The Best Rock Music of 1979

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

A look at the best rock music of 1979. From Led Zeppelin to Pink Floyd, these are the albums that defined a decade.

The Best Rock Music of 1979: A Retrospective

The year 1979 was an incredible one for rock music. Some of the best-known and most influential rock albums were released in 1979, including The Who’s “The Kids Are Alright,” Led Zeppelin’s “In Through the Out Door,” and Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.” This was also the year that saw the rise of punk rock, with bands like The Clash and The Sex Pistols releasing their debut albums.

So what made 1979 such a great year for rock music? One big reason was that many of the genre’s biggest stars were at the top of their game. For example, Led Zeppelin had just come off of their hugely successful 1977 tour, while Pink Floyd were fresh off the success of their classic album “Dark Side of the Moon.” This was also a time when new bands were beginning to make their mark on the rock world, such as The Police, who would go on to become one of the biggest bands of the 1980s.

So if you’re a fan of rock music, then take a trip down memory lane with this retrospective of the best rock music of 1979. You’re sure to enjoy revisiting some of your favorite albums from this landmark year in rock history.

The Best Rock Music of 1979: By Genre

The year 1979 was an amazing year for rock music, with a huge variety of sounds and styles represented. Here, we take a look at some of the best rock music of 1979 by genre.

Classic Rock: Led Zeppelin – “Fool in the Rain”

One of the all-time great classic rock bands, Led Zeppelin released “Fool in the Rain” as a single in 1979. The song is a mid-tempo shuffle with a catchy hook, and it’s one of the band’s most underrated tunes.

Hard Rock: AC/DC – “Highway to Hell”

AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” is one of the most iconic hard rock songs of all time. The driving guitar riff and Angus Young’s soloing are unforgettable, and the song has become an unsuspecting anthem for generations of rock fans.

Progressive Rock: Pink Floyd – “Another Brick in the Wall Part II”

Pink Floyd took progressive rock to new heights with “Another Brick in the Wall Part II,” a catchy tune with a dark message. The song became a massive hit, topped charts around the world, and even won a Grammy Award.

The Best Rock Music of 1979: By Artist

When it comes to great rock music, 1979 was certainly a banner year. There were so many excellent releases that it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few favorites. But that’s exactly what we’ve done here. These are the best rock albums of 1979, according to the experts at AllMusic.

Led Zeppelin – In Through the Out Door: The final studio album from Led Zeppelin was also one of their best. It featured the band at their most experimental, trying out new sounds and forging ahead with their signature style of hard-hitting rock.

The Who – Quadrophenia: This classic album from The Who is a concept album about teenager Jimmy Cooper and his struggle to find his place in the world. It’s an angsty, powerful record that still resonates with listeners today.

The Clash – London Calling: One of the most influential punk albums ever made, London Calling is a must-listen for any fan of rock music. The Clash were at the top of their game on this release, creating an unforgettable sound that would change the face of music forever.

Pink Floyd – The Wall: Another concept album, this time from Pink Floyd. The Wall is a dark and introspective album that deals with themes of isolation and loneliness. It’s a complex and challenging listen, but well worth the effort.

These are just a few of the great rock albums that were released in 1979. So dust off your old vinyls or dig out your CDs and give them a spin. You’ll be glad you did.

The Best Rock Music of 1979: By Album

There were a lot of great rock albums released in 1979, but which ones were the best? Here are our picks for the top 10 rock albums of that year.

10. Police – Regatta de Blanc
This album was the second release from English rock band The Police, and it cemented their place as one of the most popular bands of the era. The album includes the hits “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon”.

9. Led Zeppelin – In Through the Out Door
This was Led Zeppelin’s final studio album, released just months before drummer John Bonham died. The album includes the classic track “Fool in the Rain”.

8. The Cars – Candy-O
The Cars were one of the most successful new wave bands of the late 1970s/early 1980s, and their second album Candy-O is considered one of their best. It features the hits “Let’s Go” and “It’s All I Can Do”.

7. AC/DC – Highway to Hell
Australian hard rockers AC/DC reached new heights with Highway to Hell, their first album with new lead singer Brian Johnson. The title track is one of their most well-known songs.

6. Pink Floyd – The Wall
Pink Floyd’s 11th studio album is a concept album about alienation and mental breakdown, and is widely considered one of their best works. It includes the classics “Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2” and “Comfortably Numb”.

The Best Rock Music of 1979: By Song

The best rock music of 1979 includes “Message in a Bottle” by the Police, “Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd, and “Roxanne” by the Police.

The Best Rock Music of 1979: Influential Tracks

The late 1970s was a time of transition for rock music. Punk rock was on the rise, and disco was still going strong. But there were also plenty of other styles of rock that were popular in 1979. These are some of the most influential tracks from that year.

“Blitzkrieg Bop” by the Ramones: This punk classic is one of the most influential tracks of the late 1970s. It helped to define the sound of punk rock and is still a staple of punk concerts today.

“Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey: This is one of the most iconic songs of the 1980s, but it was actually released in 1979. It epitomizes the early days of arena rock, and its positive message helped to make it one of the most popular songs of its era.

“She’s So Unusual” by Cyndi Lauper: This pop-rock classic was Lauper’s debut album, and it established her as one of the most unique voices in music. It includes her signature hit, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” as well as other fan favorites like “Time After Time” and “All Through the Night.”

“The Wall” by Pink Floyd: This concept album is one of Pink Floyd’s best-known works, and it deals with themes like isolation, authoritarianism, and mental illness. It includes some of the band’s most popular songs, such as “Another Brick in the Wall,” “Comfortably Numb,” and “Run Like Hell.”

The Best Rock Music of 1979: One-Hit Wonders

The year is 1979. The top of the charts is filled with established acts like Blondie, The Police, and Bob Dylan. But there are also a number of one-hit wonders. Here are some of the best rock songs of 1979 that only topped the charts once.

“My Sharona” by The Knack
“I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick
“Luka” by Suzanne Vega
“Egyptian Reggae” by Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers
“Brass in Pocket (I’m Special)” by The Pretenders
“Heart of Glass” by Blondie
“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and The Waves
“(Just Like) Starting Over” by John Lennon
“Another Brick in the Wall, Part II” by Pink Floyd

The Best Rock Music of 1979: Deep Cuts

It was a great year for rock music, and there were a lot of deep cuts that deserve attention. Here are some of the best:

– “She’s the One” by Bruce Springsteen
– “Slow Ride” by Foghat
– “The Cutter” by Echo & the Bunnymen
– “Bloodless Pharaohs” by AC/DC
– “I Don’t Know” by Ozzy Osbourne
– “Rough Boys” by Pete Townshend
– “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” by The Police
– “Refugee” by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

The Best Rock Music of 1979: In Memoriam

It is with a heavy heart that we must say goodbye to one of the greatest years in rock music: 1979. This was the year that saw the birth of some of the most iconic and influential bands in rock history, as well as the release of several classic albums. Sadly, it is also the year that saw the death of one of rock’s most loved and revered figures, Elvis Presley.

It is hard to overstate the impact that Elvis had on rock music. His unique blend of country, blues, and gospel defined what rock and roll would become. His style was imitated by countless artists, and his influence can still be felt today. Unfortunately, his untimely death at the age of 42 shocked and devastated the world.

In spite of this tragedy, 1979 was still an incredible year for rock music. This was the year that saw the release of some of the most classic and enduring albums in rock history, including Led Zeppelin’s “In Through The Out Door,” The Who’s “Quadrophenia,” and Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.” These albums would go on to define what rock music would become in the years to follow.

So while we mourn the loss of Elvis Presley, we also celebrate the legacy he left behind. And we celebrate all that 1979 gave to us in terms of incredible music. May we never forget what an important year this was for rock and roll.

The Best Rock Music of 1979: Legacy

The year 1979 was an important one for rock music. It was the year that punk rock exploded onto the mainstream consciousness with the release of The Ramones’ self-titled debut album, as well as the Sex Pistols’ last album, ‘Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols.’ But it was also a year that saw the release of some of the greatest albums in rock history, by artists as varied as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Acid Bath, and Black Sabbath. Here, then, is a look at the best rock music of 1979.

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