The decibel diaries: a journey through rock in 50 concerts

1970. First ride : James Gang

1973. Don't be denied : Neil Young & the Stray Gators

Balance of power : Traffic and Free

"I've been downhearted, baby..." : B. B. King

The four-day ring : Deep Purple

1974. The call of the wild : Ted Nugent & the Amboy Dukes

Setting sail in a topographic ocean : Yes

Truly slow... hand : Eric Clapton

"Tin soldiers and Nixon coming" : CSNY/Santana

Touring in the material world : George Harrison

1975. The best stuff in town : The Rolling Stones

Tear gas and toilet paper : The Great American Music Fair

An afro and a fine skylark : Fleetwood Mac

1976. Sweatin' bullets : Lynyrd Skynyrd

Six-string outlaws : The Eagles

1977. A new architecture : Talking Heads

Crosstown traffic : The Cars

1978. Sound and vision : David Bowie

"Hey! Ho! Let's go!" : Ramones

"There should be more dancing!" : The Police

1979. "I'm so bored with the U.S.A" : The Clash

An interesting table guest : John Cougar & the Zone

Even the losers get lucky (Third time) : Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

1981. Before the purple reign : Prince

"For those about to rock (We salute you)" : AC/DC

1982. Rollin' on the river : U2

Showtime : The J. Geils Band

Sabbath vs. Ozzy : Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne

Who's last... but, not really : The Who

In a hard place : Aerosmith

1984. "I love rock 'n' roll" : Joan Jett

Till the fat lady sings : Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

1985. The global jukebox : Live Aid

Your mascara is running : Mötley Crüe

1987. Live... and alive : Stevie Ray Vaughan

Which one is pink? : Roger Waters and Pink Floyd

Meanwhile, back in the jungle... : Guns N' Roses

1990. "Tear down the wall!" : Roger Waters

Getting back : Paul McCartney

1992. Exile on Monroe Drive : The Black Crowes

1993. A Wylde night : The Allman Brothers Band

"This guitar is brand-new, and I decided I don't like it": Nirvana

1994. Digging in the Garden : Pearl Jam

1996. The ocean : Bush, Goo Goo Dolls, and No Doubt

Cliff notes from upstate : Phish

2000. A cheap golden jubilee : Joe Perry with Cheap Trick

2001. U2 reclaims its mojo (or Fighting the Bono mono) : U2

2008. Side by side, they walk the night : Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

2014. Power hitter : Jack White

2015. Life after the fast lane : Joe Walsh.