Classic Rock Bands Still Together But Overdue For A New Album

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There’s a lot to say about classic rock bands that are still together. Of course, we shouldn’t be greedy and just be happy that many of our favorite bands that we grew up with in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond are still out there touring, still performing, and for the most part have not broken up yet. Even more important, it’s good that many of them are still alive. We must remember that many of these classic rock bands that we listened to as teenagers in the 60s and 70s are fueled by musicians who are in their 70s and higher. Still, it would be nice to hear some new music from artists that inspired our youth and have remained a part of our lives. The one band we would have put at the top of this list, the Rolling Stones, just granted our wish and released a spectacular new album called Hackney Diamonds. Mick Jagger just turned eighty, but he sounds like he’s still in his 20s. It’s probably the best Rolling Stones album since Some Girls, released in 1978.

Below is a list of bands still performing concerts and containing at least a couple of original members from their bands’ glory days. These are the groups that we wish would fire up those tape machines, or at least computers, and let us have it at least one more time. The band’s still rocking at midnight.

# 1 – Aerosmith

Even though they are promoting their current tour as there final tour(how many times have we heard that from bands?)we would be full of sweet emotions if Aerosmith decided to head back into the studio and start kicking out some new tracks. It’s been a long time since the band released a studio album of new songs. Music from Another Dimension! was their last album of new songs released in 2012. That was eleven years ago. Even more interesting is that it had been eleven years before that one, their last studio album of new material was released in 2001 entitled Just Push Play. The Honkin’ on Bobo album released in 2004 was just an album of blues covers.

# 2 – Guns N’ Roses

This one is really mind-blowing when you think of it. When you look at the Guns N’ Roses studio album catalog, the last official Guns N’ Roses album, which only featured Axl Rose from the original band, was released in 2008 called Chinese Democracy. That is fifteen years ago. However, if we dig deeper and search for the last Guns N’ Roses studio album of new material that featured most of the original members of the band, we have to back to the dual Use Your Illusion releases in 1991. That’s thirty two years ago! Yeah, I know exactly what you are thinking. Life goes by way to fast……

# 3 -The Eagles

The Eagles are still touring so they qualify for this list. Of course, it wouldn’t be the same without Glenn Frey, but Don Henley is very much alive and singing great, Joe Walsh is still tearing it up on stage right next to Timothy B Schmidt. The last Eagles album of new studio material was released in 2007 entitled Long Road Out of Eden. That was sixteen years ago.

# 4 – The Beach Boys

The last Beach Boys albums to feature classic members Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston – vocals, Mike Love, and of course, Brian Wilson was released eleven years ago entitled That’s Why God Made the Radio. There seems to be multiple versions of the Beach Boys performing now, so this one is probably impossible, but who knows? That’s Why God Made the Radio was actually a surprise.

# 5 – Mötley Crüe

Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, and Vince Neil are still touring together as Mötley Crüe. The band’s last studio album was released fifteen years ago in 2008 entitled Saints of Los Angeles.

# 6 – Toto

Toto has consistently released new material over the past 40 years. Their last album was released in 2018 entitled Old Is New. It was part of a box set. Compared to the other bands we’ve already looked at, that’s almost brand new. Still, it’s been five years. Remember the days when musical artists used to release a new album every 6 months? Yeah, those days are gone.

# 7 – The Black Crowes

The Robinson Brothers are still out there touring and tearing the roofs off the arenas. This kicking band has always been one of our favorites. The last Black Crowes studio album was released fourteen years ago in 2009, entitled Before the Frost…Until the Freeze.

# 8 – Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo

Although the word bands defines the title of this article, we would still like to include certain artists that played a huge role in classic rock history. There is no doubt that Pat Benatar was one of the most inspiring artists for so many. The last Pat Benatar album was released 20 years ago in 2003, entitled Go. We’d love to hear some new music from Pat Benatar.

# 9 – Billy Joel

Well, I guess while we’re on the topic of solo artists, there’s no artist bigger than Billy Joel who has gone as long as he has without releasing new music. He says he’s done. He told us he was done in 1993 when he released his last studio album, River Of Dreams, and closed it out with the lyric “These Are The Last Words I’ll Ever Write.” He has stayed true to his word, but he’s also selling out concerts constantly in 2023.

# 10 – Heart

We are not complaining about Heart because they have given us a lot of new music over the years for a long period. Nonetheless, we would love to get a new album from the Wilson sisters. On the pulse side, they have released new music in solo albums. The last Heart album was released seven years ago in 2016, entitled Beautiful Broken.

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