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