THE GREATEST
LIVE ALBUMS OF
ROCK AND ROLL
(Pt. III)
this series I covered
the "biggest" and the
"best" live albums of
all time. Today, I'll be
taking a look at the
"sleepers" and the
"stinkers." Dig it!
_______________________
These amazing live sets should have catapulted the mid-level acts
into the big time, yet they failed to deliver Frampton-like results.
into the big time, yet they failed to deliver Frampton-like results.
5.UFO
(1979)
A modest hit on the band's home
turf in the UK, this double-live
album should have cemented
UFO's international superstar
status, however, it only reached
#42 on the U.S. charts. The last
record with guitarist Michael
Schenker, it offers the cream of
the "A - list" crop, including
"Rock Bottom," "Lights Out,"
"Doctor Doctor," "Too Hot to
Handle" and "Shoot Shoot."
turf in the UK, this double-live
album should have cemented
UFO's international superstar
status, however, it only reached
#42 on the U.S. charts. The last
record with guitarist Michael
Schenker, it offers the cream of
the "A - list" crop, including
"Rock Bottom," "Lights Out,"
"Doctor Doctor," "Too Hot to
Handle" and "Shoot Shoot."
4.
ANGEL
(1980)
Great band. Great songs.
Great live show. But after
five underachieving studio
releases, time was running
out. So it's perplexing why
the most beautiful, exciting
and promising band of the
day would have opted for
such an underwhelming
cover — a tremendous
album nonetheless. Within
a year, Angel was no more.
Great live show. But after
five underachieving studio
releases, time was running
out. So it's perplexing why
the most beautiful, exciting
and promising band of the
day would have opted for
such an underwhelming
cover — a tremendous
album nonetheless. Within
a year, Angel was no more.
3.
THE
MICHAEL
STANLEY
MICHAEL
STANLEY
BAND
(1977)
A major Midwest live concert
attraction throughout the '70s
attraction throughout the '70s
and early '80s, Stage Pass
should have made the band a
household name. It didn't.
household name. It didn't.
2.
HEAD EAST
(1979)
Four modest-selling studio
albums and two oft played FM
albums and two oft played FM
singles had this Illinois-based
combo positioned for the big
time. It's been rumored that
combo positioned for the big
time. It's been rumored that
the 1979 trucker strike kept
A&M from getting product
into stores in a timely
fashion. Despite a strong
start, by the time trucks
were once again rolling, the
record had lost momentum.
A&M from getting product
into stores in a timely
fashion. Despite a strong
start, by the time trucks
were once again rolling, the
record had lost momentum.
1.
OZARK
MOUNTAIN
DAREDEVILS
(1978)
The pride of Springfield, MO
already had achieved gold and
platinum status with its first
two albums. By 1978, the
band's popularity was waning.
platinum status with its first
two albums. By 1978, the
band's popularity was waning.
It's Alive was the perfect vehicle
for showcasing its impeccable
for showcasing its impeccable
songwriting and downhome
chicken-fried style. Sadly,
chicken-fried style. Sadly,
it tanked — stalling at a
dismal #178 on the charts.
_______________________________________________________________________
STINKERS
Hold your noses, kids. Here they come!
Hold your noses, kids. Here they come!
5.
AEROSMITH
(1978)
If the intent was to produce
a sloppy, amateur-sounding
a sloppy, amateur-sounding
album that looked as if it had
been designed by a drunken
six-year-old, then the mission
was accomplished perfectly.
But compared to Just Push
Play, it's an epic masterpiece!
been designed by a drunken
six-year-old, then the mission
was accomplished perfectly.
But compared to Just Push
Play, it's an epic masterpiece!
4.
KISS
(1993)
Not even a third installment of
the iconic Alive! series could
save KISS' sinking ship in '93.
This likely was due to the re-
the iconic Alive! series could
save KISS' sinking ship in '93.
This likely was due to the re-
cord being dreadful and the
band's half-scab line-up.
band's half-scab line-up.
Quick — get Space Ace and
the Catman on the phone!
We've got an offer that they
can't possibly refuse!
We've got an offer that they
can't possibly refuse!
3.
ALICE COOPER
(1977)
Seemingly "phoned in," this
hour-long Vegas show was
packed with hits, yet fell
(far) short of recreating the
live magic of the original
Alice Cooper Band.
2.
VILLAGE
PEOPLE
PEOPLE
(1979)
Combining "live" versions of
hits with a handful of new
studio tracks, it brought an
abrupt end to a three-record
platinum streak — effective-
ly ushering in the beginning
of a (temporary) end for the
once top-selling act.
studio tracks, it brought an
abrupt end to a three-record
platinum streak — effective-
ly ushering in the beginning
of a (temporary) end for the
once top-selling act.
1.
POISON
(1991)
A more fitting title
might have been
"Smell What the
Cat Dragged In."
might have been
"Smell What the
Cat Dragged In."
Sounding the "death
rattle" for the hair
rattle" for the hair
band era, the edited
2004 single-disc
version was much
easier to swallow.
2004 single-disc
version was much
easier to swallow.
_______________________________________________________________________
This concludes my three-part series. I hope that you had as much fun revisiting these treasures as I did. Feel free to offer your personal suggestions and comments below. Now, where did I stash that live Abba bootleg?
-Christopher Long
(May 2014)
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