Outstanding top 20 live albums of the exceptional 1970s ranked based on data

The 1970s may well have been the top era for live music albums. It certainly had many of the best live albums ever released.
Mick Jagger - The Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger - The Rolling Stones / Walter Iooss Jr/GettyImages
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18 - Hawkwind - Space Ritual

I still struggle to get my head around Lemmy from Motorhead playing sci-fi-styled fantasy-based prog rock. Hawkwind had a whole audio-visual show to back up the music. But the sound is pretty good, too, on its own. Although I do feel as though it has dated somewhat. I’m also surprised they didn't include the band’s big hit single “Silver Machine” but perhaps they were trying to move on or even away from that. For me, it’s another surprise entry on the list. 

17 - Townes Van Zandt - Live At The Old Quarter, Houston, Texas

This may not be well known as an album but it should be. John Townes Van Zandt was quite a guitar player. But like many he suffered for, or perhaps with, his art. This live alum from a small venue in Texas was a fairly rough and ready recording when released in 1977. It is, though, all the better for that and has Van Zandt at his best with a small crowd. A great album but yet another wild card for the top 20. 

16 - The Rolling Stones - Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out

Recorded in late 1969 and released in 1970, this is really fresh, as it comes to the style of the music. It’s raw and lively and has the band sounding particularly good. It features the first showings of Mick Taylor for the late Brian Jones. It does get a divided view at times. Some, myself included, rate it as the best Rolling Stones live album. Others see it differently and reckon some of the tracks are bland, boring or bloated, and self-indulgent. It’s all about opinions!

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