What album do you consider to be a cornerstone of Rock n' Roll?

If you are referring to "Rock n' Roll", I would say Bill Haley & the Comets' "Rock around the clock" album. That got people listening & interested in rock n' roll.

If you are referring to "rock", I would say The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper" album, which transformed rock n' roll into rock & took it in an entirely new direction with endless possibilities.

Any of the 1950s LPs by Chuck Berry, Little Richard or Elvis.

Everyone else were followers.

1971 was not the year rock and roll began. I am taking your question as foundational.

This is purly opinion based. However, with that being said I believe Led Zeppelin IV is the 'cornerstone' of Rock n' Roll.

I'd say The Rolling Stones Exile On Main St. It has that effortless and thrown together feel that many bands wish they could pull off. And most importantly, it ROCKS.

Blizzard of Ozz

accept ,gnr,

KISS - Alive II

AC/DC - Back in Black

I consider it to be "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles. It totally changed the way groups marketed their music. Before that, albums released by artists were simply compilations of their hits along with B-sides and filler material. The Beatles released this album with the intent of it being an album first, hit singles later. Since then, artists release albums and then those generate hit singles, not the other way around like it used to be.

ozzy, led zeppelin, the rolling stones, and the beatles

Buddy Holly and the Cricket's early albums

Barbara,
great question! I actually do not attribute "one" album to be the corner stone; but, several for transcending Rock along the way. Although I will acknowledge the importance of Elvis, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry among others - they were also before my time. Without getting too lengthy this is what I think are some corner stones, based on message, style of music, impact on general society, and/or method of performance (either live or on film).

1. The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's.....(1966)
2. The Doors - (Self Title Debut) (1966)
2. Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced (1967)
3. The Doors - Waiting for the Sun (1968) The Unknown Soldier was banned from the U.S. airwaves.
4. The Who - Quadrophenia (1973) - Have you seen this cast in the film?
5. Metallica - Load (1996)

Now, lets go listen to some Mozart my friend - I need a glass of Merlot!

Gerry :)))

UPDATE: By the way - I would really like to put the Stones up there in that list - but with so much to choose within the genre of the Stones I am unable to make an effective selection. Additionally, there are other Bands like Cream and even the Eagles, ughhh! I will stick with my original list.

KISS Alive I

pink floyd's "dark side of the moon"
the beatles "sargent peppers"
nirvana's "nevermind"

those are my top three picks

edit: hmm, i should probably stick kiss in there somewhere, i just dont know which album of their's was the biggest :(

Early Elvis Presley, early Beatles, Led Zeppelin I and
Dark Side of the Moon all took Rock n Roll leaps forward...

...but if you want one album its gotta be Exile on Main Street.

Buddy Holly - Buddy Holly

Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Machine Head by Deep Purple
Zoso by Led Zeppelin
Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd

13th Floor Elevators - Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators

JAMES DEAN , rebel without a cause. Ops , that's was for actor and movie , ooo , i do no , could be , ELVIS & THE BEATLES. Hmmm , you talking about album , well , i think , it's was SARGENT PEPPERS.

That depends on whether you mean Rock n' Roll as in : just 1950's , or Rock as in : 1950+

Just 1950's :~ Buddy Holly ~ Buddy Holly

1950+ :~ The Beatles ~ Revolver