ZZ Top were once one of the finest proponents of powerful southern blues rock around and their 1975 album Fandango showcases them at their musical peak.

Rides Again was soon-to-be Eagles member Joe Walsh’s second album with James Gang and the first to feature bassist Dale Peters.

Fastway was the debut album from former Motorhead guitarist Fast Eddie Clarke’s hard blues-rock band Fastway featuring future Flogging Molly frontman Dave King.

Skid is the 1970 debut album from Dublin-based blues-rock band Skid Row and features an interesting mix of quirky, heavy blues numbers with an 18 year-old Gary Moore providing some outstanding guitar work throughout.

The mini-album Star Fleet Project is short, but certainly sweet, and is the debut solo project for Queen’s Brian May released in 1983 featuring Eddie Van Halen.

Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac is the 1968 debut from the blues-era Fleetwood Mac featuring Peter Green – hear MP3 samples and video

Come and Get It is a 1981 album from blues rock band whitesnake featuring David Coverdaly, Jon Lord and Ian Paice – hear MP3 samples and video

Machine Head is a 1972 album from the classic Mark II lineup of Deep Purple featuring Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Jon Lord and Richie Blackmore – hear MP3 samples and video

Slaves and Masters is a 1990 album from Deep Purple featuring ex-Rainbow frontman Joe Lynn Turner with Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Richie Blackmore and Roger Glover – hear MP3 samples and video

Long Live Rock and Roll is a 1978 album from Rainbow featuring Ronnie Dio, Richie Blackmore and Cozy Powell – hear MP3 samples and video