On July 21, 1987, Guns N' Roses released Appetite for Destruction, one of the greatest debut albums in rock history. Blending hard rock, punk attitude, blues, and raw street energy, the album introduced the world to Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan, Izzy Stradlin, and Steven Adler with a sound that stood apart from the polished glam metal dominating the era. Featuring timeless classics like "Welcome to the Jungle", "Sweet Child O' Mine", "Paradise City", "Mr. Brownstone", and "It's So Easy", the album slowly built momentum before becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It eventually sold more than 30 million copies, making it the best-selling debut album in U.S. history and one of the defining records of the hard rock genre. More than three decades later, Appetite for Destruction remains the standard by which all rock debuts are measured. Produced by Mike Clink.

On July 21, 1976, KISS released The Originals, a deluxe boxed set containing the band's first three studio albums: KISS, Hotter Than Hell, and Dressed to Kill. Arriving at the height of KISS Mania, the collection gave new fans an easy way to own the albums that launched the band while capitalizing on the massive success of Alive! and Destroyer. Packaged with a booklet, a KISS Army sticker, and a full-color biography, The Originals became one of the earliest major rock box sets and helped cement the band's growing mythology. For many fans, it served as the perfect introduction to the raw, hungry version of KISS before they became international superstars. Produced by Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise (KISS), Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise (Hotter Than Hell), and Neil Bogart (Dressed to Kill).

On July 21, 2023, Greta Van Fleet released Starcatcher, the band's third studio album, continuing their evolution from blues-based hard rock into more expansive psychedelic and progressive territory. Featuring tracks like "Meeting the Master", "The Falling Sky", "Sacred the Thread", and "Farewell for Now", the album showcased a band becoming more confident in its own identity while expanding beyond the classic rock comparisons that marked its early career. Debuting in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200, Starcatcher reinforced Greta Van Fleet as one of the leading modern bands carrying the torch for classic-inspired rock. Produced by Dave Cobb.