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The Rolling Stones: 'Let It Bleed' - The Rolling Stones gave The Beatles a run for their money with 'Let It Bleed,' one of the last records from the '60s, and featuring politically-charged anthems.

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Dusty Springfield: 'Dusty in Memphis' - Memphis, Tennessee has a heavy influence on this record, which houses hits like 'So Much Love' and 'Son of a Preacher Man.'

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Elvis Presley: 'From Elvis in Memphis' - Recorded at the American Sound Studio in Memphis, this Elvis album is widely revered, thanks to moving songs like 'Gentle on My Mind' and 'In the Ghetto.'

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Miles Davis: 'In a Silent Way' - Ten years after his masterpiece 'Kind of Blue,' Miles Davis came out with the meditative record 'In a Silent Way.'

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The Kinks: 'Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)' - The Kinks were one conceptual band, and 'Arthur...' is a cunning concept album. It satirizes life in England and Australia.

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The Velvet Underground: 'The Velvet Underground' - The self-titled record from The Velvet Underground is bursting with personality, with standouts like 'What Goes On' and 'Pale Blue Eyes.'

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James Brown: 'Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud' - Brown wore his heart on his sleeve, with powerful songs about his identity and surrounding. It's a riot from 'Say It Loud...' to the last track, 'I'll Lose My Mind.'

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Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg: 'Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg' - Birkin and Gainsbourg were partners in life and music, and their first record together is a perfect showcase of their chemistry.

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The Beatles: 'Abbey Road' - 'Abbey Road' is bittersweet: it's the last recorded album from The Beatles, featuring hits like 'Come Together' and 'Here Comes the Sun.'

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The Stooges: 'The Stooges' -

Iggy Pop and co. broke through in 1969, with a proto-punk noisefest recorded at The Hit Factory in New York City.

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Led Zeppelin: 'Led Zeppelin' - 'Led Zeppelin' went big for their debut, with blues-inspired hard rock that gets heads banging. Tune in for influential hits like 'Dazed and Confused' and 'Communication Breakdown.'

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Isaac Hayes: 'Hot Buttered Soul' - Hayes had released a standard soul album in 1968, but returned one year later with 'Hot Buttered Soul,' a psychedelic record with just four songs.

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Neil Young & Crazy Horse: 'Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere' - Neil Young's second album built on the first, with singles 'Cinnamon Girl' and 'Down by the River,' along with the sprawling 'Cowgirl in the Sand.'

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Sly and the Family Stone: 'Stand!' - On this album, Sly and the Family Stone came out with radio hits ('Everyday People'), funk numbers ('I Want to Take You Higher'), and racial commentary ('Don’t Call Me N*****, Whitey').

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Pharoah Sanders: 'Karma' -

The jazz saxophonist is one of the most respected in his genre, and 'Karma' is perhaps his finest work.

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Led Zeppelin: 'Led Zeppelin II' - Believe it or not, Led Zeppelin released two albums in 1969. The second featured 'Whole Lotta Love,' an anti-war anthem that was ironically blasted from loud speakers during the Vietnam War.

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MC5: 'Kick Out the Jams' - MC5 went live for their debut album, literally. 'Kick Out the Jams' is a live album recorded at the infamous Grande Ballroom in Detroit, Michigan.

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King Crimson: 'In the Court of the Crimson King' -

For some British prog-rock that isn't Pink Floyd, check out this King Crimson classic.

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Scott Walker: 'Scott 4' - The hipster's hipster, Scott Walker was a pioneer, and his fifth record is an exercise in baroque pop perfection.

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Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band: 'Trout Mask Replica' -

'Trout Mask Replica' lay the groundwork for weirdos around the world. It's a 28-track mishmash that runs over an hour in length.

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Grateful Dead: 'Live/Dead' - The Grateful Dead went big with this live album, with seven songs adding up to 75 minutes of material. The first track, 'Dark Star,' is over 23 minutes, which should give you an idea of the album's ambitious nature.

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Gal Costa: 'Gal Costa' - Gal Costa is a Brazilian icon, and her self-titled solo debut could be her finest moment.

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Nick Drake: 'Five Leaves Left' - Nick Drake found fame after he passed away, but 'Five Leaves Left' is a stunning debut. The single 'River Man' is a standout track.

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Buffy Sainte-Marie: 'Illuminations' - The Canadian songstress impressed with 'Illuminations,' writing personal folk songs inspired by her indigenous roots.

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Leonard Cohen: 'Songs from a Room' - Cohen kept things simple with his second album, writing biblical stories like 'Story of Isaac,' as well as 'Bird on the Wire,' one of his signature songs.

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Joni Mitchell: 'Clouds' - Most know Mitchell for her heartbreaking record 'Blue,' but 'Clouds' is an underrated album in her discography. After all, it features her successful single 'Both Sides, Now.'

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Toots and the Maytals: 'Sweet and Dandy' - 'Sweet and Dandy' is a reggae classic, with huge hits such as 'Monkey Man,' 'Pressure Drop,' and '54-46 - That's My Number.'

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Creedence Clearwater Revival: 'Bayou County'/'Willy and the Poor Boys'/'Green River' - CCR released a trilogy of albums in 1969, which all hold up 50 years later.

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The Band: 'The Band' - Bob Dylan's live band did it themselves in 1969. Their second album is a reflective record, with some real career standouts.

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The Who: 'Tommy' - Across two discs, 'Tommy' told the story of a "deaf, dumb, and blind" boy, who navigates a nightmarish childhood and adolescence.

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