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The Next Generation of Classic Rock, Explained

The challenge: pick a song a year, from 1970 through 1999, to build a playlist that defines The Next Generation of Classic Rock. Each year’s song either has to have…

Black Sabbath “Paranoid”

The challenge: pick a song a year, from 1970 through 1999, to build a playlist that defines The Next Generation of Classic Rock.

Each year's song either has to have been on the charts or on an album released in the corresponding year. Oh, and do it without repeating any artists. I did it (with the exception of AC/DC; gotta have both Bon and Brian). Take a spin through my playlist and let me know what you think.

1970

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Black Sabbath "Paranoid"


1971

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The Who "Baba O'Riley"


1972

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Led Zeppelin "Rock and Roll"


1973

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Aerosmith "Mama Kin"


1974

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Queen "Killer Queen"


1975

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KISS "Rock and Roll All Nite"


1976

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Ramones "Blitzkrieg Bop"


1977

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The Clash "Police and Thieves"


1978

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Van Halen "Runnin' With The Devil"


1979

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AC/DC "Highway To Hell"


1980

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AC/DC "Back In Black"


1981

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Joan Jett "Bad Reputation"


1982

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Billy Idol "White Wedding"


1983

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ZZ Top "Gimme All Your Lovin'"


1984

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U2 "Pride (In The Name Of Love)"


1985

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Mötley Crüe "Smokin' In The Boys Room"


1986

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Ozzy Osbourne "Shot In The Dark"


1987

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Guns N' Roses "Sweet Child O' Mine"


1988

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Bon Jovi "Bad Medicine"


1989

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Tom Petty "Runnin' Down A Dream"


1990

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The Black Crowes "Hard To Handle"


1991

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Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit"


1992

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Pearl Jam "Alive"


1993

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Stone Temple Pilots "Plush"


1994

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Soundgarden "Black Hole Sun"


1995

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Green Day "Brain Stew/Jaded"


1996

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Sublime "What I Got"


1997

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Smashing Pumpkins "1979"


1998

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Foo Fighters "Everlong"


1999

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Red Hot Chili Peppers "Scar Tissue"

adam12Writer
Adam 12 is the Program Director of Boston's ROCK 92.9, heard weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. He's been flexing his encyclopedic rock knowledge in New England for over 2 decades, both on-air and online, at WBCN, WFNX, Boston.com, and indie617. At ROCK 92.9, he keeps you in the know on the big stories from the Boston music scene and writes about great places to eat, drink (beer), and to spend time outdoors in and around Boston.