5 Records Every Rock Lover Should Own

Sales and demand for tangible products like vinyl records have been rising and outpacing digital sales the last year. Much like bookworms love the feel of a good book in their hands, with the smell of ink and paper tickling their nose, music lovers get thrills from the feel and the sound of a great vinyl record.

However, vinyl albums can take up a significant amount of space, so it’s important to be selective in the albums you collect. It’s our personal belief that no self-respecting lover of rock and roll should be without these rock vinyl records. Your mileage, of course, may vary.

Back in Black by AC/DC (Circa 1980)

This studio album became a tribute of sorts to their deceased frontman Bon Scott, who died in London in February of 1980. The band found their new frontman Brian Johnson in April of 1980, and as they say, the rest is history. Back in Black is a straight up rock and roll album, hard-hitting with hooks and choruses whose vocals are so well-known even casual listeners will recognize them. You Shook Me All Night Long is is one of the greatest songs by AC/DC, and is probably in every jukebox in every bar across the country. It's a hall of fame worthy track if you ask us. If you haven’t let your hair down and danced on a table to it at least once in your life, you’re probably missing out.

Who’s Next by The Who (Circa 1971)

This is an album that’s packed full of well-known hard rock songs like Behind Blue Eyes, Won’t Get Fooled Again, and Bargain. It came out in 1971, shortly after the psychedelic, flower power of the 1960’s era. This album is considered to be raw and powerful, considered by rock fans everywhere to be one of the best The Who albums ever released. We say that makes it pretty perfect for memorializing forever on shiny vinyl.

Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones (Circa 1971)

This rock and roll record could very well be a collector’s item. It was the very first recording to be released by their own label, Rolling Stones Records. It was also the first album debut released that featured Mick Taylor, the new Rolling Stone guitarist that took the place of Brian Jones in 1969. In addition to the killer tunes, the album cover itself received a lot of attention and accolades from fans.

It is classic rock art at it’s finest, with the concept dreamed up by Andy Warhol himself and photographed by the renowned Billy Name. This record also boasts the now classic and iconic tongue and lips logo, used for the very first time as a small image on the back of the Sticky Fingers album cover. Oh, and we mustn’t forget the mysterious crotch photo that’s hidden beneath the album’s cover art. To this day, no one knows who the model is for that one. It remains a rock mystery for the ages.

Are You Experienced by the Jimi Hendrix Experience (Circa 1967)

Jimi Hendrix was a literal rock and roll virtuoso and this record is both thrilling and raw. You can’t go wrong with a Jimi Hendrix track, but if you had to choose one track from his collection, Are You Experienced? takes the cake. It’s the debut album with drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding from The Experience. Songs like Fire, The Wind Cries Mary, and Foxy Lady will tickle your eardrums and provide endless guitar riff pleasures. It’s considered one of the greats when it comes to punk rock and roll albums that have been recorded. Plus the album art is like quintessential psychedelic collector paraphernalia you will love having on display as part of your record collection.

Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses (Circa 1987)