The Definitive 200 Albums -- Let the Debate Begin

According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, here is the list of the 200 "definitive" albums that all music lovers must own. 

Click here: The Definitive 200

Looking over the list, I can tell you that I own (on vinyl or CD) most of the albums dating from before 1975, a few from the late 70's and 80's, fewer yet from the 90's and virtually none of those from 2000 on.  I am also proud to say that I own not one "Country" or "Rap" album on the list!  I do have one or two disco albums, but they were part of my wife's dowry (along with a Gordon Lightfoot album--which I hate). Long live rock!

Check out the list, and have at it.
 

Comments

[Rev. Bob]

All in all a pretty good list. How Avril Lavigne (sp?) is more "definitive" than David Bowie's "ziggy stardust" I'll never know...

[Rick B.]

Led Zeplin should have had at least 5 albums in the top 25.

[Terry]

No Allman Brothers from Fillmore East? Very likely the best live recording ever!! What kinda list is this? Please!!!

[Herb Grimaud]

I cant stop laughing @ this list.

Beatles............over rated!

[Herb Grimaud]

These are the records "you're suppose" to like.

[R.K. Brumbelow]

2,4,5.25,34,35 - used to have in on photo vinyl!,47,51,79,86,89,132,142,165,169,179,197 thats it for me.

[anonymous 2]

Beatles overrated? Herb, you're killing me! Go back to 1966/1967 and show me anything in the ballpark of Sgt. Pepper's. Pet Sounds maybe (which I think is 9 or 10 on the list), but even the Brian Wilson tips the hat to Sgt. Pepper's. Accusations of "overrated" beg the question...what's better?

Theology and Rock history...this is what life in the "not yet" will be like!

[Tony]

I trashed all of mine not too long after I became born again. If you haven't seen THEY SOLD THEIR SOULS FOR ROCK N' ROLL (4 Parts ) by Word Pictures (www.crosstv.com) then you should. It's a gripping documentary that shows some of rock and roll's most celebrated artists - including Lennon, Morrison and Jagger - speaking about their ties to the occult, IN THEIR OWN WORDS. The content of this 4-hour series, chronicling the modern music industry's ties to the occult over the past 75 years, has made it one of their most widely requested programs. Written in part (and narrated) by pastor, researcher, and former hard rock musician Joe Shimmel, it is an alarming spiritual awakening for ANYONE who wants to know how violence, sexual immorality and blasphemy have been able to completely infiltrate the powerful, billion-dollar music business... AND the hearts and minds of those who listen to it!

[Art Williams]

Terry's dead right about leaving off "Fillmore".

And Shania TWAIN above The Who? Surely these people can't be SERIOUS can they ?!

[Jack Chick]

Tony, amen! The illuminati is behind all this stuff. I'm sorry for those who played any of those albums backwards and thereby received the mark of the beast.

[Art Williams]

And while we're on the subject - 3 Dixie Chicks and even "Poor Sade One Note" and no Annie Lennox? These people are NOT serious.

[walt]

It's good to see the Top Gun soundtrack on there, but the Dixie chicks? who wants to listen to those unpatriotic shrews?

[Paul C. Quillman]

THe Dixie Chicks? Like I said on my blog about the Grammy's, how the Dixie Chicks get nominated for something and John Mayer gets passed up is easily understandable: It's not about music, it's all politics.

And how did The Police aget in and Sting get passed up? I agree with Herb on the Beatles, over rated and under impressive. At least Matchbox 20 got in.

Finally, what about Eric Johnson, Phil Keaggy, Giant (or any band with Dan Huff) or Rex Paul (www.rexpaul.com)?

And Kim, any idea why rap and country records appear on a list of "rock" records?

Where is Kiss?

There are some great picks though: Phil Collins, U2, Live, Creed, Earth Wind and Fire, Queen, and Van Halen to name a few.

Paul

["lee n. field"]

I was gonna suggest Dark Side of the Moon, but hey! there it is at number 2. :-).

Houses of the Holy beat out any of the earlier Led Zep albums? Is there no justice?

Enya? Bah! Noo Age easy listening.

Is there anything, anything at all by or with Eric Clapton? I didn't see anything.

[Michael A. Vickers]

"I am also proud to say that I own not one 'Country' or 'Rap' album on the list!"

No Johnny Cash? Now, about that log in your eye...

[Mark]

Not to just repeat what many others have already pointed out, but the Dixie Chicks beating out Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced?" Please! That's the dumbest thing I've seen in a while.

[HarpoQ]

UNBELIEVABLE! How is it that Kansas, "Point Of No Return" doesn't make this list. Conspiracy! No other word for it!

[timinator]

Country and rap but what about the doors? Rock list? Then how did those Dixie Chicks get on the list? I say the music industery is missed up. What about the Who's Tommy that was a good CD. Did not see it on the list but hay will Smith made the list? He can sing? I thought he was an actor.

[Herb Grimaud]

I knew it would rustle some feathers about my feelings towards the Beatles.

anonymous2, I've been a musician for 18 years. I've been told for those 18 years I'm suppose to like the Beatles & suppose to worship them. I JUST DON'T CARE.

People have said well you're not old enough...blah just cause I wasn't around to see them on the Ed Sullivan show doesn't mean I don’t understand their impact on pop culture.

Yes they brought alot to the table of music. Their approach to chord progression, melody, etc... But I'll take the Rolling Stones during that era ANYDAY!

"Street Fighting Man" over "All You Need Is Love".....YOU BET!

I'll take anything coming out of Sun Records & Chess records during that time ANYDAY.

I can respect them, but I sure don’t think they are the legends everyone makes them out to be.

As far as "Pet Sounds" yes Brian Wilson did some amazing recording & vocal melodies, doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Paul, the Catbox 20 comment, please those guys are just completely aweful. It's an insult someone even signed those knuckleheads to a record deal, let alone all the tasteless zombies that bought their records. But that just goes to show you people will usually buy what they are told is good, because that can't make up their own mind or just don't have a artistic bone in thier body to actually know better.

anonymous "Accusations of "overrated" beg the question...what's better?"

Besides all the GREAT black artist from Chess Records & Sun Records during that time? Let's see if I can dig some out :

The Stooges - Funhouse - 1970
The Stooges - The Stooges - 1972
Anything by The Rolling Stones - 1963 - 1968
MC5 - 1969
Muddy Waters
All the Motown stuff James Jamerson played on during this era
Anything John Lee Hooker put out during this time
The Kinks - 1964 – 1968
Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland

I think I'll stop @ this point.

You will never get me to wave a Beatles flag & I'll never convince you of my feelings.

LONG LIVE ROCK-N-ROLL

P.S. Say the Rolling Stones when I was 7 years old, changed my life forever!

[Herb Grimaud]

The fact that Kid Rock is on this list automatically discredits the person or persons opinion about music in one swoop!

As usual just because something sells a lot of units doesn’t not merit it worthy of being called art.