Two albums released by classic rock artists in 2011 were nominated for Grammy awards. There were several comeback albums and continued supergroup success. I know it was a good year for new classic rock releases because of how hard it was to pull out the top 10. (That's why there are 10 more honorable mentions!)
Surviving original members during 2010 reunion tour
Canned Heat - Live at Montreux 1973
Released on DVD in 2006, performance with the late Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Hot Tuna - Steady As She Goes
First new studio release in more than 20 years
Billy Joel - Live at Shea Stadium
The last two shows at the historic stadium prior to its demolition
Nazareth - Big Dogz
Scottish rockers' 22nd studio album, 40 years after their first one
Robbie Robertson - How to Become Clairvoyant
Fifth solo release from ex-The Band guitarist/songwriter
Leon Russell - Live in Japan
1971 concert previously released only in Japan, and never before on CD
George Thorogood & The Destroyers - 2120 Michigan Avenue
Tribute to the blues masters heard on Chess Records
Uriah Heep - Into the Wild
Following their 40th anniversary tour, their 23rd studio album
John Waite - Rough and Tumble
10th solo album from former Bad English, The Babys lead singer
Gregg Allman - 'Low Country Blues'
Gregg Allman's 12th solo album marked a triumphant return from a liver transplant that knocked him (and his Allman Brothers Band) out of commission for the last half of 2010. Low Country Blues was produced by T Bone Burnett and included "Just Another Rider" which Allman co-wrote with longtime bandmate Warren Haynes. The album received a Grammy nomination in the Best Blues Album category.Buy from Amazon »
Jeff Beck - 'Rock & Roll Party Honoring Les Paul'
This June 2010 performance was Jeff Beck's tribute to the late Les Paul, who died in August 2009. The venue was New York City's Iridium Jazz Club, where Paul performed every week until his death at age 94. The album was nominated for the Best Rock Album Grammy award.More »
Black Country Communion - '2'
Barely nine months after the release of their self-titled debut album, Black Country Communion (Jason Bonham, Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes, Derek Sherinian) had another chart success with their second album, the aptly titled 2.Buy from Amazon »
Lindsey Buckingham - 'Seeds We Sow'
Lindsey Buckingham's sixth solo studio album, Seeds We Sow finds the ex-Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter-guitarist doing his own producing, mixing, writing, and releasing on his own label. "It's on my own terms," Buckingham said in announcing the release. "This might be the best work I've ever done."Buy from Amazon »
The Cars - 'Move Like This'
Surviving original members of The Cars came together for the first time since 1989, after many years during which lead singer Ric Ocasek vowed there would never be another reunion. The release of Move Like This was accompanied by a brief North American tour.Buy from Amazon »
Chickenfoot - 'III'
I can't help it. I like it when arists mess with our heads with their album covers (see Steve Miller Band below) and titles. When Chickenfoot first started talking about this album they were going to call it IV, but decided that a more appropriate title for their second album would be III. Van Halen alumni Sammy Hagar and Mike Anthony, along with Joe Satriani and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) form the hard rock supergroup whose self-titled debut album in 2009 went gold within a few months.Buy from Amazon »
Alice Cooper - 'Welcome 2 My Nightmare'
Alice Cooper's 19th solo studio album was the sequel to his first one. Welcome 2 My Nightmare picked up where Welcome To My Nightmare left off back in 1975. The 2011 followup featured a duet with Ke$ha and the participation of several members of the original Alice Cooper Band.Buy from Amazon »
Steve Miller Band - 'Let Your Hair Down'
Steve Miller Band enjoyed some of the mojo from their successful 2010 release, Bingo! with their 2011 release, Let Your Hair Down. The two were recorded at the same time, and both contained the last recordings of the late Norton Buffalo -- harmonica player who Miller described as his "partner in harmony" for 30 years.Buy from Amazon »
Stevie Nicks - 'In Your Dreams'
The first single from Stevie Nicks' In Your Dreams, "Secret Love" waited a long time to be recorded. "It was 1976 and Fleetwood Mac was opening for Peter Frampton at the time," says Nicks in the album's pre-release publicity. "It was written about a forbidden relationship (not Peter and I) -- I always knew that one day I was going to record the song." This was Nicks' first original studio release in ten years.Buy from Amazon »
Yes - 'Fly From Here'
Yes's first new release since 2001 was also the first since vocalist Jon Anderson was replaced by Benoit David. Fly From Here was the band's 20th studio album. The title song (actually, a five-song suite) has been performed in concert since 1980, but this was the first time it has made it onto a Yes album.Buy from Amazon »Honorable Mentions
Bad Company - Live at WembleySurviving original members during 2010 reunion tour
Canned Heat - Live at Montreux 1973
Released on DVD in 2006, performance with the late Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Hot Tuna - Steady As She Goes
First new studio release in more than 20 years
Billy Joel - Live at Shea Stadium
The last two shows at the historic stadium prior to its demolition
Nazareth - Big Dogz
Scottish rockers' 22nd studio album, 40 years after their first one
Robbie Robertson - How to Become Clairvoyant
Fifth solo release from ex-The Band guitarist/songwriter
Leon Russell - Live in Japan
1971 concert previously released only in Japan, and never before on CD
George Thorogood & The Destroyers - 2120 Michigan Avenue
Tribute to the blues masters heard on Chess Records
Uriah Heep - Into the Wild
Following their 40th anniversary tour, their 23rd studio album
John Waite - Rough and Tumble
10th solo album from former Bad English, The Babys lead singer