What is the best rock album of the 1970s?

Hard rock behemoths, prog epics, glam theatrics, and early punk all collide in rock's most creatively fertile decade. The competition is fierce — who comes out on top?

1

The Dark Side of the Moon

Pink Floyd's 1973 concept album, one of the best-selling records of all time, exploring mortality, greed, and madness.

2

Led Zeppelin IV

Led Zeppelin's 1971 untitled fourth album, home to Stairway to Heaven and an enduring benchmark for hard rock.

3

Rumours

Fleetwood Mac's 1977 pop-rock landmark recorded while the band's relationships disintegrated, spawning era-defining singles.

4

Exile on Main St.

The Rolling Stones' 1972 double album, a boozy, sprawling masterpiece of rock, blues, country, and gospel.

5

Hotel California

Eagles' 1976 polished California rock album featuring one of the greatest guitar solos and a dark vision of American excess.

6

Born to Run

Bruce Springsteen's 1975 breakthrough packed with soaring anthems about the working class and the promise of escape.

7

Who's Next

The Who's 1971 album introducing synth-rock anthems and some of Pete Townshend's most powerful compositions.

8

Physical Graffiti

Led Zeppelin's 1975 sprawling double album, their most ambitious work, balancing hard rock epics with acoustic beauty.

9

Wish You Were Here

Pink Floyd's 1975 tribute to Syd Barrett, built on the epic Shine On You Crazy Diamond suite and a spirit of melancholy.

10

London Calling

The Clash's 1979 double album fusing punk with reggae, ska, and rockabilly, one of rock's great genre-crossing statements.

11

Horses

Patti Smith's 1975 debut blending proto-punk poetry, rock, and jazz into one of the most influential albums of the decade.

12

Marquee Moon

Television's 1977 post-punk debut built around extended, interlocking guitar improvisations and a cerebral New York cool.

13

Ziggy Stardust

David Bowie's 1972 glam rock concept album following an alien rock star, a defining statement of 1970s theatricality.

14

Paranoid

Black Sabbath's 1970 album cementing heavy metal with riff-driven classics including Iron Man and War Pigs.

15

Harvest

Neil Young's 1972 folk-rock gem that became his commercial peak, featuring warm acoustic storytelling and country touches.

16

Ramones

The Ramones' 1976 debut that invented punk rock: 14 songs in 29 minutes, stripping rock back to its barest essentials.