20 Most IMPORTANT Classic Rock Albums Ever Made

Throughout most of the 70's, the rock mainstream seemed to cater to the singer-songwriter crowd. Even though bands like Led Zeppelin helped popularize the hard-edged form of rock, people were still trying to find the next great songwriter like Bob Dylan or John Lennon. When everything seemed divided, Tom Petty rose to prominence with one question: why not have both?

Not only is Damn the Torpedoes a fantastic collection of songs, but also contained a rock and roll sound that was a bit more edgy than many might have anticipated. Sure, songs like "Louisiana Rain" come from the more rustic tradition of someone like Johnny Cash, but the album also has some straight ahead rock material like "Century City" to even things out.

However, these genres are not exclusive. In fact, the best parts of the album is where Petty finds a way to combine both the light and dark sides of rock and roll, like on the chilling mood of "Refugee" or the unabashed joy of "Even the Losers." Recorded while Petty's song ownership was in jeopardy, the record really is the sound of a man with nothing to lose who is playing to win it all. Petty's sound may have been a bit familiar, but the music of the heartland was quickly shifting in his favor.