We are 20 albums into the Top 50, and there's probably 6-8 selections (of those 20) that probably wouldn't be in my Top 100. To each his (or her) own . . .
Curious which ones?
For starters, If I were to make a list (which I probably will when you get done), I would have different guidelines than you have for your list. For my list, I would put more emphasis on popularity / sales / airplay. I also would look at albums that had an all time rock staple that still gets heavy airplay today. I would place less emphasis on the strength of the entire album (ie, songs that most people wouldn't know). Thoughts on each of these albums (they may or may not make my list, but merit more thought on my end).
48. Hunky Dory - David Bowie
There may not be a bigger Bowie fan on the boards than I am. But IMO, the radio songs on this one were essentially Changes and Life On Mars? Most people wouldn't be familiar with the other tracks, and I don't think the album as a whole falls into the classic rock genre. Great album, and one I listen to frequently. More alternative rock than classic rock to me. I think the one Bowie album that best fits the list is Ziggy Stardust, but his other albums weren't popular enough or had enough familiar songs to make my list.
47. The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle - Bruce Springsteen
I admit I am not the biggest Bruce fan, but to me the album has Rosalita and not much else in terms of heavy airplay selections. Born To Run would make my list (and The River would merit consideration). But those would be the only ones that I would consider. Even though Springsteen has a lot of fans, his other albums wouldn't fit my criteria.
45. The Stranger - Billy Joel
I am a big Joel fan. I've seen his shows across 5 decades. Love The Stranger album, but as I mentioned back when the album was discussed, I consider it more pop than classic rock. Where I lived, the Billy songs that made the radio were on later albums and there weren't many of them (Big Shot, You May Be Right, Pressure). I would occasionally hear some of his older album tracks (Billy The Kid, Captain Jack, Miami 2017, Say Goodbye To Hollywood, for example). But most stations really didn't play The Stranger songs. Maybe Only The Good Die Young sometimes. Not a knock on the album (or your selection of it) . . . just more of a genre fit for me.
42. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - Neil Young & Crazy Horse
A good but not great album in my book, probably not as mainstream or popular enough to the masses to make my list. I would probably only go with Harvest for Neil albums.
40. Disraeli Gears - Cream
This one is fringe Top 100 for me. It had 4 radio songs, but I am not sure it has enough chops to make the list (or was popular enough). Sunshine Of My Love holds the test of time, but the others may not. Like I said, it's a maybe Top 100 but definitely not Top 50 for me.
39. Darkness on the Edge of Town - Bruce Springsteen
See comments above for the E Street Shuffle. There are more songs that people might know . . . but the average rock fan likely won't. Some good tracks, but not true signature songs like Born To Run.
35. Let It Be - The Beatles
I'm torn over this one. I like other Beatles album way more than this one. Most of the songs still get some airplay, and it probably gained some more fans after the documentary. Listening to Paul write Get Back on the fly was magical. Another album that would be borderline Top 100 for me, but it wouldn't come close to #35.
34. L.A. Woman - The Doors
My main issue is that I don't think this album is better or more popular than the first album. I'd have that album int he Top 50 and this one a lot closer to 100 than 34.
33. All Things Must Pass - George Harrison
Don't have a good answer for what I do with this album. I don't think any solo album is better than one of the Beatles albums. So I'd have Let It Be ranked higher than All Things . . . and I'm not sure Let It Be would make my list. (It probably would . . . but bottom line I wouldn't have All Things at 33).
32. Damn The Torpedoes - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
A lot of good songs, but not enough great songs. The first album had two iconic songs that still get played all the time (American Girl and Breakdown). IMO, those two more define TP than anything on Torpedoes.
30. The Band - The Band
Maybe it's me, but I wouldn't have anything from The Band anywhere near my list. Not popular enough, not enough radio songs, not enough airplay, and hardly ever played where I lived. If they were hugely popular elsewhere, so be it. But I hardly heard them on the radio other than Cripple Creek and The Weight. But those were once in a while and not in regular rotation.
29. The Cars - The Cars
I love this album and listen to it all the time (for better or for worse). But I struggle to call it classic rock when it was a pop station staple. I don't ever recall The Cars getting played a lot on either current rock or classic rock stations. They were more Top 40 where I lived. Including this one opens up a can of worms, as that introduces a lot of other bands as candidates for a classic rock list that probably really aren't (see Tim's post above this one).