Albums didn't happen till quite late on - relatively speaking - in musical history. Most records were 2 track or 4 track EPs until the 3 1/3 LP came along (about 1948 according to Wikipedia) The BBC did a very good documentary on "Concept Albums" which covered this.

I'd make a bid for Rock with Bill Haley and the Comets - rock and roll was the first counterculture musical phenomenon that I can think of.