5 Albums That Started Rock In 1964

Let’s journey further back in time and widen our perspective. With a subjective list of the top 5 albums that helped shape rock music, we’ve arrived at the crucial year of 1964.

5. The Animals – The Animals
The Animals are all about that unmistakable voice, instantly recognizable, paired with a keyboard that adds to the punch. Released just a month before the British version, the U.S. edition of The Animals differs significantly, with only seven tracks in common. The American version includes the iconic hits “Baby Let Me Take You Home” and “House of the Rising Sun.” These two songs alone were so impactful that the British had to scramble to get the vinyl across the Atlantic, with a delay until May to correct the issue.

4. Beatles For Sale – The Beatles
The Beatles’ fourth album marked a bit of a dip compared to the hit-making “A Hard Day’s Night”, though it still showed their ongoing growth as songwriters. At the height of their fame, and with little time to write new material due to their hectic schedule, the band decided to pay tribute to their influences. They filled much of the album with solid covers of rock legends, showcasing their ability to make each track their own while still developing as a group.

3. Live At The Star Club, Hamburg – Jerry Lee Lewis
This is the most famous record by Jerry Lee Lewis and is essential to every fan of rock ‘n’ roll. With the Nashville Teens providing backing, it was recorded in 1964 at Hamburg’s storied Star Club and includes timeless songs like “I Got A Woman,” “Hound Dog,” and Little Richard’s “Long Tall Sally.” Jerry Lee infuses rock, R&B, and even some country rock with his trademark ferocious intensity. Naturally, no concert would be complete without Otis Blackwell’s song “Great Balls Of Fire,” which he made famous.

2. Kinks – The Kinks
In 1964, Ray Davies was still figuring out his songwriter’s style when The Kinks released their first album. Although the album has some potential, his genuine songwriting abilities are best displayed by the hits “You Really Got Me” (with its recognizable guitar riff) and “Stop Your Sobbin’.” These songs give listeners a taste of the genius that was to come by hinting at the witty social satire that would become a defining feature of the Kinks’ subsequent work.

1. A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles
Released as the soundtrack for the movie of the same name, A Hard Day’s Night was The Beatles’ third album, mostly driven by John Lennon’s songwriting. As with many of his early tracks, Lennon’s lyrics captured the ups and downs of relationships with a mix of sweetness and melancholy. The album gave fans a deeper look into the band’s evolving sound and showcased their unique blend of catchy tunes and emotional depth.