Ten brilliant live albums from the 1970s

Was the 1970s the best ever decade for live music albums? Here are ten that make a strong case for that accolade.

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Foghat - Foghat Live

This is an if you know, you know kind of album. It’s incredibly well known amongst avid 1970s music fans. They rightly rate it highly as a top live album. Many others may be thinking who are Foghat? Hailing from the UK, Foghat were another of those hard working rock bands. They stood out for their live shows and down to earth performances. 

They weren’t as prominent or widely played as many other artists of that time. You are unlikely to hear many of their songs when the greatest hits of the decade are being played. But the live shows were something else, the crowds loved their down-to-earth and hard-working approach. If you wanted a slab of boogie, with slide guitar, some blues, and some head-bopping rock, Foghat was ideal.

Foghat Live is widely regarded as one of the best live albums and was ranked as double platinum in the US where they were based the band after moving from England. This 1977 album has just one problem though - it’s only a single disc. Foghat had a great live set and enough tracks for a superb double album. But their record label, Bearsville Records, somehow decided a single album would be enough. Have a listen to the album as it is and it will leave you wanting more for sure.