B.B. King, ‘Live at the Regal’

Blues guitarist and singer B.B. King recorded his live album Live at the Regal in 1964 at the Regal Theater in Chicago. This album instantly received high praise upon its release in 1965 and is regarded as one of the most terrific blues albums ever recorded.

B.B. King’s style developed over the years, but over time he had one of the most identifiable and beloved guitar styles. He often mixed traditional blues, jazz, swing, and pop into a unique sound that brought him to a broad audience outside of just blues enthusiasts, and the attention was well deserved!

Peter Frampton, ‘Frampton Comes Alive’

English rock musician Peter Frampton released the double live album Frampton Comes Alive in 1976 in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The album was recorded in the summer and fall of 1975, primarily in San Francisco and New York.

Originally, A&M Records, the label that Frampton was signed to at the time, wanted more than just a solo album. Thus, this live album was born. Before this album, Frampton only achieved moderate success, but this one was the icing on the cake for him.

The Band, ‘The Last Waltz’

The Canadian-American rock band, The Band’s live album The Last Waltz is based on a concert film with the same name. The esteemed live compilation included a dozen guests, including but not limited to Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan.

The Last Waltz was advertised as The Band’s farewell appearance and was recorded on November 25, 1976, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. The concert included a Thanksgiving feast for concertgoers who paid $25 more a ticket. Nowadays, that would be a steal!

Daft Punk, ‘Alive 2007’

Alive 2007 is the second live album by Daft Punk’s French electronic music duo. It features the pair’s performance at the Palais Omni-sports de Paris-Bercy arena on June 14, 2007. The live album was released later that year.

This live album alone won Daft Punk two 2009 Grammys for the Best Electronic/Dance Album and Best Dance Recording for the song “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.” In addition, this live album was exceptionally well done because they were successfully able to rework and remix their most popular songs to give fans more to love. That takes true talent!

Neil Young and Crazy Horse, ‘Live Rust’

Like The Band and their live album The Last Waltz, Neil Young and Crazy Horse released a live album with a concert film. The live album was composed of performances at several venues, including Cow Palace near San Francisco.

Live Rust was recorded during Young’s fall 1978 Rust Never Sleeps tour, which was also the title of his concert film. Young directed the film himself under the pseudonym Bernard Shakey, which he used for everything film-related.

Grateful Dead, ‘Live/Dead’

Live/Dead is the first official live album released by the Grateful Dead out of their 70-plus live albums. The 16-track album contains rock improvisation and their usual psychedelic rock style of music. The live album was released in 1969, and it was the product of a series of concerts performed and recorded earlier that year.

In addition, the album helped dig the Dead out of a hole. After releasing their 1969 album Aoxomoxa, they were $180,000 in debt to the record label Warner Brothers. Luckily, the album was so successful that they didn’t have to worry anymore!