Some music projects hold a certain mystery, especially the ones that never got their time to shine. These unfinished albums spark curiosity and leave fans imagining what could have been.
Classic rock history is filled with stories of creative differences, unexpected interruptions, and plans that never came together. Among them are a few albums that remain tantalizing “what-ifs” in the genre.
Here, we’ll look at four classic rock albums that were left incomplete or unreleased. While one managed to surface years later, the others remain lost treasures waiting to be rediscovered.
1. The Lost Jagger and Red Devils Collaboration
In the early ‘90s, Mick Jagger teamed up with producer Rick Rubin and the blues-rock band The Red Devils for an exciting project. Over a dozen tracks were recorded, hinting at an album that could have been a bold departure for the Rolling Stones frontman.
This collaboration showcased raw, bluesy energy that could have set Jagger’s solo career on a fresh path. Unfortunately, the project was shelved as Jagger decided to explore other musical directions instead.
To this day, fans wonder what might have been. The untitled album remains an intriguing “what-if” in the world of classic rock.
2. Get Back by The Beatles
The ‘Get Back’ sessions were supposed to be a fresh start for The Beatles, focusing on a more stripped-down, live-recorded approach. However, what was intended to be an album of raw energy was soon overshadowed by tension within the band.
Much of what was recorded ended up on their final release, Let It Be, but the vision Paul McCartney had for Get Back never came to fruition. John Lennon was particularly uninterested in the project, especially with the constant filming.
Lennon described the sessions as a “dreadful” experience, and it was clear that the band’s heart wasn’t in it. The unique concept of Get Back would never see the light of day, leaving fans to wonder about its potential.
3. Homegrown by Neil Young
Neil Young’s Homegrown was recorded in the 1970s but stayed locked away for decades. Initially, Young chose to release Tonight’s The Night instead, a more upbeat and energized project.
In 2020, fans were finally treated to Homegrown, an album full of raw emotion and authenticity. Young even apologized for keeping it hidden for so long, acknowledging the pain reflected in the music.
“This is the one that got away,” he said, reflecting on the album’s delayed release. The album, restored from the original master tapes, offered a glimpse into a different chapter of Young’s musical journey.
4. Black Gold by Jimi Hendrix
Black Gold was an unfinished album that never saw the light of day due to the untimely death of Jimi Hendrix. The legendary guitarist had been working on it, but his passing left the project incomplete.
Years later, Mitch Mitchell discovered some of the tapes in the 1990s. One track, “Suddenly November Morning,” was released, giving fans a rare glimpse of what might have been.
Despite the brief release, Black Gold remains largely unfinished. With Mitchell’s death in 2010, it’s unlikely that the rest of the project will ever be fully revealed.