Here are my 10 favorites, by release date.
Live at Leeds – The Who
Live album recorded and released in 1970, it set a standard for the decade’s albums to try to match.
4 Way Street – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
The groups first live album, released in 1971. It’s a little bit folk, a little bit rock, and a lot of 1960’s hippy protest music.
At Fillmore East - The Allman Brothers Band
1971 live album by the Allman Brothers. Duane Allman would die later that year after a motorcycle accident.
Jazz Blues Fusion – John Mayall
Album by British blues guitarist John Mayall, recorded in 1971, released in 1972.
Hot August Night – Neil Diamond
1972 double album, a recording of a concert in Los Angeles, CA.
One More From the Road – Lynyrd Skynyrd
1976 album, the only live album they recorded before the airplane deaths of Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and Cassie Gaines.
The Song Remains the Same – Led Zeppelin
Recorded in 1973, released in 1976 along with their concert film of the same name.
Wings Over America – Wings
A three record set released in December 1976. Paul McCartney’s band performed some of their best songs plus some Beatles classics.
Live and Dangerous – Thin Lizzy
Double LP released in 1978. I love it for the music, I love it for Phil Lynott’s sexy Irish accent.
Live Killers – Queen
The last of the albums in this list to be released and also one of the best.
Not on the list but deserving an honorable mention. (On a different day, any of these might have made my list.):
Mad Dogs and Englishmen – Joe Cocker, 1970
Coast to Coast: Overture and Beginners – Rod Stewart and The Faces, 1974
Frampton Comes Alive! – Peter Frampton, 1976
The Last Waltz – The Band, 1978
Two for the Show – Kansas, 1978
Waiting for Columbus – Little Feat, 1978