The 100 Best Albums Covers of All Time
Rolling Stone has compiled its list of The 100 best album covers of all time and The Beatles have three of them…let’s check it out, shall we?
Abbey Road came up one short, landing at two, followed by Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band at 14, and The Beatles (“White Album”) at 23. (I’ve got to be honest, I’d put Sgt. Pepper’s before Abbey Road….that’s just me)
The Rolling Stones also had two in the Top 50 with Sticky Fingers at 28, and Some Girls at 46.
David Bowie had two on the list with The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars at 31, and Diamond Dogs at 51.
Here’s the Top 10 best album covers of all time
- Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
- The Beatles – Abbey Road
- Sly and the Family Stone – There’s a Riot Goin’ On
- Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon
- The Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die
- Patti Smith – Horses
- Funkadelic – Maggot Brain
- The Clash – London Calling
- Cyndi Lauper – She’s So Unusual
- Nirvana – Nevermind
Can I add a couple to the list of 100 Best Album Covers?
Where’s the debut album from Asia?
![Asia debut album from 1982](https://wcsx.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/asiaalbum.jpg?w=599)
Or what about Styx Paradise Theatre?
![Styx - ‘Paradise Theatre’ - Released January 19, 1981. Why isn't it on 100 best album covers list?](https://wcsx.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/12/styx_AM-1.jpg?resize=996,1024)
A&M
Journey Escape? (that’s a personal favorite)
![Journey - ‘Escape’ - Released July 17, 1981.](https://wcsx.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/12/journey_Columbia.jpg?resize=1024,1018)
Columbia
Other rock acts to make the list include:
- The Velvet Underground & Nico – 11
- The Who – Who’s Next – 18
- Black Sabbath – 20
- Ramones – 22
- Fleetwood Mac – Rumours – 25
- Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols – 29
- Yes – Relayer – 32
- Talking Heads – Remain in Light – 34
- The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan – 37
- KISS – Alive! – 38
- Led Zeppelin – IV – 39
- Bruce Springsteen – Born in the U.S.A. – 42
- Roxy Music – For Your Pleasure – 47
- Judas Priest – British Steel – 53
- T. Rex – Electric Warrior – 56
- Van Halen – 1984 – 68
- R.E.M. – Murmur – 69
- Blur – Parklife – 74
- Radiohead – Kid A – 75
- New York Dolls – 78
- King Crimson – In the Court of the Crimson King – 81
- Neil Young – On the Beach – 88
- Big Brother & The Holding Company – Cheap Thrills – 91
- Grateful Dead – Europe ’72 – 99
- Spinal Tap – Smell the Glove – 100
Jim O'Brien is the Host of "Big Jim's House" Morning Show at 94.7 WCSX in Detroit. Jim spent eight years in the U.S. Naval Submarine Service, has appeared on Shark Tank (Man Medals Season 5 Ep. 2), raised over two million dollars for local charities and is responsible for Glenn Frey Drive and Bob Seger Blvd in the Motor City. Jim's relationship with Classic Rock includes considering Bob Seger, Phil Collen from Def Leppard, Wally Palmer of the Romantics and many others good friends. Jim writes about ‘80s movies, cars, weird food trends and “as seen on TikTok” content.
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