Best classic rock hidden gems

Unknown Soldier · 11-21-2011, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Il Duce

never knew you are a Sparks' fan

as for me, Boston and REO Speedwagon aren't exactly unknown, but i do feel that they were extremely underrated in the classic rock canon, besides their one or two big hits

As a kid I was a huge Sparks fan, even though they weren`t really popular here in the UK despite having some big hits. They were extremely original and innovative and always willing to try new things, the Mael were very unique. I only have about 4 of their albums but know the whole discography very well. I always loved these quirky US acts of the 70s and 80s (Sparks, Tubes, Cheap Trick, Devo and B52s) as they were so distinctive and a breath of fresh air.

REO are probably rated about right in the classic rock canon, they were good at what they did, but I wouldn`t say they were essential. Boston though, are usually rated as the be all and end all of classic rock by a lot of people, sure an extremely talented band but in reality they only ever put out two great albums and a number of below-par albums.

Queensryche v Kings X wouldn`t really compare those two. Queensryche are a straight up highly polished metal act with prog-rock and rock tendencies, whereas Kings X are just a very diverse rock band that incorporate a myriad of influences from Hendrix and the Beatles to Styx and Kansas with gospel and metal thrown in.

Howard the Duck · 11-21-2011, 07:39 AM

^^oh, well, Enuff Z'nuff then

only one hit but they're the true successors to the Only Ones and the Raspberries, albeit with a hair metal feel

Alexthe4th · 11-21-2011, 09:03 AM

This might not be that hidden, but most people I meet (I am younger than a lot of people maybe) have not heard of Mountain. I think Never in my Life is an awesome, awesome song. The drumming is so energetic and aggressive, it's just a great track that doesn't get played enough.

Mrd00d · 11-21-2011, 05:33 PM

I gotta throw out my rarity, Josefus. I love these guys. 1970's Dead Man is an excellent album. I've never heard anyone mention them.

They've already got a cover of Gimme Shelter and they use the Beatles' iconic riff breakdown in the middle of one of their tracks. And this was only 1970, they were on top of it. It's a classy use of the riff, and leads right back to the next verse.

VagaBond007 · 11-21-2011, 08:20 PM

Wow ... I'm officially happy to have joined this site.

Another obvious band that isn't so obscure as often overlooked is Montrose. Although I'm an 80's kid, I've always loved Rock Candy, Make it Last, Rock the Nation, Space Station #5, and Bad Motor Scooter. Just good old fashioned shake ur tushy rock n roll.

I'm glad to see folks brought up 70's Scorpions (one of my favs ... Uli Jon was amazing on tunes like Sails of Charon and Hell Cat) and UFO (with Michael Schenker).

Did anyone bring up Budgie? They were rocking the 70's as well (Breadfan!) Maybe they were bigger in the U.K. Speaking of which ... Diamond Head?

... and then there's Slade (since someone brought up Mott).

Does anyone remember Hawkwind?

Howard the Duck · 11-21-2011, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VagaBond007

Wow ... I'm officially happy to have joined this site.

Another obvious band that isn't so obscure as often overlooked is Montrose. Although I'm an 80's kid, I've always loved Rock Candy, Make it Last, Rock the Nation, Space Station #5, and Bad Motor Scooter. Just good old fashioned shake ur tushy rock n roll.

I'm glad to see folks brought up 70's Scorpions (one of my favs ... Uli Jon was amazing on tunes like Sails of Charon and Hell Cat) and UFO (with Michael Schenker).

Did anyone bring up Budgie? They were rocking the 70's as well (Breadfan!) Maybe they were bigger in the U.K. Speaking of which ... Diamond Head?

... and then there's Slade (since someone brought up Mott).

Does anyone remember Hawkwind?

yes, i'm a fan of Diamond Head and Slade

and a mild fan of Hawkwind

Sneer · 11-21-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VagaBond007

Does anyone remember Hawkwind?

Well, they're one of the greatest and most influential counter-cultural bands in British history, I'm sure some people do yeah.

Electrophonic Tonic · 11-21-2011, 10:21 PM

I'm gonna file Golden Earring's 'Twilight Zone' as a hidden gem. Since they're pretty much known as a one hit wonder, having a second song pretty much gets lost in the shuffle. Also, as I've found myself moving father and farther way from classic rock, this is one of a few songs that has stuck with me. I'm not a fan of what the 80's did to rock music and this is definitely an exception.

Howard the Duck · 11-21-2011, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electrophonic Tonic

I'm gonna file Golden Earring's 'Twilight Zone' as a hidden gem. Since they're pretty much known as a one hit wonder, having a second song pretty much gets lost in the shuffle. Also, as I've found myself moving father and farther way from classic rock, this is one of a few songs that has stuck with me. I'm not a fan of what the 80's did to rock music and this is definitely an exception.

they had a hit with Radar Love as well

phantom1961 · 11-07-2012, 09:59 PM

I'd like to add..

Head East
Leafhound
Jacula
Black Widow
Atomic Rooster
Witchfinder General
Little Feet
The Godz
King Crimson
Geordie
Frigid Pink
Skid Row (Gary Moore was a member)
Robin Trower (a band like King Crimson and others here,that should be well known,but still are pretty obscure to some people)
Sir Lord Baltimore
Bang
Nightsun
Bloodrock
Jerusalem

11-21-2011, 05:33 PM	#74 (permalink)
Mrd00d Stoned and Jammin' Out Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Northern California; Eugene, OR; mobile Posts: 1,602	I gotta throw out my rarity, Josefus. I love these guys. 1970's Dead Man is an excellent album. I've never heard anyone mention them. They've already got a cover of Gimme Shelter and they use the Beatles' iconic riff breakdown in the middle of one of their tracks. And this was only 1970, they were on top of it. It's a classy use of the riff, and leads right back to the next verse. __________________ Mrd00d's Last.fm

11-21-2011, 08:20 PM	#75 (permalink)
VagaBond007 Groupie Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Moved from Sunshine to Lone Star State many moons ago. Posts: 13	Wow ... I'm officially happy to have joined this site. Another obvious band that isn't so obscure as often overlooked is Montrose. Although I'm an 80's kid, I've always loved Rock Candy, Make it Last, Rock the Nation, Space Station #5, and Bad Motor Scooter. Just good old fashioned shake ur tushy rock n roll. I'm glad to see folks brought up 70's Scorpions (one of my favs ... Uli Jon was amazing on tunes like Sails of Charon and Hell Cat) and UFO (with Michael Schenker). Did anyone bring up Budgie? They were rocking the 70's as well (Breadfan!) Maybe they were bigger in the U.K. Speaking of which ... Diamond Head? ... and then there's Slade (since someone brought up Mott). Does anyone remember Hawkwind? __________________ Rover, wanderer, nomad, VagaBond ... Call me what you will.

11-07-2012, 09:59 PM	#80 (permalink)
phantom1961 Groupie Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 36	I'd like to add.. Head East Leafhound Jacula Black Widow Atomic Rooster Witchfinder General Little Feet The Godz King Crimson Geordie Frigid Pink Skid Row (Gary Moore was a member) Robin Trower (a band like King Crimson and others here,that should be well known,but still are pretty obscure to some people) Sir Lord Baltimore Bang Nightsun Bloodrock Jerusalem Last edited by phantom1961; 11-07-2012 at 10:00 PM. Reason: misspelled a word

11-21-2011, 09:03 AM	#73 (permalink)
Alexthe4th Groupie Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: All over the US Posts: 33	This might not be that hidden, but most people I meet (I am younger than a lot of people maybe) have not heard of Mountain. I think Never in my Life is an awesome, awesome song. The drumming is so energetic and aggressive, it's just a great track that doesn't get played enough.

11-21-2011, 10:21 PM	#78 (permalink)
Electrophonic Tonic Your Ad Here Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 876	I'm gonna file Golden Earring's 'Twilight Zone' as a hidden gem. Since they're pretty much known as a one hit wonder, having a second song pretty much gets lost in the shuffle. Also, as I've found myself moving father and farther way from classic rock, this is one of a few songs that has stuck with me. I'm not a fan of what the 80's did to rock music and this is definitely an exception.