In the spirit of the Woodstock 40th anniversary, the following list is dedicated to what I consider the top 40 live albums to be released since that magical, iconic concert experience four decades ago. Some say live albums separate the men from the boys. In some cases, it has made a band’s career – just ask Cheap Trick and Peter Frampton. At their best, live performances expand the studio version of a song and bring the tracks to life. Hold the drum solos, please!

Grand Funk Railroad: Live (1970). The epitome of what a live rock show should be – raw power!
Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Live Rust (1979). A mix of over –distorted rockers like “Cortez The Killer” and acoustic classics such as “My My, Hey Hey.”
David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust Soundtrack. This exceptional double-album accompanies the film documenting Bowie’s final show with the backing Spiders From Mars; guitarist Mick Ronson is brilliant on “Moonage Daydream.”  
Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same (1976). Another concert film soundtrack, Led Zep is at the height of its career.
Kiss: Alive (1975). The first three Kiss studio albums failed to capture their electrifying sound…problem solved!
The Who: Live at Leeds (1970). Simply explosive – guitarist Pete Townsend jumps right through the stereo speakers and into your living room.
Yes: Yessongs (1973). The 3-album set captures the masterworks from prog rock’s finest and allows each musician a moment of individual glory.
Paul McCartney & Wings: Wings Over America (1976). An enormous production as Macca’s post-Beatles career soared; “Maybe I’m Amazed” is especially memorable.
The Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense (1979). This film/album gained the group widespread appeal.
Radiohead: I Might Be Wrong (2001). An imaginative reworking of material from the Kid A and Amnesiac albums.
The Fall: Live at the Witch Trials (1979). Who else would debut with a live album?
The Allman Brothers Band: At Fillmore East (1971). A demonstration of Duane Allman’s exceptional guitar work just months before his untimely death.
Lynyrd Skynyrd: One More for the Road (1976). Southern fried “Free Bird” at its most sizzling.
Peter Frampton: Comes Alive (1976). The steep peak of his rollercoaster career; a supplier of FM hits, but “Lines on My Face” is the real gem.
Fleetwood Mac: The Dance (1997). Televised comeback/reunion concert finds Nicks and Buckingham in top form. Inspirational!
Various Artists: Urgh! A Music War (1981). A concert film soundtrack featuring rare/memorable performances by new wave acts Klaus Nomi, Gary Numan, Oingo Boingo, XTC and many others.
Wilco: Kicking Television: Live in Chicago (2005). Even when creative differences boil over, there is something special about Wilco.
The Ramones: It’s Alive (1979). Hey, ho, let’s go…a punk rock throw-down of 2-minute pogo classics.
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band: Live 1975-85 (1986). An exhilarating collection of greatest hits live.
Van Morrison: It’s Too Late to Stop Now (1974). What’s not to like?
The Rolling Stones: Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out (1970). Plenty of bluesy rock ‘n’ roll licks by Mick, Keith and the lads.
X: Live in Los Angeles (2005). Reunion concert proves X as strong as ever.
Thin Lizzy: Live and Dangerous (1978). Love the blistering double-guitar solos on “Don’t Believe a Word,” “Cowboy Song” and “Emerald.”
Peter Gabriel: Plays Live (1983). A collection of live tracks from Gabriel’s first four albums (the best), including “Biko” and “Shock the Monkey.”
David Bowie: Stage (1978). Recorded during his mid-70s experimental mood, the highlight is a long, passionate version of “Heroes.”
U2: Under a Blood Red Sky (1983). Recorded on the “War” tour – preceding their superstardom achievements – this is vintage red wine for the diehard crowd.  
Dead Boys: Night of the Living Dead Boys (1981). A good outing for the Cleveland punkers, but still not as strong as the Young, Loud & Snotty studio album.
Pink Floyd: The Wall Live (2000). No surprises, but a perfect live recreation of The Wall.
Johnny Winter: Captured Live (1976). At the time, no white boy played the blues like Johnny Winter.
Nirvana: MTV Unplugged (1984). The best “Unplugged” ever recorded. Long live Kurt!
Elton John: Here & There (1976). Following the dramatic opener “Funeral for a Friend,” a handful of Elton’s early hits are included; though amazingly MCA Records restricted this to a 1-album release.
Various Artists: Decline of Western Civilization (1981). Soundtrack from the Penelope Spheer film documenting LA’s punk scene from ’79-81, highlights include Fear, Dead Kennedies and Black Flag.  
Various Artists/George Harrison: Concert for Bangladesh (1971). Long before Live Aid, George Harrison and friends put on a major fundraising/awareness event.
Kraftwerk: Minimum-Maximum (2005). Reunited and as digitally cutting-edge as ever.
The Band: The Last Waltz (1978). A fitting swan song, this Martin Scorsese filmed concert documenting The Band’s grand finale includes a large cast of guest stars including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Dr. John and Ringo Starr.
Queen: Live Killers (1979). Freddie Mercury…wow…one of the greatest rock singers!
Jethro Tull: Bursting Out (1978). The most gifted lineup on tour in support of Songs from the Wood.
Laurie Anderson: United States Live (1981). Weirdness and thought-provoke performance art.
Cheap Trick: At Budakon (1979). Screaming Japanese girls provide the excitement and backdrop for “I Want You” and “Surrender.”
Todd Rundgren: Back to the Bars (1978). The Runt tinkers with the hits and deep cuts…an album requested by his label bosses.