Five Classic Live Albums That Rocked The World

Today is National Record Store Day, and with great respect I fondly recall all the incredible live albums I've enjoyed for decades.

The best thing about a live album is that it's a memento of an incredible concert experience.

Here are five great live albums that I was fortunate to have had a chance to see in their making:

PAUL McCARTNEY - WINGS OVER AMERICA. Paul made this album on his first USA tour in 1976. He only played about five Beatles songs, but they were tops: "Yesterday" and "Blackbird" were standouts.

BOB SEGER - LIVE BULLET - Bob rocketed to national fame in 1976 thanks to this live double LP. I dig his raw energy on cuts like "Katmandu" and his songwriting chops with power ballads like "Turn the Page" and "Beautiful Loser".

ERIC CLAPTON - 24 NIGHTS - I first saw Eric in '75 with Santana as the opening act. I've seen him several more times through the 80's and 90's and he's always delivered knockout performances every time.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - LIVE 1975-1985 - Catching Bruce on the '85 tour was an incredible experience. I saw him again in early 1988 with my wife  in Chicago. His vibrant set was packed with hits, album cuts, cover songs and one kitchen sink. OK, that last part isn't true, but it sure seemed like it during a 4 hour show.

ROD STEWART - UNPLUGGED...AND SEATED - I've always admired Rod's early work and respected the path he chose during the the 70's and 80's. So when I had the chance to attend the taping for his MTV Unplugged performance I couldn't pass it up. He rocked it with acoustic version of his early library jams.