10 Most Important Rock Albums Of All Time

At the midpoint of the '60s, the Beatles really could go two different ways. With their rigorous touring schedule getting out of hand, they could either spend life just making the same old rock music in the studio or quietly retire from the public eye altogether. Which one did they decide to do? How about transcend rock music as a whole?

Being one of the first concept albums, Sgt. Peppers was originally Paul McCartney's idea to make the next record as an imaginary group. Though the concept might not hold any water in the lyrics, each of the tracks on here had enough weirdness to launch entire careers unto themselves. From Within You Without You being the peak of psychedelia to the wonder of Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds making way for art rock, every track on this album is a unique reflection of the Beatles growing into artistic thinkers. That's before you even get to a Day in the Life, which is almost cinematic in its portrayal of mundane existence.

Coming out right in the middle of the Summer of Love, Sgt Peppers put the Beatles right in the center of the '60s movement, with every other group trying to follow their lead in terms of making the most inventive music that they could. As opposed to the usual classic albums of the time, Sgt. Peppers is the sound of the greatest minds in rock music coming together to make a cultural milestone.