3 Classic Rock Live Albums that Will Play Forever

Ah, the art of the live album. It seems to be something of a lost art these days. Perhaps YouTube and live-streaming concerts that are the cause, but for decades live albums were some of the most popular releases for a group.

Here below, we wanted to explore three such offerings. A trio of live LPs that showcase that performance prowess of rock bands as well as the songwriting abilities of their front persons. Indeed, these are three live classic rock albums that will play forever.

[RELATED: Bob Dylan Called This Musician His Big Brother and a Major Influence: “Showed Me More Than He’ll Ever Know”]

Frampton Comes Alive! by Peter Frampton (1976)

For years, Peter Frampton was a semi-well-known guitar player and songwriter who toiled around the UK in bands like Humble Pie. He was friends with David Bowie but had never earned the recognition or pop culture status of his pal, or others like him. It seemed in a way he was destined to be your favorite guitarist’s favorite guitarist. But then he released his live album Frampton Comes Alive! in 1976 and everything changed. He became a household name and earned a trio of hit songs on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Show Me the Way,” “Baby, I Love Your Way,” and “Do You Feel Like I Do.” Ever since, it has become one of the most popular live recordings in rock history.

The Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966, The “Royal Albert Hall” Concert by Bob Dylan (1998)

The famous concert that essentially announced Bob Dylan’s transition from acoustic-driven folk artist to full-out rock and roll star. Except not everyone was on board for his transition at first. Indeed, this is the concert that includes a heckler from the audience calling Dylan “Judas,” to which Dylan responds, “I don’t believe you! You’re a liar!” Then he turns to his band and says, “Play it f–kin’ loud!” And they go into his classic hit “Like a Rolling Stone.”

MTV Unplugged in New York by Nirvana (1994)

Known for studio albums like Nevermind and In Utero, perhaps the best Nirvana album is their live one from their MTV Unplugged performance in 1993. The band released the recording from that show in 1994, the same year frontman Kurt Cobain died by suicide. It includes original songs and covers. It’s intimate and somber while also electric and rare. For the Seattle-born grunge band, it cemented their status as god-like figures in rock.

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