Of course, music is wildly subjective and individual opinions must be respected, but if you don’t think Ziggy Stardust is one of the greatest albums ever, then in the words of Chris Morris, “You’re wrong, and you’re a grotesquely ugly freak.” Aside from the start-to-finish brilliance of the record, it’s chameleonic creative intent has had a lasting influence on music that’s hard to ignore.
The very fact that the record initially only peaked at five in the UK is dementing enough, but over in the States, this seismic masterpiece climbed to 75 in the Billboard charts upon release and not a single place above, yet another blot on US foreign policy record. The only explanation is that something so otherworldly takes a little while to adapt too.
Interesting. I sold hi-fi between 1976 and 1982 and currently have almost 3,000 vinyl records in my collection and am very active still in purchasing music.
I was never a fan of a single act on that list. though I eventually got to a point where I appreciated some of what Dylan had written, especially for such a young guy. Well, that and I “rediscovered” Pet Sounds about 6 years ago. The title ruined it for most people. It still makes no sense. It’s the equivalent of calling your band “A Flock of Seagulls”. :D
Springsteen is still a flop. I’ve never been able to stand him.
L
I love Alex Chilton and had a couple Big Star LPS and have to admit I never really played them.
Wham Bam Thank You Mam.
Some of the best new music. Billy Strings. Just won a grammy for best bluegrass cd.
The Ramones are the most tragic because they played and toured so long and now all the original members are dead.
People used to call me 'Gato' because I wore a hat similar to his.
Wow, I owned none of those albums, have heard about 15 of the songs and really liked about seven of them.
I discovered “Boots of Spanish Leather” by Nanci Griffith several years ago and later found out it was a Dylan song released in 1964 on his album “The Times They Are a-Changin’” which is on this list.
I’ve seen the quote about the first VU album many times, but this is the first I’ve seen Eno getting credit for it.
Interesting to note that many of those bands who theoretically got started were produced by and/or collaborated with John Cale. The Stooges first album (also on this list) was produced by Cale. Patti Smith, The Modern Lovers, Nico. (And Cale was an A&R guy for several years - talk about the fox watching the hen house. )Eno himself was a long time collaborator. And now at 79, he has never dulled his edge. HIs work on those first two VU albums were a mere starting point. The became quite normal after his departure.
On a semi-related note, I think the biggest loss in the transformation of the music industry and its delivery mechanisms has been the loss of album Liner Notes. So much of my collection was built by hearing elements, seeing who did them, and tracking down their other works. Sure the internet has a ton of information, but that ground-zero information point is gone.
White Riot from The Clash should be an anthem.
White riot - I want to riot
White riot - a riot of my own
White riot - I want to riot
White riot - a riot of my own
Black people gotta lot o problems
But they don’t mind throwing a brick
White people go to school
Where they teach you how to be thick
I should know better, yesterday on a whim I stuck Ziggy Stardust in my car and drove around a bit.
Today I got “Moonage Daydream” stuck in my head and there’s no getting rid of it...
Still, I wonder how “War, What is it Good For?” would have fared if not for the book by Tolstoy?
Vivarium Iggy! I saw the Stooges in 1968. Insane. Never dreamed they’d become iconic.
The albums that last are often not popular in the initial spurt. Think of any of the great classic still played today albums. Then look up the Billboard Chart for their year. It won’t be the #1 album, probably won’t even be top 10. Usually that top is a bunch of stuff you won’t remember even if you were there.