60 Years Ago: Beatles Introduced With Semi-Illegal First U.S. LP60 Years Ago: Beatles Introduced With Semi-Illegal First U.S. LPVee-Jay Records release arrived 10 days before Capitol's 'Meet the Beatles!'Dave LiftonDave Lifton
40 Years Ago: Van Halen's '1984' Sets a Sleek New Standard40 Years Ago: Van Halen's '1984' Sets a Sleek New StandardHere's a track-by-track look inside the band's blockbuster album. Michael ChristopherMichael Christopher
35 Years Ago: 'A Show of Hands' Finds Rush at '80s-era Crossroads35 Years Ago: 'A Show of Hands' Finds Rush at '80s-era CrossroadsThis was a busy time for the group, with seven studio albums and a pair of live LPs.Jeff GilesJeff Giles
55 Years Ago: Creedence Comes Into Their Own With 'Bayou Country'55 Years Ago: Creedence Comes Into Their Own With 'Bayou Country'This isn't the band's biggest or most popular album, but it may be their most important.Nick DeRisoNick DeRiso
45 Years Ago: Joe Jackson's 'Look Sharp!' Helps Define New Wave45 Years Ago: Joe Jackson's 'Look Sharp!' Helps Define New WaveGrab bag of seemingly disparate sounds blended particularly well in the grooves of this debut LP.Jeff GilesJeff Giles
45 Years Ago: Elvis Costello Breaks Out With 'Armed Forces'45 Years Ago: Elvis Costello Breaks Out With 'Armed Forces'After beating the sophomore jinx, the goal was to prove he was here to stay. Jeff GilesJeff Giles
How 'Evil Empire' Nearly Ended Rage Against the MachineHow 'Evil Empire' Nearly Ended Rage Against the MachineBand's seminal 1996 album became its first No. 1 hit but at what price?Corey IrwinCorey Irwin
40 Years Ago: Judas Priest's Underrated 'Defenders of the Faith'40 Years Ago: Judas Priest's Underrated 'Defenders of the Faith'This 1984 album was aptly titled, both then and now. Nick DeRisoNick DeRiso
50 Years Ago: AC/DC and Journey Both Play Their First Concerts50 Years Ago: AC/DC and Journey Both Play Their First ConcertsSeems safe to say that no matter what happens this New Year's Eve in the world of classic rock, it won't measure up to Dec. 31, 1973.Matthew WilkeningMatthew Wilkening
50 Years Ago: Kiss' Gene Simmons First Sets His Hair on Fire50 Years Ago: Kiss' Gene Simmons First Sets His Hair on FireHe debuted this now-signature fireball-spewing trick during a performance of "Firehouse."Jeff GilesJeff Giles