Source: Graphic by Jarrett Huff/Radio One
Rock music has seen a variety of great debut records over the decades, from commercial juggernauts like Guns N’ Roses‘ Appetite for Destruction, to genre definers like the Ramones‘ RamonesĀ and sleeper hits like Montrose‘s Montrose. Some artists have had the fortune, or misfortune, of their debut album being the band’s best to date.
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Some bands fed of the commercial success and attention of their debut albums to have lengthy careers and other highly-acclaimed releases, while others were never able to recapture the magic of their first record. Regardless of what came after these releases, this list will feature 20 times a debut rock album was a band’s best record. It’s worth noting that despite varying levels of success, every record and artist featured are great in their own right, and as fans of the genre we should be thankful for the contributions of these musicians and their masterpieces.
20 Times a Debut Rock Album Was a Band’s Best
1. The Doors (1967) – The Doors
The Doors were fortunate to start their successful, albeit brief, career with their self-titled record. It’s stood the test of time, with an enduring legacy nearly 55 years after Jim Morrison’s death.
2. Are You Experienced (1967) – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Another record on this list that kicked off a legendary, yet brief rock career. it’s not a valid conversation on great guitarists if Jimi Hendrix’s name isn’t mentioned, and this record changed the way we thought a guitar could sound like, at the time.
3. The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) – The Velvet Underground
4. America (1972) – America
5. (Pronounced ‘LÄh-‘nĆ©rd ‘Skin-‘nĆ©rd) (1973) – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut record took southern rock to new heights, leading to a string of highly-successful albums before the tragic 1977 plane crash that killed several members of the band.Ā
6. Montrose (1973) – Montrose
An extremely under-appreciated record from a band that deserves more attention, Montrose had been considered “America’s answer to Led Zeppelin.” Unfortunately for Montrose, their debut record received little radio airplay beyond Rocky Candy and Bad Motor Scooter. Thankfully, it launched the careers of Sammy Hagar and Ronnie Montrose.
7. Horses (1975) – Patti Smith
8. Boston (1976) – Boston
From cover to cover Boston by Boston is a masterpiece, with Tom Scholz’s musical genius is on full display. The record achieved an astounding 17x Platinum status. Unfortunately, Boston’s releases took progressively longer, as Scholz became more and more meticulous through the production process of his records. It killed the momentum the band had by the mid 1980s.
9. Ramones (1976) – Ramones
The Ramones released the record that gave the world punk rock music, one of the genre’s biggest and most-successful sub genres.Ā
10. Bat Out of Hell (1977) – Meat Loaf
11. The Cars (1978) – The Cars
12. Van Halen (1978) – Van Halen
Just like Hendrix did in 1967, Eddie Van Halen changed the way people thought a guitar could be played, and guitar playing after Van Halen was released hasn’t been the same since. This record ushered in the era that defined rock music in the 1980s, and set Van Halen up for a nearly-20-year commercially-successful run.Ā
13. The Blizzard of Ozz (1980) – Ozzy Osbourne
After being ousted from Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne’s career could’ve faded into obscurity. Instead, he formed his own band, led by the masterful Randy Rhoads on guitar, and furthered the evolution of heavy metal music.Ā
14. Holy Diver (1983) – Dio
15. Appetite for Destruction (1987) – Guns N’ Roses
In my mind, Appetite for Destruction is the greatest debut record ever, and without a doubt among the greatest rock records of all-time. It was a refreshing release during the hair metal era, as the band gave audiences more rock and less pop than their peers. It also introduced the world to one of the greatest guitarists to ever live; Slash.
