who released many great records throughout their career but there’s no doubt that Who’s Next was their finest work. The album presented rock fans with two of the greatest rock and roll songs ever recorded in “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” and “Baba O’ Riley.”
# 1 – Led Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin
There was no doubt that we would choose this legendary Led Zeppelin album for our number one spot on our 1971’s Best Classic Rock Albums list. We will give you eight amazing reasons why. Number 1. Black Dog, 2. Rock and Roll, 3. The Battle of Evermore, 4. Stairway To Heaven, 5. Misty Mountain Hop, 6. Four Sticks, 7. Going To California, 8. When the Levee Breaks. Need more reasons? Okay here’s four more. 1. Robert Plant, 2. Jimmy Page, 3. John Bonham. 4. John Paul Jones. I think we have made our point
More Fantastic Classic Rock Albums Released in 1971
These are listed in chronological order in which they came out throughout the year
Best Rock Albums – January 1971
Chicago III – Chicago
Hooker ‘n Heat – John Lee Hooker and Canned Heat
Little Feat – Little Feat
Nantucket Sleighride – Mountain
You’re Not Alone – Dion
Best Rock Albums – February 1971
Carly Simon – Carly Simon
If I Could Only Remember My Name – David Crosby
Crazy Horse – Crazy Horse
Long Player – Faces
Best Rock Albums – March 1971
Search and Nearness – The Rascals
Love It To Death – Alice Cooper
Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon – James Taylor
Songs of Love and Hate – Leonard Cohen
Percy – The Kinks
Back to the Roots – John Mayall
Black Oak Arkansas – Black Oak Arkansas
Rock On – Humble Pie
Wildlife – Mott the Hoople
Best Rock Albums – April 1971
4 Way Street – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
In the Land of Grey and Pink – Caravan
Thin Lizzy – Thin Lizzy
Bloodrock 3 – Bloodrock
The Doobie Brothers – The Doobie Brothers
Mirror Man – Captain Beefheart & his Magic Band
Survival – Grand Funk Railroad
Thirds – James Gang
Best Rock Albums – May 1971
Peaceful World – The Rascals
Smash Your Head Against the Wall – John Entwistle
Rory Gallagher – Rory Gallagher
Summer Side of Life – Gordon Lightfoot
Live Johnny Winter And – Johnny Winter
Man in Black – Johnny Cash
Just as I Am – Bill Withers
Stephen Stills 2 – Stephen Stills
Best Rock Albums – June 1971
Tarkus – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Best Rock Albums – July 1971
High Time – MC5
Acquiring the Taste – Gentle Giant
Fireball – Deep Purple
Best Rock Albums – August 1971
Fillmore East – June 1971 – The Mothers of Invention
New Riders of the Purple Sage – New Riders of the Purple Sage
A Space in Time – Ten Years After
Best Rock Albums – September 1971
Future Games – Fleetwood Mac
Second Album – Curved Air
Harmony – Three Dog Night
Best Rock Albums – October 1971
Teaser and the Firecat – Cat Stevens
200 Motels – Frank Zappa
Distant Light – The Hollies
In Search of Space – Hawkwind
American Pie – Don McLean
Chicago at Carnegie Hall – Chicago
Rough and Ready – The Jeff Beck Group
Best Rock Albums – November 1971
Nursery Cryme – Genesis
Gonna Take a Miracle – Laura Nyro
There’s a Riot Goin’ On – Sly & the Family Stone
Killer – Alice Cooper
Deuce – Rory Gallagher
All Day Music – War
Anticipation – Carly Simon
Bonnie Raitt – Bonnie Raitt
E Pluribus Funk – Grand Funk Railroad
For Ladies Only – Steppenwolf
The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys – Traffic
Nilsson Schmilsson – Harry Nilsson
Best Rock Albums – December 1971
Islands – King Crimson
Wild Life – Wings
Straight Up – Badfinger
The Concert for Bangladesh – George Harrison and Friends
America – America
The Electric Light Orchestra – The Electric Light Orchestra
This list is dedicated to one of our loyal readers Mr. Joe Tocci who graduated from High School in 1971 and then went on to serve his country by joining the Navy.
Updated May 8, 2023
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sadness every list I don’t see Procol Harum on