Lzzy Hale picks her favorite albums of all time. One of the most-known singers Lzzy Hale adds her shouting vocal tone and guitar riff parts for the music bands like Halestorm. In this article, we will look at the albums that Lzzy Hale named her favorite of all time.
Lzzy Hale, the powerful frontwoman of the hard-rock band Halestorm, has appeared as a challenging force in the music industry and fans with her stage performance and her scream vocals. Lzzy Hale has established herself as a famous character in the modern rock and metal scene as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, redefining the position of women in the genre.
Lzzy Hale, Halestorm’s main vocalist and rhythm guitarist, offers a unique combination of grit and vulnerability to the band’s songs. Her strong voice smoothly shifts from melodic to extreme, producing a dynamic and fascinating audio experience for Halestorm’s best fans.
Elizabeth Mae Hale IV was born October 10, 1983; also known as Lzzy Hale, is an American singer and rhythm guitarist best known as the main singer and rhythm guitarist of the hard rock band Halestorm, which she co-founded in 1997 with her brother Arejay Hale. She has now achieved fame as the main vocalist of Halestorm, as well as with guest performances with fellow rock/metal acts and performers from other genres.
Gibson Guitars also selected Lzzy Hale as the company’s first female brand ambassador in 2021. Lzzy Hale, a long-time user, and admirer, previously collaborated with Gibson to develop the Limited Edition Lzzy Hale Explorer guitar and other signature versions for Gibson and Epiphone.
Halestorm has received recognition and success throughout their history, garnering them loyal fans and multiple honors, including a Grammy Award for “Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance” in 2013. Albums like “The Strange Case Of…” (2012), “Vicious” (2018), and “Back from the Dead” (2022) highlight Lzzy Hale’s songwriting skills as well as Halestorm’s dedication to pushing the frontiers of hard-rock music.
Halestorm has five studio albums, one live album, ten extended plays, twenty-one singles, ten promotional singles, and twenty-one music videos in the band’s discography. Eleven of Halestorm’s songs have reached the top 10 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, including six number ones.
With “Uncomfortable,” Halestorm equaled The Pretty Reckless for the number one singles by a female rock artist or female-fronted rock band (four).
Lzzy Hale focuses mainly on tracks she listened to as a teenager in the 1990s, while not all the records are from that decade. Many of her must-haves, she said, shaped her as she discovered her voice. She features powerhouse vocalists such as Ann Wilson and Ronnie James Dio. However, she has some faves that “just make her feel good.” You can check her favorite albums below!
Lzzy Hale’s Favorite Albums of All Time
Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale has also shared her respect for heavy metal and other musicians. Hale picks her favorite albums of all time. However, many genres from blues, classical rock, jazz, pop-rock, and metal inspired her, but she also likes to listen to all kinds of music genres.
Which albums does Lzzy Hale listen to?
- Ray of Light (1998) – Madonna
- Love It to Death (1971) – Alice Cooper
- Holy Diver (1983) – Ronnie James Dio
- The Road Home (1995) – Heart
- Night Songs (1986) – Cinderella
- Heaven and Hell (1980) – Black Sabbath
In an interview with Revolver, Halestorm‘s frontwoman and guitarist Lzzy Hale shared the Top 7 Albums of All Time. Check out Lzzy Hale’s favorite albums below!
1. Ray of Light (1998) – Madonna
Madonna‘s “Ray of Light” album, released in 1998, was a turning point in the famous singer’s musical career. The album featured a more meditative and spiritually charged Madonna, addressing themes of parenthood, enlightenment, and self-discovery, with a turn toward electronic and ambient music. “Ray of Light,” created with electronic music master William Orbit, was a critical and financial success.
“Ray of Light” is driven by Madonna’s ambition for artistic rebirth. The album’s music is inspired by the late 1990s’ emerging electronica and trip-hop genres, generating a sonic environment that contrasts sharply with her earlier works.
“Ray of Light” breaks from Madonna’s previous pop-oriented recordings, diving into more intricate and experimental realms. Tracks like “Frozen,” with its haunting melody and evocative lyrics, and “Drowned World/Substitute for Love,” a contemplative ballad about the difficulties of celebrity, reveal Madonna’s desire to accept vulnerability and dig into deeper emotional issues.
The album’s deep journey concludes with “Mer Girl,” a heartbreaking and beautiful ending ballad that digs into Madonna’s personal hardships and her mother’s death. This contemplative masterpiece establishes “Ray of Light” as a very intimate and transforming album, giving fans a unique peek into the artist’s mind.
As a result of Madonna’s embrace of Kabbalah, her study of Hinduism and Buddhism, and her daily practice of Ashtanga yoga, mystical themes are noticeable in both the music and lyrics.
Lzzy Hale shared why she likes “Ray of Light” by Madonna as one of her favorite albums of all time:
“Curveball. One of my most worn out albums… I don’t know why, but it makes me feel good when I put it on. She is trying to discover herself.”
2. Love It to Death (1971) – Alice Cooper
“Love It to Death,” Alice Cooper’s third studio album, is regarded as a critical turning point in the band’s history and the genesis of the shock rock genre. This essential album, released in 1971, propelled Alice Cooper into rock stardom, showing their particular combination of theatricality, macabre narrative, and hard-hitting rock sound. Songs like “I’m Eighteen” and “Ballad of Dwight Fry,” “Love It to Death” established the band’s reputation.
From the opening song, “Caught in a Dream,” to the melancholy concluding track, “Sun Arise,” “Love It to Death,” takes listeners on a fantastic rock and shock journey.
“I’m Eighteen,” the album’s breakout hit, became an anthem for restless youth, resonating with youngsters everywhere and driving the band to international recognition. The song’s raw and rebellious energy and Alice Cooper’s fascinating stage persona transformed them into a mysterious figure who fascinated and terrified fans at the same time.
Alice Cooper’s pioneering and landmark record “Love It to Death” established their place in rock history.
In addition, “Love It to Death” continues to capture new audiences, making it a classic and testament to Alice Cooper’s theatrical style and influence regular force.
Lzzy Hale shared why she likes “Love It to Death” by Alice Cooper as one of her favorite albums of all time:
“I grew up on a lot of my parents’ music, so there’s a lot of classic rock in my background from the Seventies and Eighties. And one of the earliest records that I remember listening to with my dad is Love It to Death. And it was so funny because I remember being an 11-year-old and really loving this record, and trying to play it at a slumber party with my friends who were into TLC and the Backstreet Boys. And you realize when you pop it in, “Oh, I’m a different type of girl!”
So thanks to that record I was introduced to my own oddball-ness. That was the moment I realized I was different. And the great thing about Alice Cooper is that you get into his catalog and you realize he’s the weirdest one of them all. And I just ended up owning it. I remember being discouraged at first and then gathering a lot of strength from that.”
3. Holy Diver (1983) – Ronnie James Dio
On May 25, 1983, Holy Diver was released. Many critics still believe it to be Ronnie James Dio‘s best album and a heavy metal masterpiece. On September 12, 1984, the album was certified gold in the United States. Platinum was released on March 21, 1989.
Rock Candy Records remixed and reissued the album in 2005. This edition includes an interview with Ronnie James Dio. He answers numerous questions about the CD on tracks 10-19. During the interview, the questions will not be asked. They are, however, available in printed form in the CD booklet. The singles’ B-sides, primarily live tracks, are still unavailable on CD. A limited edition from Japan is an exception.
“Holy Diver,” Ronnie James Dio’s debut solo album, is regarded as a pioneering effort in the genre and a definite highlight of his brilliant career. The album, released in 1983, cemented Dio’s standing as a critical player in the metal industry by showcasing his tremendous vocal prowess and songwriting brilliance. “Holy Diver” is a timeless classic that stays popular with metal fans worldwide, thanks to its legendary title track and various heavy-hitting choruses.
Lzzy Hale talked about why she likes “Holy Diver” by Ronnie James Dio as one of her favorite albums of all time:
“This was another one I was listening to when I was about 11 or 12. I was introduced to it before I knew of Dio’s relationship to Black Sabbath and all of that. I just remember his voice being so incredibly transcendent. And he wasn’t afraid of strange subject matter — he never really aimed for the middle. It was always an extreme on one end of the other. I remember getting a lot of inspiration from that when I was first learning to write songs.
And so I ended up writing a lot of odd songs when I was younger, about, you know, mystical timekeepers and time travelers and all this stuff. It’s because I dug so deep into Dio. And this record is awesome because I can still go back now as an adult and learn new things from it every time I pop it on.”
4. The Road Home (1995) – Heart
“The Road Home,” a great album by the legendary rock band Heart, gives a unique twist on their old tunes through a compilation of reinvented acoustic versions. The album, released in 1995, features the Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy, paying homage to their rock heritage while infusing their timeless songs.
The Road Home, a live album published in 1995, is Heart’s fifteenth album overall. It documents a “unplugged” club concert in their hometown of Seattle. Many of the band’s classics, including “Dreamboat Annie,” “Alone,” and “Barracuda,” are performed acoustically.
John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, to whom Ann and Nancy Wilson paid tribute with their band the Lovemongers, produced the record. “He was a prince among men,” Ann said. The cover image is an antique portrait of Ann and Nancy Wilson as children holding a candle.
“The Road Home” is a contemplative and lyrical journey through Heart’s discography, with its stripped-down arrangements and genuine performances. The album includes acoustic versions of some of Heart’s most well-known songs, including “Dreamboat Annie,” “Crazy on You,” and “Barracuda.”
“The Road Home” also includes innovative versions of famous rock songs such as Led Zeppelin’s “The Battle of Evermore” and Elton John’s “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters.” These choices demonstrate Heart’s ability to pay homage to their musical origins while giving the songs their unique flavor.
Heart exhibits an excellent appreciation for the roots of rock music throughout “The Road Home,” as well as a dedication to keeping the essence of their original works. The CD is a tribute to Heart’s ongoing appeal, reminding fans of the band’s heritage as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1970s and beyond.
Lzzy Hale talked about why she likes “The Road Home” by Heart as one of her favorite albums of all time:
“This was actually the first Heart record I ever listened to. Up until then I was listening to a lot of guy-fronted bands, and I think it was my mom who was like, “OK, you’ve gotta listen to some female rockers, too!” I remember having it click vocally with me, like, “Oh, wow, it’s possible for a female to sound like that!” Especially because it’s a live record, so you can really hear everything – not just with Ann vocals but also with Nancy guitar playing.
The whole band is just so solid and it’s an amazing, amazing performance. And I remember it was my mission to figure out how they did that, how they actually sounded like that. But yeah, this was the first female-fronted CD I fell in love with.”
5. Night Songs (1986) – Cinderella
Cinderella‘s debut album, “Night Songs,” broke onto the glam metal scene in 1986 with an electric mix of catchy songs, powerful vocals, and glam-infused rock. “Night Songs” captures the essence of ’80s hair metal with classics like “Nobody’s Fool” and “Shake Me,” and it remains a revered classic among rock fans.
“Night Songs,” the album’s opening single and title track, sets the tone with gritty guitars and frontman Tom Keifer’s unique vocals. Cinderella’s ability to perfectly merge glam aesthetics with a bluesy undertone is highlighted by the track’s sensual lyrics and hard-hitting beat, defining their unique style within the glam metal genre.
“Nobody’s Fool” was the album’s breakout smash, showcasing Cinderella’s talent at writing radio-friendly rock ballads. The song’s soaring chorus and passionate vocals secured the band’s place in the hearts of power ballad fans and became an MTV fixture, sending “Night Songs” even higher up the charts.
Cinderella’s musical prowess is shown throughout the album, with guitarist Jeff LaBar delivering searing solos and the rhythm section of Eric Brittingham and Fred Coury providing a solid foundation for the band’s addictive tunes.
“Night Songs” is a well-balanced collection of anthemic rockers like “Somebody Save Me” and “Push, Push,” as well as soft ballads like “Coming Home” that showcase Keifer’s diverse vocal range. That’s why this album is so essential for Cinderella fans.
Lzzy Hale talked about why she likes “Night Songs” by Cinderella as one of her favorite albums of all time:
I got this record and I devoured it. And then I ended up becoming obsessed with this compilation VHS tape they put out of all the videos of the songs on that record. That was when it clicked for me on guitar — it was the way that Tom wielded that white Les Paul Custom in those videos. Really, that was probably the biggest reason why I ended up picking up a guitar, let alone a white Les Paul Custom. Cinderella obviously got caught up in the hair metal scene but they were such a blues band.
And such a good live band. And it’s so funny because now I’ve gotten to know Tom and he’s a very good friend of mine. And the last time we saw him live my bass player pointed out, “Oh, dude, I get it! You have the same vibrato!” I never noticed that before. But I think early on that stuff just kind of soaks in. So Tom’s a big reason why I play the way I do, and probably why I sing the way I do.”
6. Heaven and Hell (1980) – Black Sabbath
Heaven and Hell is the ninth studio album released by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath on April 18, 1980. It is the first album to feature vocalist Ronnie James Dio, who took over for founding vocalist Ozzy Osbourne in 1979.
Martin Birch also produced the album, and it was a commercial success, especially in the United States, where it peaked at number 28 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum for one million sales. It sold well enough in the United Kingdom to be certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry in April 1982.
“Heaven and Hell,” the album’s title tune, quickly shows Dio’s dominating vocal skills, giving a dramatic layer to the band’s distinctive heavy sound. Tony Iommi’s superb guitar riffs and Geezer Butler’s thunderous basslines create an enormous, atmospheric metal song that became a mainstay of Black Sabbath’s live performances.
Aside from the title tune, “Heaven and Hell” contains many memorable tracks that combine elements of metal, hard rock, and progressive rock. Songs like “Neon Knights” and “Die Young” showcase the band’s honed songwriting skills.
“Heaven and Hell” was a financial success that revived Black Sabbath’s career, gaining critical acclaim from fans and critics. The album’s artistic and economic success verified Ozzy Osbourne’s seamless shift to Dio as the band’s vocalist and maintained Black Sabbath’s position as a leading force in heavy metal.
Lzzy Hale talked about why she likes “Heaven and Hell” by Black Sabbath as one of her favorite albums of all time:
“Once I started to make the transition to guitar. Because I was playing keyboards when we started the band. I was trying to figure out riffs I could play without really having a lot of knowledge. And my dad ended up showing me Black Sabbath’s Heaven and Hell, because he knew I loved Dio.
So he asked me, “Have you ever dug into this?” And I was like, “No, this is awesome!” And one of the first riffs I learned was the title track, “Heaven and Hell.” That riff, it gave me hope. Like, “Awesome! I can play!””
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