ROCK ‘N’ ROLL FANTASY: ROCK CLASSICS OF THE ’70s & ’80s

I’m not quite convinced these are “Rock Classics” as the subtitle claims, but there’s some good music on this CD. The conceit of having every song include “Rock” in the title gets a little worn by the end of this CD. ROCK ‘N’ ROLL FANTASY: ROCK CLASSICS OF THE ’70s & ’80s from 2000 includes a few less common songs like Rod Stewart’s “Sweet Little Rock ‘N’ Roller” next to well-known songs like John Mellencamp’s “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.”

Do you recognize these songs? Any favorites here? GRADE: B

TRACK LIST:

1Led ZeppelinRock And Roll
2Bad Company (3)Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy
3Rod StewartSweet Little Rock ‘N Roller
4John Mellencamp*–R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.
5The Doobie BrothersRockin’ Down The Highway
6Tom Petty And The HeartbreakersSo You Want To Be A Rock And Roll Star
7Wings (2)Rock Show
8TrafficRock And Roll Stew
9Sammy HagarThere’s Only One Way To Rock
10The Moody BluesI’m Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)
11Bruce SpringsteenI’m A Rocker
12RainbowLong Love Rock ‘N’ Roll
13Bryan AdamsKids Wanna Rock
14The WhoLong Live Rock
15Jethro TullToo Old To Rock ‘N’ Roll: Too Young To Die

22 thoughts on “ROCK ‘N’ ROLL FANTASY: ROCK CLASSICS OF THE ’70s & ’80s

  1. Steve Oerkfitz

    Not bad but overly familiar.,but where is Rock and Roll by the Velvet Underground, I Love Rock and Roll by Joan Jett or Rock On by David Essex? Finally see Springsteen in a compilation. Probably my favorite track here. I find Bad Company, Doobie Brothers, Bryan Adams on the generic side, and I really, really hate Sammy Hagar.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Steve, seeing “Rock and Roll” by the Velvet Underground, “I Love Rock and Roll” by Joan Jett and “Rock On” by David Esse on a CD compilation disc really would be a Rock ‘N” Roll fantasy!

      Reply
    1. george Post author

      Bob, the title of this compilation is ROCK ‘N’ ROLL FANTASY: ROCK CLASSICS OF THE ’70S & ’80S. “Rock Around the Clock” is a 1950s song.

      Reply
      1. Cap'n Bob

        Too bad we can’t correct our posts! I spotted my error first but could not change it without writing a new message! WordPress bites!

  2. Fred Blosser

    Mellancamp and Moody Blues yes, otherwise no. Not a particular fan of Tull, Hagar, or Zeppelin.

    Reply
  3. Jerry+House

    It seems a tad disingenuous to create an entire concept album dedicated to Duane Johnson, especially during an era when he was in diapers and short pants.

    The songs? They’re okay. But I prefer Peter, Paul & Mary’s “I Dig Rock and Roll Music.”

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Jerry, I remember enjoying Peter, Paul & Mary’s “I Dig Rock and Roll Music” back in 1967. There were rumors The Rock (aka, Duane Johnson) was going to run for President…

      Reply
  4. Deb

    I like some of the songs here—Springsteen, Mellencamp, the Moody Blues, and Tom Petty (although I like the Byrds’ version of “So You Want to Be A Rock & Roll Star” better). I don’t think I’ve ever heard the song by Rainbow. I saw Sammy Hagar in concert with Van Halen back in the day—and was unimpressed.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Deb, it seems several people are unimpressed with Sammy Hagar. I agree with you on the Byrds’ superior version of “So You Want to Be A Rock & Roll Star.”

      Reply
  5. Beth Fedyn

    Oddly enough, for me, most songs with the Rock & Roll title don’t interest me.
    And where is Rockin’ Into the Night by .38 Special?
    I’d take a pass on this compilation.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Beth, “Like a Rock” by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band was a big hit in 1986. Later, it became part of a series of Chevy truck commercials. That song could have replaced some of the weak songs on this CD.

      Reply
  6. Jeff Meyerson

    Definite pass for me. Nothing here I need or want. Can’t believe there is no “I Love Rock & Roll” either, or even “I Love Rocky Road,” by Weird Al.

    Since we have Sirius XM in the new car, we listen about 90% to 60s Gold. Then comes 50s Gold, The Bridge, Margaritaville and 70s Gold, in that order. My Only complaint about the ’60s station is not enough oddball tunes or things I haven’t heard in 60 years, and too much Neil Diamond, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, The Monkees, The Dave Clark Five, and Herman’s Hermits. I’m looking to be surprised, like Chubby Checker doing “The Hucklebuck” or The Outsiders doing “Respectable,” or Del Shannon’s “Hats Off to Larry,” things you don’t hear very often.

    Of course, if I programmed the station it would be very different. I’d have an all-early ’60s instrumentals show (well, maybe not all early ’60s) – stuff like “Wiggle Wobble” and “Apache” – plus Latin stuff like “El Watusi” by Ray Barretto and “Bang Bang” by Joe Cuba, plus “Hey Leroy! Your’ Mama’s Calling You” by Jimmy Castor.

    But that’s me. And Keep Off My Lawn!

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Jeff, we have Sirius/XM Radio in both of our vehicles. Diane likes The Bridge, The Blend, and The Coffee House. Sometimes, she samples the Broadway channel, too. I mostly listen to Watercolors and Soul Town.

      Reply
    2. Steve Oerkfitz

      You are more likely to hear those songs by Del Shannon or The Outsiders on Little Steven’s Underground Garage. Unfortunately they also play some crap like Gary Lewis, Connie Francis (pop singer not a rock singer) and Lesley Gore. They also play a lot of Four Seasons which I destest.

      Reply
      1. george Post author

        Steve, you’re right about LITTLE STEVEN’S UNDERGROUND GARAGE. I’ve heard some great songs…and some duds like Garry Lewis.

  7. Cap'n Bob

    One of the SiriusXM stations was doing a salute to Garry Lewis and I was amazed at how many hits he had!

    Reply

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