1971 was a hell of a year musically, with great albums like Hunky Dory Bowie, Pearl Janis Joplin, Just As I Am by Bill Withers, Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones and many more. Get ready to feel old!
We don't yet know how many opportunities there will be for parties and celebrations this year, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have playlists ready at least for home enjoyment. If you lack inspiration, stay with us. We highlighted some well-known music albums that turn 50 years old this year. And since half a century is no small thing, get your headphones ready and enjoy.
David Bowie
Hunky Dory
It's hard to single out just one of Bowie's albums and say it's his best, but Hunky Dory certainly represents something of a milestone. It was then that he discovered the enthusiasm for the constant changes in his appearance and new characters, accompanied by the corresponding hits that are still popular today. This is definitely a great album in every way.
Leonard Cohen
Songs of Love and Hate
This album can't be listened to on its own, especially if you're looking for something to get you in the mood. The dominant theme is sadness, divided into different forms and repeated through different themes. A sad, but also very poetic album, which many tried to copy in later years.
The Doors
LA Woman
This is the last album the band recorded with Jim Morrison's vocals. Many problems and controversies followed, but in the end he became one of their best. Compared to previous albums, LA Woman goes a bit deeper into the blues, but successfully.
Marvin Gaye
What's Going On
After the death of his musical partner, Tammi Terrell, Marvin Gaye made a kind of musical turnaround with this album, and it was very successful. This is a concept album that deals with many important and difficult topics such as police brutality, wars, poverty, drugs, etc. The response from fans and music critics was great and the album earned its place in the pantheon of legends.
Janis Joplin
Pearl
The last album of the singer was released three months after her death, and in fact she did not manage to finish all the vocal parts, but this does not in any way reduce the impact and importance of the album. She embodies the raw power of her voice and the charisma she possessed, backed by a superb backing band.
John Lennon
Imagine
In addition to the title track, which has already become a cult, this album offers several other top tracks that Lennon used to express his feelings about the breakup of the Beatles. It's an examination of many political issues, but with a cleverly added surface layer of pop-rock.
Joni Mitchell
Blue
Trying to escape the limelight of fame, Joni Mitchell laid the foundation for one of the most interesting and emotional breakup albums of all time. He explores many difficult and personal topics with uncompromising honesty and vulnerability. She put all of herself into the album and got into every tone of every song.
The Rolling Stones
Sticky Fingers
From the first look at the cover image, it is clear that it is an uncompromising album. The picture was conceived and realized by Andy Warhol with the help of his colleagues. The album contains a series of powerful tracks - arguably the band's best album to date - which added a new ingredient to the usual cocktail of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll - an irresistible blues.
Bill Withers
Just As I Am
The soul legend immediately attracted attention with his debut album, especially with the excellent song Ain't No Sunshine. Regardless of his musical success, Bill did not want to give up his regular job assembling parts for cars and airplanes, which is also evident in the cover photo of the album - in which he can be seen with a toolbox.
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin IV
The group already had world fame before this album. Although many accused them of simply using the obsession that reigned behind them to make as much money as possible, Led Zeppelin proved with this album that they are not without reason one of the best bands on the planet! Among other things, it also includes the hits Black Dog and Stairway to Heaven.
