Making a first studio album in music at the bare minimum is an opportunity for a band to get their name out there and gain notoriety. Occasionally, a rock band will come along and make a debut album so good that it not only has zero skips, but it also turns them into global superstars. However, occasions like this are far and few between, as there are plenty of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers this didn't happen for.
The likes of Green Day, AC/DC, and The Rolling Stones, had to work their way up over the course of a few years and albums. For those who didn't and struck it big on the first try, one could say that timing was everything. One thing that stands out among these few monstrous debut albums is the fact that the artists brought something different.
There were times when a band like Weezer stood out among a world full of grunge. Other times, a band like Guns N' Roses came along at the tail end of a specific genre's run, but showed that there was still so much for it to give beyond what had been seen before. Then, you had the likes of Jimi Hendrix, who played his instrument in a way that left fans in amazement. The following are some of the most memorable debut albums for rock bands over the course of music history.
10 Weezer
Album: Weezer (1994)
Weezer began in 1992 at a time when the world wanted to hear grunge music. They were more alternative rock, and while many bands had to change their sound after following trends, Weezer didn't change who they were. Quickly, they gained notoriety and were signed to DGC Records. Things would then take off quickly for the band, and the planning of their 10-track record was underway. The finished product was their self-titled debut studio album, released in May 1994. Although it is self-titled (Weezer), it has more commonly been referred to as the Blue Album.
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From it, the band produced some of their biggest hits, including "Say It Ain't So," "Buddy Holly," and "Undone (The Sweater Song)." Just those three songs alone have brought the band over one billion streams on Spotify. As for the album itself, it reached number one on Billboard's US Heatseekers Chart, but most importantly, it has grown to become 5x Platinum in the United States. This record proved that sometimes it is best for a band to bet on themselves, rather than conform to a sound that was popular at the time.
9 The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Album: Are You Experienced (1967)
When music pundits provide their opinions on the greatest guitarists ever, Jimi Hendrix is usually in the conversation. Hendrix mixed experimental and technical playing in order to become an innovator of the instrument. Beyond just his skills there, he was also an exceptional songwriter, so when Are You Experienced was released in May 1967, the world got to see just how truly great he was, and the rest is history.
After the North American edition of the record was released in August of the same year, the entire globe experienced songs like "Purple Haze," "Foxey Lady," and "Red House." The Jimi Hendrix Experience became household names. Although they would only last a couple more years, what they achieved with this first album was enough to earn them a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It also cemented the career of Hendrix, which was cut short when he died in September 1970 and ed the 27 Club.
8 The Killers
Album: Hot Fuss (2004)
The early 2000s were an interesting time for music as it was a period when new bands were emerging. The popular ones from years past were still around, but decades into their careers, music fans were looking to see who else could potentially play the biggest stages in the world. Just as Linkin Park was able to dominate nu-metal, and Evanescence was able to conquer gothic metal, The Killers took over alternative rock.
The band had so much buzz in the beginning that legendary actor Eric Roberts had a role in the music video for "Mr. Brightside."
The band burst onto the scene with the smash hits "Somebody Told Me" and "Mr. Brightside." In fact, the band had so much buzz in the beginning that legendary actor Eric Roberts had a role in the music video for "Mr. Brightside." Hot Fuss was such a great album that it has been placed on weekly, yearly, decade, and now century charts. This makes sense as the love for the album has only grown over time, and it has propelled it to be 6x Platinum-certified in the United States.
7 The Doors
Album: The Doors (1967)
One of the most popular bands you'll see on t-shirts and posters is The Doors. This is quite an amazing feat, considering the band was only around from 1965-1973. Sadly, they were never the same after lead singer Jim Morrison died in July 1971. However, the short run was all they needed, thanks in part to the success of their self-titled debut studio album. This album was so good that it ended up at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart.
Fans were absolutely mesmerized by this piece of work, which featured legendary track after legendary track. From "Break on Through (To the Other Side)" to "Light My Fire" and "The End," this record was a masterpiece. The album has been certified Platinum in nine countries, including 4x in the United States. In 1993, they took their rightful place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and left fans wondering what could have been if the band had more time, but also thankful for what they accomplished.
6 Led Zeppelin
Album: Led Zeppelin (1969)
One of the most recognizable band names ever in music is Led Zeppelin. The band helped revolutionize what was possible when recording their self-titled debut studio album. They used innovative techniques, blending blues with multiple facets of the rock genre, creating a sound that others would mimic from then on out. The first single from the album was "Good Times Bad Times," which placed 80th on the US Billboard Hot 100. From there, their name was established.
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Not only did this debut album become Platinum, but so did the eight that followed, including Coda, which came out after the group disbanded. Unfortunately, Led Zeppelin came to an end following the death of drummer John Bonham in September 1980. However, their legacy continues on, but for fans who go and see lead singer Robert Plant perform, there is a chance he won't play the band's biggest hit, "Stairway to Heaven," as Plant has famously grown tired of the song.
5 Creed
Album: My Own Prison (1997)
Formed by Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti in 1994, Creed began at a time when their grunge vibe led to comparisons with some of the biggest bands of that era, including Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, and Soundgarden. The only way for them to stand out during such a rich period in music history was by creating a record that was unforgettable. With some of their biggest songs ever, "My Own Prison," "One," and "What's This Life For," the band achieved just that.
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The album reached number one on both Billboard's US Top Heatseekers chart, and their Catalog Albums chart. With the amount of exposure they received, Creed was cemented as a top band across the globe. They would follow up with a few other incredible records, and although their career has been on again and off again, they remain one of the most beloved bands. This is thanks in part to that first album, which is now 6x Platinum in the United States.
4 Van Halen
Album: Van Halen (1978)
With one of the greatest guitarists ever in Eddie Van Halen, and one of the most captivating lead vocalists in David Lee Roth, Van Halen had the key ingredients to become legendary. Their first album introduced the world to Eddie's unique guitar-playing skills. People were fascinated by his two-handed tapping technique, which made the band a must-see act. It also helped that they had some of the most memorable songs in rock history.
With one of the greatest guitarists ever in Eddie Van Halen, and one of the most captivating lead vocalists in David Lee Roth, Van Halen had the key ingredients to become legendary.
The band captured everyone's attention with "Jump" and "Panama." Then with "Hot for Teacher," it was not only a great tune, but the music video is legendary. It was so great that it was even redone by the band Escape the Fate as they were beginning their career. To top it off, Eddie Van Halen delivered one of his greatest performances ever on the song, "Eruption." In more ways than one, Van Halen inspired the next generation, and their debut album, which has become diamond-certified, lives in rock lore.
3 Pearl Jam
Album: Ten (1991)
Pearl Jam began their career with stiff competition as they were one of Seattle's "Big Four." The other three bands were Nirvana, Alice In Chains, and Soundgarden. Naturally, this left Pearl Jam with a lot to live up to. These bands went back and forth with hit after hit. Furthermore, part of what helped Pearl Jam stand out was the iconic voice of their lead singer, Eddie Vedder. His vocals are so distinctive that there is no mistaking when a Pearl Jam song comes on.
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Their album Ten also provided listeners with a true musical journey. While a song like "Even Flow" got people hyped, the song "Black" slowed things down, and then "Jeremy" demanded true attention as the track told a haunting story. There is no doubt Pearl Jam established themselves as master storytellers and performers.
Vedder proved he'd go to any lengths to entertain as he even jumped from the side wall into the crowd for the "Even Flow" music video. All of their efforts paid off as the record is now 13x Platinum in the United States, and the band has released over ten albums throughout the course of their career.
2 Boston
Album: Boston (1976)
Whether it's called arena rock, stadium rock, or something else, this genre is all about creating radio-friendly songs intended to be performed in front of a large audience. With their self-titled debut album, Boston demonstrated exactly how it is done. With songs like "Foreplay/Long Time" and "Let Me Take You Home Tonight," the band produced hits for audiences all around the globe to sing along to.
The biggest highlight of the album comes right at track one. "More Than a Feeling" isn't just a hit for the band; it is part of Americana, as it is one of the most recognizable rock songs ever created. During its debut, the song charted as high as number five on Billboard's Hot 100 and has become Gold-certified. As for the record, it has reached an astonishing 17x Platinum in the United States, and has sold over 25 million albums worldwide.
1 Guns N' Roses
Album: Appetite For Destruction (1987)
If you go down the list of incredible artists throughout the decades, it puts in perspective how truly special it is for Guns N' Roses to be considered by the rock community as the band with the greatest debut album ever. If you look at the numbers this record produced, it's remarkable. Not only has it reached 18x Platinum in the United States, but it has also charted at least once in 15 different years.
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Worldwide, it has sold over 30 million copies, demonstrating just how legendary this album is. It truly produced some of the biggest rock hits of all time, including "Welcome to the Jungle," "Paradise City," and "Sweet Child O' Mine." Additionally, it brought the legendary Slash into the mainstream, and cemented a Hall of Fame trajectory for the band. Even though Guns N' Roses didn't produce a huge discography, they really didn't need to after striking gold their first go around.