4 Essential Records From the 1960s to the 1990s That Every Music Nerd Should Own

One could say that the 1960s through the 1990s were a revolutionary time for music. Rock was evolving, psychedelia had come and gone, and the newer iterations of previously founded genres were getting more and more inventive as the century trudged on. I think the following four albums are essential works that you should have in your record collection, especially if you’re a fan of music from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Let’s take a look!

‘The Velvet Underground’ by The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)

So many incredible albums came out in the 1960s. Many of those records are probably in your record collection as we speak. I decided to ignore the more obvious releases (namely The Beatles’ records) in favor of a groundbreaking album that I think is essential for any fan of 1960s tunes.

The Velvet Underground’s debut album with Nico is still considered one of the most influential albums of all time. Considering it came out right in the middle of the British Invasion, Summer of Love, and psychedelia movement, really makes the fact that it got any love a miracle. Still, the talents of the band stood out, and the impact of this art rock album is still felt today.

‘What’s Going On’ by Marvin Gaye (1971)

I wouldn’t say that Marvin Gaye is underrated, necessarily. However, I think What’s Going On was one of the most beautiful albums to come out of the 1970s, and one of the greatest soul and R&B records ever produced. When I first heard this record, I had never listened to a concept album that wasn’t firmly in the rock genre. This politically-charged, yet passionately gentle album is a real testament to how incredible of an artist Gaye was.

‘Remain In Light’ by Talking Heads (1980)

We couldn’t have a list like this without including a new wave album. I went with Remain In Light by Talking Heads, simply because of how enormously influential it was at the time. This album combines so many different genre elements, from art rock to funk to Afrobeat to electronica. A lot of fascinating electronic-leaning music came out in the 1980s, but nobody was doing it like Talking Heads.

‘Nevermind’ by Nirvana (1991)

From the 1960s to the 1990s, the greatest bands and albums from those eras always had one thing in common: They did something different. Unafraid to go with the status quo, the most influential musicians of the latter half of the 20th century became famous, in part, by refusing to stick to a preconceived formula. 

Nirvana is probably the greatest example of that divergence from typical rock music that dominated the airwaves since the 60s. They’re known as one of the greatest grunge bands of all time for a reason, and I think Nevermind was their most influential release.

Photo by Paul Bergen/Redferns

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