10 Forgotten Blues Rock Albums of the 1960s
The 1960s were a pivotal decade for blues rock, as musicians blended the raw emotion of the blues with the firepower of rock and roll. While legends like The Rolling Stones, Cream, and Jimi Hendrix stole the spotlight, many outstanding albums have faded into the background over time.
Here are 10 forgotten blues rock albums of the 1960s that deserve a second listen.
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band – The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw (1967)
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band was a trailblazer in bringing electric blues to a wider audience, but their third album, The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw, often gets overshadowed by their debut. With Elvin Bishop stepping in as lead guitarist, the album leans into a soulful blues rock groove with tracks like “One More Heartache” and “Driftin’ and Driftin’.” This record captures the band at a transitional but powerful moment.
The Electric Flag – A Long Time Comin’ (1968)
Formed by guitarist Mike Bloomfield after leaving the Butterfield Blues Band, The Electric Flag brought a horn-driven edge to blues rock. A Long Time Comin’ fuses blues, rock, soul, and psychedelia into a dynamic sound. Despite its groundbreaking approach and tracks like “Killing Floor” and “Groovin’ Is Easy,” the album never gained the lasting recognition it deserved.
Fleetwood Mac – Mr. Wonderful (1968)
Before Fleetwood Mac became a pop-rock powerhouse, they were a gritty blues band led by Peter Green. Their second album, Mr. Wonderful, is a raw, energetic blues record featuring slide guitar-heavy songs such as “Love That Burns” and “Stop Messin’ Round.” While overshadowed by Then Play On, this album is a must-hear for blues rock fans.
Savoy Brown – Getting to the Point (1968)
British blues rockers Savoy Brown were a staple of the late ‘60s blues scene, but Getting to the Point often gets overlooked. This album showcases Kim Simmonds’ great guitar work alongside Chris Youlden’s soulful vocals. Getting to the Point blends traditional blues with a rock edge that would later influence the 1970s blues revival.
Canned Heat – Hallelujah (1969)
While Canned Heat is best known for Boogie with Canned Heat, their fourth album, Hallelujah, often goes unnoticed. With a mix of deep blues cuts and boogie-driven rockers like “Time Was” and “Sic ‘Em Pigs,” this record is a perfect example of the band’s ability to channel the spirit of blues legends while keeping things fresh and exciting.
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers – Crusade (1967)
John Mayall’s Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton is rightly celebrated, but Crusade, featuring an 18-year-old Mick Taylor, deserves more recognition. The album was produced by the legendary Mike Vernon. Crusade highlights Taylor’s fluid guitar playing as showcased in “Oh, Pretty Woman” and “Driving Sideways,” making it an essential listen for blues rock enthusiasts.
Chicken Shack – 40 Blue Fingers, Freshly Packed and Ready to Serve (1968)
Fronted by Stan Webb, Chicken Shack was one of the most promising British blues bands of the late ‘60s. Their debut album, 40 Blue Fingers, Freshly Packed and Ready to Serve, is packed with excellent guitar work. Despite its quality, the album remains largely forgotten outside blues rock circles.
The Groundhogs – Blues Obituary (1969)
The Groundhogs evolved into a heavier blues rock band in the 1970s, but Blues Obituary captures them in a raw and transitional state. Tony McPhee’s guitar work is electrifying, bridging the gap between traditional blues and the emerging hard rock sound. This album deserves more attention for its role in shaping the blues rock genre.
The Spencer Davis Group – With Their New Face On (1968)
After Steve Winwood left the band, The Spencer Davis Group carried on with With Their New Face On, an often-overlooked blues rock album. Featuring a mix of soulful blues and driving rock numbers including “Mr. Second Class” and “Don’t Want You No More,” this record showcased the band’s resilience and ability to evolve despite the departure of their star vocalist.
The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation – Doctor Dunbar’s Prescription (1969)
Aynsley Dunbar was one of the most skilled drummers in British blues rock, and his band’s second album, Doctor Dunbar’s Prescription, is a hidden gem. Featuring blistering guitar work from John Moorshead and solid blues compositions like “Fugitive” and “Change Your Low Down Ways,” this album is an underrated classic that deserves rediscovery.
I agree and am fortunate to have a number of these albums
Love Sculpture – Blues Helping (December 1968)
I agree. I tell anyone the same. Dave Edmund’s playing was superb on those covers of electric blues songs. I’d also include Muddy Water’s “Fathers & Sons” to this list.
Father’s and Sons is an awesome choice.
The old heads like Muddy and Wolf meets the younger blues generation of Paul Butterfield Blues Band.
I recently gifted this album to my 49 year old daughter who is discovering vinyl of her dad’s youth.
Why is it that no one ever mentions Johnny Winter The best guitar player ever RIP
Right on…. Google Mean Town Blues and hold on!
Mean Town Blues at Woodstock…watch the video almost daily…amazing stuff..
True dat
I so agree with you brother…So under appreciated….Johnny could play the blues better than any of the others..
Absolutely!
Blue Matter by Savoy Brown needs to be on this list.
Looking In needs to be included, (maybe Raw Sienna as well)
Savoy Brown Wire Fire is a great album i caught them on their wire Fire concert promoting the album. It ranks very high on my list of best shows ever. Kim Simmonds was on the mark.
Johnny was the best although stevie ray was alsl a god
Agree about Johnny Winter. But having seen Stevie Ray Vaughan live cannot say the same about him:griossly overated imho
Thank you
I saw both Johnny Winter and Stevie Ray Van….. two different styles Pl es and at two different times….
But Winter left that mark on me that I’ll never forget!
Buddy Guy is also at top of that list.
I’d Rather Go Blind wasn’t on the original UK release of Forty Blue Fingers
Ten Years After’s debut album should be on the list along with Johnny Winter’s Progressive Blues Experiment.
I’d rather their 2nd LP “Undead”….
That,s more a jazzy album.
Don´t forget to mention Victor Brox on vocals in Dr, Dunbar’s Prescription.
He was described by Jimi Hendrix and Tina Turner as their favourite white blues singer.
I concur!
I would add Bare Wires by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers to this list.
I have a couple of these albums & a couple more in my cloud but a great article to finish out my collection
I would add Bare Wires by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers to this list.
Super Session Album with Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield and Stephen Stills is phenomenal. I can’t say it’s forgotten. But it doesn’t get the anymore that it deserves.
Sorry – overrated imho. Never worked out Al Cooper…; the other two however: 👍👍
John Mayall’ s Hard Road with Peter Green is a gem… I prefer it to the album with Eric Clapton.
East West the Paul Butterfield Blues Band 1966 is where it all started. Mike Bloomfield solos were ground breaking
Spooky Two
I’m so lucky to have them all on vinyl and in excellent condition!
I always liked Siegel-Schwall back then. Opinions may vary as to why they were forgotten.
These are all great bands, but my all-time favorite was John Mayall when it came to the blues. I saw him a couple of times in the late 60s when most of these acts used to perform on college campuses instead of big arenas and stadiums. It was a great time to see all kinds of good blues, rhythm and blues, and rock ‘n’ roll.
Can’t believe nobody mentioned Free and the late great Paul Kossoff. To this day, no one has matched the raw emotion of his guitar playing. His guitar and Paul Rodgers’ silky rough vocals are what blues rock is all about.
Yeah, but their albums are hadly forgotten or overlooked.
No 60’s or 70’s Blues Rock album collection is complete without Johnny Winter.
I agree 100%, Johnny Winter is a talented blues guitarist and no blues list is complete without him. He is also held in very high regard by his fellow blues guitarists.
Exactly, Johnny Winter is always overlooked. Without a doubt my number one favourite bluesman.
Scratching the Surface The Groundhogs is in there for me!
Johnny Winter….Johnny Winter….. Johnny Winter and just for feeling ……Johnny Winter.
I totally agree!!!I Johnny Winter! Johnny Winter!
Rory Gallagher never got a mention. One cool dude.
I kept waiting for all of them to perform in blackface.
That’s right!!
Raw blues
Cabal by the John Dummer Blues Band. Dave Kelly on slide, T.S. (Tony) McPhee on guitar, Jo Anne Kelly on vocals, Thumper Thompson on bass and John Dummer on drums. Real British blues at its best.
You’ve got to mention Taste’s self-titled debut album, Rory Gallagher’s sublime blues power trio.
I totally agree!!!
Good choices , particularly Resurrection of Pigboy Crenshaw and Electric Flag, but here’s 2 more:
What’s Shakin’ – Elektra sampler with early Butterfield and Clapton and the Powerhouse with Steve Winwood
Yardbirds For Your Love – great playing by Clapton and Beck
I agree 100%, Johnny Winter is a talented blues guitarist and no blues list is complete without him. He is also held in very high regard by his fellow blues guitarists, and where is Rory Gallagher?
Blues Project
Why nobody mentions Keef Hartley Blues Band? So underrated.
Living in Omaha, NE, playing in a blues band was a hoot. One night none other than Buddy Miles came to the club we were playing. Of course we asked him to sit in and WOW!!! He was a gentile and humble giant of the music scene, I’ll never forget it.
What about Moloch from Memphis their one and only album is a classic.
I agree. Anything by Johnny Winter.
I would add Janis’ Kozmic Blues LP as well as John Mayall’s The Turning Point.
Although his first solo album was released in 1971, he started recording since the late 50s. Apparently he played steel guitar in Johnny Ottis’ band. Johnny Winter is up there, maybe among the first two or three. But how can nobody mention Roy? He’ s not far behind and deserved to be in the list. To remind those who forgot, please listen to Roy’s Bluz from his 1975 Live Stock! Roy Buchanan
What will happen when we all pass, will these icons be forgotten? Current music is sh1t and will never be to the standard of these great artists
I fear for the future as there is no comparison
(r.e. Tellis)
Actually, Roy Buchanan is noted quite often on this site, by commenters, contingent upon the article’s intended content.
This article’s subject relates to forgotten blues-rock L.P.s from the 1960s, and as you noted, Roy’s debut (solo) album was from 1971, and for blues-rock enthusiasts, is hardly forgotten, and is often referenced on blues/blues-rock sites as an album that helped to set the standards for future blues-rock guitarists (i.e. Stevie Ray Vaughn, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, etc.
And yes, “Livestock” is in my Top 5 live albums of all time (regardless of genre), and Roy is in my personal Top 5 electric blues-rock guitarists of all time.
I just looked at my vinyl copy of Roy’s debut album, and it was released in 1972.
Just for the fun of trivia: Joey Welz/Roy Buchanan : Jammin with Roy:1971! OK it’s not a solo-solo album neither a blues album but it has an early version of Haunted House in it, linking it to Roy’s 1st solo album. And Roy’s picture and name are on its sleeve + he’s in the title. : )
PS: I discovered this site only yesterday, thanks to the algorithm and had no idea Roy is often mentioned and surely much loved and admired.
Cream: Wheels of Fire?
Nobody mentioned the California Blues band: Pacific Gas and Electric bka PG&E.
Barry Bunkin Valley Stream, NY