Feb 25, 2012
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time is the cover story of a special issue of Rolling Stone magazine published in November 2003. The list was based on the votes of 273 rock musicians, critics and industry figures, each of whom submitted a weighted list of 50 albums. Various music genres were featured in the list, including pop, rock, soul, blues, folk, jazz, hip hop, and combinations thereof. The accounting firm Ernst & Young devised a point system to weigh votes for 1,600 submitted titles.[1]
The list was released in book form in 2005, with an introduction written by Steven Van Zandt. The book's list was slightly different, explained in the editor's foreword as the removal of some compilation albums and the consolidation of the two LPs of Robert Johnson's King of the Delta Blues Singers into The Complete Recordings, making room for 8 additional albums on the list. Some differences include the addition of such albums as Aquemini by OutKast. The order was also rearranged, with Chuck Berry's The Great Twenty-Eight being lower on the list.
The list's apparent generational bias toward the 1960s and 1970s prompted a response. Following the publicity surrounding the list, rock critic Jim DeRogatis, a former Rolling Stone editor, published Kill Your Idols: A New Generation of Rock Writers Reconsiders the Classics (ISBN 1-56980-276-9) in 2004. This featured a number of younger critics arguing against the magazine's high evaluation of various "classic" albums, including DeRogatis taking on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which had been Rolling Stone's top choice.
Artists with the most albums in the list
* The Beatles (with 4 in the top 10) - 11
* Bob Dylan (with 2 in the top 10) and The Rolling Stones (with 1 in the top 10) - 10
* Bruce Springsteen - 8
* The Who - 7
* Elton John and David Bowie - 6
* The Byrds, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley & the Wailers, Otis Redding, U2, and Neil Young - 5
Number of albums from each decade
* 1950s or before - 29 albums (5.8%)
* 1960s - 126 (25.2%) (with 7 of the top 10)
* 1970s - 183 (36.6%) (with the other 3 of the Top Ten)
* 1980s - 88 (17.6%)
* 1990s - 61 (12.2%)
* 2000s - 13 (2.6%)
The list on RollingStone.com
http://www.rollingstone.com/
001. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-Beatles
002. Pet Sounds-Beach Boys
003. Revolver-Beatles
004. Highway 61 Revisited-Bob Dylan
005. Rubber Soul-Beatles
006. What's Going On-Marvin Gaye
007. Exile On Main Street-Rolling Stones
008. London Calling-Clash
009. Blonde On Blonde-Bob Dylan
010. The White Album-Beatles
011. The Sun Sessions-Elvis Presley
012. Kind Of Blue-Miles Davis
013. Velvet Underground And Nico-Velvet Underground
014. Abbey Road-Beatles
015. Are You Experienced-Jimi Hendrix Experience
016. Blood On The Tracks-Bob Dylan
017. Nevermind-Nirvana
018. Born To Run-Bruce Springsteen
019. Astral Weeks-Van Morrison
020. Thriller-Michael Jackson
021. The Great Twenty-Eight-Chuck Berry
022. Plastic Ono Band-John Lennon
023. Innervisions-Stevie Wonder
024. Live at the Apollo-James Brown
025. Rumours-Fleetwood Mac
026. The Joshua Tree-U2
027. King Of The Delta Blues Singers, Vol. 1-Robert Johnson
028. Who's Next-The Who
029. Led Zeppelin-Led Zeppelin
030. Blue-Joni Mitchell
031. Bringing It All Back Home-Bob Dylan
032. Let It Bleed-Rolling Stones
033. Ramones-Ramones
034. Music From Big Pink-Band
035. The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars-David Bowie
036. Tapestry-Carole King
037. Hotel California-Eagles
038. The Anthology, 1947-1972-Muddy Waters
039. Please Please Me-Beatles
040. Forever Changes-Love
041. Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols-Sex Pistols
042. The Doors-Doors
043. The Dark Side Of The Moon-Pink Floyd
044. Horses-Patti Smith
045. The Band-Band
046. Legend-Bob Marley And The Wailers
047. A Love Supreme-John Coltrane
048. It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back-Public Enemy
049. At Fillmore East-Allman Brothers Band
050. Here's Little Richard-Little Richard
051. Bridge Over Troubled Waters-Simon And Garfunkel
052. Greatest Hits-Al Green
053. The Birth Of Soul, The Complete Atlantic Rhythm And Blues Recordings, 1952-1959-Ray Charles
054. Electric Ladyland-Jimi Hendrix Experience
055. Elvis Presley-Elvis Presley
056. Songs In The Key Of Life-Stevie Wonder
057. Beggars Banquet-Rolling Stones
058. Trout Mask Replica-Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band
059. Meet The Beatles-Beatles
060. Greatest Hits-Sly And The Family Stone
061. Appetite For Destruction-Guns N' Roses
062. Achtung Baby-U2
063. Sticky Fingers-Rolling Stones
064. Phil Spector, Back to Mono (1958 - 1969)-Various Artists
065. Moondance-Van Morrison
066. Led Zeppelin IV-Led Zeppelin
067. The Stranger-Billy Joel
068. Off the Wall-Michael Jackson
069. Superfly-Curtis Mayfield
070. Physical Graffiti-Led Zeppelin
071. After The Gold Rush-Neil Young
072. Purple Rain-Prince
073. Back In Black-AC/DC
074. Otis Blue-Otis Redding
075. Led Zeppelin II-Led Zeppelin
076. Imagine-John Lennon
077. The Clash-Clash
078. Harvest-Neil Young
079. Star Time-James Brown
080. Odessey And Oracle-Zombies
081. Graceland-Paul Simon
082. Axis, Bold As Love-Jimi Hendrix Experience
083. I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You-Aretha Franklin
084. Lady Soul-Aretha Franklin
085. Born In The U.S.A.-Bruce Springsteen
086. Let It Be-Beatles
087. The Wall-Pink Floyd
088. At Folsom Prison-Johnny Cash
089. Dusty In Memphis-Dusty Springfield
090. Talking Book-Stevie Wonder
091. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road-Elton John
092. 20 Golden Greats-Buddy Holly
093. Sign 'O' The Times-Prince
094. Bitches Brew-Miles Davis
095. Green River-Creedence Clearwater Revival
096. Tommy-Who
097. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan-Bob Dylan
098. This Year's Model-Elvis Costello
099. There's A Riot Goin' On-Sly And The Family Stone
100. In The Wee Small Hours-Frank Sinatra
101. Fresh Cream-Cream
102. Giant Steps-John Coltrane
103. Sweet Baby James-James Taylor
104. Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music-Ray Charles
105. Rocket To Russia-Ramones
106. Portrait Of A Legend 1951 - 1964-Sam Cooke
107. Hunky Dory-David Bowie
108. Aftermath-Rolling Stones
109. Loaded-Velvet Underground
110. The Bends-Radiohead
111. Court and Spark-Joni Mitchell
112. Disraeli Gears-Cream
113. The Who Sell Out-Who
114. Out Of Our Heads-Rolling Stones
115. Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs-Derek And The Dominos
116. At Last-Etta James
117. Sweetheart of the Rodeo-Byrds
118. Stand!-Sly and the Family Stone
119. The Harder They Come Original Soundtrack-Various Artists
120. Raising Hell-Run-DMC
121. Moby Grape-Moby Grape
122. Pearl-Janis Joplin
123. Catch a Fire-Bob Marley and the Wailers
124. Younger Than Yesterday-Byrds
125. Raw Power-Stooges
126. Remain in Light-Talking Heads
127. If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears-Mamas And The Papas
128. Marquee Moon-Television
129. 40 Greatest Hits-Hank Williams
130. Paranoid-Black Sabbath
131. Saturday Night Fever Original Soundtrack-Various Artists
132. The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle-Bruce Springsteen
133. Ready to Die-Notorious B.I.G.
134. Slanted and Enchanted-Pavement
135. Greatest Hits-Elton John
136. Tim-Replacements
137. The Chronic-Dr. Dre
138. Rejuvenation-Meters
139. All That You Can't Leave Behind-U2
140. Parallel Lines-Blondie
141. Live At The Regal-B.B. King
142. Phil Spector, A Christmas Gift for You-Various Artists
143. Gris-Gris-Dr. John
144. Straight Outta Compton-N.W.A
145. Aja-Steely Dan
146. Surrealistic Pillow-Jefferson Airplane
147. Dreams to Remember: The Otis Redding Anthology-Otis Redding
148. Deja Vu-Crosby Stills Nash and Young
149. Houses of the Holy-Led Zeppelin
150. Santana-Santana
151. Darkness on the Edge of Town-Bruce Springsteen
152. The B-52's-B-52's
153. Moanin' In The Moonlight-Howlin' Wolf
154. The Low End Theory-A Tribe Called Quest
155. Pretenders-Pretenders
156. Paul's Boutique-Beastie Boys
157. Closer-Joy Division
158. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy-Elton John
159. Alive-Kiss
160. Electric Warrior-T. Rex
161. The Dock Of The Bay-Otis Redding
162. OK Computer-Radiohead
163. 1999-Prince
164. Heart Like A Wheel-Linda Ronstadt
165. Let's Get It On-Marvin Gaye
166. Imperial Bedroom-Elvis Costello
167. Master Of Puppets-Metallica
168. My Aim Is True-Elvis Costello
169. Exodus-Bob Marley
170. Live At Leeds-Who
171. The Notorious Byrd Brothers-Byrds
172. Every Picture Tells A Story-Rod Stewart
173. Something, Anything-Todd Rundgren
174. Desire-Bob Dylan
175. Close To You-Carpenters
176. Rocks-Aerosmith
177. One Nation Under A Groove-Parliament, Funkadelic
178. Greatest Hits-Byrds
179. The Anthology 1961-1977-Curtis Mayfield And The Impressions
180. The Definitive Collection-Abba
181. The Rolling Stones, Now!-Rolling Stones
182. Natty Dread-Bob Marley And The Wailers
183. Fleetwood Mac-Fleetwood Mac
184. Red Headed Stranger-Willie Nelson
185. The Stooges-Stooges
186. Fresh-Sly And The Family Stone
187. So-Peter Gabriel
188. Buffalo Springfield Again-Buffalo Springfield
189. Happy Trails-Quicksilver Messenger Service
190. From Elvis In Memphis-Elvis Presley
191. Funhouse-Stooges
192. The Gilded Palace Of Sin-Flying Burrito Brothers
193. Dookie-Greenday
194. Transformer-Lou Reed
195. Bluesbreakers-John Mayall With Eric Clapton
196. Nuggets, Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968-Various Artists
197. Murmur-R.E.M.
198. The Best Of-Little Walter
199. Highway To Hell-AC/DC
200. The Downward Spiral-Nine Inch Nails
201. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme-Simon And Garfunkel
202. Bad-Michael Jackson
203. Wheels Of Fire-Cream
204. Dirty Mind-Prince
205. Abraxas-Santana
206. Tea For The Tillerman-Cat Stevens
207. Ten-Pearl Jam
208. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere-Neil Young With Crazy Horse
209. Wish You Were Here-Pink Floyd
210. Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain-Pavement
211. Tattoo You-Rolling Stones
212. Proud Mary, The Best Of Ike And Tina Turner-Ike And Tina Turner
213. New York Dolls-New York Dolls
214. Bo Diddley, Go Bo Diddley-Bo Diddley
215. Two Steps From the Blues-Bobby Bland
216. The Queen Is Dead-Smiths
217. Licensed to Ill-Beastie Boys
218. Look-Ka Py Py-Meters
219. Loveless-My Bloody Valentine
220. New Orleans Piano-Professor Longhair
221. War-U2
222. The Neil Diamond Collection-Neil Diamond
223. Howlin' Wolf-Howlin' Wolf
224. Nebraska-Bruce Springsteen
225. The Complete Hank Williams-Hank Williams
226. Doolittle-Pixies
227. Paid In Full-Eric B. And Rakim
228. Toys In The Attic-Aerosmith
229. Nick Of Time-Bonnie Raitt
230. A Night At The Opera-Queen
231. The Kink Kronikles-Kinks
232. Mr. Tambourine Man-The Byrds
233. Bookends-Simon And Garfunkel
234. The Ultimate Collection-Patsy Cline
235. Mr. Excitement!-Jackie Wilson
236. The Who Sings My Generation-Who
237. Like A Prayer-Madonna
238. Can't Buy A Thrill-Steely Dan
239. Let It Be-Replacements
240. Run-DMC-Run-DMC
241. Black Sabbath-Black Sabbath
242. The Jerry Lee Lewis Anthology: All Killer No Filler!-Jerry Lee Lewis
243. Freak Out!-Mothers Of Invention
244. Live Dead-Grateful Dead
245. Bryter Layter-Nick Drake
246. The Shape of Jazz to Come-Ornette Coleman
247. Automatic for the People-R.E.M.
248. Reasonable Doubt-Jay-Z
249. Low-David Bowie
250. The River-Bruce Springsteen
251. The Otis Redding Dictionary Of Soul-Otis Redding
252. Metallica-Metallica
253. Trans-Europe Express-Kraftwerk
254. Whitney Houston-Whitney Houston
255. The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society-Kinks
256. The Velvet Rope-Janet Jackson
257. Stardust-Willie Nelson
258. American Beauty-Grateful Dead
259. Crosby Stills And Nash-Crosby Stills And Nash
260. Buena Vista Social Club-Buena Vista Social Club
261. Tracy Chapman-Tracy Chapman
262. Workingman's Dead-Grateful Dead
263. The Genius Of Ray Charles-Ray Charles
264. Child Is Father To The Man-Blood, Sweat And Tears
265. Cosmo's Factory-Creedence Clearwater Revival
266. Quadrophenia-Who
267. There Goes Rhymin' Simon-Paul Simon
268. Psycho Candy-Jesus and Mary Chain
269. Some Girls-Rolling Stones
270. The Beach Boys Today!-Beach Boys
271. Going To A Go-Go-Smokey Robinson And The Miracles
272. Nightbirds-Labelle
273. The Slim Shady LP-Eminem
274. Mothership Connection-Parliament
275. Rhythm Nation 1814-Janet Jackson
276. Anthology of American Folk Music-Harry Smith, ed.
277. Aladdin Sane-David Bowie
278. The Immaculate Collection-Madonna
279. My Life-Mary J. Blige
280. Folk Singer-Muddy Waters
281. Can't Get Enough-Barry White
282. The Cars-Cars
283. Five Leaves Left-Nick Drake
284. Music of My Mind-Stevie Wonder
285. I'm Still in Love With You-Al Green
286. Los Angeles-X
287. Anthem Of The Sun-Grateful Dead
288. Something Else by the Kinks-Kinks
289. Call Me-Al Green
290. Talking Heads: 77-Talking Heads
291. The Basement Tapes-Bob Dylan and the Band
292. White Light / White Heat-Velvet Underground
293. Greatest Hits-Simon and Garfunkel
294. Kick Out the Jams-MC5
295. Meat Is Murder-Smiths
296. We're Only In It For The Money-Mothers Of Invention
297. Weezer (Blue Album)-Weezer
298. Master of Reality-Black Sabbath
299. Coat Of Many Colors-Dolly Parton
300. Fear Of A Black Planet-Public Enemy
301. John Wesley Harding-Bob Dylan
302. The Marshall Mathers LP-Eminem
303. Grace-Jeff Buckley
304. Car Wheels on a Gravel Road-Lucinda Williams
305. Odelay-Beck
306. Songs for Swingin' Lovers-Frank Sinatra
307. Avalon-Roxy Music
308. The Sun Records Collection-Various Artists
309. Nothing's Shocking-Jane's Addiction
310. Blood Sugar Sex Magik-Red Hot Chili Peppers
311. MTV Unplugged In New York-Nirvana
312. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill-Lauryn Hill
313. Damn The Torpedoes-Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
314. The Velvet Underground-Velvet Underground
315. Surfer Rosa-Pixies
316. Rock Steady-No Doubt
317. The Eminem Show-Eminem
318. Back Stabbers-O'Jays
319. Burnin'-Bob Marley and the Wailers
320. Pink Moon-Nick Drake
321. Sail Away-Randy Newman
322. Ghost in the Machine-Police
323. Station To Station-David Bowie
324. The Very Best of Linda Ronstadt-Linda Ronstadt
325. Slowhand-Eric Clapton
326. Disintegration-Cure
327. Jagged Little Pill-Alanis Morissette
328. Exile in Guyville-Liz Phair
329. Daydream Nation-Sonic Youth
330. In the Jungle Groove-James Brown
331. Tonight's the Night-Neil Young
332. Help!-Beatles
333. Shoot Out the Lights-Richard and Linda Thompson
334. Wild Gift-X
335. Squeezing Out Sparks-Graham Parker
336. Superunknown-Soundgarden
337. Aqualung-Jethro Tull
338. Cheap Thrills-Big Brother And The Holding Company
339. The Heart Of Saturday Night-Tom Waits
340. Damaged-Black Flag
341. Play-Moby
342. Violator-Depeche Mode
343. Bat Out of Hell-Meat Loaf
344. Berlin-Lou Reed
345. Stop Making Sense-Talking Heads
346. 3 Feet High and Rising-De La Soul
347. The Piper at the Gates of Dawn-Pink Floyd
348. At Newport 1960-Muddy Waters
349. Roger the Engineer (a.k.a. Over Under Sideways Down)-Yardbirds
350. Rust Never Sleeps-Neil Young and Crazy Horse
351. Brothers in Arms-Dire Straits
352. 52nd Street-Billy Joel
353. Having a Rave Up With the Yardbirds-Yardbirds
354. 12 Songs-Randy Newman
355. Between The Buttons-Rolling Stones
356. Sketches of Spain-Miles Davis
357. Honky Chateau-Elton John
358. Singles Going Steady-Buzzcocks
359. Stankonia-Outkast
360. Siamese Dream-Smashing Pumpkins
361. Substance-New Order
362. L.A. Woman-Doors
363. Ray Of Light-Madonna
364. American Recordings-Johnny Cash
365. Louder Than Bombs-Smiths
366. Mott-Mott The Hoople
367. Is This It-Strokes
368. Rage Against The Machine-Rage Against the Machine
369. Reggatta De Blanc-Police
370. Volunteers-Jefferson Airplane
371. Siren-Roxy Music
372. Late For The Sky-Jackson Browne
373. Post-Bjork
374. The Eagles-Eagles
375. The Ultimate Collection (1948 - 1990)-John Lee Hooker
376. (What's The Story) Morning Glory-Oasis
377. CrazySexyCool-TLC
378. Funky Kingston-Toots And The Maytals
379. Greetings From Asbury Park-Bruce Springsteen
380. Sunflower-Beach Boys
381. Modern Lovers-Modern Lovers
382. More Songs About Buildings And Food-Talking Heads
383. A Quick One (Happy Jack)-Who
384. Pyromania-Def Leppard
385. Pretzel Logic-Steely Dan
386. Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers-Wu-Tang Clan
387. Country Life-Roxy Music
388. A Hard Day's Night-Beatles
389. The End Of The Innocence-Don Henley
390. Elephant-White Stripes
391. The Pretender-Jackson Browne
392. Willy And The Poor Boys-Creedence Clearwater Revival
393. Good Old Boys-Randy Newman
394. For Your Pleasure-Roxy Music
395. Blue Lines-Massive Attack
396. Eliminator-ZZ Top
397. Rain Dogs-Tom Waits
398. Anthology-Temptations
399. Californication-Red Hot Chili Peppers
400. Illmatic-Nas
401. (Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd)-Lynyrd Skynyrd
402. Dr. John's Gumbo-Dr. John
403. Radio City-Big Star
404. Sandinista!-Clash
405. Rid Of Me-PJ Harvey
406. I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got-Sinead O' Connor
407. Strange Days-Doors
408. Time Out Of Mind-Bob Dylan
409. 461 Ocean Boulevard, Eric Clapton
410. Pink Flag-Wire
411. Double Nickels on the Dime, Minutemen
412. Mezzanine, Massive Attack
413. Beauty and the Beat, Go-Go's
414. Greatest Hits, James Brown
415. Van Halen , Van Halen
416. Mule Variations, Tom Waits
417. Boy, U2
418. Band On The Run-Wings
419. Dummy, Portishead
420. With The Beatles-Beatles
421. The "Chirping" Crickets-Buddy Holly And The Crickets
422. The Best of the Girl Groups, Volumes 1 and 2-Various Artists
423. Greatest Hits-Mamas And The Papas
424. King Of The Delta Blues Singers, Vol. 2-Robert Johnson
425. Changesone-David Bowie
426. The Battle Of Los Angeles-Rage Against The Machine
427. Presenting The Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica-Ronettes
428. Kid A-Radiohead
429. Grievous Angel-Gram Parsons
430. At Budokan-Cheap Trick
431. Anthology-Diana Ross And The Supremes
432. Sleepless-Peter Wolf
433. Another Green World-Brian Eno
434. Outlandos D'Amour-Police
435. To Bring You My Love-PJ Harvey
436. Here Come The Warm Jets-Brian Eno
437. All Things Must Pass-George Harrison
438. #1 Record-Big Star
439. In Utero-Nirvana
440. Sea Change-Beck
441. Tragic Kingdom-No Doubt
442. Boys Don't Cry-Cure
443. Live At The Harlem Square Club, 1963-Sam Cooke
444. Criminal Minded-Boogie Down Productions
445. Rum Sodomy And The Lash-Pogues
446. Suicide-Suicide
447. Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!-Devo
448. In Color-Cheap Trick
449. The World Is A Ghetto-War
450. Fly Like an Eagle-Steve Miller Band
451. Back In The USA-MC5
452. Music-Madonna
453. Ritual De Lo Habitual-Jane's Addiction
454. Getz/Gilberto-Stan Getz And Joao Gilberto Featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim
455. Synchronicity-Police
456. Third Sister Lovers-Big Star
457. For Everyman-Jackson Browne
458. John Prine-John Prine
459. Strictly Business-EPMD
460. Love It To Death-Alice Cooper
461. How Will The Wolf Survive-Los Lobos
462. Here, My Dear-Marvin Gaye
463. Tumbleweed Connection-Elton John
464. The Blueprint-Jay-Z
465. Golden Hits-Drifters
466. Live Through This-Hole
467. Love And Theft-Bob Dylan
468. Elton John-Elton John
469. Metal Box-Public Image Ltd.
470. Document-R.E.M.
471. Heaven Up Here-Echo And The Bunnymen
472. Hysteria-Def Leppard
473. A Rush Of Blood To The Head-Coldplay
474. Live In Europe-Otis Redding
475. Tunnel Of Love-Bruce Springsteen
476. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band-Paul Butterfield Blues Band
477. The Score-Fugees
478. Radio-LL Cool J
479. I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight-Richard And Linda Thompson
480. Faith-George Michael
481. The Smiths-Smiths
482. Armed Forces-Elvis Costello And The Attractions
483. Life After Death-Notorious B.I.G.
484. Branded Man-Merle Haggard
485. All Time Greatest Hits-Loretta Lynn
486. Maggot Brain-Funkadelic
487. Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness-Smashing Pumpkins
488. Voodoo-D'Angelo
489. Guitar Town-Steve Earle
490. Entertainment!-Gang Of Four
491. All The Young Dudes-Mott The Hoople
492. Vitalogy-Pearl Jam
493. That's The Way Of The World-Earth Wind And Fire
494. She's So Unusual-Cyndi Lauper
495. New Day Rising-Husker Du
496. Destroyer-Kiss
497. Yo! Bum Rush The Show-Public Enemy
498. Tres Hombres-ZZ Top
499. Born Under A Bad Sign-Albert King
500. Touch-Eurythmics
The list was released in book form in 2005, with an introduction written by Steven Van Zandt. The book's list was slightly different, explained in the editor's foreword as the removal of some compilation albums and the consolidation of the two LPs of Robert Johnson's King of the Delta Blues Singers into The Complete Recordings, making room for 8 additional albums on the list. Some differences include the addition of such albums as Aquemini by OutKast. The order was also rearranged, with Chuck Berry's The Great Twenty-Eight being lower on the list.
The list's apparent generational bias toward the 1960s and 1970s prompted a response. Following the publicity surrounding the list, rock critic Jim DeRogatis, a former Rolling Stone editor, published Kill Your Idols: A New Generation of Rock Writers Reconsiders the Classics (ISBN 1-56980-276-9) in 2004. This featured a number of younger critics arguing against the magazine's high evaluation of various "classic" albums, including DeRogatis taking on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which had been Rolling Stone's top choice.
Artists with the most albums in the list
* The Beatles (with 4 in the top 10) - 11
* Bob Dylan (with 2 in the top 10) and The Rolling Stones (with 1 in the top 10) - 10
* Bruce Springsteen - 8
* The Who - 7
* Elton John and David Bowie - 6
* The Byrds, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley & the Wailers, Otis Redding, U2, and Neil Young - 5
Number of albums from each decade
* 1950s or before - 29 albums (5.8%)
* 1960s - 126 (25.2%) (with 7 of the top 10)
* 1970s - 183 (36.6%) (with the other 3 of the Top Ten)
* 1980s - 88 (17.6%)
* 1990s - 61 (12.2%)
* 2000s - 13 (2.6%)
The list on RollingStone.com
http://www.rollingstone.com/
001. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-Beatles
002. Pet Sounds-Beach Boys
003. Revolver-Beatles
004. Highway 61 Revisited-Bob Dylan
005. Rubber Soul-Beatles
006. What's Going On-Marvin Gaye
007. Exile On Main Street-Rolling Stones
008. London Calling-Clash
009. Blonde On Blonde-Bob Dylan
010. The White Album-Beatles
011. The Sun Sessions-Elvis Presley
012. Kind Of Blue-Miles Davis
013. Velvet Underground And Nico-Velvet Underground
014. Abbey Road-Beatles
015. Are You Experienced-Jimi Hendrix Experience
016. Blood On The Tracks-Bob Dylan
017. Nevermind-Nirvana
018. Born To Run-Bruce Springsteen
019. Astral Weeks-Van Morrison
020. Thriller-Michael Jackson
021. The Great Twenty-Eight-Chuck Berry
022. Plastic Ono Band-John Lennon
023. Innervisions-Stevie Wonder
024. Live at the Apollo-James Brown
025. Rumours-Fleetwood Mac
026. The Joshua Tree-U2
027. King Of The Delta Blues Singers, Vol. 1-Robert Johnson
028. Who's Next-The Who
029. Led Zeppelin-Led Zeppelin
030. Blue-Joni Mitchell
031. Bringing It All Back Home-Bob Dylan
032. Let It Bleed-Rolling Stones
033. Ramones-Ramones
034. Music From Big Pink-Band
035. The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars-David Bowie
036. Tapestry-Carole King
037. Hotel California-Eagles
038. The Anthology, 1947-1972-Muddy Waters
039. Please Please Me-Beatles
040. Forever Changes-Love
041. Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols-Sex Pistols
042. The Doors-Doors
043. The Dark Side Of The Moon-Pink Floyd
044. Horses-Patti Smith
045. The Band-Band
046. Legend-Bob Marley And The Wailers
047. A Love Supreme-John Coltrane
048. It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back-Public Enemy
049. At Fillmore East-Allman Brothers Band
050. Here's Little Richard-Little Richard
051. Bridge Over Troubled Waters-Simon And Garfunkel
052. Greatest Hits-Al Green
053. The Birth Of Soul, The Complete Atlantic Rhythm And Blues Recordings, 1952-1959-Ray Charles
054. Electric Ladyland-Jimi Hendrix Experience
055. Elvis Presley-Elvis Presley
056. Songs In The Key Of Life-Stevie Wonder
057. Beggars Banquet-Rolling Stones
058. Trout Mask Replica-Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band
059. Meet The Beatles-Beatles
060. Greatest Hits-Sly And The Family Stone
061. Appetite For Destruction-Guns N' Roses
062. Achtung Baby-U2
063. Sticky Fingers-Rolling Stones
064. Phil Spector, Back to Mono (1958 - 1969)-Various Artists
065. Moondance-Van Morrison
066. Led Zeppelin IV-Led Zeppelin
067. The Stranger-Billy Joel
068. Off the Wall-Michael Jackson
069. Superfly-Curtis Mayfield
070. Physical Graffiti-Led Zeppelin
071. After The Gold Rush-Neil Young
072. Purple Rain-Prince
073. Back In Black-AC/DC
074. Otis Blue-Otis Redding
075. Led Zeppelin II-Led Zeppelin
076. Imagine-John Lennon
077. The Clash-Clash
078. Harvest-Neil Young
079. Star Time-James Brown
080. Odessey And Oracle-Zombies
081. Graceland-Paul Simon
082. Axis, Bold As Love-Jimi Hendrix Experience
083. I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You-Aretha Franklin
084. Lady Soul-Aretha Franklin
085. Born In The U.S.A.-Bruce Springsteen
086. Let It Be-Beatles
087. The Wall-Pink Floyd
088. At Folsom Prison-Johnny Cash
089. Dusty In Memphis-Dusty Springfield
090. Talking Book-Stevie Wonder
091. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road-Elton John
092. 20 Golden Greats-Buddy Holly
093. Sign 'O' The Times-Prince
094. Bitches Brew-Miles Davis
095. Green River-Creedence Clearwater Revival
096. Tommy-Who
097. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan-Bob Dylan
098. This Year's Model-Elvis Costello
099. There's A Riot Goin' On-Sly And The Family Stone
100. In The Wee Small Hours-Frank Sinatra
101. Fresh Cream-Cream
102. Giant Steps-John Coltrane
103. Sweet Baby James-James Taylor
104. Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music-Ray Charles
105. Rocket To Russia-Ramones
106. Portrait Of A Legend 1951 - 1964-Sam Cooke
107. Hunky Dory-David Bowie
108. Aftermath-Rolling Stones
109. Loaded-Velvet Underground
110. The Bends-Radiohead
111. Court and Spark-Joni Mitchell
112. Disraeli Gears-Cream
113. The Who Sell Out-Who
114. Out Of Our Heads-Rolling Stones
115. Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs-Derek And The Dominos
116. At Last-Etta James
117. Sweetheart of the Rodeo-Byrds
118. Stand!-Sly and the Family Stone
119. The Harder They Come Original Soundtrack-Various Artists
120. Raising Hell-Run-DMC
121. Moby Grape-Moby Grape
122. Pearl-Janis Joplin
123. Catch a Fire-Bob Marley and the Wailers
124. Younger Than Yesterday-Byrds
125. Raw Power-Stooges
126. Remain in Light-Talking Heads
127. If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears-Mamas And The Papas
128. Marquee Moon-Television
129. 40 Greatest Hits-Hank Williams
130. Paranoid-Black Sabbath
131. Saturday Night Fever Original Soundtrack-Various Artists
132. The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle-Bruce Springsteen
133. Ready to Die-Notorious B.I.G.
134. Slanted and Enchanted-Pavement
135. Greatest Hits-Elton John
136. Tim-Replacements
137. The Chronic-Dr. Dre
138. Rejuvenation-Meters
139. All That You Can't Leave Behind-U2
140. Parallel Lines-Blondie
141. Live At The Regal-B.B. King
142. Phil Spector, A Christmas Gift for You-Various Artists
143. Gris-Gris-Dr. John
144. Straight Outta Compton-N.W.A
145. Aja-Steely Dan
146. Surrealistic Pillow-Jefferson Airplane
147. Dreams to Remember: The Otis Redding Anthology-Otis Redding
148. Deja Vu-Crosby Stills Nash and Young
149. Houses of the Holy-Led Zeppelin
150. Santana-Santana
151. Darkness on the Edge of Town-Bruce Springsteen
152. The B-52's-B-52's
153. Moanin' In The Moonlight-Howlin' Wolf
154. The Low End Theory-A Tribe Called Quest
155. Pretenders-Pretenders
156. Paul's Boutique-Beastie Boys
157. Closer-Joy Division
158. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy-Elton John
159. Alive-Kiss
160. Electric Warrior-T. Rex
161. The Dock Of The Bay-Otis Redding
162. OK Computer-Radiohead
163. 1999-Prince
164. Heart Like A Wheel-Linda Ronstadt
165. Let's Get It On-Marvin Gaye
166. Imperial Bedroom-Elvis Costello
167. Master Of Puppets-Metallica
168. My Aim Is True-Elvis Costello
169. Exodus-Bob Marley
170. Live At Leeds-Who
171. The Notorious Byrd Brothers-Byrds
172. Every Picture Tells A Story-Rod Stewart
173. Something, Anything-Todd Rundgren
174. Desire-Bob Dylan
175. Close To You-Carpenters
176. Rocks-Aerosmith
177. One Nation Under A Groove-Parliament, Funkadelic
178. Greatest Hits-Byrds
179. The Anthology 1961-1977-Curtis Mayfield And The Impressions
180. The Definitive Collection-Abba
181. The Rolling Stones, Now!-Rolling Stones
182. Natty Dread-Bob Marley And The Wailers
183. Fleetwood Mac-Fleetwood Mac
184. Red Headed Stranger-Willie Nelson
185. The Stooges-Stooges
186. Fresh-Sly And The Family Stone
187. So-Peter Gabriel
188. Buffalo Springfield Again-Buffalo Springfield
189. Happy Trails-Quicksilver Messenger Service
190. From Elvis In Memphis-Elvis Presley
191. Funhouse-Stooges
192. The Gilded Palace Of Sin-Flying Burrito Brothers
193. Dookie-Greenday
194. Transformer-Lou Reed
195. Bluesbreakers-John Mayall With Eric Clapton
196. Nuggets, Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968-Various Artists
197. Murmur-R.E.M.
198. The Best Of-Little Walter
199. Highway To Hell-AC/DC
200. The Downward Spiral-Nine Inch Nails
201. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme-Simon And Garfunkel
202. Bad-Michael Jackson
203. Wheels Of Fire-Cream
204. Dirty Mind-Prince
205. Abraxas-Santana
206. Tea For The Tillerman-Cat Stevens
207. Ten-Pearl Jam
208. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere-Neil Young With Crazy Horse
209. Wish You Were Here-Pink Floyd
210. Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain-Pavement
211. Tattoo You-Rolling Stones
212. Proud Mary, The Best Of Ike And Tina Turner-Ike And Tina Turner
213. New York Dolls-New York Dolls
214. Bo Diddley, Go Bo Diddley-Bo Diddley
215. Two Steps From the Blues-Bobby Bland
216. The Queen Is Dead-Smiths
217. Licensed to Ill-Beastie Boys
218. Look-Ka Py Py-Meters
219. Loveless-My Bloody Valentine
220. New Orleans Piano-Professor Longhair
221. War-U2
222. The Neil Diamond Collection-Neil Diamond
223. Howlin' Wolf-Howlin' Wolf
224. Nebraska-Bruce Springsteen
225. The Complete Hank Williams-Hank Williams
226. Doolittle-Pixies
227. Paid In Full-Eric B. And Rakim
228. Toys In The Attic-Aerosmith
229. Nick Of Time-Bonnie Raitt
230. A Night At The Opera-Queen
231. The Kink Kronikles-Kinks
232. Mr. Tambourine Man-The Byrds
233. Bookends-Simon And Garfunkel
234. The Ultimate Collection-Patsy Cline
235. Mr. Excitement!-Jackie Wilson
236. The Who Sings My Generation-Who
237. Like A Prayer-Madonna
238. Can't Buy A Thrill-Steely Dan
239. Let It Be-Replacements
240. Run-DMC-Run-DMC
241. Black Sabbath-Black Sabbath
242. The Jerry Lee Lewis Anthology: All Killer No Filler!-Jerry Lee Lewis
243. Freak Out!-Mothers Of Invention
244. Live Dead-Grateful Dead
245. Bryter Layter-Nick Drake
246. The Shape of Jazz to Come-Ornette Coleman
247. Automatic for the People-R.E.M.
248. Reasonable Doubt-Jay-Z
249. Low-David Bowie
250. The River-Bruce Springsteen
251. The Otis Redding Dictionary Of Soul-Otis Redding
252. Metallica-Metallica
253. Trans-Europe Express-Kraftwerk
254. Whitney Houston-Whitney Houston
255. The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society-Kinks
256. The Velvet Rope-Janet Jackson
257. Stardust-Willie Nelson
258. American Beauty-Grateful Dead
259. Crosby Stills And Nash-Crosby Stills And Nash
260. Buena Vista Social Club-Buena Vista Social Club
261. Tracy Chapman-Tracy Chapman
262. Workingman's Dead-Grateful Dead
263. The Genius Of Ray Charles-Ray Charles
264. Child Is Father To The Man-Blood, Sweat And Tears
265. Cosmo's Factory-Creedence Clearwater Revival
266. Quadrophenia-Who
267. There Goes Rhymin' Simon-Paul Simon
268. Psycho Candy-Jesus and Mary Chain
269. Some Girls-Rolling Stones
270. The Beach Boys Today!-Beach Boys
271. Going To A Go-Go-Smokey Robinson And The Miracles
272. Nightbirds-Labelle
273. The Slim Shady LP-Eminem
274. Mothership Connection-Parliament
275. Rhythm Nation 1814-Janet Jackson
276. Anthology of American Folk Music-Harry Smith, ed.
277. Aladdin Sane-David Bowie
278. The Immaculate Collection-Madonna
279. My Life-Mary J. Blige
280. Folk Singer-Muddy Waters
281. Can't Get Enough-Barry White
282. The Cars-Cars
283. Five Leaves Left-Nick Drake
284. Music of My Mind-Stevie Wonder
285. I'm Still in Love With You-Al Green
286. Los Angeles-X
287. Anthem Of The Sun-Grateful Dead
288. Something Else by the Kinks-Kinks
289. Call Me-Al Green
290. Talking Heads: 77-Talking Heads
291. The Basement Tapes-Bob Dylan and the Band
292. White Light / White Heat-Velvet Underground
293. Greatest Hits-Simon and Garfunkel
294. Kick Out the Jams-MC5
295. Meat Is Murder-Smiths
296. We're Only In It For The Money-Mothers Of Invention
297. Weezer (Blue Album)-Weezer
298. Master of Reality-Black Sabbath
299. Coat Of Many Colors-Dolly Parton
300. Fear Of A Black Planet-Public Enemy
301. John Wesley Harding-Bob Dylan
302. The Marshall Mathers LP-Eminem
303. Grace-Jeff Buckley
304. Car Wheels on a Gravel Road-Lucinda Williams
305. Odelay-Beck
306. Songs for Swingin' Lovers-Frank Sinatra
307. Avalon-Roxy Music
308. The Sun Records Collection-Various Artists
309. Nothing's Shocking-Jane's Addiction
310. Blood Sugar Sex Magik-Red Hot Chili Peppers
311. MTV Unplugged In New York-Nirvana
312. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill-Lauryn Hill
313. Damn The Torpedoes-Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
314. The Velvet Underground-Velvet Underground
315. Surfer Rosa-Pixies
316. Rock Steady-No Doubt
317. The Eminem Show-Eminem
318. Back Stabbers-O'Jays
319. Burnin'-Bob Marley and the Wailers
320. Pink Moon-Nick Drake
321. Sail Away-Randy Newman
322. Ghost in the Machine-Police
323. Station To Station-David Bowie
324. The Very Best of Linda Ronstadt-Linda Ronstadt
325. Slowhand-Eric Clapton
326. Disintegration-Cure
327. Jagged Little Pill-Alanis Morissette
328. Exile in Guyville-Liz Phair
329. Daydream Nation-Sonic Youth
330. In the Jungle Groove-James Brown
331. Tonight's the Night-Neil Young
332. Help!-Beatles
333. Shoot Out the Lights-Richard and Linda Thompson
334. Wild Gift-X
335. Squeezing Out Sparks-Graham Parker
336. Superunknown-Soundgarden
337. Aqualung-Jethro Tull
338. Cheap Thrills-Big Brother And The Holding Company
339. The Heart Of Saturday Night-Tom Waits
340. Damaged-Black Flag
341. Play-Moby
342. Violator-Depeche Mode
343. Bat Out of Hell-Meat Loaf
344. Berlin-Lou Reed
345. Stop Making Sense-Talking Heads
346. 3 Feet High and Rising-De La Soul
347. The Piper at the Gates of Dawn-Pink Floyd
348. At Newport 1960-Muddy Waters
349. Roger the Engineer (a.k.a. Over Under Sideways Down)-Yardbirds
350. Rust Never Sleeps-Neil Young and Crazy Horse
351. Brothers in Arms-Dire Straits
352. 52nd Street-Billy Joel
353. Having a Rave Up With the Yardbirds-Yardbirds
354. 12 Songs-Randy Newman
355. Between The Buttons-Rolling Stones
356. Sketches of Spain-Miles Davis
357. Honky Chateau-Elton John
358. Singles Going Steady-Buzzcocks
359. Stankonia-Outkast
360. Siamese Dream-Smashing Pumpkins
361. Substance-New Order
362. L.A. Woman-Doors
363. Ray Of Light-Madonna
364. American Recordings-Johnny Cash
365. Louder Than Bombs-Smiths
366. Mott-Mott The Hoople
367. Is This It-Strokes
368. Rage Against The Machine-Rage Against the Machine
369. Reggatta De Blanc-Police
370. Volunteers-Jefferson Airplane
371. Siren-Roxy Music
372. Late For The Sky-Jackson Browne
373. Post-Bjork
374. The Eagles-Eagles
375. The Ultimate Collection (1948 - 1990)-John Lee Hooker
376. (What's The Story) Morning Glory-Oasis
377. CrazySexyCool-TLC
378. Funky Kingston-Toots And The Maytals
379. Greetings From Asbury Park-Bruce Springsteen
380. Sunflower-Beach Boys
381. Modern Lovers-Modern Lovers
382. More Songs About Buildings And Food-Talking Heads
383. A Quick One (Happy Jack)-Who
384. Pyromania-Def Leppard
385. Pretzel Logic-Steely Dan
386. Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers-Wu-Tang Clan
387. Country Life-Roxy Music
388. A Hard Day's Night-Beatles
389. The End Of The Innocence-Don Henley
390. Elephant-White Stripes
391. The Pretender-Jackson Browne
392. Willy And The Poor Boys-Creedence Clearwater Revival
393. Good Old Boys-Randy Newman
394. For Your Pleasure-Roxy Music
395. Blue Lines-Massive Attack
396. Eliminator-ZZ Top
397. Rain Dogs-Tom Waits
398. Anthology-Temptations
399. Californication-Red Hot Chili Peppers
400. Illmatic-Nas
401. (Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd)-Lynyrd Skynyrd
402. Dr. John's Gumbo-Dr. John
403. Radio City-Big Star
404. Sandinista!-Clash
405. Rid Of Me-PJ Harvey
406. I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got-Sinead O' Connor
407. Strange Days-Doors
408. Time Out Of Mind-Bob Dylan
409. 461 Ocean Boulevard, Eric Clapton
410. Pink Flag-Wire
411. Double Nickels on the Dime, Minutemen
412. Mezzanine, Massive Attack
413. Beauty and the Beat, Go-Go's
414. Greatest Hits, James Brown
415. Van Halen , Van Halen
416. Mule Variations, Tom Waits
417. Boy, U2
418. Band On The Run-Wings
419. Dummy, Portishead
420. With The Beatles-Beatles
421. The "Chirping" Crickets-Buddy Holly And The Crickets
422. The Best of the Girl Groups, Volumes 1 and 2-Various Artists
423. Greatest Hits-Mamas And The Papas
424. King Of The Delta Blues Singers, Vol. 2-Robert Johnson
425. Changesone-David Bowie
426. The Battle Of Los Angeles-Rage Against The Machine
427. Presenting The Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica-Ronettes
428. Kid A-Radiohead
429. Grievous Angel-Gram Parsons
430. At Budokan-Cheap Trick
431. Anthology-Diana Ross And The Supremes
432. Sleepless-Peter Wolf
433. Another Green World-Brian Eno
434. Outlandos D'Amour-Police
435. To Bring You My Love-PJ Harvey
436. Here Come The Warm Jets-Brian Eno
437. All Things Must Pass-George Harrison
438. #1 Record-Big Star
439. In Utero-Nirvana
440. Sea Change-Beck
441. Tragic Kingdom-No Doubt
442. Boys Don't Cry-Cure
443. Live At The Harlem Square Club, 1963-Sam Cooke
444. Criminal Minded-Boogie Down Productions
445. Rum Sodomy And The Lash-Pogues
446. Suicide-Suicide
447. Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!-Devo
448. In Color-Cheap Trick
449. The World Is A Ghetto-War
450. Fly Like an Eagle-Steve Miller Band
451. Back In The USA-MC5
452. Music-Madonna
453. Ritual De Lo Habitual-Jane's Addiction
454. Getz/Gilberto-Stan Getz And Joao Gilberto Featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim
455. Synchronicity-Police
456. Third Sister Lovers-Big Star
457. For Everyman-Jackson Browne
458. John Prine-John Prine
459. Strictly Business-EPMD
460. Love It To Death-Alice Cooper
461. How Will The Wolf Survive-Los Lobos
462. Here, My Dear-Marvin Gaye
463. Tumbleweed Connection-Elton John
464. The Blueprint-Jay-Z
465. Golden Hits-Drifters
466. Live Through This-Hole
467. Love And Theft-Bob Dylan
468. Elton John-Elton John
469. Metal Box-Public Image Ltd.
470. Document-R.E.M.
471. Heaven Up Here-Echo And The Bunnymen
472. Hysteria-Def Leppard
473. A Rush Of Blood To The Head-Coldplay
474. Live In Europe-Otis Redding
475. Tunnel Of Love-Bruce Springsteen
476. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band-Paul Butterfield Blues Band
477. The Score-Fugees
478. Radio-LL Cool J
479. I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight-Richard And Linda Thompson
480. Faith-George Michael
481. The Smiths-Smiths
482. Armed Forces-Elvis Costello And The Attractions
483. Life After Death-Notorious B.I.G.
484. Branded Man-Merle Haggard
485. All Time Greatest Hits-Loretta Lynn
486. Maggot Brain-Funkadelic
487. Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness-Smashing Pumpkins
488. Voodoo-D'Angelo
489. Guitar Town-Steve Earle
490. Entertainment!-Gang Of Four
491. All The Young Dudes-Mott The Hoople
492. Vitalogy-Pearl Jam
493. That's The Way Of The World-Earth Wind And Fire
494. She's So Unusual-Cyndi Lauper
495. New Day Rising-Husker Du
496. Destroyer-Kiss
497. Yo! Bum Rush The Show-Public Enemy
498. Tres Hombres-ZZ Top
499. Born Under A Bad Sign-Albert King
500. Touch-Eurythmics
