Classic Rock has always been one of my favorite genres of music. So many great bands and songs to choose from! I consider classic rock to be rock songs that span form the late 60's thru the eighties. The classic rock era includes bands like CCR, Led Zepplin, The Eagles, 38 Special, The Who, Queen, and Yes, just to name a few. In fact, there are so many greats I feel I have to include in this list, it looks like it may become two hubs instead of one.

Yes, I know there are bands/artists/songs I have missed. I am aware of that. I couldn't include everybody for crying out loud, so as with all my favorites hubs--I put in what meant something to me. MY favorites. Plus, there are some bands that will be on later hubs and I try realy hard to not have the same music fetured in more than one hub. I don't want to be redundant :)

I have to start off with possibly my favorite band ever. Heart.

They spanned the seventies and on into the eighties and produced a number of hits including :

Barracuda, All I Wanna Do, Dreamboat Annie, Magic Man, and Crazy on You.

The two sisters, Ann and Nancy Wilson produced several chart toppers and sold out shows.

I can remember listening to Heart all the time with my dad. He introduced me to a lot of great music and passed his passion for it down to me. Without his influence, I would never have come to know the great bands and songs on this list. Thanks Dad-- I'll always be a fan ;)

CCR gained popularity in the late 60's to early 70's with such hits as Proud Mary, I Put A Spell On You, Green River and Fortunate Son.

The band called it quits in 1970 when after many unsuccessful attempts at leaving the band, Tom Fogerty finally left Creedence for good. His brother and bandmate John said they had thought about replacing him, but no one else could stand being a memeber of CCR.

After his success with Creedence, John Fogerty went on to have a semi successful solo career. His biggest hit being Centerfield in 1985.

From what I've heard from people, it seems either you love 'em or hate 'em. I personally love 'em. I think Journey is great, with or without Steve Perry. Though the earlier stuff is the best by far. They have a ton of hits with a few nice ballads thrown in, such as Open Arms, Anyway You Want It, Foolish Heart and When The Lights Go Down In The City.

At my old job, we had a boss that hated Journey with a passion. I bet you can guess which employee used to pop her greatest hits CD into the stereo in the shop from time to time with the sound cranked ;)

I had to include this Seperate Ways video, not only because I like the song but because the video is just so funny. I am sure this director thought he was being cutting edge with the invisible instruments and the crazy close ups, but I just found it hilariously cheesy. In fact, I had to watch it twice...

Formed in 1968, the English band has had many successes between 1968 and 1980.

They have several memorable singles and albums including Black Dog, Good Times, Bad Times, Whole Lotta Love, Stairway to Heaven and many others.

Following the death of drummer John Bonham in 1980, the group broke up. There have been a few reunions and guitarist Jimmy Page and lead singer Robert Plant continue to do collaborations with other artists.

Most recent accounts are that following a statement by Plant in which he refused a part in future reunions, the band had looked for a new singer but had been unsuccessful.

Formed in 1967, Fleetwood Mac has seen many incarnations. The only member to remain present from beginning to end has been its namesake drummer, Mick Fleetwood. Others have come and gone, being present for most but not all of their many albums.  Not even John McVie who happens to be the 'Mac' was there for the first preformance, and the unforgettable raspy voice of vocalist Stevie Nicks was not always a part of the band's sound.

Most of the band's mainstream sucess came from 1975 to 1987, when Lindsy Buckingham and Stevie Nicks were bandmates. During that time, they released singles such as Say You Love Me, Rhiannon, Landslide, Don't Stop, Go Your Own Way, You Make Loving Fun, The Chain, and Tusk.

You can't have a classic rock hub and not include Steve Miller. C'mon--he screams seventies! Who doesn't have some great memories of cruising around in your car with the sun shining, the windows down and The Joker blaring on the radio?

Steve Miller gained success thru the 70's and 80's with a series of singles and albums including some greats like Abracadabra, Rock'n Me and Fly Like an Eagle.

 Ah.. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.  Love 'em. Petty's voice reminds me of Bob Dylan with that twang he has to his sound.

The band got together in 1976 and is still together. In fact, they just celebrated their thirtieth anniversary. They've had several successes with songs like Don't Do Me Like That, Refugee, The Waiting, The Breakdown, Learning To Fly and Into the Great Wide Open

Petty also had some sucess with a solo career as well with singles such as Free Fallin', I Won't Back Down and Runnin' Down A Dream

There are a few singles I feel like I should include as well. Not that I don't also like the bands that preformed them ok, too, but I am not a huge fan like the other bands on the list. With the exception of The Eagles, I don't even really listen to much from these bands. I just love these songs in particular and didn't feel right about not including them some how.

The Weight -

This is a great classic rock song from the memorable band called...well, The Band. It's got a great beat and begs to be sung along with. It's been featured on a few soundtracks as well, including Easy Rider.

Hotel California -

Of course The Eagles have had way more hits other than this song and are still going strong, sort of, even today. But, Hotel California, the title track from their 1976 album, is a fixture for me when it comes to classic rock. You know as soon as you hear the first few bars of the song you're going to be having a good time. To me it envokes visions of smoke filled bars and hot summer nights. You can't go wrong with this song.

Midnight Rider -

A classic from the Allman Brothers Band in  the 70's that has been featured in film soundtracks and covered by quite a few artists. It continues to be popular today and remains a fixture on the Allman's tours.

Don't Fear the Reaper -

Released by Blue Oyster Cult in 1975 and reached number 12 on the Billboard music charts.  A classic that was brought to attention again with the infamous 'More Cowbell' skit on Saturday Night Live in 2000.

 Keep in mind that this is just part one of the classic rock list.  Part two is on its way soon!