Louder than Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Blue Cheer arrived 55 years ago this month as something radical – even by the era’s standards of anything goes.

Aerosmith was on an undeniable roll after issuing ‘Toys in the Attic’ and then ‘Rocks.’ All of it came to a crashing halt 45 years ago today.

Here’s what we’ll be packing way in the back of our luggage – way, way in the back – before our fateful seafaring journey.

Issued 50 years ago this week, ‘Fresh’ lived up to its title as Eric Carmen and the Raspberries balanced radio-ready pop with muscled rock reflexes.

Released 50 years ago, ‘Guitar Man’ proved that Bread was a lot more mercurial than their soft-rock critics would ever admit.

Originally released 45 years ago today, ‘Love Songs’ is perfect for those who prefer softer touches of the Beatles. Yet it’s never been reissued.

Released 50 years ago this week, ‘Nuggets: Original Artyfacts’ seemed dated and raw, but that’s what turned it into such an influential compilation.

Even 45 years later, ‘Chicago XI’ isn’t their best-loved original-lineup album. Yet, for better or worse, it remains one of the most memorable of the era.

Here are the ’60s classic-rock records we simply couldn’t live without if something went wrong on our three-hour tour … our three-hour tour …

Released 55 years ago this week, the Yardbirds’ ‘Little Games’ showed a whole lot of imagination – despite their looming fate.