Which album became the first rock release to win Album of the Year?

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band became the first rock album to win Album of the Year at the 1968 Grammy Awards.

Released by the Beatles in 1967, the album used a fictional band concept to give the group freedom to explore different musical styles and studio techniques. George Martin produced the record, which became one of the most influential albums of the 1960s.

The album won four Grammys, including Album of the Year, Best Contemporary Album, Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical, and Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts. Its success marked a major recognition of rock music by the recording industry.

The award is sometimes confused with the first Grammy won by the Beatles. They had already received Grammy recognition before 1968, including awards for performances and recordings. Sgt. Pepper was specifically their first Album of the Year winner.