8 Amazing Rock n’ Roll Debut Albums

Amazing Rock n’ Roll Debuts

Roseville, Calif.-  In music, rarely do the stars align for that magical coalescing of youth, talent, and craftsmanship that deliver a superior, iconic album on the very first try. However, when they do align, it often changes the musical landscape in a profound and lasting manner.

With that in mind, here is list of some of our absolute favorite debut albums.

8 Amazing Rock n’ Roll Debut Albums (in no particular order)

1- Led Zeppelin

Jimmy Page, the man with the musical Midas touch had a vision for a band. Led Zeppelin’s debut laid the groundwork for a dominance in the 1970s that’s difficult to overstate, especially when you consider the competitive landscape of the times. Half a century plus later, fans remain dazed and confused.

2- The Doors – The Doors

Before the summer of love, The Doors debut album would usher in what would become some of the band’s most seminal work. Light My Fire, penned by Robbie Krieger, would help pave the way for The Doors meteoric rise. A killer album throughout.

3- The Cars – The Cars

1978 was an odd time and The Cars debut album skillfully walked the line between rock n’ roll and the new age punk scene. In a perfect example of genre confusion, The Cars drew fans in from a wide variety of musical tastes and in the process delivered one of the greatest debut albums on vinyl. 44 years later, it still sounds amazing.

4- Van Halen – Van Halen

Disco was thriving and rock n’ roll was thought headed for extinction in 1978, someone forgot to tell Van Halen. Arguably, the most kick-ass debut album ever created and one that spawned a million wannabees. The influence of Van Halen is unmistakable and permeated every big hair band and corner of popular music for years to come. It all began with Van Halen’s mega debut.

5- Bad Company – Bad Company

Released in the summer of 1974, Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and crew teamed up to create an catchy, rock sound with almost universal appeal. Listening to the Bad Co’s debut album in its entirety is musical bliss, even 48 years after it’s release.

6- Guns n’ Roses –  Appetite for Destruction

Welcome to the Jungle by Guns n’ Roses set off a buzz for a new band not seen since Van Halen nine years prior. An incredible collection of high energy songs with tremendous crossover appeal in the the era of MTV, where the grass is green and the girls are pretty.

7- Pearl Jam – Ten

Sitting in a Palo Alto pub in 1991, a brand new band, Pearl Jam played over the radio. We rushed out to buy the CD and spent the next few months listening incessantly. A recent listen reminded these ears of all the youthful energy and terrific songs that ooze out of this album. Grunge? C’mon, let’s just call it what it really is — one of the best rock debut albums ever.

8 – Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young – Deja Vu

With the addition of Neil Young, Deja Vu becomes a debut album. A cover-to-cover masterpiece incorporating the famed harmonies of CSN with Neil Young’s visceral guitar and coarse edge. Revisiting this album is like stepping into a time machine back to the beginning of the 1970’s. Capture the sound of the times, whether you were there or not. A true gem.

Agree, disagree? What amazing debut albums deserve to be on this list that we overlooked? Let us know!