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GALLERY: A Look at 1978’s Best Rock Albums

Disco may have ruled the musical landscape in 1978, but that year also saw the release of some of the most beloved rock albums of all time. From classic debuts…

The Who and The Police
Keystone, Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Disco may have ruled the musical landscape in 1978, but that year also saw the release of some of the most beloved rock albums of all time.

From classic debuts to albums from established artists that proved their finger was still on the pulse, scroll through the gallery below and check out ten of the best rock albums from 1978.

AC/DC - 'Powerage'

ACDC-powerage-cover.jpgAtlantic

A fan-favorite among the AC/DC faithful, 'Powerage' features some of the band's best songs including "Rock and Roll Damnation" and "Sin City."


Blondie - 'Parallel Lines'

blondie-parallel-lines.jpgChrysalis

Blondie's classic album 'Parallel Line' stretched from early rock covers with Buddy Holly's "I'm Gonna Love You Too" to disco with their monster hit "Heart of Glass."


The Cars - 'The Cars'

TheCarsLP.jpgElektra

The Cars' sleek look and sound helped to define the new wave sounds of the 1980's, but songs like "Just Want I Needed" and "My Best Friend's Girl" had an instantly classic sound.


Foreigner - 'Double Vision'

foreigner-double-vision.jpgAtlantic

One of the albums that defined rock radio, 'Double Vision' contains classics like "Hot Blooded," "Blue Morning, Blue Day" and the title track.


The Police - 'Outlandos d'Amour'

police-outlandos-damour-1.jpgA&M

The Police's debut album 'Outlandos d'Amour' would help sow the seeds of a trio that would go on to be one of the biggest bands of the 1980's thanks to songs like "Roxanne" and "Can't Stand Losing You."


The Rolling Stones - 'Some Girls'

rollingstonessome-girls-758x758.jpgUMG

Fifteen years into their career, The Rolling Stones were still great, and they proved it with one of their best albums, 'Some Girls,' which topped the album charts and featured the #1 single "Miss You."


Rush - 'Hemispheres'

rush-hemispheres.jpgAnthem

Only having four songs total, the title track of Rush's 'Hemispheres' took up all of side one on the record. Side two, meanwhile, featured the epic instrumental "La Villa Strangiato."


Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band - 'Stranger in Town

bob-seger-stranger-in-this-town.jpgCapitol

The follow-up to 1976's 'Night Moves,' 'Stranger in Town' would go on to be certified six-times platinum and features the hits "Hollywood Nights," "We've Got Tonight," "Still the Same" and "Old Time Rock and Roll."


Van Halen - 'Van Halen'

van-halen-vh.jpgWarner Bros.

Van Halen's self-titled debut helped set a new standard for budding guitarists and frontmen. Eddie Van Halen remains one of the biggest guitar heroes ever, and David Lee Roth is still cited as one of the greatest performers, and much of that is thanks to this iconic debut.


The Who - 'Who Are You'

who-are-you.jpgPolydor/MCA

The Who's 'Who Are You' was the band's final album with powerhouse drummer Keith Moon, who would die less than a month after the album's release. The title track, which was the last song on the album, was a great final blast from the original lineup.

Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights