40 Years Ago: Roger Waters Trips on ‘Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking’40 Years Ago: Roger Waters Trips on ‘Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking’Pink Floyd's future turned on this album – and maybe classic rock's, too.Nick DeRisoNick DeRiso
55 Years Ago: Moody Blues Soar With ‘On the Threshold of a Dream’55 Years Ago: Moody Blues Soar With ‘On the Threshold of a Dream’This album became their first U.K. chart-topper, and first American Top 10 hit.Nick DeRisoNick DeRiso
35 Years Ago: Black Sabbath Begins to Spiral With ‘Headless Cross’35 Years Ago: Black Sabbath Begins to Spiral With ‘Headless Cross’This may be their most impressive LP not fronted by Ozzy Osbourne or Ronnie James Dio.Eduardo RivadaviaEduardo Rivadavia
55 Years Ago: The Who Debut ‘Tommy’ in Concert55 Years Ago: The Who Debut ‘Tommy’ in ConcertThis historic concert was held a month before the groundbreaking double album arrived.Dave SwansonDave Swanson
40 Years Ago: Why Styx Stumbled Toward ‘Caught in the Act’40 Years Ago: Why Styx Stumbled Toward ‘Caught in the Act’This was the last opportunity to hear their classic lineup for more than a decade.Jeff GilesJeff Giles
How the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and David Bowie Ran From the TaxmanHow the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and David Bowie Ran From the TaxmanTax season is unpleasant for everyone (except the IRS), but imagine the plight of many popular British bands in the '60s and '70s. Frank MastropoloFrank Mastropolo
50 Years Ago: How ‘Secret Treaties’ Shaped Blue Oyster Cult50 Years Ago: How ‘Secret Treaties’ Shaped Blue Oyster CultAt this point, their future standing as bona fide hard-rock legends was anything but guaranteed.Eduardo RivadaviaEduardo Rivadavia
50 Years Ago: Lynyrd Skynyrd Keep Building With ‘Second Helping’50 Years Ago: Lynyrd Skynyrd Keep Building With ‘Second Helping’Included were future fan favorites, an outstanding cover of "Call Me the Breeze" and, most importantly: "Sweet Home Alabama."Jeff GilesJeff Giles
35 Years Ago: Great White Break Out With ‘… Twice Shy’35 Years Ago: Great White Break Out With ‘… Twice Shy’MTV-anointed success followed more than a decade of club gigs and financial frustration.Jeff GilesJeff Giles
How Neil Young’s ‘This Note’s for You’ Ended an Era of StumblesHow Neil Young’s ‘This Note’s for You’ Ended an Era of StumblesHis 17th LP fell somewhere between a big-band record and a soul album.Michael GallucciMichael Gallucci