One For The RecordThe Album Almanac of the 50s, 60s & 70s

By Louisa Hadjipetrou

The 50s.

‘So, 1956 was the rock ’n’ roll year, the year in which popular music history had its greatest musical upheaval, revolution and transformation. In the events of that one year, music changed the landscape of the world in a way it hadn’t before and hasn’t since. It blew up as a youth movement, riding the then novel emerging adolescent culture and in giving voice to a mass dissatisfaction with the status quo, and in doing so called for a new way of living. It was a reflection of a changing world, an expression of the post-Second World War American landscape. ‘

‘Musically, it was a blueprint year, a year of records and artists who drew on everything that had come before and set up everything that came after.’

Extract from ‘A Brief History of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ by Nick Johnstone

1.

Year of Release: 1959 Rank in 1959: 1 Rank in 1950s: 1 Appears in: 365 chartsRank Score: 18,765Overall Rank: 40

Kind of Blue by Miles Davis is ranked number 40 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 18,765. Kind of Blue appears in 365 greatest album charts.

Kind of Blue by Miles Davis is ranked number 1 in the best albums of 1959 and number 1 in the best albums of the 1950s.

In total, there are 59 music albums by Miles Davis which appear in the greatest album charts and Kind of Blue is ranked as the best.

Kind of Blue By Miles Davis(Overleaf)

Elvis Presley By Elvis Presley 2.

Year of Release: 1956 Rank in 1959: 1 Rank in 1950s: 2 Appears in: 90 chartsRank Score: 2,358Overall Rank: 416

Elvis Presley by Elvis Presley is ranked number 416 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 2,358. Elvis Presley appears in 90 greatest album charts.

Elvis Presley by Elvis Presley is ranked number 1 in the best albums of 1956 and number 2 in the best albums of the 1950s.

In total, there are 27 music albums by Elvis Presley which appear in the greatest album charts and Elvis Presley is ranked as the best.

Mingus Ah UmBy Charles Mingus 3.

Year of Release: 1959 Rank in 1959: 2 Rank in 1950s: 3 Appears in: 66 chartsRank Score: 2,137Overall Rank: 453

Mingus Ah Um by Charles Mingus is ranked number 453 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 2,137. Mingus Ah Um appears in 66 greatest album charts.

Mingus Ah Um by Charles Mingus is ranked number 2 in the best albums of 1959 and number 3 in the best albums of the 1950s.

In total, there are 15 music albums by Charles Mingus which appear in the greatest album charts and Mingus Ah Um is NOT ranked as the best. The best album by Charles Mingus is The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady which is ranked number 181 in the list of all-time albums with a total rank score of 5,855.

Time Out By The Dave Brubeck Quartet 4.

Year of Release: 1959 Rank in 1959: 3 Rank in 1950s: 4 Appears in: 69 chartsRank Score: 2,040Overall Rank: 472

Time Out by The Dave Brubeck Quartet is ranked number 472 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 2,040. Time Out appears in 69 greatest album charts.

Time Out by The Dave Brubeck Quartet is ranked number 3 in the best albums of 1959 and number 4 in the best albums of the 1950s.

In total, there are 5 music albums by The Dave Brubeck Quartet which appear in the greatest album charts and Time Out is ranked as the best.

In The Wee Small Hours By Frank Sinatra 5.

Year of Release: 1955 Rank in 1955: 1 Rank in 1950s: 5 Appears in: 61 chartsRank Score: 1,682Overall Rank: 575

In The Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra is ranked number 575 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 1,682. In The Wee Small Hours appears in 61 greatest album charts.

In The Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra is ranked number 1 in the best albums of 1955 and number 5 in the best albums of the 1950s.

In total, there are 41 music albums by Frank Sinatra which appear in the greatest album charts and In The Wee Small Hours is ranked as the best.

Here’s Little Richard By Little Richard 6.

Year of Release: 1957 Rank in 1957: 1 Rank in 1950s: 6 Appears in: 58 chartsRank Score: 1,626Overall Rank: 593

Here’s Little Richard by Little Richard is ranked number 593 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 1,626. Here’s Little Richard appears in 58 greatest album charts.

Here’s Little Richard by Little Richard is ranked number 1 in the best albums of 1957 and number 6 in the best albums of the 1950s.

In total, there are 6 music albums by Little Richard which appear in the greatest album charts and Here’s Little Richard is ranked as the best.

The Shape Of Jazz To Come By Ornette Coleman 7.

Year of Release: 1959 Rank in 1959: 4 Rank in 1950s: 7 Appears in: 44 chartsRank Score: 1,521Overall Rank: 628

The Shape Of Jazz To Come by Ornette Coleman is ranked number 628 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 1,521. The Shape Of Jazz To Come appears in 44 greatest album charts.

The Shape Of Jazz To Come by Ornette Coleman is ranked number 4 in the best albums of 1959 and number 7 in the best albums of the 1950s.

In total, there are 9 music albums by Ornette Coleman which appear in the greatest album charts and The Shape Of Jazz To Come is ranked as the best.

Blue Train By John Coltrane 8.

Year of Release: 1957 Rank in 1957: 2 Rank in 1950s: 8 Appears in: 55 chartsRank Score: 1,393Overall Rank: 676

Blue Train by John Coltrane is ranked number 676 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 1,393. Blue Train appears in 55 greatest album charts.

Blue Train by John Coltrane is ranked number 2 in the best albums of 1957 and number 8 in the best albums of the 1950s.

In total, there are 26 music albums by John Coltrane which appear in the greatest album charts and Blue Train is NOT ranked as the best. The best album by John Coltrane is A Love Supreme which is ranked number 108 in the list of all-time albums with a total rank score of 9,091.

Birth of the coolBy Miles Davis 9.

Year of Release: 1957 Rank in 1957: 3 Rank in 1950s: 9 Appears in: 49 chartsRank Score: 1,325Overall Rank: 709

Birth Of The Cool by Miles Davis is ranked number 709 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 1,325. Birth Of The Cool appears in 49 greatest album charts.

Birth Of The Cool by Miles Davis is ranked number 3 in the best albums of 1957 and number 9 in the best albums of the 1950s.

In total, there are 59 music albums by Miles Davis which appear in the greatest album charts and Birth Of The Cool is NOT ranked as the best. The best album by Miles Davis is Kind of Blue which is ranked number 40 in the list of all-time albums with a total rank score of 18,765.

Saxophone Colossus By Sonny Rollins 10.

Year of Release: 1956 Rank in 1956: 2 Rank in 1950s: 10 Appears in: 39 chartsRank Score: 1,139Overall Rank: 825

Saxophone Colossus by Sonny Rollins is ranked number 825 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 1,139. Saxophone Colossus appears in 39 greatest album charts.

Saxophone Colossus by Sonny Rollins is ranked number 2 in the best albums of 1956 and number 10 in the best albums of the 1950s.

In total, there are 8 music albums by Sonny Rollins which appear in the greatest album charts and Saxophone Colossus is ranked as the best.

The 60s.

1.

Year of Release: 1966 Rank in 1966: 1 Rank in 1960s: 1 Appears in: 1,120 chartsRank Score: 73,338Overall Rank: 8

Revolver by The Beatles is ranked number 3 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 73,338. Revolver appears in 1120 greatest album charts.

Revolver by The Beatles is ranked number 1 in the best albums of 1966 and number 1 in the best albums of the 1960s.

In total, there are 31 music albums by The Beatles which appear in the greatest album charts and Revolver is ranked as the best.

RevolverBy The Beatles(Overleaf)

‘It is virtually impossible to summarize a decade as tumultuous as the sixties. The media reflected that confusion, with music in particular serving as a means of expression that heretofore did not exist. English bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones introduced America to the essence of its own culture by building unique styles from their interpretation of black musical forms that had previously gone unheralded in America. Bob Dylan invented a new form of social protest and personal expression by writing songs that demanded a sense of awareness from the listener. James Brown and Aretha Franklin brought Black awareness front and center, while seemingly ‘innocent’ bands like the Beach Boys crumbled in the midst of cultural upheaval.’

Extract from ‘americanhitnetwork.com’

Abbey Road By The Beatles 2.

Year of Release: 1969 Rank in 1969: 1 Rank in 1960s: 2 Appears in: 1,080 chartsRank Score: 70,779Overall Rank: 4

Abbey Road by The Beatles is ranked number 4 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 70,779. Abbey Road appears in 1080 greatest album charts.

Abbey Road by The Beatles is ranked number 1 in the best albums of 1969 and number 2 in the best albums of the 1960s.

In total, there are 31 music albums by The Beatles which appear in the greatest album charts and Abbey Road is NOT ranked as the best. The best album by The Beatles is Revolver which is ranked number 3 in the list of all-time albums with a total rank score of 73,338.

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band By The Beatles 3.

Year of Release: 1967 Rank in 1967: 1 Rank in 1960s: 3 Appears in: 1,040 chartsRank Score: 67,504Overall Rank: 5

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles is ranked number 5 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 67,504. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band appears in 1040 greatest album charts.

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles is ranked number 1 in the best albums of 1967 and number 3 in the best albums of the 1960s.

In total, there are 31 music albums by The Beatles which appear in the greatest album charts and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is NOT ranked as the best. The best album by The Beatles is Revolver which is ranked number 3 in the list of all-time albums with a total rank score of 73,338.

The Beatles (The White Album) By The Beatles 4.

Year of Release: 1968 Rank in 1968: 1 Rank in 1960s: 4 Appears in: 858 chartsRank Score: 52,114Overall Rank: 7

The Beatles (The White Album) by The Beatles is ranked number 7 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 52,114. The Beatles (The White Album) appears in 858 greatest album charts.

The Beatles (The White Album) by The Beatles is ranked number 1 in the best albums of 1968 and number 4 in the best albums of the 1960s.

In total, there are 31 music albums by The Beatles which appear in the greatest album charts and The Beatles (The White Album) is NOT ranked as the best. The best album by The Beatles is Revolver which is ranked number 3 in the list of all-time albums with a total rank score of 73,338.

Pet Sounds By The Beach Boys 5.

Year of Release: 1966 Rank in 1966: 2 Rank in 1960s: 5 Appears in: 769 chartsRank Score: 45,280Overall Rank: 12

Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys is ranked number 12 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 45,280. Pet Sounds appears in 769 greatest album charts.

Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys is ranked number 2 in the best albums of 1966 and number 5 in the best albums of the 1960s.

In total, there are 37 music albums by The Beach Boys which appear in the greatest album charts and Pet Sounds is ranked as the best.

The Velvet Underground And Nico By The Velvet Underground 6.

Year of Release: 1967 Rank in 1967: 2 Rank in 1960s: 6 Appears in: 791 chartsRank Score: 44,481Overall Rank: 13

The Velvet Underground And Nico by The Velvet Underground is ranked number 13 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 44,481. The Velvet Underground And Nico appears in 791 greatest album charts.

The Velvet Underground And Nico by The Velvet Underground is ranked number 2 in the best albums of 1967 and number 6 in the best albums of the 1960s.

In total, there are 11 music albums by The Velvet Underground which appear in the greatest album charts and The Velvet Underground And Nico is ranked as the best.

Highway 61 Revisited By Bob Dylan 7.

Year of Release: 1965 Rank in 1965: 1 Rank in 1960s: 7 Appears in: 663 chartsRank Score: 36,708Overall Rank: 17

Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan is ranked number 17 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 36,708. Highway 61 Revisited appears in 663 greatest album charts.

Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan is ranked number 1 in the best albums of 1965 and number 7 in the best albums of the 1960s.

In total, there are 55 music albums by Bob Dylan which appear in the greatest album charts and Highway 61 Revisited is ranked as the best.

Rubber Soul By The Beatles 8.

Year of Release: 1965 Rank in 1965: 2 Rank in 1960s: 8 Appears in: 633 chartsRank Score: 34,095Overall Rank: 18

Rubber Soul by The Beatles is ranked number 18 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 34,095. Rubber Soul appears in 633 greatest album charts.

Rubber Soul by The Beatles is ranked number 2 in the best albums of 1965 and number 8 in the best albums of the 1960s.

In total, there are 31 music albums by The Beatles which appear in the greatest album charts and Rubber Soul is NOT ranked as the best. The best album by The Beatles is Revolver which is ranked number 3 in the list of all-time albums with a total rank score of 73,338.

Blonde on Blonde By Bob Dylan 9.

Year of Release: 1966 Rank in 1966: 3 Rank in 1960s: 9 Appears in: 540 chartsRank Score: 29,025Overall Rank: 25

Blonde on Blonde by Bob Dylan is ranked number 25 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 29,025. Blonde on Blonde appears in 540 greatest album charts.

Blonde on Blonde by Bob Dylan is ranked number 3 in the best albums of 1966 and number 9 in the best albums of the 1960s.

In total, there are 55 music albums by Bob Dylan which appear in the greatest album charts and Blonde on Blonde is NOT ranked as the best. The best album by Bob Dylan is Highway 61 Revisited which is ranked number 17 in the list of all-time albums with a total rank score of 36,708.

Are You Experienced By The Jimi HendrixExperience 10.

Year of Release: 1967 Rank in 1967: 3 Rank in 1960s: 10 Appears in: 575 chartsRank Score: 27,171Overall Rank: 28

Are You Experienced by The Jimi Hendrix Experience is ranked number 28 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 27,171. Are You Experienced appears in 575 greatest album charts.

Are You Experienced by The Jimi Hendrix Experience is ranked number 3 in the best albums of 1967 and number 10 in the best albums of the 1960s.

In total, there are 9 music albums by The Jimi Hendrix Experience which appear in the greatest album charts and Are You Experienced is ranked as the best.

The 70s.

‘Music suffered in a manner that was unthinkable in the sixties. With no visionary leaders to unify the masses, pop culture began to splinter into sub-divisions. Instead of a wealth of ideas, the resultant diversity often resulted in ignorance and a polarity of tastes, while pop music redefined itself as a means of lighthearted, and often simple-minded, escapism. By decades’ end, a new generation of rebels tried to break down the cultural atrophy with an angry, revitalized form of rock and roll known as ‘punk music’, but mass acceptance wasn’t forthcoming until it was de-fanged and diluted into something that came to be known as “The New Wave”. Despite all attempts, nothing was able to reclaim music from the hedonistic grasp of disco.’

Extract from ‘americanhitnetwork.com’

1.

Year of Release: 1973 Rank in 1973: 1 Rank in 1970s: 1 Appears in: 1,197 chartsRank Score: 80,028Overall Rank: 2

The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd is ranked number 2 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 80,028. The Dark Side of the Moon appears in 1197 greatest album charts.

The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd is ranked number 1 in the best albums of 1973 and number 1 in the best albums of the 1970s.

In total, there are 21 music albums by Pink Floyd which appear in the greatest album charts and The Dark Side of the Moon is ranked as the best.

The Dark Side of the Moon By Pink Floyd (Overleaf)

Led Zeppelin IV By Led Zeppelin 2.

Year of Release: 1971 Rank in 1971: 1 Rank in 1970s: 2 Appears in: 894 chartsRank Score: 49,429Overall Rank: 8

Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin is ranked number 8 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 49,429. Led Zeppelin IV appears in 894 greatest album charts.

Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin is ranked number 1 in the best albums of 1971 and number 2 in the best albums of the 1970s.

In total, there are 16 music albums by Led Zeppelin which appear in the greatest album charts and Led Zeppelin IV is ranked as the best.

London Calling By The Clash 3.

Year of Release: 1979 Rank in 1979: 1 Rank in 1970s: 3 Appears in: 868 chartsRank Score: 47,478Overall Rank: 10

London Calling by The Clash is ranked number 10 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 47,478. London Calling appears in 868 greatest album charts.

London Calling by The Clash is ranked number 1 in the best albums of 1979 and number 3 in the best albums of the 1970s.

In total, there are 12 music albums by The Clash which appear in the greatest album charts and London Calling is ranked as the best.

Wish You Were Here By Pink Floyd 4.

Year of Release: 1975 Rank in 1975: 1 Rank in 1970s: 4 Appears in: 688 chartsRank Score: 38,742Overall Rank: 15

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd is ranked number 15 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 38,742. Wish You Were Here appears in 688 greatest album charts.

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd is ranked number 1 in the best albums of 1975 and number 4 in the best albums of the 1970s.

In total, there are 21 music albums by Pink Floyd which appear in the greatest album charts and Wish You Were Here is NOT ranked as the best. The best album by Pink Floyd is The Dark Side of the Moon which is ranked number 2 in the list of all-time albums with a total rank score of 80,028.

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars By David Bowie 5.

Year of Release: 1972 Rank in 1972: 1 Rank in 1970s: 5 Appears in: 656 chartsRank Score: 33,112Overall Rank: 20

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars by David Bowie is ranked number 20 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 33,112. The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars appears in 656 greatest album charts.

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars by David Bowie is ranked number 1 in the best albums of 1972 and number 5 in the best albums of the 1970s.

In total, there are 37 music albums by David Bowie which appear in the greatest album charts and The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars is ranked as the best.

The Wall By Pink Floyd 6.

Year of Release: 1979 Rank in 1979: 2 Rank in 1970s: 6 Appears in: 564 chartsRank Score: 30,260Overall Rank: 22

The Wall by Pink Floyd is ranked number 22 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 30,260. The Wall appears in 564 greatest album charts.

The Wall by Pink Floyd is ranked number 2 in the best albums of 1979 and number 6 in the best albums of the 1970s.

In total, there are 21 music albums by Pink Floyd which appear in the greatest album charts and The Wall is NOT ranked as the best. The best album by Pink Floyd is The Dark Side of the Moon which is ranked number 2 in the list of all-time albums with a total rank score of 80,028.

Who’s Next By The Who 7.

Year of Release: 1971 Rank in 1971: 2 Rank in 1970s: 7 Appears in: 610 chartsRank Score: 29,180Overall Rank: 24

Who’s Next by The Who is ranked number 24 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 29,180. Who’s Next appears in 610 greatest album charts.

Who’s Next by The Who is ranked number 2 in the best albums of 1971 and number 7 in the best albums of the 1970s.

In total, there are 23 music albums by The Who which appear in the greatest album charts and Who’s Next is ranked as the best.

Exile on Main St. By The Rolling Stones 8.

Year of Release: 1972 Rank in 1972: 2 Rank in 1970s: 8 Appears in: 538 chartsRank Score: 28,077Overall Rank: 26

Exile on Main St. by The Rolling Stones is ranked number 26 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 28,077. Exile on Main St. appears in 538 greatest album charts.

Exile on Main St. by The Rolling Stones is ranked number 2 in the best albums of 1972 and number 8 in the best albums of the 1970s.

In total, there are 42 music albums by The Rolling Stones which appear in the greatest album charts and Exile on Main St. is ranked as the best.

Blood On The Tracks By Bob Dylan 9.

Year of Release: 1975 Rank in 1975: 2 Rank in 1970s: 9 Appears in: 457 chartsRank Score: 23,037Overall Rank: 33

Blood On The Tracks by Bob Dylan is ranked number 33 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 23,037. Blood On The Tracks appears in 457 greatest album charts.

Blood On The Tracks by Bob Dylan is ranked number 2 in the best albums of 1975 and number 9 in the best albums of the 1970s.

In total, there are 55 music albums by Bob Dylan which appear in the greatest album charts and Blood On The Tracks is NOT ranked as the best. The best album by Bob Dylan is Highway 61 Revisited which is ranked number 17 in the list of all-time albums with a total rank score of 36,708.

Born to Run By Bruce Springsteen 10.

Year of Release: 1975 Rank in 1975: 3 Rank in 1970s: 10 Appears in: 413 chartsRank Score: 20,846Overall Rank: 37

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen is ranked number 37 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 20,846. Born to Run appears in 413 greatest album charts.

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen is ranked number 3 in the best albums of 1975 and number 10 in the best albums of the 1970s.

In total, there are 23 music albums by Bruce Springsteen which appear in the greatest album charts and Born to Run is ranked as the best.

Acknowledgements and sources:

All statistics and data have been sourced from the website ‘besteveralbums.com’ as have the album

artworks.

Extracts have been taken from ‘A Brief History of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ by Nick Johnstone and the

website ‘americanhitnetwork.com’.Other acknowledgements go to ‘Album Covers

from the Vinyl Junkyard’ and ‘Ace Records’ by David Stubbs.