Source: Members of American Rock group Telsa perform onstage at Irving Plaza, New York, New York, March 1, 2005. Pictured are, from left, Tommy Skeoch, on guitar, Brian Wheat, on bass, Troy Luccketta (rear), on drums, singer Jeff Keith, and Frank Hannon, on guitar. (Gene Shaw/Getty Images)
Live albums have been a staple in the world of “rock ‘n’ roll” since the 1970s, with many great bands from the genre’s heyday releasing at least one. While many of the studio recordings of the great songs on this list are amazing, we typically turn to the live tracks when we want to have a listen.
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Here are 20 live rock songs that are better than the studio version:
1. AC/DC – For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) (1991)
Recorded on June 22, 1991, at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Canada. Featured on the band’s album, AC/DC Live.
2. The Allman Brothers Band – Whipping Post (1971)
Recorded in March of 1971 at Fillmore East in New York City. Featured on their album, At Fillmore East.
3. The Beatles – Twist and Shout (1963)
Recorded on November 20, 1963 at ABC Cinema in Manchester, UK.Â
4. Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band – Turn the Page (1976)
Recorded in September of 1975 at Cobo Hall in Detroit, featured on the band’s album, Live Bullet.
5. Cheap Trick – I Want You to Want Me (1978)
Recorded during April of 1978 at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. It’s featured on the legendary Cheap Trick at Budokan.
6. Eagles – Seven Bridges Road (1980)
Recorded at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on July 28, 1980, in Los Angeles. It was performed three days before the Eagles broke up, and featured on their 1980 Eagles Live album. it’s a live cover of Steve Young’s 1969 studio version.
7. Fleetwood Mac – Landslide (1997)
Recorded on May 23, 1997 at Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, CA. Featured on their album, The Dance.Â
8. Guns N’ Roses – Nice Boys (1986)
GNR recorded this live cover of Rose Tattoo’s Nice Boys in 1986. it’s featured on their 1986 EP Live ?!* Like a Suicide and 1989 album G N’ R Lies.
9. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Voodoo Child (Slight Return) (1970)
Recorded on July 30, 1970, at Upcountry Maui in Maui, HI. Featured on the album Live in Maui.
10. Kiss – Rock and Roll All Nite (1975)
From their album Alive!, primarily recorded during the summer of 1975.
11. Lynyrd Skynyrd – Gimme Three Steps (1976)
Recorded on July 7, 1976, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. It’s featured on their album, One More from the Road.
12. MC5 – Kick Out the Jams (1968)
Recorded in October of 1968 at Grande Ballroom in Detroit. Featured on their debut record, Kick Out the Jams.
13. Queen – Tie Your Mother Down (1979)
Recorded in on Feb. 2, 1979, in Frankfurt, Germany. Featured on their Live Killers album.
14. Paul McCartney and Wings – Maybe I’m Amazed (1976)
Recorded in Kansas City on May 29, 1976. It is featured on their album, Wings Over America.
15. Peter Frampton – Do You Feel Like We Do (1975)
Recorded on June 14, 1975 At Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. Featured on his album, Frampton Comes Alive!Â
16. REO Speedwagon – Golden Country (1976)
Recorded during their 1976 U.S. tour, and featured on their album, Live: You Get What You Play For, which helped launch the band into the mainstream.
17. Rush – YYZ (2002)
Recorded in 2002 at MaracanĂ£ Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Featured on their album, Rush in Rio.
18. Tesla – Signs (1990)
Recorded on July 2, 1990, at Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia. It was featured on their Five Man Acoustical Jam album. The song is originally a live cover of Five Man Electrical Band’s 1971 single. Tesla recorded a studio version of the song in 2007.
19. Thin Lizzy – Cowboy Song (1977)
Recorded in 1977 and featured on their album, Live and Dangerous.
20. Van Halen – There’s Only One Way to Rock (1986)
Van Halen covered lead singer Sammy Hagar’s hit song at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New Haven, CT, on Aug. 17, 1986. It’s featured on their Live Without a Net album.
