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Ten amazingly brilliant 1970s live albums

Here are ten live albums from the 1970s that you don't often see in the usual top ten list from back then, but are just as brilliant to listen to.

By StevieMac

J. Geils Band in concert
J. Geils Band in concert / Ron Pownall Photography/GettyImages
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Two brilliant live albums from amazing guitarists

Ted Nugent - Double Live Gonzo

Ted Nugent is another of those artists who perhaps didn't always provide his best work on studio albums. Not that is by comparison to his wild and full-on frenzy of a live show. Nugent’s heavy metal undoubtedly comes across best on a stage where he gives his all. Which makes him another ideal act for a live album. 

But as we know the live work of many can somehow fall apart when it comes to making a live album. And while some play it safer with a single disc release, others fall flat by spreading it out too far in a double disc. Nugent gets it spot on here. You probably can’t get enough of his 1978 release Double Live Gonzo if you like metal and guitars.

Nugent and his band deliver stand-out versions of his songs, especially so from his debut album, the self-titled Ted Nugent, amazingly just three years prior. This one is a real blast, they play it loud and heavy, and the distortion, solos, and sound overall are just right. Don’t miss it, Double Live Gonzo is one of the best live metal albums.

Jimi Hendrix - Band Of Gypsys

Although he had a tragically short musical career there are quite a few Jimi Hendrix live albums. That leads to the obvious debate over which is the best one. That’s almost a never-ending discussion with a few top contenders. This one is one of his very best if not top of the list. 

Recorded at Filmore East in New York, as were many other great live albums, it captures Hendrix and his new band over four performances from December 31, 1969, and January 1, 1970. This was Hendrix moving on and progressing musically from his early days with The Experience. 

There were newer songs, away from his usual setlist. They were a bit bluesier, more rhythmic, and definitely funkier. There were some mixed reviews when it came out in March 1970, but it secured top ten rankings in both the UK and US, and deservedly so. This was his last full album release before his death later that year, we can only imagine how his music would have developed further over the years. 

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