Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Classic Albums Celebrating 40th & 50th Anniversaries in 2019


Some of culture’s most beloved albums are seeing milestone anniversaries in 2019. Whether they were released 10, 20 or even 50 years ago, these albums have left a lasting impression on music and culture that can still be felt all these years later.

Last week, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, took a look back at some influential albums celebrating milestone 10th, 20th and 30th anniversaries in 2019. This week, we bring you the second half of that list, this time featuring iconic albums turning 40 and 50 this year. Here are just a few titles that have continued to leave their mark nearly half-a-century after their initial release.


Forty Years:

1.       Pink Floyd, ‘The Wall’: Helmed by Roger Waters, ‘The Wall’ was one of Pink Floyd’s most ambitious and successful albums. A concept album dealing with Waters’ deep-seeded feelings of isolation and abandonment, the passion put into the project gave it wide-reaching appeal. Upon its release, it spent 15 weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and produced their only number one single, “Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 2.” It has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling double LP of all. The album It also inspired a cult-classic film just a few short years later.

2.       AC/DC, ‘Highway to Hell’: After five albums, AC/DC finally broke through in the US with their sixth release, ‘Highway to Hell,’ in 1979. The title track became an instant classic upon release and drew new fans into the band’s fanbase. Unfortunately, ‘Highway’ would also become their last to feature Bon Scott on vocals.

Fifty Years:

1.       The Beatles, ‘Abbey Road’: ‘Abbey Road’ was one of The Beatles’ most iconic albums, featuring some of the band’s most important late-career work. Tracks like the George Harrison-penned “Something” and “Here Comes The Sun,” and John Lennon’s “Come Together,” became indisputable hits, propelling the album to the top of the charts in several countries.

2.       The Who, ‘Tommy’: When you think of rock operas, the first album that comes to mind is The Who’s groundbreaking 1969 release, ‘Tommy.’ The story of a child who becomes deaf, blind and dumb after witnessing a tragedy, the album stunned fans and critics alike, launching The Who to even higher points of popularity. The album sold more than 20 million copies as of 2015 and remains the ultimate rock opera.

3.       Led Zeppelin, ‘Led Zeppelin I’ & ‘Led Zeppelin II’: Led Zeppelin’s debut album was unlike anything music had heard prior to 1969. While rock at the time was beginning to focus more on fast and loud, ‘Led Zeppelin I’ focused on creating compositions that combined blues and heavy rock guitars, regardless of length. The sound became a precursor to heavier ones, especially heavy metal. But the band didn’t stop there. By the end of the year they released a second album, which was heavier than the first and more-well received by critics. ‘Led Zeppelin II’ is also considered by many publications to be one of the most influential albums of all time.


From bands nearing the end of their run to those who were just getting started, some of rock’s most influential and iconic albums are celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2019. These albums continue to be remembered fondly decades after their initial success, withstanding the test of time and being passed on for rediscovery by newer generations.

---

Rediscover these classic albums and more at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres to suit the tastes of most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, music memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

No comments:

Post a Comment