AARP Hearing Center

Even those born decades later may know the historic events of 1975: Watergate convictions, Microsoft's launch, Muhammad Ali’s defeat of Joe Frazier at "the Thrilla in Manilla." It was also a knockout year for music, with scores of diverse, dramatic and momentous albums providing a fitting soundtrack for the tumultuous times.
New acts made noise: Talking Heads and the Sex Pistols played their first show and KC and the Sunshine Band broke out with “That’s the Way (I Like It).” But established stars owned the year. Elton John Greatest Hits was 1975’s best-selling album. The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin and Kiss rolled out big tours, and Bob Dylan launched his Rolling Thunder Revue. Bruce Springsteen appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek simultaneously. Simon & Garfunkel reunited on the second episode of the newly launched Saturday Night Live TV show.
Here are 15 pivotal albums turning 50 this year, listed in order of U.S. release date. All resonate with enduring narratives and energy while conjuring a world gone by.

Bob Dylan, Blood on the Tracks (Jan. 20)
This sublime, wrenching account of love gone wrong, with such classics as “Shelter from the Storm,” “Simple Twist of Fate,” “Idiot Wind” and “You’re a Big Girl Now,” is widely regarded as Dylan’s finest album. Standout “Tangled Up in Blue” is a masterwork of shifting perspectives and timeframes, vivid images, poetic daring and personal anguish. “That’s about my parents,” his son Jakob Dylan told The New York Times in 2005.

Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffiti (Feb. 24)
The British hard rock band reached a creative peak with its only studio double album. Fans swooned and even formerly grumpy critics applauded the sprawl of rock, blues, symphonic and acoustic grandeur in such enduring tunes as “Kashmir,” “In My Time of Dying” and “Trampled Under Foot.”

David Bowie, Young Americans (March 7)
The English pop chameleon delivered his interpretation of R&B and funk, which he dubbed “plastic soul.” He worked with then-unknown Luther Vandross and Apollo Theater session guitarist Carlos Alomar, a collaboration that would persist for 15 years. Boosted by the title track and John Lennon duet “Fame,” the top 10 album was Bowie’s U.S. breakthrough.

Aerosmith, Toys in the Attic (April 8)
The third album by Boston’s rowdy blues rockers has sold nine million copies on the strength of signature “Sweet Emotion” and the original version of “Walk This Way.” Singer Steve Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry borrowed heavily from the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, but they had the raunch, riffs and rock swagger to blaze their own trail.
More From AARP
Patricia Heaton, 66, Finds Her (Musical) Voice
Sitcom mom embraces a new role — songwriter
Rock Hall of Fame Nominations Salute Several 50+ Performers
Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, Mariah Carey and Billy Idol are among honorees
Exclusive Photos: Behind the Scenes at AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards
Jodie Foster, Jane Seymour and Harrison Ford gathered to celebrate the award show for grownups