Notable albums that turn 50 in 2025

What a convenient time for “Blood on the Tracks” to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Sure, it may be the 15th album from Bob Dylan, but it’s considered by many to be one of his best. It includes iconic Dylan songs such as “Tangled Up in Blue” and “Shelter From the Storm.” In the wake of the Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” making a splash, there are a lot of people who will be primed to enjoy the 50th anniversary of “Blood on the Tracks.”

“Fly by Night” is the second album from Rush, but it is the first “Rush album.” Crucially, it’s the album where Neil Peart joined as the drummer and primarily lyricist. That played a role in it, as it was also the first Rush album to feature the progressive rock sound the Canadian trio became known for. “Fly by Night” is the true introduction to Rush.

Some clarification may be needed. In 1975, some scruffy Australian rockers released their debut album “High Voltage.” That band is AC/DC. However, this “High Voltage” was released in Australia and New Zealand only. The same is true for their other 1975 album “T.N.T.” which he can fold in here. Those two albums would be combined into AC/DC’s first international release in 1976. That compilation album was also called “High Voltage.” Got all that? Either way, AC/DC, a defining ‘70s rock band, debuted in 1975.

Led Zeppelin released a double album in the thick of the 1970s, which certainly was enough to create a splash. They are one of the defining sounds of ‘70s rock. “Physical Graffiti” doesn’t feature any of the band’s top hits, but it does have “Houses of the Holy” and “Kashmir” on it.

Emmylou Harris is one of the definitive country musicians of the last 50 years. It didn’t all start with “Pieces of the Sky,” but for many this was the starting point. This was Harris’ second album, but her first on a major label. A lot of people surely missed out on “Gliding Bird” when it came out in 1970, so “Pieces of the Sky” was a real breakthrough for Harris.

In 1975, David Bowie underwent one of his changes in sound and persona. He tired of the glam rock of Ziggy Stardust and went full-throated into R&B and “blue-eyed soul.” His album “Young Americans” was his first foray into that sound, with the title track and “Fame” being the standout songs in terms of popularity.

Janis Ian’s known for the song “At Seventeen.” It’s her defining song. That song can be found on “Between the Lines.” In 1975, Ian would also be the first musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” as well. Talking about music in 1975 has to include Ian as a result.

Journey is the anti-Rush. What do we mean by that? The band debuted in 1975 with a self-titled album. For this album only, Journey would be classified as a progressive rock band. “Journey” is heavy on instrumental jams. If you think of Steve Perry and the power ballads when it comes to Journey, this album may throw you for a loop.

If you only know Aerosmith from their renaissance, well, you might not realize it was a renaissance. The band first rose to fame in the 1970s, with “Toys in the Attic” being their third album and perhaps their most popular. It does feature “Sweet Emotion,” perhaps the defining Aerosmith song of the era give-or-take a “Dream On.” The album also features the original version of “Walk This Way,” which in a sense paved the path for that aforementioned renaissance.

Though this is a self-titled album, it’s actually the third album from Sweden’s famed ABBA. It delivers the goods. “ABBA” features “SOS” and also “Mamma Mia,” the song that would lend itself to not one, but two jukebox musical movies.

Singer-songwriter James Taylor released his sixth album “Gorilla” in 1975. Though he was well into his career, Taylor was still quite popular. Both “Mexico” and “How Sweet It Is” were top-five hits on the Billboard charts.

Yes, War is mostly known for the titular song that gave this album its name. The only other War song you can think of is, what, “Low Rider?” Well, guess what? “Low Rider” is also on this album. It contains two quintessential ‘70s songs, even if they are the only two songs by War most people can name.

This was Fleetwood Mac’s 10th, yes 10th, album. Did they have anything left in the tank? Um, this album contains “Landslide” and “Rhiannon,” so clearly they very much did. Oh, and two years later they would release “Rumours,” so clearly Fleetwood Mac still have plenty to give to music fans.

When it comes to the disco sound of the 1970s, KC and the Sunshine Band is one of the groups that definitely come to mind. Their self-titled second album features a few of the defining disco songs. We’ve got “Boogie Shoes,” “Get Down Tonight,” and “That’s The Way (I Like It).” Wherever you land on disco, this was a definitive album of 1975, and of the genre.

“Notable” is the key word here. If somebody tells you they are a fan of “Metal Machine Music,” they are either trying to seem edgy or avant garde, or they have wild taste in music. This Lou Reed album is…a choice. A swing. It was a progenitor of industrial music. “Metal Machine Music” is fascinating, and it was made by a famed musician. It’s also a tough listen if you expect anything that sounds like, you know, music.

Glen Campbell was prolific. “Rhinestone Cowboy” was his 28th album, and he had more to come. Ultimately, though, this may be his most-remembered album. The titular song is maybe his defining song (even if he didn’t write it). Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy” was a massive song for him, and after he sang that song it became a staple for covers, and there’s even a movie that shares the name.

If we had to rank 1975 albums by cultural importance, “Born to Run” would be number one. Bruce Springsteen’s third album catapulted him into superstardom. It paved the way for decades of his iconic work. “Born to Run” is a seminal rock song. So is “Thunder Road.” Springsteen’s album’s impact can’t be oversold, for him and for music.

Kiss released two albums in 1975. “Dressed to Kill” didn’t do much. In fact, their first three albums didn’t really click. “Alive!” is a live album, and while we normally wouldn’t include a live album, this is a vital part of the Kiss lore. “Alive!” is what helped the band take off, because it helped define what Kiss was: a live act. Finally, Kiss was able to capture what made them work. Without “Alive!” they may have never become such cultural icons.

“Wish You Were Here” is a lot. It’s 44 minutes and five songs. The two parts of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” combine to be almost a half hour. And yet, you know this Pink Floyd album. You know the title track. You know the album art. “Wish You Were Here” reflects Pink Floyd fans, and what was popular in rock music in 1975.

Paul Simon was a few albums into his solo career by 1975, and he was ready to start appearing on his buddy Lorne Michaels’ show “SNL” all the time. “Still Crazy After All These Years” had four top-40 hits. One is the title track, and there’s also “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.”

British art rock owes a lot to Roxy Music. They aren’t as big as, say, Pink Floyd or Bruce Springsteen to the general public. If we hadn’t mentioned “Siren,” though, we know that many a Roxy Music fan would be annoyed. “Love is the Drug” was a number-two hit in the UK! This was a big band!

Patti Smith debuted in 1975 with “Horses.” A staple of the New York art scene emerged on a larger landscape. “Horses” has an indelible cover, and also remains a seminal punk/proto-punk album. The forefront of rock music in 1975 was established by heavy bands and British rock, but other artists were working around the fringes to change the landscape.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is on “A Night at the Opera.” Do we need to say anything else? Okay then. This is possibly the top Queen album. It has “You’re My Best Friend” on it as well. “A Night at the Opera” is adventurous and ambitious, as Queen often was. That means some big swings don’t necessarily hit, but you’re happy they swung.

Do you like space-themed concept albums by funk music legends? Of course you do! Parliament are arguably the foremost funk band all these years later. “Mothership Connection” is full of outer space imagery and killer funk music. The whole thing works better as an album, as concept albums tend to do, but if you just want to sample it, “Give Up the Funk” is a fine sample.