25 Best Classic Rock Live Albums Of All Time

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Our 25 Best Classic Rock Live Albums Of All Time list was put together with the help of six hundred of our readers who submitted their favorite live albums of all time on our Facebook page. This was no easy task counting all the lists, but in the end, there were a coup of picks that really stood out above them all. The article was originally intended to be just a top 10 list, but we noticed that there were about twenty five very popular albums that seemed to keep showing up in all the picks. So of course we had no problem extending the list to 25. Even at 25, we all know that there have been hundreds of great classic rock live albums released over the years. We have included many of the other picks that did not make the top 25 list. We have also included a list of live albums that to our surprise, nobody picked.

# 25 –  Live At Carnegie Hall – Chicago

Released October 25, 1971

CD Track Listings:

Disc 1:
1. In the Country
2. Fancy Colours
3. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Free Form Intro)
4. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
5. South California Purples
6. Questions 67 and 68

Disc 2:
1. Sing a Mean Tune Kid
2. Beginnings
3. It Better End Soon – 1st Movement
4. It Better End Soon – 2nd Movement
5. It Better End Soon – 3rd Movement
6. It Better End Soon – 4th Movement
7. It Better End Soon – 5th Movement

Disc 3:
1. Introduction
2. Mother
3. Lowdown
4. Flight 602
5. Motorboat to Mars
6. Free
7. Where Do We Go From Here
8. I Don’t Want Your Money

Disc 4:
1. Happy ’Cause I’m Going Home
2. Make Me Smile
3. So Much to Say, So Much to Give
4. Anxiety’s Moment
5. West Virginia Fantasies
6. Colour My World
7. To Be Free
8. Now More Than Ever
9. A Song for Richard and His Friends
10. 25 or 6 to 4
11. I’m a Man

# 24 – Strangers In The Night – UFO

Released January 2, 1979

Vinyl Track Listings:

Side one

1. “Natural Thing”  – 3:57
2. “Out in the Street” (Way, Mogg) – 5:07
3. “Only You Can Rock Me” (Way, Schenker, Mogg) – 4:08
4. “Doctor Doctor” (Schenker, Mogg) – 4:42

Side two

5. “Mother Mary” (Schenker, Mogg, Way, Andy Parker) – 3:25
6. “This Kid’s” (Schenker, Mogg) – 5:11
7. “Love to Love” (Schenker, Mogg) – 7:58

Side three

1. “Lights Out” (Schenker, Mogg, Parker, Way) – 5:23
2. “Rock Bottom” (Schenker, Mogg) – 11:08

Side four

3. “Too Hot to Handle” (Way, Mogg) – 4:26
4. “I’m a Loser” (Schenker, Mogg) – 4:13
5. “Let It Roll” (Schenker, Mogg) – 4:48
6. “Shoot Shoot” (Schenker, Mogg, Way, Parker) – 4:07

# 23 – Caught In The Act – Grand Funk Railroad

Released August 1975

CD Track Listings:

Side one

1. “Footstompin’ Music” (Mark Farner) – 4:07
2. “Rock & Roll Soul” (Farner) – 4:04
3. “Closer to Home” (Farner) – 7:08

Side two

1. “Heartbreaker” (Farner) – 7:22
2. “Some Kind of Wonderful” (John Ellison) – 4:14
3. “Shinin’ On” (Farner, Don Brewer) – 5:31
4. “The Loco-Motion” (Gerry Goffin, Carole King) – 3:21

Side three

1. “Black Licorice” (Farner, Brewer) – 4:27
2. “The Railroad” (Farner) – 6:13
3. “We’re an American Band (Brewer) – 3:38
4. “T.N.U.C.” (Farner) – 9:32

Side four

1. “Inside Looking Out” – 12:24
2. “Gimme Shelter” – 7:00

# 22 – Live Rust – Neil Young

Released November 14, 1979

CD Track Listings:

# 21 – Rock N Roll Animal – Lou Reed

Released February 1974

CD Track Listings:

1. Intro / Sweet Jane
2. Heroin
3. How Do You Think It Feels
4. Caroline Says I
5. White Light / White Heat
6. Lady Day
7. Rock ’n’ Roll

# 20 – How The West Was Won – Led Zeppelin

Released May 27, 2003

CD Track Listings:

Disc 1:
1. LA Drone
2. Immigrant Song
3. Heartbreaker
4. Black Dog
5. Over the Hills and Far Away
6. Since I’ve Been Loving You
7. Stairway to Heaven
8. Going to California
9. That’s the Way
10. Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp

Disc 2:
1. Dazed and Confused
2. What Is and What Should Never Be
3. Dancing Days
4. Moby Dick

Disc 3:
1. Whole Lotta Love
2. Rock and Roll
3. The Ocean
4. Bring It On Home

# 19 – Foghat Live – Foghat

Released August 1977

CD Track Listings:

1. “Fool for the City” (Dave Peverett) – 5:31
2. “Home in My Hand” (Dave Peverett, Rod Price) – 4:56
3. “I Just Want to Make Love to You” (Willie Dixon) – 8:36
4. “Road Fever” (Peverett, Price) – 5:29
5. “Honey Hush” (Big Joe Turner) – 5:38
6. “Slow Ride” (Peverett) – 8:21

# 18 – Rockin’ The Fillmore – Humble Pie

Released November 1971

CD Track Listings:

Disc 1:
1. Four Day Creep
2. I’m Ready
3. Stone Cold Fever
4. I Walk On Gilded Splinters

Disc 2:
1. Rolling Stone
2. Hallelujah (I Love Her So)
3. I Don’t Need No Doctor

# 17 – Uriah Heep Live

Released April 1973

CD Track Listings:

Disc 1:
1. Introduction
2. Sunrise
3. Sweet Lorraine
4. Traveller In Time
5. Easy Livin’
6. July Morning
7. Tears In My Eyes

Disc 2:
1. Gypsy
2. Circle Of Hands
3. Look At Yourself
4. Magician’s Birthday
5. Love Machine
6. Rock And Roll Medley: Roll Over Beethoven; Blue Suede Shoes; Mean Woman Blues; Hound Dog; At The Hop; Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On; Blue Suede Shoes

# 16 – All the World’s a Stage – Rush

Released September 29, 1976

CD Track Listings:

1. Bastille Day 4:57
2. Anthem 4:56
3. Fly by Night / In the Mood 5:03
4. Something for Nothing 4:02
5. Lakeside Park 5:04
6. 2112 15:50
7. By-Tor & The Snow Dog 11:57
8. In the End 7:13
9. Working Man / Finding My Way 14:56
10. What You’re Doing 5:39

# 15 – Pulse – Pink Floyd

Released May 1995

CD Track Listings:

Disc 1:
1. Shine On You Crazy Diamond
2. Astronomy Domine
3. What Do You Want From Me?
4. Learning to Fly
5. Keep Talking
6. Coming Back to Life
7. Hey You
8. A Great Day for Freedom
9. Sorrow
10. High Hopes
11. Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2

Disc 2:
1. Speak to Me
2. Breathe
3. On the Run
4. Time
5. The Great Gig in the Sky
6. Money
7. Us and Them
8. Any Colour You Like
9. Brain Damage
10. Eclipse
11. Wish You Were Here
12. Comfortably Numb
13. Run Like Hell

# 14 – Live Album – Grand Funk Railroad

Released November 16, 1970

Vinyl Track Listings:

Side one

1. “Introduction” – 2:30
2. “Are You Ready?” – 3:34
3. “Paranoid” – 6:20
4. “In Need” – 9:50

Side two

1. “Heartbreaker” – 6:58
2. “Inside Looking Out” – 12:22

Side three

1. “Words of Wisdom” – 0:55
2. “Mean Mistreater” – 4:40
3. “Mark Says Alright” – 5:10
4. “T.N.U.C.” – 11:45

Side four

1. “Into the Sun” – 12:10

# 13 – Alive! – Kiss

Released September 10, 1975

CD Track Listings:

Disc 1:
1. Deuce
2. Strutter
3. Got To Choose
4. Hotter Than Hell
5. Firehouse
6. Nothin’ To Lose
7. C’mon And Love Me
8. Parasite
9. She

Disc 2:
1. Watchin’ You
2. 100,000 Years
3. Black Diamond
4. Rock Bottom
5. Cold Gin
6. Rock And Roll All Nite
7. Let Me Go, Rock ‘N Roll

# 12 – Double Live Gonzo – Ted Nugent

Released January 1978

CD Track Listings:

# 11 – At Budakon – Cheap Trick

Released February 1979

CD Track Listings:

1. Hello There
2. Come On, Come On
3. Lookout
4. Big Eyes
5. Need Your Love
6. Ain’t That a Shame
7. I Want You to Want Me
8. Surrender
9. Goodnight
10. Clock Strikes Ten

THE MIGHTY TOP TEN

# 10 – Frampton Comes Alive – Peter Frampton

We open up our top 10 section of the greatest classic rock live album with a record that turned the music world upside down. The music industry had never seen an album much less a live album sell as many copies as Frampton Comes Alive. The album changed everything as it opened the eyes of the record industry as to just how much money they could make when an album reached the masses and went what we now call viral. The album was released on January 6, 1976. The album sold eight million copies the first year it was released. Peter Frampton had gone from a cult artist to one of the most famous faces in the world in pretty much a blink of an eye.

Disc 1:
1. Something’s Happening
2. Doobie Wah
3. Show Me The Way
4. It’s A Plain Shame
5. All I Want To Be (Is By Your Side)
6. Wind Of Change
7. Baby, I Love Your Way
8. I Wanna Go To The Sun

Disc 2:
1. Penny For Your Thoughts
2. (I’ll Give You) Money
3. Shine On
4. Jumping Jack Flash
5. Lines On My Face
6. Do You Feel Like We Do

# 9 – Waiting For Columbus – Little Feat

Little Feat released their legendary live album Waiting For Columbus on February 10, 1978. It was the group’s first live album and it helped turn on so many new fans to the band.

Side 1:

1. “Join the Band” – 1:50
2. “Fat Man in the Bathtub”  – 4:50
3. “All That You Dream” – 4:25
4. “Oh Atlanta”– 4:09
5. “Old Folks’ Boogie” – 4:22

Side 2:

1. “Time Loves a Hero”  – 4:20
2. “Day or Night” – 5:23
3. “Mercenary Territory” – 4:27
4. “Spanish Moon” – 4:49

Side 3:

1. “Dixie Chicken” – 9:00
2. “Tripe Face Boogie” – 7:02
3. “Rocket in My Pocket” – 3:42

Side 4:

1. “Willin'” (George) – 4:42
2. “Don’t Bogart That Joint”  – 0:57
3. “A Apolitical Blues” – 3:41
4. “Sailin’ Shoes” – 6:18
5. “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now”  – 5:17

# 8 – One More From The Road – Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s double live album contained one of the greatest live versions of a studio track of all time in the song “Free Bird.” There was no comparison between the live version on this album and the original studio recording, The rest of this amazing record helped spread southern rock all around the world the same way the Allman Brothers Band has done it a few years earlier. The band at the time of this recording consisted of Ronnie Van Zant on  lead vocals, Steve Gaines on guitar, Allen Collins on guitar, Gary Rossington on guitar, Leon Wilkeson on bass, Artimus Pyle on drums, Billy Powell on keyboards, Sam McPherson on harmonica and JoJo Billingsley, Cassie Gaines, Leslie Hawkins on backing vocals.

Side 1:

1. “Workin’ for MCA” – 4:38
2. “I Ain’t the One” – 3:37
3. “Searching” – 3:51
4. “Tuesday’s Gone” – 7:39

Side 2:

1. “Saturday Night Special”– 5:30
2. “Travelin’ Man” – 4:08
3. “Whiskey Rock-a-Roller”  – 4:14
4. “Sweet Home Alabama” – 6:49

Side 3:

1. “Gimme Three Steps” – 5:00
2. “Call Me the Breeze” – 5:27
3. “T for Texas”  – 8:26

Side four

1. “The Needle and the Spoon”– 4:17
2. “Crossroads” – 3:44
3. “Free Bird” – 11:30

# 7 – Live Bullet – Bob Seger

This was a popular choice among classic rock fans asked to pick their favorite live albums. Bob Seger is as genuine as it gets. The man knows how to put on a rock and roll show with pure grit. The double album was released in April of 1976.

CD Track Listings

Disc 1:
1. Nutbush City Limits
2. Travelin’ Man
3. Beautiful Loser
4. Jody Girl
5. I’ve Been Working
6. Turn The Page
7. U.M.C.
8. Bo Diddley

Disc 2:
1. Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man
2. Heavy Music
3. Katmandu
4. Lookin’ Back
5. Get Out Of Denver
6. Let It Rock

# 6 – Made In Japan – Deep Purple

Such a great classic rock live album that never got the attention it deserved outside of the band’s loyal fan base and fans who knew great rock music. The album was released in December of 1972. In the band at the time were Ritchie Blackmore on lead guitar, Ian Gillan on vocals, Roger Glover on bass, Jon Lord on organ, and Ian Paice on drums.

1. Highway Star
2. Child In Time
3. Smoke On The Water
4. The Mule
5. Strange Kind Of Woman
6. Lazy
7. Space Truckin’

# 5 – Live And Dangerous – Thin Lizzy

Is Thin Lizzy the most underrated classic rock band of all time? Well, it depends on who you ask and where they are from. We saw them open for Queen in 1976 at the Garden in NYC  and have been huge fans ever since. The album was released in June 1978. The band on the album consisted of Phil Lynott on lead vocals and bass, Scott Gorham and  Brian Robertson on guitars, and Brian Downey on drums.

Side One

1. Jailbreak
2. Emerald
3. Southbound
4. Rosalie / Cowgirl’s Song

Side Two:
1. Dancing in the Moonlight
2. Massacre
3. Still in Love With You
4. Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed

Side Three:

1. Cowboy Song
2. The Boys Are Back in Town
3. Don’t Believe a Word
4. Warriors
5. Are You Ready

Side Four:
1. Suicide
2. Sha La La
3. Baby Drives Me Crazy
4. The Rocker

# 4 – The Song Remains The Same – Led Zeppelin

We were surprised that so many people picked this album. At the time it was released, it was viewed as more of a soundtrack album that a complete live album. Still, it was the only official live album released by Led Zeppelin in the 1970s. The band never seemed to care for the record that much as they seemed to be always reminding people that it was a soundtrack record. Nonetheless, most Led Zeppelin fans were thrilled to have a live Led Zeppelin album. The packaging was beautiful.  Over time, the album seems to have gotten more popular and the deluxe version that was released a few years ago was spectacular with the bonus tracks included. The inclusion of “The Ocean,” made so many of us Led Zeppelin fans go nuts. It was great to see this one get so many votes

# 3 – Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!: The Rolling Stones in Concert – The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones  Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!: The Rolling Stones in Concert has long been applauded as one of the greatest rock and roll live albums of all time. The Rolling Stones have released over thirty official live albums throughout their career. Yet Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! stands above them all. The album was released on 4 September 1970. The music on the album was recorded at New York’s Madison Square Garden as well as the Baltimore Civic Center. At the time of the recordings, the Rolling Stones on the album consisted of Mick Jagger on vocals, Keith Richards on guitar, Mick Taylor on guitar, Bill Wyman on bass and Charlie Watts on drums. Ian Stewart is also credited as playing piano on a few tracks.

Side One:

1. “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” – 4:03
2. “Carol” – 3:46
3. “Stray Cat Blues” – 3:47
4. “Love in Vain” – 4:56
5. “Midnight Rambler” – 9:04

Side Two:

1. “Sympathy for the Devil” – 6:51
2. “Live With Me” – 3:02
3. “Little Queenie” – 4:33
4. “Honky Tonk Women” – 3:34
5. “Street Fighting Man” – 4:04

# 2 – At Fillmore East – The Allman Brothers Band

It was a close call between the top two albums on our 25 Best Classic Rock Live Albums Of All Time list. Both of our top 2 picks received almost the same amount of votes with the Who just pulling ahead by a small margin. Still, that doesn’t take anything away from this Allman Brothers Classic that has forever been one of the most loved live albums of all time.

The Allman Brothers‘ live album At Fillmore East was first released on July 6, 1971. It was only the band’s third album release of their career after their debut album The Allman Brothers Band was released in 1969 and their follow-up  Idlewild South in 1970.

At the time the band’s lineup consisted of Gregg Allman on organ, piano,and vocals, Duane Allman on lead and slide guitar, Dickey Betts on lead and rhythm guitar, Berry Oakley on bass and Jai Johanny Johanson and Butch Trucks on drums and percussion. The album has been released many times over the years with bonus racks. Below is the original album track listing when it was released in 1970.

Record One – Side A

1. Statesboro Blues – 4:08
2. Done Somebody Wrong – 4:31
3. Stormy Monday – 8:31

Record One – Side B

1. You Don’t Love Me -19:06

Record Two – Side A

1. Hot ‘Lanta – 5:10
2. In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed – 12:46

Record Two – Side B

1. Whipping Post – 22:40

# 1 – Live At Leeds – The Who

In the number one spot on our 25 Best Classic Rock Live Albums Of All Time is the most famous classic rock live album of all time. Chosen by the readers as the number one pick, this album has stood the test of time defining the power of The Who as one of the most exciting and intense rock bands to ever appear on the concert stage. Fueled by the madhouse drumming of Keith Moon, the virtuoso superhuman playing of  John Entwistle, the intense arm-swinging rhythmic playing of Pete Townshend, and the out-of-this-world vocal supremacy of Roger Daltry, The Who were a force on the stage that could not be stopped until all the instrument were left broken in pieces.

Original Album track listing:

Side One:

1. “Young Man Blues”
2. “Substitute”
3. “Summertime Blues”
4. “Shakin’ All Over”

Side Two

1. “My Generation”
2. “Magic Bus”

Honorable mentions and other albums that received many votes

Band Of Gypsies – Jimi Hendrix

Exit Stage Left – Rush

Live  1975-1985 – Bruce Springsteen

Yessongs – Yes

Busting Out – Jethro Tull

Alchemy – Dire Straits

Live in Gdansk – David Gilmour

Wings Over America – Paul McCartney

Live Right Here, Right Now – Van Halen

Live Dead – The Grateful Dead

Some Enchanted Evening – Blue Oyster Cult

Seconds Out – Genesis

Live At The Appolo – James Brown

Irish Tour – Rory Gallagher

Live Full House – J. Geils Band

Live After Death – Iron Maiden

Live from London – Gary Moore

Unplugged – Alice in Chains

Unleashed In The East – Judas Priest

Four Way Street – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Live – Robin Trower

Hot August Night – Neil Diamond

Captured Live at the Forum – Three Dog Night

Bring It Back Alive – The Outlaws

No Sleep ‘Till Hammersmith – Motörhead

Live Killers – Queen

Live At Wembley – Queen

Fillmore East – Derek and the Dominos

Live Bootleg – Aerosmith

Absolutely Live – The Doors

If You Want Blood –  AC/DC

Unplugged – Nirvana

Unplugged – Alice In Chains

Great Live Albums That received No Votes

(These would have been on our list)

11-17-70 – Elton John  – (How nobody voted for this one blows our minds!)

It’s Too Late to Stop Now – Van Morrison – (Another top 10 live album in our book)

Here And There – Elton John

Glitter and Doom Live – Tom Waits

Live In Japan – The Runaways

Live: The Loom’s Desire  – Laura Nyro

Live In Central Park – Simon & Garfunkel

Love You Live – The Rolling Stones

Hot Tuna 1970 – Hot Tuna

Zappa in New York – Frank Zappa

Roxy & Elsewhere – Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention 

Five Live Yardbirds – The Yardbirds

Live from Earth  – Pat Benatar

Live At The Hammersmith 1975 – Bruce Springsteen

24 Nights – Eric Clapton

Live At The Bottom Line – Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes

Welcome Back My Friends… – Emerson Lake & Palmer

Celebration Day – Led Zeppelin

BBC Sessions – Led Zeppelin

Live At The BBC Volumes 1 & 2 – The Beatles

Albums that received no votes and that we didn’t mention, but should have been on the list!  And our readers made sure to let us know about it.

One For The Road – The Kinks – (The biggest whiff of the list)

The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads – Talking Heads

Stop Making Sense – Talking Heads – (Another big whiff)

Every Blue Oyster Cult Live Album ever released.

Alive – Slade 

Rainbow On Stage – Rainbow

Californian Jam 72 – Rare Earth

Johnny Winter Live – Johnny Winter

Rock Of Ages – The Band

The Last Waltz – The Band – (How did we miss this one?)

Warts ‘n’ Audience – Ian Dury and The Blockheads – (Love this pick)

Live  – Paul Butterfield Blues Band

East-West Live  – Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Secret World Live – Peter Gabriel

The Alice Cooper Show – Alice Cooper

25 Best Classic Rock Live Albums Of All Time article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022

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