Sparks – Kimono My House (1974) That year, I turned 14. After mostly listening to singles and compilation LPs, this was the first full album I bought, and I still love it today. It marked my transition from “Rob the Top 40 listener” to “Rob the music freak.”...
Deep Purple – 24 Carat Purple (1975) Shortly before my 15th birthday, Deep Purple entered my life through the compilation album 24 Carat Purple. My best friend, Frank Burgers, influenced my taste significantly, and he introduced me to this album along with their...
Traffic – On the Road (1973) During the same period I discovered Deep Purple, Frank introduced me to Traffic. Just recently (November 2024), Frank sent me a message with a photo of the LP When the Eagle Flies. He wrote, “Got it for my 14th birthday almost 50...
Free – Fire and Water (1970) With its raw simplicity, this album still has a profound impact on me today. The band members were only 18–21 at the time, which makes the maturity and intensity of the music even more...
Yes – Close to the Edge (1972) A greater contrast with the previous album on my list is hardly imaginable. With Yes, I enjoy it in a completely different way—it always gives me a cheerful, festive feeling, and I admire the musical virtuosity in both composition...
Eagles – One of These Nights (1975) The first song I remember consciously hearing from the Eagles was “Visions” during Herman Stok’s LP hour on Hilversum 3 in 1975. Not long after, the album One of These Nights—where the track is from—was part...
