Top 10 Rock Tribute Albums

Tribute albums can be a hit or miss proposition. The basic premise is to have a bunch of artists record songs by another artist and put them all on one album. Some artists choose to record faithful  versions of the original songs and others try to put their own stamp on a song by revamping the songs completely. Here is a list of some of the best rock tribute albums.  

Jimi Hendrix. Photo: Michael Ochs Archives-Getty Images

1.  Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix (1993)

This tribute album is a combination of some of Jimi Hendrix's contemporaries like Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy and newer artists at the time like Body Count and P.M. Dawn.
Highlights from this album include the following:
Eric Clapton "Stone Free"
Seal and Jeff Beck "Manic Depression"
Slash, Paul Rodgers and Band of Gypsys "I Don't Live Today"
M.A.C.C. "Hey Baby (Land of the New Rising Sun)"
M.A.C.C. was Pearl Jam's Mike McCready and Jeff Ament with Soundgarden's Chris Cornell and Matt Cameron. 

Album cover courtesy of Elektra Entertainment Group.

2.  Stoned Immaculate: The Music of The Doors (2000)

American record producer Ralph Sall put together this tribute album to The Doors using both contemporary artists and surviving band members guitarist Robby Krieger, drummer John Densmore, and keyboardist Ray Manzarek (who died in 2013). The Lizard King himself, Jim Morrison, appears on four album tracks:
"Roadhouse Rap" -  Jim Morrison spoken word track.
"Under Waterfall" and "The Cosmic Movie" - featuring the original Doors' members.
"Roadhouse Blues" - with blues legend John Lee Hooker, the surviving Doors, Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist Flea and others.
Other album highlights include:
Stone Temple Pilots "Break On Through (To the Other Side)" - featuring Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek.
Aerosmith "Love Me Two Times" - featuring Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek.

Album cover courtesy of Mercury, Interscope, Universal Records.

3.  AHK-toong BAY-bi Covered: A Tribute to U2 (2011)

AHK-toong BAY-bi Covered features covers of U2's entire 1991 Achtung Baby album. It includes 11 tracks covered by a who's who of rock artists plus a remix of U2's "Even Better Than The Real Thing". It was released in 2011 as a special CD in the December 2011 issue of Q magazine. The album is now available exclusively on iTunes Store with all proceeds going to the Concern Worldwide charity.
Album highlights include:
Nine Inch Nails "Zoo Station".
Garbage "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses".
Depeche Mode "So Cruel".
Jack White "Love Is Blindness" - also featured on 2013's The Great Gatsby movie soundtrack. 

Album cover courtesy of A&M Records.

4.  For the Masses - A Tribute to Depeche Mode (1998)

For the Masses is a Depeche Mode tribute album that celebrates the music of principle songwriter Martin Gore. Originally Nine Inch Nails, Foo Fighters, and Marilyn Manson wanted to participate but their schedules prevented them. Manson later recorded a version of "Personal Jesus" for his Lest We Forget greatest hits album.
The tribute album's standout tracks include:
The Smashing Pumpkins "Never Let Me Down Again".
Failure "Enjoy The Silence".
The Cure "World in My Eyes".
Deftones "To Have and to Hold". 

Album cover courtesy of Atlantic Records.

5.  Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin (1995)

Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin was an album which featured artists signed to or affiliated with Atlantic Records (Led Zeppelin's label) at the time it was released.
The album's best tracks include:
Stone Temple Pilots "Dancing Days".
Blind Melon "Out on the Tiles".
Cracker "Good Times, Bad Times"

Album cover courtesy of Columbia Records.

6.  We're a Happy Family: A Tribute to Ramones (2003)

This tribute album to The Ramones was organized by Johnny Ramone who had complete control over the project. Rob Zombie co-produced and provided the album's artwork.
Highlights of the album include:
Red Hot Chili Peppers "Havana Affair".
Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder with Zeke "I Believe In Miracles".
Metallica "53rd & 3rd".
U2 "Beat On The Brat".
John Frusciante "Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World" (Hidden Track)

Album cover courtesy: Caroline Records.

7.  The Bridge: A Tribute to Neil Young (1989)

This tribute album to Neil Young featured alternative rock artists covering Young's songs. A portion of the proceeds were donated to Young's Bridge School charity.
Highlights include:
The Flaming Lips "After the Gold Rush".
Pixies "Winterlong".
Sonic Youth "Computer Age". 

Album cover courtesy of Hollywood Records.

8.  Working Class Hero: A Tribute to John Lennon (2005)

Working Class Hero: A Tribute to John Lennon is a tribute album dedicated exclusively to covers of the late Beatles' singer/songwriter's solo work.
Album highlights include:
Red Hot Chili Peppers "I Found Out".
Mad Season "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier". (Listen)
Cheap Trick "Cold Turkey". (Listen) 

Album cover courtesy Hollywood Records.

9.  Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen (2005)

This 2005 album pays tribute to the band Queen with covers by a wide range of artists.
Standout tracks include:
Shinedown "Tie Your Mother Down". (Listen)
Eleven featuring Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme "Stone Cold Crazy". (Listen)
Breaking Benjamin "Who Wants To Live Forever". (Listen)
The Flaming Lips "Bohemian Rhapsody". (Listen) More »

Album cover courtesy of C/Z Records.

10.  Hard to Believe: A Kiss Covers Compilation

Hard to Believe: A Kiss Covers Compilation (1990) is an out of print Kiss tribute album notable for featuring underground independent bands of the late 1980's.
Notable tracks include:
Nirvana "Do You Love Me?". (Listen). This gritty cover is one of two Nirvana studio tracks that feature short-term guitarist Jason Everman. It is also a rare track featuring bassist Krist Novoselic on backing and some lead vocals. Kurt Cobain's mock cat calls at the song's end lampoon Kiss' sexism to hilarious effect.