I think we can all agree that the most American thing in the United States is dads. I am talking the 55+, beer-gutted, baby booming, red-blooded dudes that taught you how to drive and had no shame about flatulence while they were watching The Deadliest Catch in the living room. Not only are dads a spitting image of who you will be in 35 years, but they are also a window into the past! They were born after a war was winding down and essentially shaped the tumultuous, formerly exceedingly prosperous period that many of us all saw as children. Their impact is tangible in many ways still, but on a personal level, I have my own dad to thank for getting me into music.  (Major shouts to all the moms, too, whose work is invaluable, but it’s way easier to make fun of dads who are smellier and hairier).

With this in mind, and to get in the spirit of Independence day, I made an entire playlist of patriotic classic rock songs that your baby boomer dad would be extremely stoked about. In fact, I am pretty sure that every artist on here–think Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen, Grateful Dead, Billy Joel, Jimi Hendrix–was originally introduced to me by my dad. So as you celebrate the Fourth of July this weekend, think about all the people that came before you–dads, moms, and beyond–crack a disgusting watered down beer, and have yourself some fun.

What bands did your parents turn you onto when you were young? Let us know in the comments below.

Image: Columbia Records