Aerosmith Live Albums Ranked: From Worst to Best
As Aerosmith kicks off their open-ended Peace Out: The Farewell Tour, fans are looking for ways to relive the magic of their live performances. One way to get an onstage fix is by listening to the handful of live records the band has released over the years. Aerosmith has blessed us with seven official live albums, each chronicling different stages of their iconic career. In this article, we rank these albums from worst to best, giving fans a guide to the ultimate Aerosmith experience.
7. Classics Live! (1986)
This album, released by Columbia Records, is not a proud moment for the band or the label. Co-produced by Paul O’Neill and Tony Bongiovi, Classics Live! falls short in many aspects. With only eight songs and a runtime of 36 minutes, it is skimpy and poorly annotated. The majority of the tracks were taken from a 1984 show in Boston featuring Aerosmith’s second lineup. While there is one track from the original lineup, it’s not enough to salvage this unnecessary release.
6. A Little South of Sanity (1998)
Considered a contractual obligation, A Little South of Sanity captures Aerosmith during their Get a Grip and Nine Lives tours. Although it features hit songs like Angel, Cryin’, and Crazy, some fans didn’t warm up to them. However, the album does a decent job of representing the band’s hard-rocking favorites across eras, making it a serviceable but not essential addition to their discography.
5. Aerosmith Rocks Donington (2015)
To commemorate their 2014 European tour, Aerosmith released this live album dedicated to their festival-headlining set at Donington. Despite the band experiencing ups and downs during the years leading up to this release, their performance remains strong and professional. The album captures the sense of occasion and showcases the band’s ability to command a massive stage, making it a worthwhile listen for fans of their later years.
4. Rockin’ the Joint (2005)
Rockin’ the Joint offers a snapshot of Aerosmith in the early 2000s, recorded live in Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Although the album was released three and a half years after it was recorded, it still captures the band’s seasoned and solid form. With memorable tracks like No More No More and Draw the Line, the album demonstrates Aerosmith’s ability to deliver energy and fire on stage. While it also includes songs from their then-current album Just Push Play, it serves as a reminder of the album’s shortcomings.
3. 1971: The Road Starts Here (2021)
A recent surprise release, 1971: The Road Starts Here provides fans with a fascinating glimpse into Aerosmith’s early years. This lo-fi recording, made with Joe Perry’s reel-to-reel machine during a rehearsal, showcases the band’s raw and ferocious talent. It includes early versions of songs like Somebody, Mama Kin, and Dream On, allowing listeners to hear Aerosmith in their lean and hungry stage. The album also displays their passion for blues and R&B, making it a genuine and unvarnished representation of their early sound.
2. Live! Bootleg (1978)
Released during the peak of the live album trend, Live! Bootleg captures Aerosmith in their raw and unpolished glory. Unlike many of their peers, the band didn’t take the tapes back to the studio for refinement, resulting in a warts-and-all representation of their live performances. The album features tracks from concerts held between 1977 and 1978, including rare recordings of their 1973 simulcast performances. It’s an enjoyable and imperfect document of Aerosmith’s live energy during that time.
1. Classics Live! II (1987)
Topping the list is Classics Live! II, an improvement over its predecessor. This album was a more active involvement by Aerosmith in compiling their live performances, resulting in a well-balanced setlist. The majority of the tracks were recorded in a hometown show at Boston’s Orpheum Theatre on New Year’s Eve 1984 when the band was on the verge of their second golden era. Classics like Back in the Saddle, Walk This Way, and Toys in the Attic are executed flawlessly, reflecting the band’s impressive live capabilities. While the album may be short, it captures Aerosmith at their best and delivers an unforgettable experience for fans.
As Aerosmith bids farewell on their current tour, their live albums serve as a testament to their enduring legacy. Whether you’re a faithful fan or a curious listener, exploring their live discography allows you to witness the band’s evolution and experience their electrifying performances. The rankings provided here can guide you through their extensive library, ensuring you indulge in the best of Aerosmith’s live recordings.
