How about tracing your music listening habits through the years by picking out one album each decade that was most important to your personal music listening. Doesn’t matter if it was a biggie or not universally, but what was the biggest difference maker of the decade for you?

Something like this…

70s
Sex Pistols: Never Mind The Bullocks – I was way too young when I bought this as my first even personal purchase, non-gift album as a twelve year old. But, it was certainly the kick-start that sent me on my way as to what kinda stuff I’d end up listening to. This album led me to explore the English punk scene and got me into reggae after listening to the Clash. It got me into the US punk scene that had faded and sent me straight into the hardcore scene in the US that was emerging. And, it got me into post-punk stuff like PIL when I saw it was John’s new band.

80s
Run DMC: King of Rock – Hello rap music. OK…heard Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash, and Sugarhill Gang with singles and a few assorted others tossed in there. But, this was a full length that kicked ass from start to finish. It was familiar enough to be instantly appealing, while taking off in another direction.

90s
Massive Attack: Protection – Got me more interested in more laid back electronic stuff. Had heard bits and pieces of electronic based stuff that was good and liked what dub I had heard, but this one got me off my ass and really seeking things out. It didn’t hurt that the internet was making it easier and easier to find and hear different types of music.

00s
Not really sure yet. Not so sure anything’s really been all that new and different that I’ve come across. And, I’m going back in time with a lot of stuff by getting more and more interested in jazz. I guess I’m still waiting for the album that opens new things up for this decade.

What’s missing?
Tons of stuff. All the old rockabilly and r&b that I love. But that kinda stuff was always there for me at home, never had to seek anything like that out. Industrial music; I almost took the first Revolting Cocks album as my 80s pick, but as rap has had more staying power and opened up in way more directions than Industrial, I went with the Run DMC. Hearing Miles Davis in the late 80s and starting a slowly growing interest in jazz. Winning tickets to see some old man called John Lee Hooker and suddenly getting the blues. Hearing some serious funk at parties a buddy used to throw. All moments in time and all important. But, forcing myself to pick, I’m sticking with the albums above as the biggest in my life.

So…what made you the music fan you are today?