Best classic rock vinyl albums

Start with Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here — it's the one classic rock LP that works for almost everyone: long, patient songs, a warm pressing, and it rewards a good turntable without demanding one.

Then, by who's listening:

• The Beatles – Abbey Road: the safest first Beatles record; side two's medley is the reason people get into vinyl.
• Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II: for anyone who wants riffs and volume rather than atmosphere.
• Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon (50th Anniversary): the pick if you want the deluxe, heavyweight version and the surround mixes.
• The Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers: for the gritty, bluesy side of classic rock, in a proper gatefold with the zipper cover.
• Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath: the heaviest of the bunch, and the gateway to hard rock and metal.
• Wishbone Ash – Argus and Gentle Giant – Octopus: deeper cuts for someone who already owns the obvious albums.
• The Best of Classic Rock compilations: a cheap way to sample the era before committing to full albums.

Skip Face Dances and Private Eyes as starting points — fine records, but neither is where a classic rock collection begins.