When it comes to albums that turn 50 in 2024, there’s truly something for everyone.

If you’re the overachiever type, you’ll likely be impressed with the offerings from Queen and KISS. Both iconic bands released two albums in 1974. For Queen, it was Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack. As for KISS, they released their classic self-titled debut and Hotter Than Hell.

KISS wasn’t the only major band to release their debut album in 1974. Judas Priest released their debut, Rocka Rolla. Meanwhile, Rush and Bad Company released their self-titled debuts in 1974. Another notable debut came via Brian Eno. He released his debut solo album, Here Come the Warm Jets, in 1974 after he left Roxy Music.

Two bands proved in 1974 that the “sophomore slump” was nothing to worry about. Lynyrd Skynyrd released their second studio album, Second Helping, which featured “Sweet Home Alabama.” Aerosmith knocked it out of the park with their second album, Get Your Wings. That album features classic tracks “Same Old Song and Dance,” “S.O.S. (Too Bad)” and “Woman of the World.”

A number of female solo artists released major albums in 1974. Olivia Newton-John released If You Love Me, Let Me Know. The album topped the Billboard 200 album chart and featured the hit single “I Honestly Love You,” which was Newton-John’s first No. 1 hit in the United States. Carly Simon’s Hotcakes featured two major hits: “Haven’t Got Time for the Pain” and “Mockingbird,” her duet with then-husband James Taylor. Cher released Dark Lady, and its title track was a No. 1 hit.  Lastly, Suzi Quatro made her mark in the United States with Quatro. The album notably features “Devil Gate Drive,” which Quatro performed on Happy Days as Leather Tuscadero.

Keep scrolling to see which other albums turn 50 in 2024.

• David Bowie - ‘Diamond Dogs’

  Diamond Dogs was David Bowie’s eighth studio album. It was released on May 24, 1974. In addition to its title track, the album also features the classic Bowie track “Rebel Rebel.”

• Queen - ‘Queen II’

  Queen released their second studio album, aptly named Queen II, on March 8, 1974. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker, the album features “Seven Seas of Rhye.”

• Queen - ‘Sheer Heart Attack’

  Queen sure was productive in 1974! Their third studio album, Sheer Heart Attack, was released on November 8. The album boasts “Now I’m Here” and the classic “Killer Queen.”

• Lynyrd Skynyrd - ‘Second Helping’

  Lynyrd Skynyrd released their second studio album, Second Helping, on April 15, 1974. The album notably features the iconic track “Sweet Home Alabama.”

• Kraftwerk - ‘Autobahn’

  The influential Kraftwerk released Autobahn in November 1974. The album’s title is an epic 22 minutes. Autobahn would peak on the Billboard 200 album chart at No. 5.

• The Rolling Stones - ‘It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll’

  It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll came out on October 18, 1974. The album was the last Stone LP to feature guitarist Mick Taylor. In addition to its classic title track, It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll also features a great cover of The Temptations’ “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.”

• Aerosmith - ‘Get Your Wings’

  Get Your Wings is Aerosmith’s second studio album. It was released on March 15, 1974. The album features classic tracks “Same Old Song and Dance,” “S.O.S. (Too Bad)” and “Woman of the World.”

• Elton John - ‘Caribou’

  Caribou was Elton John’s eighth studio album. It came out on June 24, 1974. It features “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” and “The Bitch is Back.”

• Carly Simon - ‘Hotcakes’

  Carly Simon’s fourth studio album, Hotcakes, was released on January 11, 1974. The album features hits “Haven’t Got Time for the Pain” and “Mockingbird,” her duet with then-husband James Taylor.

• Brian Eno - ‘Here Come the Warm Jets’

  Here Comes the Warm Jets was the debut solo album from Brian Eno. It came out on February 8,  1974 and was the first release from Eno after he left Roxy Music. The glam masterpiece features “Baby’s On Fire” and “Needles in the Camel’s Eye.”

• KISS - ‘KISS’

  KISS’s self-titled debut album was released on February 18, 1974. While the album wasn’t an immediate hit, it features a bunch of classic KISS songs, including “Strutter,” “Firehouse,” “Cold Gin,” “Deuce” and “Black Diamond.”

• KISS - ‘Hotter Than Hell’

  Like Queen, KISS also released two albums in 1974. Hotter Than Hell came out on October 22. In addition to its title track, the album also features “Let Me Go, Rock ‘n’ Roll.”

• Steely Dan - ‘Pretzel Logic’

  Pretzel Logic was Steely Dan’s third studio album. It came out on February 20, 1974. The album features the hit “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.”

• Rush - ‘Rush’

  The self-titled debut album from Rush came out on March 18, 1974. Rush is the only album to feature original drummer John Rutsey. The album comes to a close with the classic track “Working Man.”

• Bad Company - ‘Bad Company’

  Bad Company’s self-titled debut album was released on May 24, 1974. In addition to the titular track, Bad Company features the classic track “Can’t Get Enough.”

• Olivia Newton-John - ‘If You Love Me, Let Me Know’

  Olivia Newton-John’s If You Love Me, Let Me Know was released on May 28, 1974. The album topped the Billboard 200 album chart and featured the hit single “I Honestly Love You,” which was Newton-John’s first No. 1 hit in the United States.

• Cher - ‘Dark Lady’

  Dark Lady, Cher’s eleventh studio album, came out in May 1974. Its title track was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

• Eric Clapton - ‘461 Ocean Boulevard’

   

  Eric Clapton released his second solo album, 461 Ocean Boulevard, in July 1974. It notably features his cover of “I Shot the Sherrif.”

• Judas Priest - ‘Rocka Rolla’

  Rocka Rolla, Judas Priest’s debut album, was released on September 6, 1974. It’s a notable far cry from the band’s ’80s metal sound, not to mention it’s trademark ’80s metal look. Just look at the video below for proof.

• Billy Joel - ‘Streetlife Serenade’

  Billy Joel released his third studio album, Streetlife Serenade, on October 11, 1974. It features the hit “The Entertainer.”

• Suzi Quatro - ‘Quatro’

  The influential Suzi Quatro released her second studio album in October 1974. The album notably features “Devil Gate Drive,” which Quatro performed on Happy Days as Leather Tuscadero.

• Eagles - ‘On the Border’

  The Eagles released their third studio album, On the Border, on March 22, 1974. The album features “Already Gone,” “James Dean” and “Best of My Love.”

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