Dave's Side One

The best concerts were the ones where you left with ringing ears, a sore throat from singing, and a story to tell. Giant screens made concerts more convenient for the people in the back, but they took away some of the magic that made live music special in the first place

This triple-guitar approach gave rock a richness and power that felt overwhelming in the best possible way. It allowed for complex harmonies, trading solos, and a fullness that made the music feel larger than life

These bands proved that for some artists, the studio was just a blueprint. The real art happened when the lights went down and the audience became part of the performance

What made 70s guitar solos so special was their variety. You had Gilmour’s lyrical, emotional approach, Page’s epic storytelling, May’s theatrical flair, and Montrose’s aggressive melodicism. Each player had a distinct voice, and that diversity made the decade incredibly rich for guitar lovers

These songs didn’t ease the crowd in — they attacked. They set the tone that this was going to be a night to remember, and they gave the audience permission to lose themselves right from the start

What made these bands so loud wasn’t just volume for volume’s sake — it was presence. They understood how to use the size of the venue to their advantage, creating a wall of sound that made every fan feel like they were part of something enormous and unforgettable

Beyond the technical beauty, “Sailing” has this magical ability to slow time down. Whenever I play it, the outside world fades away. The gentle groove and dreamy melody make you want to close your eyes and drift. It’s the musical equivalent of a deep breath and a long exhale

I’m not saying technique is bad. It’s impressive. But when it becomes the main point — when players are showing off instead of serving the song — the music suffers. I’d rather hear Neil Young play one imperfect, heartfelt note than sit through a 15-minute technical festival of self-love that forgets to have a melody or emotion

These session musicians brought consistency, creativity, and professionalism to every track. Many famous 70s hits owe as much (or more) to the session players as to the named artists. They were the secret weapon behind the polished, radio-ready sound that defined the decade

These basslines weren’t just holding down the low end — they were driving the songs, creating hooks, and giving the music its backbone and personality. A truly great 70s bassline could make you move even when the rest of the song was subtle

These drummers understood that the song always comes first. They locked in with the bass, left space where it was needed, and knew exactly when to push or pull back. Their playing often went unnoticed precisely because it was so perfect for the music

These guitarists didn’t just play notes — they had a sonic signature. You could pick them out of a crowd of players because their tone told a story before the first phrase was finished. That instant recognition is a rare gift in music

The 70s keyboards were dynamic — warm analog synths, roaring Hammonds, and ethereal Mellotrons — became the sonic signature of the decade’s ambition. It was the perfect marriage of technology and musicality

In the 70s soft rock landscape, this song stands out as something truly sophisticated. It’s intelligent without being pretentious, romantic without being sappy, and it has a wistful elegance that lingers long after the last note fades. It’s the kind of track that makes you want to pour a drink, dim the lights, and just get lost in it

Critics often called them pretentious. I call them courageous. In an era when everyone else was chasing radio hits, these bands said, “No, we’re going to tell a 70-minute story about dystopian society, or a Puerto Rican street kid’s spiritual journey through New York, or four sides of oceanic mysticism.” That level of artistic swagger is rare today

These albums share a special quality: very little filler and excellent flow. Every track earns its place, so stopping the record feels wrong. In the vinyl era, these were the records that got played until the grooves were visibly worn down from constant flipping

What made 70s gatefold art so special was how it enhanced the listening experience. You didn’t just put the record on — you held the artwork in your hands, studied every detail, and let it shape how you heard the music. It turned buying and playing an album into a full sensory ritual

Putting on headphones and diving into one of these albums is a form of meditation. The outside world disappears, and suddenly you’re inside the music. It’s one of the most rewarding ways to experience 70s rock

A great Side One opener does more than start an album — it makes a promise. It tells you what kind of ride you’re in for, whether that’s epic storytelling, raw energy, or pure melodic bliss. The 70s were full of these hidden gems that never became the biggest singles but still define their records

The best night albums tend to have depth, mood, and sonic space. They reward focused, immersive listening rather than background music. They often have a cinematic or introspective quality that pairs perfectly with the stillness of late hours

In a decade full of ambitious prog suites, intricate guitar solos, and overproduced rock, America stripped everything back to the bare essentials and created something that still feels fresh today. The song’s minimalist approach — just acoustic guitar, basic rhythm, and evocative lyrics — gives it a hypnotic quality that lets your mind wander while you listen

The problem isn’t that the songs are bad. It’s that we’ve heard them so many times that they’ve lost some of their magic

What makes this collection special is that every record is a complete artistic statement. None of them feel like filler. They’re the kind of albums you can put on from start to finish without skipping a track, and they still sound fresh decades later. They also look fantastic on a shelf — iconic covers that make you proud to display them

The songwriting is clever, witty, and emotionally nuanced. Steely Dan’s Aja is a jazz-rock masterpiece full of sophisticated chord changes and cryptic lyrics. Toto’s “Africa” and “Rosanna” have grooves so tight they feel machine-like, yet they’re warm and human. Michael McDonald’s work with the Doobie Brothers and his solo records brought a level of soulful sophistication that most rock bands coul...

Some bands sold millions, but others had incredibly loyal, almost cult-like followings that didn’t always translate to massive Billboard numbers