The best live albums have the ability to capture the very essence of a band’s energy in concert. They make the listener feel like they are actually part of the audience at what, in many cases, is a historic performance. It’s one thing to create an amazing studio album, but it’s another to lay down a live recording that sounds even better. So with that said, here is our list of the 20 best live albums of all time.
20. Cream: Wheels Of Fire (1968)
A double album, Wheels Of Fire is Cream is the band at its very best. With Disc One recorded live (at Winterland Ballroom and Fillmore West) and Disc Two recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York, it is clear what Cream brought to both settings. Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton, and Ginger Baker have remarkable musical empathy that they combined for a superb rendition of blues legend Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads”. They also show their ability to bring something fresh to blues classics with a fine version of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Sittin’ On Top Of The World.” The album topped the charts in the US and reached No.3 in the UK.
19. Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense (1984)
One of the memorable fashion statements of 80s pop was David Byrne’s “big suit,” and the showmanship of Talking Heads was in full flow on their live album Stop Making Sense. There is a rousing version of “Psycho Killer” powered by a horn section and powerful backing singers, and “Take Me To The River” is mesmerizing. This 1984 concert film and its soundtrack (the first rock movie made using entirely digital audio techniques) showed why this edgy, intelligent band was such fun, and deserving of one of the best live albums of all time.
18. Beach Boys: Beach Boys Concert (1964)
One of the most popular music-related presents during Christmas 1964 was the release of Beach Boys Concert. It became the first live album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard charts, a position it held for a month. At the time, The Beach Boys were superstars. The band had 17 hits under their belts, including “I Get Around.” That catchy song prompted hysterical cheering from the crowd at the Civic Auditorium in Sacramento, in the band’s home state of California. The album also includes “Fun, Fun, Fun” and “Little Deuce Coupe.” The band also showed off their fun side with versions of “Long Tall Texan” and the popular novelty hit “Monster Mash.” Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson, a born perfectionist, tidied up some of the tracks in the studio, including removing some organ lines that he didn’t like. Not only is it one of the best live rock albums out there, but it’s also one of the best-selling live albums of all time.
17. Woodstock: Music from the Original Soundtrack and More (1970)
Engineer Eddie Kramer had the tricky task of recording the performances at the 1969 Woodstock counterculture festival. He coped expertly with the problems of working with multiple acts, improvised set lists, technical glitches and the background noise of massive crowds. He ended up capturing one of the most iconic festival sets in music history. Woodstock was a defining musical phenomenon of the 1960s and the three-disc album Woodstock: Music from the Original Soundtrack and More features remarkable performances from Johnny Winter, Canned Heat, Sly & The Family Stone, The Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Joan Baez, Country Joe McDonald and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Jimi Hendrix. All inspired by the energy and exuberance that was fed back from a huge crowd. This is another one of the best-selling live albums of all time.
16. LCD Soundsystem: The Long Goodbye: LCD Soundsystem Live at Madison Square Garden (2014)
LCD Soundsystem’s clever fusion of dance music, electronic and post-punk, made them influential in the 21st century. Their 2011 farewell gig at New York’s Madison Square Garden was an epic experience. Running for three hours and divided into five vinyl records, a live set that frontman James Murphy described as “a perfect swan-dive.” Among the 28 songs, there are riveting versions of “Dance Yrself Clean,” “New York,” “I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down,” and the wistful “All My Friends.” The Long Goodbye is a fine testament to a seminal modern band.
15. Jimi Hendrix: Band of Gypsys (1970)
Band of Gypsys was recorded at the Filmore East in NYC and captures Hendrix at his mesmerizing, innovative best. The guitarist singer, who died eight months later at just 27, was supported by the new ensemble Band of Gypsys. This ensemble comprised Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on drums. Hendrix was always a unique live performer – this is the man who famously burned his guitar at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival – and he showed off his thrilling, extravagant guitar skills in some gorgeous solos. The album, released by Capitol, is a bluesy, psychedelic no holds‐barred triumph. It also showcases Hendrix’s skills as a composer, in tunes such as “Who Knows” and “Power to Love.”
14. MC5: Kick Out The Jams (1969)
Kick Out the Jams was the debut album by American proto-punk band MC5. It was recorded live because Elektra Records A&R chief Danny Fields believed it would best capture the band’s energy and excitement. The album was recorded over two nights at Detroit’s Grande Ballroom in 1968. Featuring Wayne Kramer on lead guitar and Roby Tyner on vocals, it reached No.30 on the Billboard album chart. The highlights include striking versions of “Ramblin’ Rose” and “I Want You Right Now,” the latter of which owed something to the sound of The Troggs.
13. Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains The Same (1976)
Three years after live tapes had been made at Madison Square Garden during Led Zeppelin’s record-breaking 1973 tour, guitarist Jimmy Page went into the studio to mix the songs for release as The Song Remains The Same. The album was released alongside a film of the concert. The band powered through versions of “Rock And Roll.” “Heartbreaker,” and “Whole Lotta Love,” and there is a 29-minute version of “Dazed And Confused.” There is also a fine version of “Stairway To Heaven,” the Page and Plant song that remains one of the greatest works in 20th-century rock.
12. The Band: The Last Waltz (1978)
Martin Scorsese’s The Last Waltz is one of the most immaculately filmed rock concerts in history, and the film – and double album – preserves the final appearance of The Band. The concert was held at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom. The cast of supporting musicians was brilliant, forever cementing The Last Waltz’s reputation as one of the best live albums in rock history. As well as songs from Dylan, there are appearances from Joni Mitchell, Muddy Waters, and a rollicking Van Morrison singing “Caravan” as he performs one of the strangest high-kicking dances ever seen. It is definitely one of the best live rock albums of all time.
11. Simon & Garfunkel: The Concert in Central Park (1982)
Sometimes a great live concert is all about atmosphere. And there was plenty of that when folk duo Simon & Garfunkel reunited for their first live album. It was recorded in front of more than half a million people on the Great Lawn in Central Park, New York City. Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon performed as well as ever, and the between-songs riffs were light-hearted and up-lifting. The troubled former friends – reuniting for the first time in more than a decade – performed superb on-stage versions of some of the most indelible songs in modern popular music, including “Mrs Robinson,” “Homeward Bound,” “America,” “Still Crazy After All These Years,” “The Boxer,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and “The Sound of Silence.” The duo’s marvelous vocal harmonies and compelling songs made for a truly memorable evening of music.
10. U2: Under A Blood Red Sky (1983)
Capturing a band on the cusp of greatness, Under A Blood Red Sky: Live At Red Rocks merits its reputation as one of the seminal concerts in U2’s decades-long career. The concert, which was also released as a video, was recorded at the stunning Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. The show took place after torrential downpours, but despite the conditions, singer Bono and the band put on a magnificent show. The highlight is the momentous version of “Sunday Bloody Sunday.” The footage shows Bono carrying a white flag of peace during the song and is one of the most iconic images in modern rock history.
9. KISS: Alive! (1975)
Culled from numerous concerts, Alive! made KISS rock superstars. It climbed into the Top 10 and its accompanying single, “Rock And Roll All Nite,” made it to No.12. The album has everything a heavy metal fan could want: from Gene Simmons, “The Demon,” pounding away on bass, to Paul Stanley’s guitar antics and Peter Criss’ driving drum work. The band’s youthful energy is contagious. The album’s thumping electric versions of their finest early material easily make this one of the best live albums of all time.
8. Iron Maiden: Live After Death (1985)
Iron Maiden’s live album from 1985 stands out, right down to the brilliant cover artwork from Derek Riggs. The music endures, too, with a setlist that offers a good selection from Iron Maiden’s first five studio albums. Even though Bruce Dickinson was suffering from a cold when some of the tracks were recorded, he sings well. They even weave in some of Winston Churchill’s famous “We shall fight on the beaches” speech as the introduction to “Aces High.” Listen out for a superb version of “The Number Of The Beast.” The album is a heavy metal classic.
7. Queen: Live at Wembley ’86 (1986)
Freddie Mercury was one of the most natural showmen in music. He gave one of his most charismatic displays as the frontman of Queen in 1986, as part of the “Magic Tour,” in the old Wembley football stadium in London. “Freddie was amazing that day,” said guitarist Brian May. “It was a pinnacle for us. We were very good at that point and Freddie was stunning. He had worked out this amazing way of dealing with a whole stadium and becoming a connecting point.” The 100,000 crowd played their part in making this an amazing concert. This included the gleeful way, in unison, they joined bare-chested Mercury for a singalong version of “Radio Ga Ga.” Queen were a band who revealed themselves in the arena setting – and they excelled themselves on that fine summer’s day.
6. Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966, The Royal Albert Hall Concert (1966)
Although 1974’s Before the Flood is one of the quintessential Bob Dylan albums, perhaps his finest live recording is the snappily-titled The Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966, The Royal Albert Hall Concert, which was finally released officially in 1998 after being one of the most sought-after “underground” recordings in music. Although titled “Royal Albert Hall,” the album was in fact recorded at Manchester’s Free Trade Hall. It captures a remarkable musician during a turbulent time of transformation. The set list was split into two parts. The first half showcased Dylan alone on stage, performing entirely acoustic songs. The second half has Dylan playing alongside his band on electric guitars.
5. Johnny Cash: At Folsom Prison (1968)
Johnny Cash’s concert at Folsom State Prison, California is one of the best live albums in country music. Cash, whose hits such as “I Walk The Line” and “Ring Of Fire” had made him a household name, knew all about human frailty; his empathy with the prisoners drew out a magnificent live performance. The set included his 1955 hit “Folsom Prison Blues” (the chilling song about someone who shoots a man in Reno “just to watch him die”). He also delivered an impassioned version of “Dark As A Dungeon.” A raw and honest masterpiece.
4. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Live/1975-85 (1986)
Bruce Springsteen is a performing phenomenon: inspiring, passionate, tender, and overflowing with energy. His five-disc live album finds him at his best, spread over a decade of performances. Among the most thrilling songs are versions of his own classics “Independence Day,” “Thunder Road,” and “Racing In the Street.” There are also sensational covers of Tom Waits’s “Jersey Girl” and Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land.” This collection was recorded in clubs, concert halls, and stadiums across the United States. It’s a masterful career summary of a legend of American music. Springsteen’s version of his own 1970s anthem “Born to Run” is a particular triumph and this soaring album demonstrates the wonderful power of live music.
3. Nirvana: MTV Unplugged In New York (1994)
Towards the end of 1993, MTV’s Unplugged series enticed more artists to perform acoustically. Nirvana filmed a performance for the show, and the album was released as MTV Unplugged In New York. “About A Girl’ was its only single – posthumously for the song’s writer, Kurt Cobain, who died six months earlier. The album is certified five times platinum. It also won the Grammy award for Best Alternative Music Album and features potent versions of “Dumb” and “All Apologies.” There is also a cover of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold The World.” The album stands as testimony to Cobain’s talent and versatility. It is surely deserving of its ranking as one of the best live albums of all time. It is also on our list of one of the best rock performances of all time.
2. The Who: Live At Leeds (1970)
By the end of the 60s, The Who had gained a reputation as one of the greatest live rock bands in the world. Live At Leeds deservedly makes our list as one of the best live albums of all time. In fact, it’s been described by the New York Times as the “best live rock album ever made.” You can see why with bold track choices, like “Young Man Blues,” written by master jazz songwriter Mose Allison. Of course, it includes its own hits “I Can’t Explain” and “Happy Jack.” A medley at the end features “My Generation” and “Magic Bus,” which allowed guitarist Pete Townshend to strut his stuff alongside bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon.
1. The Rolling Stones: Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!: The Rolling Stones In Concert (1970)
Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! was recorded in Baltimore and at New York’s Madison Square Garden. It was the first live album to reach No.1 on the UK charts. The tour was the first time that Mick Taylor had played extensively with the band after he replaced Brian Jones. But you’d be hard-pressed to tell the band was getting used to a new member. Mick Jagger and company show unadulterated fun on the album. Most notably with swaggering versions of “Midnight Rambler” and “Sympathy for the Devil.” The deluxe version includes songs by the additional performers including BB King and Tina Turner. Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! is one of the quintessential rock albums of all time from the great Rolling Stones.
