The Best Rock ‘n Roll Albums of 1969

Nov 10

Here is our list of our top ten favorite rock 'n' roll albums from 1968, along with the band members, a few notable songs, and an interesting fact for each:

1. Abbey Road by The Beatles

- Top Songs: "Come Together," "Something," "Here Comes the Sun"

- Band Members: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr.

- Album Title Origin: Named after the street where their recording studio was located.

- Interesting Tidbit: This was the Beatles' last recorded album and includes some of their best songs.

2. Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin

- Top Songs: "Whole Lotta Love," "Heartbreaker,” "What Is and What Should Never Be," "The Lemon Song,” "Thank You"

- Band Members: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham.

- Album Title Origin: It's their second studio album.

- Interesting Tidbit: The album's heavy, guitar-based music helped launch a new era of rock.

3. Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones

- Top Songs: "Gimme Shelter,” "Midnight Rambler," “You Can't Always Get What You Want"

- Band Members: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Brian Jones (partially).

- Album Title Origin: A play on the Beatles' "Let It Be."

- Interesting Tidbit: The album was released around the time of the tragic Altamont concert.

4. The Band by The Band

- Top Songs: "Across the Great Divide," "Rag Mama Rag," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down"

- Band Members: Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, Rick Danko.

- Album Title Origin: Simply named after the group.

- Interesting Tidbit: The album cover and music have a Civil War-era feel.

5. Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin

- Top Songs: "Dazed and Confused,” "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You," "Communication Breakdown"

- Band Members: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham.

- Album Title Origin: Named after the band.

- Interesting Tidbit: The album is loaded with blues covers given electric spins.

6. Tommy by The Who

- Top Songs: "Pinball Wizard," "I'm Free," "See Me, Feel Me"

- Band Members: Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, Keith Moon.

- Album Title Origin: Named after the main character of the rock opera.

- Interesting Tidbit: "Tommy" is a rock opera about a deaf, dumb, and blind boy.

7. Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band

- Top Songs: "Ella Guru," "Moonlight on Vermont," "Veteran's Day Poppy"

- Band Members: Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet), various others.

- Album Title Origin: Not specified.

- Interesting Tidbit: The album is an avant-garde blend of blues, psych-rock, and free jazz.

8. Santana by Santana

- Top Songs: "Soul Sacrifice," "Jingo,” "Evil Ways," "Shades of Time,” "Persuasion"

- Band Members: Carlos Santana and others.

- Album Title Origin: Named after the band leader, Carlos Santana.

- Interesting Tidbit: The album fuses Latin, jazz, pop, and rock.

9. The Stooges by The Stooges

- Top Songs: "I Wanna Be Your Dog," "1969,” "No Fun," "Real Cool Time,” "Ann"

- Band Members: Iggy Pop, Mike Watt, James Williamson, Scott Asheton.

- Album Title Origin: Named after the band.

- Interesting Tidbit: Considered a landmark proto-punk release.

10. The Gilded Palace of Sin by The Flying Burrito Brothers

- Top Songs: "Sin City," "Hot Burrito #1," "Hot Burrito #2,” "Christine's Tune (Devil in Disguise),” "Juanita,” "Do Right Woman"

- Band Members: Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman, "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow, Chris Ethridge.