Greatest Rock Operas/Concept Albums

Bones · **Posted:** Tue Apr 09, 2013 4:11 am

Criteria: (Influence, Impact, Popularity)

1. Tommy - (The Who)
2. American Idiot - (Green Day)
3. The Wall - (Pink Floyd)
4. Quadrophenia - (The Who)
5. Joe's Garage, Acts I, II & III
6. Ziggy Stardust - (David Bowie)
7. The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (Genesis)

Bones · **Posted:** Tue Apr 09, 2013 4:11 am

My top 5 for now.

Deany · **Posted:** Tue Apr 09, 2013 4:15 am

I think we already have a thread for this.

Bones · **Posted:** Tue Apr 09, 2013 5:13 am

That one is only concept albums. What if I only do rock operas?

312 · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:47 pm **Posts:** 436

There is no way "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" and "Quadrophenia" are greater than "The Wall" and "American Idiot". And how is popularity not criterion?

Bones · **Posted:** Wed Apr 10, 2013 1:39 pm

312 wrote:

There is no way "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" and "Quadrophenia" are greater than "The Wall" and "American Idiot". And how is popularity not criterion?

It is, I don't know why it said originality. I think The Wall does beat LLDoB but it doesn't beat Quad.

Quadrophenia vs The Wall:

Influence: Quad
Impact: The Wall
Popularity: Quad

American Idiot could probably top them both.

Quad vs American Idiot

Influence: Quad
Impact: American Idiot
Popularity: American Idiot

312 · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:47 pm **Posts:** 436

How is Quadrophenia is more popular than the Wall? And neither album is particularly influential. Also, you forgot Ziggy Stardust. It is probably top 2 worthy.

Adequate Gatsby · **Posted:** Wed Apr 10, 2013 2:47 pm

I don't think there are enough rock operas to make a list solely of them.

312 · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:47 pm **Posts:** 436

Adequate Gatsby wrote:

I don't think there are enough rock operas to make a list solely of them.

You have a point, but I think this list can have about 25 entries

Bones · **Posted:** Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:37 pm

312 wrote:

How is Quadrophenia is more popular than the Wall? And neither album is particularly influential. Also, you forgot Ziggy Stardust. It is probably top 2 worthy.

The Wall was a #8 hit when it peaked and Quadrophenia was a #6 hit. The Wall has more lasting popularity though so you're technically right. Ziggy Stardust is top 5 worthy but I'm not sure if it beats 'Joe's Garage, Acts I, II & III'.

312 · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:47 pm **Posts:** 436

Bones wrote:

312 wrote:

How is Quadrophenia is more popular than the Wall? And neither album is particularly influential. Also, you forgot Ziggy Stardust. It is probably top 2 worthy.

The Wall was a #8 hit when it peaked and Quadrophenia was a #6 hit. The Wall has more lasting popularity though so you're technically right. Ziggy Stardust is top 5 worthy but I'm not sure if it beats 'Joe's Garage, Acts I, II & III'.

Peak chart position isn't everything, Bones. And Joe's Garage ahead of Ziggy is ridiculous, but it is good that you brought this album up, it at least top ten worthy IMO

ClashWho · **Joined:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 5:45 pm **Posts:** 19169

Bones wrote:

312 wrote:

How is Quadrophenia is more popular than the Wall? And neither album is particularly influential. Also, you forgot Ziggy Stardust. It is probably top 2 worthy.

The Wall was a #8 hit when it peaked and Quadrophenia was a #6 hit.

Where are you getting those numbers? Quadrophenia peaked at #2 in both the USA and the UK. I don't know about The Wall, but it probably hit #1.

Brett Alan · **Joined:** Thu Oct 07, 2010 2:17 pm **Posts:** 2844

ClashWho wrote:

Bones wrote:

312 wrote:

How is Quadrophenia is more popular than the Wall? And neither album is particularly influential. Also, you forgot Ziggy Stardust. It is probably top 2 worthy.

The Wall was a #8 hit when it peaked and Quadrophenia was a #6 hit.

Where are you getting those numbers? Quadrophenia peaked at #2 in both the USA and the UK. I don't know about The Wall, but it probably hit #1.

It did. For 15 weeks, in fact.

312 · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:47 pm **Posts:** 436

Brett Alan wrote:

ClashWho wrote:

Bones wrote:

312 wrote:

How is Quadrophenia is more popular than the Wall? And neither album is particularly influential. Also, you forgot Ziggy Stardust. It is probably top 2 worthy.

The Wall was a #8 hit when it peaked and Quadrophenia was a #6 hit.

Where are you getting those numbers? Quadrophenia peaked at #2 in both the USA and the UK. I don't know about The Wall, but it probably hit #1.

It did. For 15 weeks, in fact.

I really feel embarrassed for not catching this earlier :oops:

Bones · **Posted:** Thu Apr 11, 2013 12:39 am

ClashWho wrote:

Bones wrote:

312 wrote:

How is Quadrophenia is more popular than the Wall? And neither album is particularly influential. Also, you forgot Ziggy Stardust. It is probably top 2 worthy.

The Wall was a #8 hit when it peaked and Quadrophenia was a #6 hit.

Where are you getting those numbers? Quadrophenia peaked at #2 in both the USA and the UK. I don't know about The Wall, but it probably hit #1.

World Music Database. A site that G miner showed me.

Greatest Rock Operas/Concept Albums

Who is online