Ever since the Sgt. Pepper’s-era Beatles made the cover of TIME in the fall of 1967 with the tagline “Their New Incarnation,” the evolution of rock and roll has captured our attention. The classic rock genre is defined by powerful guitar riffs, memorable melodies, elaborate stage shows, and band members’ wild antics onstage and off. The cultural movement had everyone talking and buying records. Some artists made their mark and moved on, but many, remarkably, are still at it after half a century. Whether you’re new to the scene or an old friend, cue the vinyl, turn it up, and discover the stories behind the music that defined a generation. Inside this keepsake issue, music lovers will find Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, the Eagles, The Doors, Fleetwood Mac, and so many more.
IT’S GOING TO GET LOUD
AC/DC
ALICE COOPER
AEROSMITH
THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
THE ANIMALS
BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE
BAD COMPANY
THE BEATLES
BADFINGER
THE BAND
PAT BENATAR
THE BLACK CROWES
BLACK SABBATH
BLUE ÖYSTER CULT
DAVID BOWIE
BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD
CHEAP TRICK
PHIL COLLINS
CREAM
CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
CROSBY, STILLS, NASH, & YOUNG
DEEP PURPLE
DEF LEPPARD
DIRE STRAITS
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS
THE DOORS
ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA
EAGLES
FLEETWOOD MAC
FOREIGNER
PETER FRAMPTON
GENESIS
GRAND FUNK RAILROAD
GRATEFUL DEAD
GREEN DAY
GUNS N’ ROSES
HEART
IRON MAIDEN
JIMI HENDRIX
JEFFERSON AIRPLANE
BILLY JOEL
ELTON JOHN
JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS
JANIS JOPLIN
JOURNEY
KANSAS
KISS
THE KINKS
LYNYRD SKYNYRD
LED ZEPPELIN
JOHN MELLENCAMP
METALLICA
THE MOODY BLUES
VAN MORRISON
MÖTLEY CRÜE
PINK FLOYD
THE POLICE
THE PRETENDERS
QUEEN
THE ROLLING STONES
RUSH
SANTANA
BOB SEGER
SIMON & GARFUNKEL
PATTI SMITH
STEELY DAN
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
STYX
THIN LIZZY
TINA TURNER
TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS
U2
VAN HALEN
THE WHO
THE YARDBIRDS
YES
ZZ TOP
TIME Legends of Classic Rock
CREDITS
TURN IT UP