Greatest Live Albums by daftpunter 
Since the 5th grade, when I convinced my mom to buy me an album with a bunch of cartoon characters singing songs about cold gin and rock 'n' rollin' all night, I've been in love with live albums. I didn't go to concerts until after high school (my first being Queen with Billy Squire at the old Philly Spectrum in 1981) so my connection with live music was in an album format. My favorite band being the Who I can kick myself for never seeing them with the original lineup. Just this year my brother was kind enough to buy me a tremendous birthday present, my first Who concert in Atlantic City. Old men CAN kick ass. This is my take on the best the live format has to offer. It's not quite to 100 yet, but I'm sure we'll get it there. The top 20 have some semblance of order. The remainder will need tweaking. Offer your advice. I never own enough live music. And yes, someday I may find a Dead Dick's Pick's that I may actually list (editors note: Found it. see entry 11). Maybe even a Pearl Jam?
- Chart updated: 03/10/2019 16:45
- (Created: 05/17/2013 08:33).
- Chart size: 93 albums.
There is 1 comment for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Greatest Live Albums has an average rating of 88 out of 100 (from 3 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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11. (=)
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Judas!
[First added to this chart: 05/17/2013]
Year of Release:
1998
Appears in:
Rank Score:
741
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13
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Ok...Cruising through Lancaster PA found a really cool record store that actually had a bunch of Dick's Picks for sale. Doing my research DP's Vol 4 is my first foray into the vault. I'm blown away. I understand this is supposed to be "THE" concert to own of the GD...and I can see why. I've never been a fan. Actually avoiding the Dead at all costs in the past. But...just like my teenage aversion to Springsteen, my Christgau inspired hatred of Journey and all thing metal, this too shall pass. I'm in. This document did it. The sweet harmonies, the interplay, hell I'm even digging Dark Star and I swore I'd never listen to the damn thing all the way through. This won't be my last Dick's Pick...but it may be my favorite...forever.
[First added to this chart: 05/18/2016]
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[First added to this chart: 05/17/2013]
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It's not about their technical proficiency, their cartoon looks or the sophomoric banter. It's about the fact that in the fifth grade this album made me join the Kiss Army and want to start buying rock and roll albums. Sometimes the whole is more important than the parts. Gotta admit Deuce is pretty awesome here.
[First added to this chart: 05/17/2013]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
603
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Because I saw them on this tour and it was a highlight of my life. Billy Squire sucked as the opener, but my oh my how that Brian May can play.
[First added to this chart: 05/17/2013]
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Lowell George was so cool. The band is tight and many of these versions are THE versions (as many great live albums are). Yes, Lowell, I'll be your Tennessee Lamb (ok, that didn't sound right) ;)
[First added to this chart: 05/23/2013]
Year of Release:
1978
Appears in:
Rank Score:
592
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Listening to Mr Diamond 2:30 on a Saturday Night. Feels like an old friend, like a pen pal, writing...saying the same old jokes, telling the same old stories...and because you just love him so much you don't mind hearing them for the 400th time.
This one's on vinyl. Crisp...clear...a true songwriter and musician just doing his thing pre-sequins. Denim, long hair, classic songs that were contemporary when he was singing them this night in 1972.
A great document. [First added to this chart: 01/15/2018]
This one's on vinyl. Crisp...clear...a true songwriter and musician just doing his thing pre-sequins. Denim, long hair, classic songs that were contemporary when he was singing them this night in 1972.
A great document. [First added to this chart: 01/15/2018]
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A retitled classic that, on many tracks, has Ozzy announcing the fact that the song, like NIB, are off their new album...which is always the best time here a tune live...in the beginning. Powerful and fun...before anyone knew what heavy metal was. Back then it was just Rock and Roll. And damn fine Rock and Roll!!!!
[First added to this chart: 07/08/2017]
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80 minutes of Lemmy.
[First added to this chart: 05/17/2013]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
472
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Marietta Ohio 1983. Legally drinking beers at 18 on a Thursday night with Jamie, Jew, Big Head and Rabbi. You had to be there and every once in a while I can go back when this album is on. Lou Reed turns the Velvet's classics into stadium behemoths.
[First added to this chart: 05/17/2013]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
823
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Total albums: 93. Page 2 of 10
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Greatest Live Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 2 | 2% | |
| 1960s | 11 | 12% | |
| 1970s | 39 | 42% | |
| 1980s | 20 | 22% | |
| 1990s | 7 | 8% | |
| 2000s | 10 | 11% | |
| 2010s | 4 | 4% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Miles Davis | 2 | 2% | |
| Talking Heads | 2 | 2% | |
| Bob Dylan | 2 | 2% | |
| Neil Young & Crazy Horse | 2 | 2% | |
| Bob Marley & The Wailers | 2 | 2% | |
| Nirvana | 2 | 2% | |
| Johnny Cash | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Greatest Live Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 65 from 93rd to 28th For Sale: Live At Maxwell's 1986 by The Replacements |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 28th to 29th James Brown Live At The Apollo by James Brown |
| Down 1 from 29th to 30th Before The Flood by Bob Dylan & The Band |
| Down 1 from 30th to 31st The Beach Boys In Concert by The Beach Boys |
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Greatest Live Albums ratings
88/100 (from 3 votes)
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N.B. The average rating for this chart will not be reliable as it has been rated very few times.
Showing all 3 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 100/100  | 02/02/2015 23:51 | JasonZaia | | 89/100 |
| 90/100 | 02/21/2014 12:29 | PauloPaz | | 89/100 |
| 95/100 | 05/24/2013 16:14 | Error Finn | | 83/100 |
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100/100
From JasonZaia 02/02/2015 23:51
One of the best charts I've ever seen on BEA, and certainly, without doubt, the best LIVE chart I've seen! Only thing is, I'm incredibly surprised that you had Johnny Cash's 'Live at San Quentin' so far up above 'Live at Folsom Prison'. Most would consider it vice-versa with 'Folsom' even going as far as to be considered Johnny's overall BEST album. But hey, if 'San Quentin's' the one for you, who am I to argue with that, right? 5 Stars!
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