Ten Greatest Rock Bands of All Time
86Who dares compile such a list?
There have been a multitude of rock bands, of course, many of them spectacular. Who can pick the best? What the heck, I'll try. I've been around for awhile, since all the oldest bands on the list have been in existence - say, 1962. The list only includes bands whose forte is good ol' rock ‘n' roll. No players of blues, rhythm and blues, funk, soul, folk, hip-hop - much less jazz or other dissimilar genres - are included on this list. Moreover, all of these bands has (or had) a distinctive sound that few can imitate, dare they try. All of the bands were together for years - or decades or still perform - and made an indelible mark on the world of rock ‘n' roll.
(Please watch the videos below the text.)
1. What more can anybody say about The Beatles?John, Paul, George and Ringo became household names back in 1964 – in the UK and USA, at least. Soon they became known as the Fabulous Four or Fab Four. By the late 1960s many people thought they were sent here to save the world. Fancy that notion, eh? Perhaps their best album, Revolver, was VH1’s pick for best album of all time. Back in1967, during the psychedelic era, many of us marveled at their enigmatic, post-acid lyrics. Some examples were: “The walrus was Paul . . . Lucy in the sky with diamonds . . . When ignorance and haste may mourn the dead.” Yeah, right, gimme a hit!
Then that Japanese artist chick Yoko Ono broke them up. Or did she? Perhaps a more likely possibility is that aspirations for solo careers sent them in other directions. At any rate, we’ll probably never see their like again. But people must try to bring them back in some fashion. Currently, the Cirque du Soleil production of Love in Las Vegas is a musical production based on the Beatles’ music. Hey, Strawberry Fields Forever!
2. I’ll never forget listening to the first album by Led Zeppelin. This was truly incredible music! I’d never heard anything like Jimmy Page’s searing, hyperkinetic guitar slinging or Robert Plant’s otherworldly screaming, chanting and howling, and the other musicians were decidedly above average as well. The lead riff from the song “Dazed and Confused” is forever implanted in my gray matter – I may die contemplating it! Perhaps the band’s best album was Houses of the Holy, including its smash hits “Dancing Days,” “The Rain Song” and “No Quarter.”
And the Zep didn’t let me down for 12 years, though there was a drop-off in quality material during and after the double album Physical Graffiti (but who can forget the tantric “Kashmir”?) Then in 1980 drummer John Bonham died and the band broke up. Incidentally, in 2000, VH1 voted Led Zeppelin the number one greatest hard rock band. The Zep had a reunion concert at the end of 2007, and plans for a reunion “tour” have been in the works, but it will probably never happen.
3. In 1962 Brian Jones brought together the members of a rhythm and blues band that would become The Rolling Stones. Their list of classic albums is long: Out of Our Heads, Aftermath, Their Satanic Majesties Request, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and Exile on Mainstreet. Unfortunately, the band transmogrified after the death of guitarist/musicologist Brian Jones in July 1969. Some rock purists think the Rolling Stones were never as good afterwards. The Stones’ sponsored Altamont bummer concert in December 1969, where a Hell’s Angel stabbed a black man to death, may not have helped their group psyche as well.
Be that as it may, about this time, the band began trumpeting themselves as the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band in the world. Evidence of this could be their live album Flashpoint, released in 1991. Rock never sounded so good. At any rate, their longevity certainly speaks for itself. They ought to be touring again any day now. There they are!
4. Reputedly, blues guitarist’s Eric Clapton’s jaw dropped when he heard Jimi Hendrix play Howlin Wolf’s “Killing Floor.” I’ll bet many jaws went south when The Jimi Hendrix Experience, the eponymous power trio, hit the music scene in the UK the latter part of 1966. The group lasted only four years or so, changing bass players and drummers a time or two (Mitch Mitchell was the drummer on all albums except Band of Gypsies, on which Buddy Miles played drums and sang vocals.) But the band’s leader, Jimi Hendrix, quickly established himself as the most explosive and inventive guitarist around and to this day is often considered the greatest rock guitarist of all time. (Rolling Stone magazine voted him as such in 2003.) Perhaps the band’s greatest songs were “Purple Haze,” “Foxy Lady,” “All Along the Watchtower” and “Machine Gun.”
Then, in the fall of 1970, Hendrix was planning to record an album with jazz great Miles Davis. Wouldn’t that have been incredible! Unfortunately, the band’s stardom was cut short by the death of Jimi Hendrix in September 1970. Well, to use an astronomical metaphor - appropriate somehow - blue giant stars, because they’re so enormous, burn out in a relatively quick and spectacular fashion, ending in a cataclysmic explosion known as a super nova. Yes, they go – BOOM! Alas, poor Jimi ended likewise.
5. Few rock bands have been as influential as Pink Floyd, which formed in 1965. Pink Floyd has sold over 200 million records and still performs from time to time. Their first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, was released during the Summer of Love in 1967. Perhaps the album’s greatest hit was “Interstellar Overdrive,” a decidedly psychedelic title and tune, during a very trippy time, if you remember. In 1965, lead guitarist Syd Barrett, suffering from mental problems, was replaced by his friend David Gilmour. The band has produced numerous hit albums over the years, particularly classics such as The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall. After breaking up in 1996, Pink Floyd reunited for the Live 8 concert in 2005. Sadly, Syd Barrett died in July 2006, but Pink Floyd’s space music will never perish.
6. U2 seems to be one of the most popular musical acts in the world – and a band with a social conscience. One of their first songs, 1983’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” commemorated the slaughter of civilians during upheavals in IRA-embattled Ireland. The band was also prominent at the Live-Aid (for Africa) concerts in 1985. Bono, the lead singer of the group, remains a social activist on the world scene, visiting trouble spots with the regularity of a United Nations ambassador. Of course, U2 has written ballads too, perhaps most prominently “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” featured on their album Joshua Tree, rated number 15 on VH1’s list of the 100 Greatest Rock Albums of All Time, compiled in 2001. If any rock group lasts as long - or even longer - than the Rolling Stones, it may be U2.
7. No American rock band has won more awards and honors – and sold more albums -than Aerosmith. Formed in the early 1970s, this Boston-based band developed a hard rock cutting edge that rivaled that of other hard rock bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and AC/DC, though some critics considered them nothing more than a poor man’s Rolling Stones. Perhaps the band’s greatest hit is “Walk This Way,” covered by numerous groups, including the hip-hop band Run D.M.C. But it has been a bumpy ride for these guys. By the middle 1980s virtually every band member ended up in drug rehab, and the band didn’t rebound until every member swore off the contraband by the end of the decade. Aerosmith is still touring and recording. As for rock longevity, only the Rolling Stones top these aging, though potent, rockers.
8. Another San Francisco Bay Area group that made it big, Santana started as the Santana Blues Band, led by guitarist Carlos Santana. The band’s Latin-flavored rock ‘n’ roll became a quick sensation in San Francisco’s concert scene. The band became famous before the release of its first album by playing at Woodstock in August 1969. Their top-grossing albums were Abraxas in 1970 and, in 1999, Supernatural, something of a comeback effort after many years of low record sales and no recording contract. Santana has undergone numerous personnel changes over the years, but Carlos Santana certainly hasn’t retired to the old folks’ home. He’s recorded and toured with such notables as Buddy Miles, John McLaughlin, Wayne Shorter, Alice Coltrane, Stanley Clarke, Herbie Hancock, Vernon Reid and Eric Clapton. Not bad for a guy who washed dishes before forming one of the greatest rock bands of all time!
9. A multitude of rock fans fell in love with the first album by the Seattle grunge band Pearl Jam. Ten, released in 1991, is certainly one of the greatest rock albums of all time. VH1 listed it as number 79 on the list of 100 Greatest Rock Albums of All Time. (Way too low, don’t you think?) Anyway, members of Pearl Jam thought enough of their fans to sue Ticketmaster because they thought it was charging too much for tickets to their concerts (they wanted to keep the price below $20 per ticket). Unfortunately, the band lost the lawsuit. After many changes in personnel over the years - though lead singer Eddie Vedder remains the group’s main man - the band continues touring and cutting albums. Moreover, many of their performances have been recorded and released on CDs (bootlegs of such are available too).
10. The San Francisco Bay Area of the middle 1960s spawned The Grateful Dead, whose eclectic, folk/acid rock sound heralded a counterculture movement that continues to this day. I remember their first album too, particularly the 10-minute jam titled “Viola Lee Blues.” Such long songs were becoming the rage. Of course, the Grateful Dead became famous for such extemporaneous marathons. They did catchy tunes as well. The lead cut on the album, “The Golden Road,” has a flower power bounce that I’ve always loved, though the band shunned the tune (a little too commercial perhaps?), never playing it in concert. The band’s only Top 10 single was “Touch of Grey,” released in 1987.
The Grateful Dead created a generation of followers known as the Deadheads, who followed the group as they toured around the country. Unfortunately this itinerate lifestyle for the Deadheads ended with the death of lead guitarist/singer Jerry Garcia in 1995. However, the Grateful Dead continues in some fashion to this day. Oh, yes, the Dead will always be with us!
The Zep
The Stones
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Pink Floyd
U2
Aerosmith
Santana
Pearl Jam
The Dead
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The best list:
(except for the Beatles)
1: Led Zeppelin
2: The Rolling Stones
3: Rush
4: The Who
5: Jimi Hendrix
6: Aerosmith
7: Nirvana
8: Pink Floyd
9: The Police
10: The Ramones
5: Guns N Roses
6:
4:
Hey, nonsense, I guess the Who could be on this list. As for Santana, you must have forgotten how good their albums were back in the 1970s - as good as anybody's at that time, and they still sound GREAT, particularly Carlos. As for Pearl Jam, they're the best rock band in the last 20 years. Duh! Later!
Why are The Rolling Stones behind Led Zeppelin?
Why are The Who not included?
What are Santana and Pearl Jam doing on a list like this?
my top 10 bands are 1. The Beatles 2. The Rolling stones 3. Led Zeppelin 4. U2 5. Velvet underground 6. The Who
7. The Grateful Dead 8. Pink Floyd 9. The Doors 10. Radiohed
Old Mate, Fleetwood Mac are the soft rock kings. Hey!
No Fleetwood Mac anywhere? Your all off your heads.. Rumours, Tusk?
The Who?
what where's leppard?
1.Def Leppard
2 Twisted sister
3 Europe
4AC/DC
5status qou
Their r so many bands and musicians to rank in the top 10.it depends on influence,live performances,and what makes u feel good at a certin time. Here,s my top 10. Beatles, Bruce Springsteen and the E St. Band,CSN&Y/Neil Young,Black Sabbath,Greatful Dead,The Stones,Bob Marley&Dylan,Pearl Jam,Pink Floyd,and Tom Petty. Verry hard to pick ten. Others right their The Who ,The Kinks,and Metalica and i can go on and on.peace to all
You can keep them there, it does not mean you're right. They should be #3 or #4 ;)
No matter what Led Zeppelin may or may not have done to create their numerous hits, they're staying number two on this list. You can put them wherever you want on yours. As for this plagiarism you suggest, it sounds like a good idea for an article, which I will soon write. Later!
Led Zeppelin lost the lawsuits in ALL the occasions they happened. Yes, that's right, all of them. One thing is to be influenced by an artists or to cover other people's songs. Another complete different thing is to copy their material, crediting the authorship to themselves. They did not only "steal some lyrics", they stole entire songs. Plagiarism has NOTHING to do with influence, pal. You're confusing the terms. Again, serach it on the internet and you'll see what I mean.
90% of their stuff is just 3 chord progression songs, with a lot of fillers to cover up lack of songwriting talent.
Led Zeppelin = the most overrated band of all time.
The Zep may have been sued for stealing lyrics or whatever but that doesn't mean they were actually guilty of such a "crime." Did anybody else write "Stairway to Heaven," "The Rain Song" or "Dancing Days"? Prove to me they did and I'll eat a lead balloon - without ketchup! Plagiarism is very hard to prove anyway. I don't care what somebody wrote in "Rollingstone." Even if Zeppelin did steal a lick or two, who cares? Everybody's been influenced in some way. THE ZEP STILL KICKED ASS!!! Later!
Led Zeppelin have been sued DOZENS of times for plagiarizing material from other artists. You get your facts straight, buddy! Search it anywhere on the internet and you can even find videos on youtube comparing the songs that were plagiarized. The evidence is uncanny, believe me... All they did was make the old blues songs much heavier. But that's it.
And yes, The Rolling Stones usually rank higher than Led Zeppelin by music critics (e.g. Rolling Stone magazine and VH1 rankings and many others). It can't be just coincidence, right?
I agree, Rolling Stones should be #2!
The ROLLING STONES should be #2!!!
1. Bon Jovi
2. Def Leppard
3. Quireboys
4. Guns n Roses
5. Skid Row
6. Tigertailz
7. Motley Crue
8. Little Angels
9. Queen
10. Iron Maiden
I like AD DC led zeppelin and Pink Floyd but my best is Def
Leppard
Led Zeppelin wrote much of their own material. The album "Houses of the Holy" is almost entirely written by Page and Plant. Cover Band? Surely you jest, sir? Check your facts and then return and offer a more enlightened comment. Later!
I agree 100%. Led Zeppelin are NOWHERE NEAR The Beatles in terms of being creative and innovative. You can teach a monkey to be a guitar virtuoso, but you can never teach him to make/create music. Complete different things there.
You mean LED ZEPPELIN THE BEST COVER BAND EVER, right? Since they plagiarized most of their stuff and could hardly be called genius songwriters, like Lennon/McCartney often are. Led Zeppelin are just a good instrumental band, that's all. They had great technique, in terms of instrument playing, but very limited songwriting abilities. That's just a fact.
Being a good instrumentalist hardly means that you are a good songwriter.
LED ZEPPELIN THE BEST ROCK BAND EVER (the most powerful band ever)
THE BEATLES THE BEST POP BAND EVER (the most famous band ever)
Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder himself would probably disagree with the inclusion of his band and not of The Who, since he has said many times that, to him, The Who are the greatest band of all time.
I respect your opinion, man. But, come on! How can you not include The Who on such a list? How?!??
Except for The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, they're very probably the most influential band of all time. Easily, Top 10. That's the biggest mistake I see here.
And I think we all know (even yourself) that Santana and Peal Jam simply DO NOT belong here. Absolutely not. Even Aerosmith and The Greatful Dead are highly arguable choices.
You top 5 is good, though...
THE BEATLES are in a category of their own, out of anyone's league. A class beyond. I don't think they can be simply put on a list.
Having said that, the greatest of all time are:
1- THE ROLLING STONES
2- LED ZEPPELIN
3- THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
4- PINK FLOYD
5- THE BEACH BOYS
6- QUEEN
7- U2
8- THE WHO
9- THE RAMONES
10- THE CLASH
Beatles
Rolling stones
Led zeppelin
Pink Floyd
who
u2
Sex pistols
Rem
Clash
Radiohead
Beach Boys
1. The Beatles
What didn't the Beatles do, or popularize?
2. The Rolling Stones
Brought image and toughness back to a genre that was softening up, and revived a generation's interest in the blues. Great songs. Epic tours. Kings of arenas and riffs and decadence for an entire generation.
3. The Beach Boys
Started off with many, heavily Chuck Berry-influenced hits, but soon developed a psychedelic pop signature sound, which the group continued to explore on albums into the late 1970s. America's most experimental rock/pop band.
4. Nirvana
Completely changed the parameters regarding what constituted "good" rock n' roll for a generation, (similar to VAN HALEN in that respect.) after Nirvana's commercial break-through, music was never the same... And still isn't.
5. Van Halen (with David Lee Roth)
Van Halen's break-through album came out in the late 1970s. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen and vocalist David Lee Roth were akin to having Jimi Hendrix and Elvis performing in the same band. Eddie Van Halen virtually reinvented the electric guitar. Van Halen became the MTV generation's most copied band -- but it was never equalled by any of its followers, e.g. Bon Jovi.
6. The Sex Pistols
One year before Van Halen, on the other side of the Atlantic, a band with comparable fury and arguably just as much influence released an album that became the template for punk rock.
7. Led Zeppelin
Along with Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin can lay claim to inventing heavy metal -- a genre that continues to be very popular. Memorable riffs, which were equalled only by the bluesy chops of Keith Richard, and the dexterity of Van Halen, plus a frontman who became the genre's prototype. Arguably the best rhythm section in rock history.
8. Fleetwood Mac
Along with The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac -- a former British blues band -- popularized the lite rock emanating from southern California throughout the 70s. Fleetwood Mac's album "rumors" remains one of the greatest collection of rock songs. although they never equalled that success, Fleetwood Mac was a rock juggernaut -- and remains one.
9. Alice In Chains
Although Nirvana was looked at as the more seminal band than AIC, AIC spawned decades of imitators which continues unabated to this day. The sound of the future was not Nirvana -- it was variations on the grim, dark themes of Alice in Chains.
10. Honorable mentions: The Eagles (a male Fleetwood Mac); The Who (British avante pop-rock); The Doors (dark, barroom poetry); Alice Cooper (first theatrics in rock and roll, macabre); Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention (combined comedy with virtuosity); Steely Dan (jazz-rock pioneers); Black Sabbath (with both Ozzy and Dio, set a template for heavy metal; Metallica (re-defined metal for the post-Zep, Sabbth generation, taking from Van Halen and punk as well.)
The Rolling Stones should be number 2, man.
Drop Led Zeppelin to third position and your top 5 will be perfect.
The Stones had a much bigger impact than Zeppelin. Any basic research will tell you that.
Rush plays some of that hippy crap too - good for them. Also, Creed is nothing more than a Pearl Jam wannabe band. Later!
Beatles are just a bunch of long haired hippy freaks who made a crappy band
Yo man sum u u guys suk, get a life man. Rush rules. Heres mi list
1, RUSH
2, Creed
3, Metallica
4, Pearl Jam
5, Pink Floyed
6, Nirvana
7, Maroon 5
8, Led Zepplin
9, Adele
10, Nickleback
I no most of u will disagree but worth a shot go for it and see what happens dudes.
No Metallica on the List is irrelevent .
Same goes for Queen. ;)
I feel Buddy Holly & the Crickets must be included on any such list, if not for their exceptional music then for the fact that they influenced so many other acts (e.g., the Beatles, the Stones, Bob Dylan).
Where's Bon Jovi????
me again, can tell ya that pearl jam is my favorite, they do it for me, i've listened to them since the beginning.... i undcerstand, i feel it, every song, every album(minus riot act, i was too fucked up in those days, still havent gotten into it)....and 20 years later, they're still putting out amazing stuff....best ever imo.
i forgot the doors in my post of my favorites, and i just started listening to kings of leon about a year ago.....haven't heard a bad one yet.
these are my faves, where they rank is personally subjective....
pearl jam, stones, kings of leon, queen, the who, neil young, billy joel, blind melon, sublime, zeppelin, hendrix, dylan, floyd, the beatles, zepp, dave matthews band, nirvana, bob marley, the eagles.......
1.The Beatles
2. The Who
3. The Rolling Stones
4. Pink Floyd
5. Led Zepplin
6. Radiohead
7.Aerosmith
8. Metallica
9. The Kinks
10. Nirvana
Thanks for the comment, theocharis V. Both the Beatles and Pink Floyd rate very high, but so do the other bands up there. Later!
I see that your hub has raised many comments and disagreements. This is a proof that it is a very successful hub! Thumbs up. Personally, I would put Pink Floyd together with the Beatles at No. 1, but hey...this is just my opinion. Great Hub.
Hi Goth. Yes you are right. Maybe Aerosmith deserves more...This is like carrying the best clothes in just one suitcase: you think you take the best but there is always something you left at home. But since I am not voting my favs (aerosmith undoubtly in my top 5) but those who are part of rock´s history due to their legacy in planet Rock, I don’t quite find reasonable arguments to add them. Yes, maybe others mentioned shouldn’t be there too. Anyway this is how I feel it: U2 innovates and even when they fail (Achtung baby for instance), they keep trying like in a music laboratory. Not to mention Hendrix...Universal, as maths,
Dave&eddie: Daves carisma and eddies skills perfoming with guitar n synthesizers. In other guitar player one would bet that he is playing off key…But no, he´s Eddie!! (good luck folks with your new “tattoo”!)
R.a.m: unique lyrics. None of my business tho. Anyway Zack feels it, that’s for sure!!. Trashy and politically committed. No love songs (Cool!)
Ac dc is a religion (here in Spain, they even have a street name!!).
More or less like Deep P, Guns, ledzep and metallica. Wonderful bands.
Yes, in the end is just a matter of tastes. I left some others apart (Kansas, Alice, B Sabath…)
Thanks for the feedback.
Possible Top 10 names: The Who, Queen, Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band, The Beach Boys, The Clash, The Ramones, The Velvet Underground, Nirvana, The Doors.
The lower you go down on the list the harder it gets to pick a band.
Your top 5 is perfect, although I believe The Rolling Stones should be 2nd and Led Zeppelin 3rd, because they were more important.
U2 also definitely belong in the Top 10. You got that right, although I'd probably place them 1 or 2 positions lower than you did.
The only big problem I see in your list is its 2nd half: Aerosmith definitely deserve a spot in a Top 20 and Santana and The Grateful Dead would MAYBE make it to a Top 20 as well, but Pearl Jam is Top 30 at most and that is another MAYBE.
In my opinion, ranking any of those 4 bands in the Top 10 is simply too much and it can't really be backed, can it?. It seems that you made the 2nd half of your list just a little bit too personal.
Still, interesting list. Thanks!
WOW!What about Rage Against the machine, Deep Purple, Dire straits, Alice C, Hendrix...?. But among all, whether you like them or not, Queen is the best Rock band ever.
In terms of personality, originality, innovation, variety, influence and quality, who can beat them???who can forget queen´s Brighton Rock, Stone cold crazy, Seven seas of rhye, I want it all, Innuendo, and so many non-music-for-the-masses master pieces.
Untouchable the 3 first; you can permute the rest:
1.- Queen
2.- Ac/dc
3.- Hendrix
4.-Van Halen+David Lee Roth
5.- Deep Purple
6.- Led Zep.
7.- U2
8.- Rage against tha machine
9.- guns n roses
10.- metallica
Cheers!
Guys, whoever thinks Rush should be on this list is clearly not reasoning. One thing is to enjoy their sound, everyone is entitled to have their own preferences. Another complete different thing is to say they are one of the greatest bands of all time, overlooking facts in favor of personal opinion.
Rush has very limited influence/impact on music and social events, when compared to other bands that deserve to be on a list like this (Beatles, Rolling Stones). They are also no that much successful neither in the charts nor commercially and they're only a little more popular nowadays because they've been playing together for quite a while now.
OK, they made good music, but that's not enough. Dozens of bands have also made good music. Quality is too subjetcive to be measured precisely and will always vary from one person to another and according to different music styles.
Being GREAT goes way beyond being GOOD. It involves many other factors and Rush does not have a great deal of them, as I already mentioned.
So, MAYBE they would make it to a Top 30 list, but NEVER to a Top 10. No way.
Hey, I voted Rush as one of the top rock trios of all time. But, as far as I'm concerned, they don't belong on this list. You've got me confused with one of the others who've commented. Later!
Whatarush. Your insistence that Rush is the greatest band of all time is becomming annoying, and not terribly contributory to this thread.
I personally love Rush. However, a top ten greatest rock band list is not just about your "personal" favorite band. Please, get over yourself.
I love Tom Petty, Radiohead, Roxy Music, Coldplay (old Coldplay anyway), and many other good bands. But none of them make rock's top ten list, because they are all missing a piece or two.
Rush is a good band, but nothing like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, or any number of other truly "great" bands, when it comes to how much and how many they influenced. I AM sorry, but Rush does not appeal to anywhere near as many people, as any band that was on my list.
And just because a band stays together a long time does not, in and of itself, make them great. A lot of other things are needed as well.
Venue size is a huge tell. Rush regularly sells out to venues holding 5,000 - 25,500 people. Bands like U2, the Police, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Grateful dead, they all regularly sell/sold out to colliseums of 60,000 - 100,000 people or more.
Other factors are:
1)Musical ability/groundbreaking style
2)How much air play they get/got on the radio
3)How much of a social impact they have/had
4)Album sales
5)Price they can command for their music/shows
6)Number of people that know of them, and/or claim they like them
7)Number of musicians/bands that were/are influenced by them, or who try to somehow copy or emulate them
8) Their music is still listened to and enjoyed by a great many people, decades after it was recorded.
9) They rank on most peoples' top ten lists...
Rush is a good band, and they rank high in many of these categories. But they do not rank high on enough of them; not like most, if not all on Kosmo's list, my list, or most other peoples' lists on this site.
Why? Rush is made up of three awesome musicians - Neil Pert was a God to me when I was learning to play the drums. They have a distinct and groundbreaking style, and they have indeed remained together and potent for decades.
However they have had virtually NO impact socially, and many people still do not know of them, or much care for them if they do. Low rankings in those two categories, disqualifies them from the top ten list of all time.
Why don't they rank higher on social impact? Because for many, what they sing about, the songs they write, and how they play them, simply do not serve to "touch" many. That is not to say that they do not deeply touch those that like them. Yet there are many who simply do not "get," or somehow appreciate them. And whether you agree or not, that is key when ranking the top ten.
For many, Rush's music style is simply too progressive, too sharp, too hard driving, with shrill vocals and too many chord, tempo and cadance changes (mind you, I enjoy their style, however there are plenty of people who do not).
And Rush does not much sing much about love, or self-reflection, so they do not appeal much to average women.
One of my best friends - a talented musician - absolutely loves Rush, and would probably agree with you, because he doesn't care what other people like. However, the vast majority of the population feel differently from him. For most, Rush is simply too complex, too advanced, or too unrelatable for them.
And that is what this list is all about - who are the greatest top ten rock bands of all time. You have to take ALL of the factors I, Kosmo and others have mentioned here (and possibly more) into consideration. And when you do that, Rush simply does not come in the top ten, let alone number one.
Top 30 - 50 maybe, but not top ten. So your personal preference is noted by all, however, please...give it a rest...
47+yrs and still selling out arenas .still influencing music .
just asking is there any rock band that is still together today as long
as rush or longer? but remember still selling out arenas for there new studio release's.
and not just washed up reunion's. please no kiss or van halen.
1-pinkfloyd 2-queen 3-iron maiden
My list does not include solo artists, which leaves out Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry and Little Richard, who would otherwise have to be included on any list of top 10 greatest Rock music artists, necessarily.
1- THE BEATLES – easy pick. Practically unanimous amongst music critics.
2- THE ROLLING STONES – easy pick.
3- LED ZEPPELIN – greatest band of the 70's.
4- THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE – hugely important, innovative and influential. Revolutionized guitar playing.
5- PINK FLOYD – popular, successful and influential.
6- THE BEACH BOYS – Greatest vocal Rock group ever and one of the most important and innovative bands of all time. Often credited as the only ones to have ever been able to challenge The Beatles creatively, even if for a short period of time.
7- QUEEN – too big to be forgotten. Arguably the greatest Live band of all time and responsible for making some of Rock’ n’ Roll’s greatest anthems.
8- U2 – greatest band of the last 30 years and last "dinosaurs" of Rock music.
9- THE WHO – one of the most important and influential bands of all time.
10- THE RAMONES – pioneers (if not founders) of Punk Music. Punk is way too big and important to be left out.
11- THE CLASH – Took Punk music to a higher level.
12- THE VELVET UNDERGROUND – one of the most influential bands of all time, given their popularity.
13- NIRVANA – greatest band of the 90’s. Caused a big impact on Rock music.
14- THE DOORS – one of the greatest and most iconic American bands.
15- Too many competitors for a single spot.
To me, the best way to measure this is by a combination of factors:
1) QUALITY (talent/how good the band is) - which is pretty subjective and variale, according to each person's preferences and personal taste, although you can have a relative idea of it by how critically acclaimed a band is.
2) IMPORTANCE (definitely the most esssential and important factor) - innovation, influence on other artists, impact on music and even society (like The Beatles and The Stones did or Punk did), significance, relevance, creativity to inspire others and so on.
3) ACHIEVEMENTS - success commercially and in the charts. No matter how good a band is, if they don't get at least a fair share of recognition they can't be considered great. Being great goes beyond being good. Greatness involves a lot more.
4) LONGEVITY - capacity to withstand the test of time and not remain dated, transcending generations. It also goes beyond being simply famous or popular, although those are also factors to be taken into account.
The bands that best meet, although in different levels, all those fundamental pre-requirements hold the higher ranks. The Beatles are the only band I know that completely and fully contain all those: widely regarded as the best and most important band ever, best selling music artists of all time as well as best number 1 charting act in history and the only band I know that remains worshipped EVERYWHERE around the globe, even though they broke up over 40 years ago. To deny their position is to be musically uneducated. Simple as that.
after reading thousands of comments i now understand why rush is the most overlooked and underrated band of all time. THINKING MANS MUSIC.
Rush is an awesome band to be sure. I have seen them twice myself. And certainly they have influenced many people/musicians. However, when stacked up against the likes of Led Zeppelin of Pink Floyd, I am sorry, but they are not in the same class - and this coming from a huge fan of all three bands.
And Jethro Tull - the greatest band of all time??? Maybe one person in 100 might even know who they are, let alone their music. Popelarity is one of the inherent qualifications for being a "great" band, as opposed to just a "good" or "talented" band - which Jethro /tull indeed is.
But pregressive flute-playing is not what most people think of when they think of Rock and Roll. Indeed, I would classify Jethro Tull more as Progressive music than Rock anyway. The same with Yes.
Don't get me wrong, I love all these guys, and have seen most of them in concert - Gabriel 4 times, Steve Hacket once, Jethro Tull once, Rush twice.
And if the tickets had not been so expensive when I was in college, I would have seen the SuperTramp Breakfast in America Tour - an album I absolutely loved. I would also have loved to have seen Queen,and in particular Dire Straits - I adore Brothers in Arms, and one of my all time favorite albums.
I have seen CSNY together and as separate parts several times - although I would not really classify them so much as rock, but as folk.
Regardless, as important and influencial as most of these bands are, they simply do not have all of the pieces to be considered in the top ten best. Particularly Jethro Tull. I am sorry, but most people do not even know whoAJethro Tull is. And of those that do, not many like them - including me.
I find Ian's endless fluting off into bizare melodies, quite difficult to follow and identify with - as do most people. That is not to say they are not great musicians. They are indeed some of the most talented musicians playing - far more talented than say Niel Young.
But talent is not the only element in being great. To be in the top ten list, you need to have had a huge impact on society as a whole, and most everyone you talk to, should probably have some idea of the artist, and at least one of their albums that transformed a large chunk of society.
Such albums are Rubber Sole or The White Album, Led Zeppelin I - IV, Dark Side of the Moon or The Wall. Yeah, rush 2012 was good, but it did not transform society. The White Album Did.
I hope you get where I am going with this, because I love nearly all of the bands you both mentioned. Hell Early Genesis was AWESOME, especially the Lamb Lies Down and Seconds Out - the double Live album (my personal favorite Genesis album - even though Gabriel had already moved on, to soon be followed by Steve Hacket and Tony Banks). And even though at one point their music was rather popular and played all over the radio, i am not sure that Abacab is really all thaty highly regarded now, at least, not in the sense that "Smells Like Teen Spirit" from the album "Nevermind" might be.
Part of being great, is that your stuff has to last the test of time. Some of the early genesis stuff does, but it was not known to enough people (Catering to a "Progressive" crowd, rather than classic rock). Their later stuff was known to WAY more people, but it was more pop - akin to something Britiny Spears or Lady Gaga might put out these days. The later stuff was of far inferior quality, and is not really that popular today.
And lastly, you have to place people in the top ten list, even if yo udo not like their music - liek the Grateful Dead for me. I may not be that apprefciative of their music, but there are tens of millions of rabid, devout fans that are.
Add that to their massive musical proliferation, impact on a huge portion of the human population who lovingly go by the term "Dead Head," and the fact that they have remained that popular and prolific for decades, while continuing to tour endlessly, always with a huge flock of fans following them around...
Well...my friend, all of that is the sort of thing it takes to get put onto the top ten all time best rock band list.
LOL!!
People that do not consider Jethro Tull as one of the most importat classic rock band, do not understant high cuality music, their music is for smart people, this is not noise as many other bands described in this page. I am sorry but most of you do not know about cuality music.
My list
Jethro Tull
Genesis with Gabriel
Pink Floyd with Waters
Yes
Supertramp
Dire Straits
CSNY
Queen
Led Zeppelin
Beatles
Hey, I heard Rush will release a new album this year. They certainly deserve lots of votes for a list such as this. Later!
the most highly anticipated album 2012. CLOCKWORK ANGELS
there 20th!! studio album
still touring .in fact announced to be best live band 2011. neil 58. geddy 59. alex 59.
influential? maybe lets see
mettalica
dream theatre
red hot chilli peppers
primus
tool
foo fighters
coheed
cambria
muse
sorry ! i am only naming a few . but you can see that it would be an easy job with a brief look at there followers to understand that there biggest fans are also serious
rockers.
34 gold records
14 platinum
3rd place behind beatles and rolling stones.
well you have mainstream music pushed along with mainstream media=beatles ,rolling stones. then you have RUSH chugging along outside mainstream but on a parallel course.individually an amazing accomplishment , as are each member of this band in there respective instrument virtuoso .
this most simple small gathering of info puts them in 3rd .
A proof of Nirvana's greatness is how highly regarded they still are, even though they lasted for such a short period of time. It's not about how long a bands lasts, dude, it's about what the band does, creates and the impact and influence it has on others during the period their active. That's what you're failing to get. You may like Pearl Jam more, you're entitled to have your personal prefrences, but you can NEVER argue against Nirvana being greater than Pearl Jam, because that's a fact and you simply wouldn't be able to prove your point.
Hey, Steve 49, Nirvana didn't exist long enough to be in the top ten. The number three gunge band - yes. (See that list of mine.) As for the Eagles and Van Halen, they would be excellent picks. Later!
Uh...The Allman Brothers? Not sure they should even be in the Top 50.
My List:
Beatles - Most All-Around influencial and important Band of all time.
Led Zeppelin - My Personal Favorite Band. Huge, diverse, Talented and influencial
Pink Floyd - My Second Favorite Band, quite diverse, ground-breaking, and hugely influential to so many
The Rolling Stones - Not in my personal top five, but undeniably huge and influencial
U2 - Not in my personal top five, but undeniably huge and influential.
Van Halen - Packed stadiums, Ground-breaking guitar playing - there's not a guitar player in the world that has not heard of Eddie Van Halen
The Eagles - Sorry kids. I know some people do not like the Eagles, but they were/are huge, very influential, span decades, and also crossover huge to the country charts - bonus
The Police - Groundbreaking style, played/play to massive, sold out coliseums, ruled the air waves for five years.
The Greatful Dead - I have never gotten the dead or their fans, however, perhaps no other band has a larger group of devout followers. And their sheer volume of music, quantity of shows and length of concerts is legendary.
Nirvana - The reason I chose Nirvana over bands like AC/DC, Metallica, Queen, The Who, The Kinks, Bowie, Journey and many other great bands, is because of their groundbreaking style, massive and immediate impact, and ruling of the air waves - even of stations that would normally never play their type of music.
But most of all, I selected Nirvana because they single-handedly transformed the music scene, from what we had known as rock from 1962 - 1990. Not only did they carterize the term "Grunge" into the musical lexicon, and influence countless artists and musical styles going forward, but they literally helped to define an entire generation - Generation X.
top 10
1)nirvana
2)ac-dc
3)metallica
4)pink floyd
5)led zeppelin
6)guns n roses
7)the eagles
8)red hot chilli peppers
9)the rolling stones
10)u2
yyz
2112
camara eye
la villia strangiato
cygnus 1
cygnus 11
xanadu
just a drop of rocket sauce . but yet more than enough to be #1 on this list easily.
still leaving great distance between who ever comes next, where all can ramble on for
the next 100 YEARS UNTIL 2112. THEY HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL..........
THEY HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL
If you pick Hendrix, you necessarily have to pick other solo artists too, like Elvis Presely, Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry and Little Richard... I thought this was a list of greatest bands only, not greatest artists of Rock, which is why I excluded Hendrix. Either don't pick any solo musician or pick all the deserving ones, like the ones I mentioned.
Regarding The Beach Boys, do some research and look up other respected lists like The Rolling Stone Magazine and VH1 lists. See where they are ranked on those and you'll understand what I mean. By far, the most important band to ever come out of the US.
As for The Tubes, no one knows who they are, so how coould I place an unknown band on a list like this? Think about it. Later!
Hey, Gabe87, I beg your pardon, but the Beachboys don't belong on this list. Period. You didn't pick Hendrix either. Shame! Also, regarding live performances, the Tubes were as good as Queen. Did you forget the Tubes? "White Punks on Dope"? Shame! Later!
You have to be more objective and leave your personal preferences aside a little, mate.
1- THE BEATLES - easy pick. Practically unanimous amongst music critics.
2- THE ROLLING STONES - easy pick.
3- LED ZEPPELIN - greatest band of the 70's.
4- PINK FLOYD - popular, successful and influential.
5- THE BEACH BOYS - the true Beatles' rivals and one of the most important and innovative bands of all time.
6- QUEEN - too big to be forgotten. Arguably the greatest Live band of all time.
7- U2 - greatest band of the last 30 years and last "dinosaurs" of Rock music.
8- THE WHO - one of the most important and influential bands of all time.
9- THE CLASH/THE RAMONES/SEX PISTOLS - pioneers of punk. Punk music is way too big and important to be left out.
10- THE VELVET UNDERGROUND - one of the most influential bands of all time, considering they're pretty unknown and alternative compared to the the rest of the bands on the list (OK, this last spot is open for discussion).
To me, the best way to measure this is by a combination of factors:
1) QUALITY/TALENT (how good the band is) - which is pretty subjective and variale, according to each person's preferences and personal taste, although you can have a relative idea of it by how critically acclaimed a band is.
2) IMPORTANCE (probably the most esssential factor) - innovation, impact, influence on other artists and even society (like The Beatles and The Stones or Punk), significance, relevance, creativity to inspire others and so on.
3) ACHIEVEMENTS - success commercially and in the charts. No matter how good a band is, if they don't get at least a fair share of recognition they can't be considered great. Being great goes beyond being good. Greatness involves a lot more.
4) LONGEVITY - capacity to withstand the test of time and not remain dated. It also goes beyond being simply famous or popular, although those are also factors to be taken into account.
The bands that best meet, although in different levels, all those fundamental pre-requirements hold the higher ranks.
Hey, MartinT, you obviously haven't heard Santana recently. They're as good as Pink Floyd and Queen ever were. Pearl Jam is as good too, though many people would argue otherwise. The Allman Brothers with Duane Allman were as good as any of the aforementioned as well. Anyway, most of your choices would be in my top 20. Later!
I have to say your list is terrible, you have clearly not tried to deduce "The Greatest Rock Band Ever", not from their influence, popularity etc, but your own love of them. Sadly Aerosmith, Santana, Pearl Jam or The Grateful Dead, should not be in the list they are nowhere near the Top 10, all hugely successful but none of these acts had the same influence and lasting appeal as acts such as Queen and Pink Floyd, who for some bizzare reason you have failed to include. I think (trying to be objective as possible) based on success, influence and popularity the Top 10 should look far more like this;
1 The Beatles
2 The Rolling Stones
3 Led Zeppelin
4 Pink Floyd
5 Queen
6 The Jimi Hendrix Experience
7 The Who
8 Nirvana
9 U2
10 The Doors
Colin, the Beatles greatest achievement was in writing hit singles; they also had tremendous versatility, particularly during and after the "Revolver" album, often considered the best of all time. Later!
The Kinks, The Who and Queen need to be on that list. The criteria needs to be more defined. For example, were they instrumental in influencing subsequent bands. Was their sound unique and original? Are they timeless? I think the last one is the most important....if their music is still revered by subsequent (current) generations. That said, Dave Davies edgy, distorted sound on You Really Got Me was a first. Both The Who and The Kinks composed rock operas, which were unique. Queen...nobody did what they did. And while Aerosmith, U2 and Pearl Jam produced great sounds, I think I could safely put them AFTER the Top 10. Close after, but definitely after.
My list:
1. Zep
2. Floyd
3. Stones
4. Queen
5. Beatles
6. Who
7. Hendrix
8. Sabbath
9. Bad Company
10. Grateful Dead
I personally think zep was the best band of all time. Not only did they have a great influence on rock history and great quality music, they also were a very diverse band. They did everything from blues to metal. In addition the amount of great music they put out was exceptional. As far as the Beatles go, I can understand putting them at the top of a most influential list, but honestly, there music was decent. They had some real hits, but a lot of their music is just okay in my opinion. I put them at 5 because they were more influential than the bands after them, but I think they are the least musically talented on this list.
1- Zeppelin
2- Queen
3- The Rolling Stones
4- Pink Floyd
5- The Beatles
6- The Who
7- AC/DC
8- Def Leppard
9- Aerosmith
10- Nirvana
#1 The Rolling Stones
#2 Led Zeppelin
#3 Guns and Roses
#4 Red Hot Chili Peppers
#5 Queen
#6 Jimi Hendrix Experience
#7 Aerosmith
#8 Deep Purple
#9 AC DC
#10 Pink floyd
Green day
1. Sabbath
2.Sabbath
3.Sabbath
4.Sabbath
5.Sabbath
6.Sabbath
7.Sabbath
8.Sabbath
9.Sabbath
10. Spice Girls
Not bad but where the hell is Queen. They should be among the top 5 for how unique they sounded and how many hit songs they wrote.
1.LedZeppelin
2.pink floyed
3.Beatles
4.DIRE STRAITS
5.genesis
6.bob dylan
7.tom petty
8.Bruce Springsteen
9.Neil Young
10.Radiohead
1. The Eagles
2. Led Zeppelin
3. The Rolling Stones
4. Pink Floyd
5. The Beatles
6. The Who
7. Van Halen
8. Jimi Hendrix Experience
9. Boston
10. Journey
SOUND GARDEN, SPIN DOCTORS, NAZARETH,BOB SEGER, YES, SUPERTRAMP,
Thanks for the comment, Thomas. Rock enthusiasts keep saying bands such as Pink Floyd belong on this list, and I keep telling them that bands such as the Allman Brothers were just as good or better, only their "sound" was different. Hey! Later!
I am shocked that nobody has added the Allman Brothers Band to their list. They have always been one of my favorites. What those guys could do on the guitar in solos such as that of blue sky and Duane Allman's from "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed." Their drawn out guitar solos reflect the magnificence which southern rock was founded upon.
Metallica
Guns n Roses
Nirvana
Limp Bizkit
Beatles
Rolling Stone
Zeppelin
Sex Pistols
Van Hallen
RHCP
Def leppard for me is the Best Band in the World until today
serious? a little bit shocked that queen isnt on this list. maybe because of the other bands superior record sales in the US, but worldwide queen are second only to the beatles in sales for a rockband, though u could say the beatles where pop. queen should be top of this list for shure just look at live aid and show me a better act with better songs and a better performance and i'll eat my hat.
you all dont know the true band queen is the best
Dara, you don´t know what Rock is. Simple as that. If you don´t place The Beatles on the top, you´re simply asking to be called a fool. Yet, you don´t even iclude them in the Top 10...hahaha
Thanks for the comment, play dead. Very few people have added the Grateful Dead to their top ten lists, but very few have said they don't belong on mine. Few rock bands have been as influential and popular as the Grateful Dead, and yes they were fabulous live. The current Dead are very good too. Later!
Grateful Dead is an absolute must. I'm surprised it's not on more people's list, but then again the Dead are only saved for the worthy souls who can understand them. Many don't have the patience.
Folks....the Dead are not based off there albums!!!!! the Dead produced when they were in a live music setting. Listen to the live shows! (Although of course the albums should not be passed up either!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IriCri2YPOw The Dead peaking out on a 35 minute The Other One.
"they're not the best at what they do, they're the only ones who do what they do" - Bill Grahm
#1.U2
#2.The Clash
#3.Bruce Springsteen & the E-street band
#4.The Who
#5.Queen
#6.The Beatles
#7.The Rolling Stones
#8.The Velvet Underground
#9.Pink Floyd
#10.Led Zeppelin
Black Sabbath ( 1st 6 albums )
Ramones
Led Zeppelin
Steely Dan
Rolling stones
The Doors
U2
AC/DC ( to Back in Black only )
Aerosmith
Van Halen
its a top 10 rock band list so no Beatles or Beach Boys.
sublime?
where is NIRVANA. n PEARL JAM really.,with the end of NIRVANA ,rock came to an end.
All of the artists and bands listed below may not have been the most popular, (except for those Limeys from Liverpool)but they were important because they either started or pushed the musical times and styles forward. Here goes:
BEATLES
JOHNNY CASH: Rock with a bad attitude
GRATEFUL DEAD:For giving me something to dream about for 30 years or so.
VELVET UNDERGROUND: Genius
THE BAND: Weaving magical tales
PEARL JAM :
THE WHO: Rock n Roll thugs
RADIO HEAD
DOA: Vancouver punk pioneers
ROXY MUSIC
my list/ influential order
#1. BEATLES
#2. ZEPPELIN
#3. DOORS
#4. STONES
#5. FLOYD
#6. HENDRIX
#7. GUNS N ROSES
#8. AC~DC
#9. NIRVANA and
#10. DEF LEPPARD........
..........Greatest rock bands ever.
1.pearl jam-best ever. put some headphones w/ the lyrics in front of you, and feel the power and passion.
2.led zeppelin
3. the who
4. the beatles
5. queen
6. the stones
7. pink floyd
8. the doors
9. sublime
10. blind melon-didnt last long, but their soud was great
Its always weird that guns n roses aren't towards the top of the list. Excluding the last couple years where Axl has finally come out of hiding, the bands career only lasted 6 short years. In only six years gnr have sold over 100 million albums!!! What they did, in the time frame they did it in, is completely unsurpassed in the entire history of music. Look at it this way.... It has taken metallica almost 30 years to sell that many albums and still they haven't quite out sold guns.!!! Pretty amazing really.
Pearl Jam might be better than Nirvana (arguable). But Nirvana sure is greater tha Pearl Jam (fact).
i first of all dont know why you guys are not claiming that PEARL JAM should not be on that list. songs like Jeremy, Alive, Black, Daughter , Glorified G, Dissident, W.M.A, Once ETC. I mean what the ef is this crap. They have such Raw Passion in their music and Eddie vedder's Barritone(which is the most impressive kind of voice)is out of this world. One of the most influental Bands of all time .
It begins and ends with 1. Beatles 2.Stones and 3. Who. After that i'ts 4. Zeppelin. and 5. Floyd 6. Doors
PPPPPPIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKKKKK FFFFLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOYYDDDDDD
Pearl Jam is better than Nirvana, because "Ten" is better than "Nevermind." Also, Pearl Jam has been around for 20 years now and still kicks ass. Later!
Where the hell is Nirvana?
Being good is subjective, relative and varies according to each person's preference. What cannot be denied though, is Pink Floyd's greatness... it's simply undeniable that a band that has influenced so much, sold so many records, is so popular, important and acclaimed around the world is not even one of the greatest bands ever. That's objective statement that can be proved with evidence and date. You can't deny that, even if you don't like their sound.
Funny, how you think Pink Floyd are not "good" musicians. You stated that while their "sound" is good, there are many other better musicians. Question: what makes for a good musician, how good his music sounds/his "sound" or music critics/lists? The fact that Pink Floyd has a good "sound" or can produce such good sounding music already makes them incredible musicians. The fact that David Gilmour can create such music that sounds good to so many people makes him an incredible guitarist. Who the hell cares whether he appears on "top 10 lists" or not when he can produce good sound?
1) The Beatles
2) The Rolling Stones
3) Led Zeppelin
The rest is arguable...
Placing The Police on a list like this makes as little sense as placing Pearl Jam. The Police would make it to the best of the 80's maybe, as you said, but Pearl Jam also would ONLY make it to the best of the 90's as well! Rank them anywhere further than that is nonsense...
beatles, stones, zep, floyd, who, u2, clash, radiohead, rem, ramones...greatest/influential bands of all time
Radiohead
Pink Floyd
The Police? Top ten? Nope! Best of the '80s maybe. And Sting is one of the best pop artists of all time. Later!
THE POLICE
Here's a list that most rock fans would agree with:
1. The Beatles
2. Led Zeppelin
3. The Stones
4. Jimi Hendrix Experience
5. The Who
6. Pink Floyd
But selections beyond this point are the subject of great debate. Later!
Probably the second most important rock band of all time after The Beatles was The Who. Not only did they invent the genre that Led Zeppelin followed, Pete Townshend is directly responsible for the invention of the Marshall stack amplifiers. John Entwistle invented bass guitar as we know it today, as well as being the pioneer of round wound bass strings. Keith Moon was an otherworldly drummer who was the first to discard the hi-hat and use a double bass drum set up. When you consider the actual music as well, only The Beatles can claim to be more influential.
Funny! more than 90% of comments here are about the list excluding PINK FLOYD, ur comical effort to exclude Floyd and this massive negative reaction of ur readers simply shows how legendary Floyd is and how it is still that alive in the heart of millions.the irony may be that how you unwittingly praised Pink against your will. To me this page should be called a 'contribution to Floyd'.
Tnx a lot for your contribution to a legend.
1. Beatles
2. Led Zepellin
3. Queen
4. Pink Floyd
5. The Rolling Stones
6. The Jimmy Hendrix Experience
7. AC/DC
8. The Eagles
9. Guns n' Roses
10. Red Hot Chili Peppers
Thanks for the comment, Steve Lensman. Actually, only three of these bands are my favorites - the Beatles, Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. As for the Allman Brothers, they were very popular in the 1970s and their album "Live at Fillmore East," is one of the greatest live albums ever. They're still together too - check out the video I provided. They are still very popular in the South, perhaps more so than Pink Floyd, I'd be willing to bet. Later!
Kosmo, I bet you sometimes wish you had titled this hub "My Ten Favourite Rock Bands". :)
Everyone has their favourites. The Beatles are mine so I'm glad and not that surprised to see the fab four at the top of your list.
Must admit I've never heard of The Allman Brothers Band, somehow they passed me by. I would have put Pink Floyd in their place (and higher up) but thats for purely personal reasons and Floyd are IMO far more famous and popular.
An interesting read, Voted Up.
I remember Pink Floyd's music. They were very good but not necessarily any better than bands such as the Eagles, the Tubes and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, bands which very few people tend to mention. Perhaps others need to be enlightened as well . . . ! Later!
i'm actually somewhat surprised Pink Floyd was not mentioned, they are fairly similar to many of the bands you chose (but they came before most of them). If you are unfamiliar or simply are not a big fan i would recommend looking into them more. I'm not upset you left them your list as many people tend to be about their favorite bands, i actually feel bad that you are perhaps unenlightened in their regard. If i were to make recommendations my favorite songs are in order as follows; Time, Wish You Were Here, Comfortably Numb, Brain Damage and Hey You. Really though you should check them out, and if you are still unconvinced i will understand.
All these bands are Awesome BUT U2 will hold the most awards for the long time coming
"All art is essentially worthless." (And so are top ten lists.) Later!
If you had actually read what I wrote, you'd see that I never said there's no subjectivity on my list (since that's almost impossible), but I tried to reduce it to a minimum. You'd also have noticed the factors I talked about to do so. You obviously don't use any method to make your list, which is why it's not very good.
And dude, I'm not quibbling, just trying to have a conversation about music and understand why you chose your list. I don't know why you're getting stressed over it. Since you don't seem to be open to discussion, I suggest you change the name of your list to "My Ten Favorite Bands" or "Ten Bands I Think Are The Best" or whatever, because that sure isn't a greatest band list. My opinion.
Okay, JGGartardello, let's see your list of the ten greatest rock bands of all time, showing no favorites or subjectivity therein. Oh, yeah, you already did, and your list looks a lot like mine. No more quibbling, okay, this tit-for-tat jazz is becoming a ridiculous waste of time. Later!
I'll give you another example, of more "recent" bands.
There's really no way Pearl Jam is greater than Nirvana. I'll tell you why. I think Pearl Jam is a much BETTER band than Nirvana. But not a GREATER band. When you evaluate other factors, especially the IMPACT both bands had, there's really no way you could place Pearl Jam ahead of Nirvana.
Don't get me wrong here, I wouldn't place Nirvana on my list of Top 10 greatest either, no way. But I would easily put them before I put Pearl Jam, even though I think Pearl Jam is superior when it comes down to musical quality.
It's not just about being good or "the best".
Hope you get what I'm trying to explain to you. Later!
Being good, or “the best” at something doesn’t necessarily mean being “the greatest”. I never said Santana or The Allman Brothers weren't good or didn't have qualiy. There's a lot of good bands around, you can't use that as the single factor to place them on a list like this. The question is: were they GREAT (not GOOD) enough to be included? Highly unlikely.
One thing is to be good, another is to be great. Being “the best" musically is relative and, many times, a matter of personal choice, it varies depending on the kind of music you're into and the different genres and styles. Differently than being "the greatest", being the best is hard to be measured in a more precise way, it's more a matter of personal taste, so you can't solely rely on that to claim a band is the greatest of all time. Your favorite group or musician is not necessarily the greatest; this is not about who you’d like to be considered the greatest.
Being the greatest goes beyond being good or talented. It brings along other factors such as importance (influence, impact, significance, acclamation), achievements (objective stuff, real data - like success commercially and in the charts), popularity (longevity, fame), and many others.
Having said that, there's really no way The Allman Brothers, Santana or Pearl Jam should be on a list of greatest of all time. Even Aerosmith is highly unlikely to be among the Top 10 (maybe Top 20-25). They meet very few (in a very small amount) or practically none of those factors, except your subjective own taste for music. I mean, no one even knows who the hell The Allman Brothers are, except people who are really into music, like ourselves, so how can they be one of the greatest of all time?!?? Doesn't make any sense...
Also, having said that, there's no way I'd consider Pink Floyd to be one of the greatest simply because I like their sound. I'm being objective here, not ignoring facts, since they meet many of the factors I mentioned (including being one of the best selling artists of all time, by the way).
If I was to make a list based on who I think were the best bands, ignoring facts, including only the ones that please me, my list would be very different. For example, I really dislike Led Zeppelin (They wouldn't be in my Top 20 best band list) , still I'm not a fool to dismiss their greatness, which is why I placed them in 3rd position. As I said, being the best is relative and personal, different than being the greatest, which is more objective. I'm trying to be rational and (as neutral as I can at least) and think with my brain, rather than with my heart. I also think (and I completely agree with you here) The Kinks were one billion times a better band than The Who (whose quality I think is extremely overrated), but I wouldn't place them ahead of The Who, because I know such lists go beyond who I think is better, or my favorite. Try to use some parameters, like more respected and well known lists (such as The Rolling Stone magazine or VH1 lists). You'll see that none of the bands you're arguing about were included, simply because it's not just about being good. Think about it.
Anyway, I like half of your list and I thank you for sharing it, it's always nice to talk about music with people who actually have a clue about it. Cheers!
Hey, everybody uses subjectivity when compiling such lists and to suggest otherwise is absurd. We could simply add up record sales and longevity to see who deserves to be where. It's obvious you've forgotten how good the Grateful Dead, Aerosmith, the Allman Brothers (especially with Duane Allman) and Santana were back in the 1970s. You prefer bands such as Pink Floyd (heavily overrated) simply because you prefer their "sound."
Hey, Hyker, you're right, Yes could certainly belong on this list. I would put them here before I'd put Pink Floyd or The Who. The Kinks were/are better, anyway. Later!
Last night I pulled up Topograghic Oceans:a labourous classic that sealed Yes as the Giants Under The Sun.Think about this for a moment.Fragile and Close To The Edge were released within 10 months of each other.Prolific is the word.And they were touring too!Zep even couldn't resist extending and developing ideas on a Yes plain.Some of our favorite music would not exist if it wasn't for the Yesmen.
I didn't include Hendrix because I consider him to be a solo artist, then I'd also have to include the likes of Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Chuck Berry. My list consists only of 3+ member bands.
I dont' understand why you ranked The Grateful Dead so highly. I mean, they're even ahead of The Rolling Stones, mate! Never seen that before on such lists.
And I completely disagree with the inclusion of Aerosmith, Santana, Pearl Jam and The Allman Brothers here as well. I could think of at least 15 to 20 bands that are more deserving to be on a list like this than these ones.
I know each person has their own list, but are you sure you're not letting your personal preferences influence too much? I always try to be as neutral as I can when making such lists, otherwise I would never include Zeppelin or The Who here, since their not favorites of mine, even though I know they had their share of importance to Rock music.
It definitely would be easier to pick the top bands from each decade, wouldn't it? The Beatles, the Stones, the Zep, of course. What about Hendrix?
My list only includes groups made up by 3 or more members.
1) The Beatles - not placing them on the top of any music related list is to be musically uneducated. By far, the greatest group of all time. Practically unanimous, shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone.
2)The Rolling Stones - the only band that can afford to be called The Beatles' rivals.
3) Led Zeppelin - greatest band of the 70s.
4) Pink Floyd - extremely influential.
5) Queen - has to be in the top 5.
6) The Beach Boys - one of the most underrated bands ever among the general public, not among music specialists, who always rank them in very high positions on such lists. Their "Pet Sounds" album is practically always number 1 or 2 on any list of greatest albums of all time.
7) U2 - greatest band of the 80s and last "dinosaurs" of Rock music.
8)The Who - have to be in the Top 10.
bands only (not solo acts):
1. The Beatles (what they accomplished in just 10 years is superhuman)
2. The Beach Boys (Brian Wilson makes Gershwin look like a hack)
3. Led Zeppelin (the most influential band in history)
4. U2 (longevity AND quality)
5. The Rolling Stones (longevity)
6. Queen (the most original band since The Beatles and probably the best live band)
7. Pink Floyd
8. The Bee Gees
honorable mention: Prince & The Revolution, Parliament Funkadelic, The Doors, Guns 'n' Roses, Sly & The Family Stone, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Van Halen, The Jackson Five, Genesis, The Clash, Roxy Music.
Steely Dan
Bad Company
Little Feat
Led Zeppelin
ACDC
ZZ Top
David Bowie
Robbie Robertson
Tom Petty
Santana
It's all a matter of taste, matey. Put them on YOUR TOP TEN. Later!
David Gilmour an average guitar player?! watta crack up mate. With all due respect for your opinion .I reckon you better keep it real mate you better not play one of those ridiculous comical roles in history of rock music like Johnny Rotten once did with that 'I HATE PINK FLOYD ' t-shirt. Where is he now ? what has remained of him ? nothing . where is pink floyd now? u know the answer. And if u think Floyd is just a "sound" ok then you go and make "sound " we see if u make one millionth of Floyds' success.
Have a good one matey !
WTF Ok umm only one person said "THE EAGLES" whats happen to America ... too much pot LOL!!THE EAGLES were the best "BUT" Hotel California was there down fall unfortunately for them people only mention that song well they had a lot more than that!!! How can anyone forget The Eagles? I sadly disappointed !!
"MY LIST"
The Eagles
Led Zeppelin
Rolling Stones
Bob Seger
Steve Miller
Steely Dan
Metallica
Ozzy
Motley Crue
Toto
Hey, David Gilmore's name never appears on lists for the best rock guitarists. Hendrix, Clapton or Vai, he ain't. Later!
In one of your comments you refer to the lead guitarist for Pink Floyd as "average at best." That is a stunning statement/opinion. It is also revealing in that it exposes your knowledge and your ability to objectively evaluate musicians and their music.
You, sir, do not know much about music. To describe Gilmore as an "average at best" guitarist is one of the most ignorant statements about a musician I have ever read.
You, of course, have a right to your opinion. You also seem annoyed that people disagree with your opinion. You put this list out there for people to read and comment. If your list isn't credible, and your opinions are ignorant, you should expect people to post negative comments. You invite disagreement compiling a list like this and that is compounded by the fact you know little about the subject.
Do a little research about David Gilmore and the consensus opinion on his talent from experts and non-experts, then tell us again if you still believe him to be "average at best."
Have a nice day.
Stick to topics you know something about.
Dudes, just because this list doesn't include Pink Floyd doesn't mean it has no basis in logic. In terms of record sales and/or longevity, every band on this list belongs here. If you don't think that's true, check the records, man. Hey, showing me somebody else's list ain't proof, you know what I mean? Moreover, if you think Pink Floyd belongs here because of their "sound," then your position is strictly subjective. Shame on you. Later!
with all due respect , to me this list is entirely based upon bias .
It certainly lacks any reliability and is merely a personal opinion about rock bands which is ofcours respectful
But no survey or reasonable criterion is used in your decision making.
I strongly recommend this site which at least engaged heaps of criteria based upon the proved surveys not just personal taste.
http://www.avrev.com/top-100-bands-of-all-time/top
P.s I just went a bit through your(kosmo) respond comments to people who complaint about pink floyd not being in your list and it once again showed me that this list is bias , you simply didnt include floyd BECAUSE 'YOU' think & feel that there are heaps of bands better than pink floyd out there without any logical reason.
Cheers mate !
1-BEATLES
2-LED ZEPPELIN
3-The Jimi Hendrix Experience
4-ROLLING STONE
5-QUEEN
6-NIRVANA
7-THE WHO
8-PINK FLOYD
9-BLACK SABBATH
10-DEEP PURPLE
Just bear it mind that the history of rock music is divided into into before and after PINK FLOYD .
PINK FLOYD is a benchmark , there was no such a band in the history of rock which could cover a vast range of fans from highly intellectuals to non-intellectualls all over the world .
1- PINK FLOYD
2- Beatles
3- Led Zeppelin
4- The Who
5- Rolling Stones
6- Emerson, Lake & Palmer
7- Yes
8- Jethro Tull
9- Genesis
10- Deep Purple
1. The Doors
2. Pink Floyd
3. Lynrd Skynrd
4. The Who
5. Metallica
6. Scorpions
7. Nirvana
8. Led Zepplin
9. AC/DC
10.Beetles
Hey, Thomas, your list looks a lot like mine. Sir, you're a man of refined taste! Good choice with Iron Maiden - I'd pick them over AC/DC any day. Later!
I undersstand where people are coming from with no ac/dc. the problem with this list is a guy has just thrown together his ten favourite bands. if it were be i would use a wide selection of bands:
1. The Beatles
2. Led Zep
3. Hendrix
4. Metallica
5. The Rolling Stones
6. Santana
7. u2
8. Ac/Dc
9. Aerosmith
10. Iron Maiden
p.s this is mainly based on their popularity and there profits. but i had a small influence on it.
You say your name is Santana, yet you don't have Santana on your list?!... You've got me seriously puzzled, dude! Twisted Sister and Nirvana are better than Santana?!... Whatever. Later!
MY LIST:-
#1 The Beatles
#2 Led Zeppelin
#3 Iron Maiden
#4 Guns N' Roses
#5 Pink Floyd
#6 Metallica
#7 Black Sabbath
#8 Nirvana
#9 Pantera
#10 Twisted Sister
ac/dc
Every time I see a list like this, and they don't mention Motorhead, it is immediately obvious that the author is a pop buff, not a rock buff, and has NO idea what they are talking about... I mean come on, U2 in the top ten rock bands?!
WTF! ACDC! BAD LIST AC/DC!
1. RUSH
...and 9 others
where's AC/DC, sure vocally they may have not of been the best but they are extreamly good and can ajust I mean look at them now they are still very popular amoung all ages
Get a clue, guys, you like Pink Floyd because you like their "sound," which was certainly impressive. But, let's face it, many other musicians were much better, and they aren't even on this list. Later!
plz tell me ur list is a joke or somethin !!??
DUDE what were u thinking ??
i might forgive u if u put beatles as # 1
bt where the hell is pink floyd ??????????
bad list , very bad
Dude, what do you have against Pink Floyd?! BEST BAND OF ALL TIME, bro.
I'm not a big fan of Radiohead, but many people love them. Everybody has their favorites, right? Later!
Solid list but in terms of more recent bands, I would have to put Radiohead over Pearl Jam. Sure it's kind of a different genre, but I don't think any band has done more to push rock n roll forward in the past 15 years than Radiohead.
Who made this list up, where the hell is Queen? They most definitely should be in the top 10 easy.
Hey, Don, Cream and Grand Funk are on my list of the top ten rock trios of all time; in fact, Cream is listed as number one! So, for the most part, I agree with you. However, Cream, as good as they were, didn't play free form jazz. They simply rocked. Later!
You're list of bands is a good list. I'm assuming you're not a musician. The first supergroup and the greatest musical rock band that ever drew breath was Cream. Even the other bands in interviews admit this and all tried to emulate them at least in their improvisational endeavors.
To grasp the absolute mastery over their instruments and how they completely dominated every other band musically, listen to "Spoonful" on the Wheels of Fire album. It's true, some people don't understand what they are doing, but then many people don't understand free form jazz.
One more band that seems to have been neglected is Grand Funk. If you take a look at their history and check out the facts, you'll find they dominated, the rock world back in the early and mid seventies, and as far as just getting down and rockin', I have yet heard a live album that can blow away Grand Funk Live.
Yeah, AutumnReign, we definitely have tremendous taste in mustic, particularly rock, of course. As for Pink Floyd and The Who, there's only so much room on a top ten list! Thanks for coming by, sis. Later!
As others mentioned, PINK FLOYD absolutely has to be on the list. Also MOODY BLUES, The WHO and probably CROSBY, STILLS, NASH AND YOUNG.
Good hub though, bro. As siblings, we definately have similar taste in music. Great taste, actually!
Metallica are the best
Where is POLICE, otherwise a good list.
First off , a list without Queen on it isn't a complete list,period . And to Brian : The one artist that made rock 'n roll a worldwide phenomenon was Elvis and he was the inspirator for many bands,including The Beatles.
Figures. "The Doors" didn't make the list. They beat 'em all in my humble opinion.Beatles and Aerosmith tie for second.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, there are many bands that aren't on this list that are as good or better than Pink Floyd - Yes, for instance, The Who, Deep Purple and Guns 'N Roses, just to name a few. Moreover, Floyd's lead guitarist was average at best. Later!
i agree with a lot of bands on here BUT WHAY ABOUT PINK FLOYD???!!!! UR TELLING ME GRATEFULO DEAD , U2 AND PEARL JAM ARE BETTER THEN THEM???? I DONT THINK SO PINK FLOYD MADE MASTERPIECES UR CRAZY MAN
#1 is the Beatles no questions! they're the one responsible why rock 'n' roll became worldwide phenomenon.
The Who is one of, if not, the best rock band of all time! What is the article based on, opinion or fact? I know its just me, but I think the beatles are way overrated! :p
I agree with the people who voted for ac/dc!!!!!
Thanks for the comment, chaunatye. Lots of people want Pink Floyd on this list but I don't. Hey, don't you think Bono is cool?... Later!
Love that you included Pearl Jam, not a lot of people do in their list. Could have done without U2, it's just my opinion though, I have an intense hatred for Bono. And I saw someone else mention it but where is Pink Floyd??? :)
Well written article, great bands on here for sure!
1- pink floyd
2- the beatles
3- led zeppelin
4 - the rolling stones
5- the doors
6- the who
7 - queen
8 - guns n' roses
9 - scorpions
10 - deep purple
1. Led Zeppelin
2. The Who
3. Pink Floyd
4. The Beatles
5. Jimi Hendrix Experience
6. Black Sabbath
7. Queen
8. Iron Maiden
9. The Rolling Stones
10. Radiohead
queen is the best
Top Ten Bands
Category: Rock And Roll
Solo artists with back up bands are included.
1. Elvis Presley
2. The Beatles
3. Jimi Hendrix
4. Led Zepplin
5. The Rolling Stones
6. Lynyrd Skynyrd
7. Van Halen
8. Black Sabbath
7. AC/DC
8. Metallica
9. Santana
10. Janis Joplin
Hey, you can't get more American than Elvis! I'd make a second list for individual performers such as David Bowie and Michael Jackson. Whatever. Later!
Hey, Charles, everybody has bias. Thanks for the comment. Later!
If I remember correctly Rock and Roll came from America! Not having an American band as Number 1 is definately showing a British bias.
Yes, Emily S., Green Day has around for a while and has many fans. As for me, I'll have to check them out a little more. Later!
I absolutely think Green Day should be on here...just sayin
Hey, Beeeman, I can understand why you'd put Guns n Roses on this list. They certainly had that kick-ass attitude all rockers love. Just make sure you put them above Pink Floyd. Ha! Later!
Guns n' Roses. Rock is nothing without attitude. GNR was overloaded with THE rock attitude. The old GNR, I mean.
You're right, Nols, Pink Floyd has plenty of fans and has sold lots of records, but they sure ain't number one on my list. It's hard to think of a more over-rated band that Pink Floyd. I'd put The Who on my list before I added Pink Floyd. Later!
Much Love to Pink Floyd as you can see by the people that count! The fans!! Almost every list has them at the top or right near it! Any list without Floyd gets an F. Whether you like them or not, they sell albums, and they have fans like no other band!
1 Pink Floyd
2 Rolling Stones
3 Led Zep
4 The Beatles
5 Pearl Jam
6 Black Sabbath
7 The Doors
8 The Who
9 Grateful Dead (Not My Taste, but they def deserve to be here)
10 Too many bands deserve this spot
Hon. Mention: The Drifters (with Clyde or Ben).
Love groups with vocal harmonies!
Top 10 rock and roll bands of all time:
1. The Beatles - without question, the top
2. The Funk Brothers - Motown studio band
3. The Rolling Stones (with Mick Taylor)
4. The Band (with Robbie)
5. Elvis Presley's original band with Scotty Moore and Bill Black
6. Booker T and the MG's (Stax house band)
7. Led Zeppelin
8. Metallica
9. Sly and the Family Stone
10. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
alright here's tha list:
1. led zeppelin ( i dont understand why some people dont even have them in their list...)
2. van halen
3.poison
4.motley crue
5.acdc
6.aerosmith
7.guns n roses
8.def leppard
9.black sabbath
10.deep purple
Are we in the same decade? KISS AND KISS AND KISS.
THEN AC/DC. This was the 70s come on Rock Fans. Where is The love for KISS in the 70s?
1 Pink Floyd
2 Queen
3 Judas Priest
4 Black Sabbath
5 The Who
6 Led Zeppelin
7 AC/DC
8 Iron Maiden
9 Deep Purple
10 The Rolling Stones
Yeah, Queen is definitely one of the best of all time in the history of rock. I'm not quite sure if they are top ten material, but they certainly would be in the top 20 or 30. On a list such as this, some deserving folks gotta be left out, ya know? Later!
Queen! Individually some of the highest ranking musicians ever.(look it up). I'm talking.. Dr.Brian May: guitar, Roger Taylor: drums, John Deacon: bass, and the irreplaceable Freddie Mercury: piano, best vocals, improv, and best frontman in rock history! They have written some of the best Rock music ever: "We are the Champions", Bohemian Rhapsody", "We will rock you", Some body to Love, "Barcelona"(1992 Olympics) etc. They have even out sold the Beatles. Should be included in top 5-10.
what happened to theoretical music?
Jeez, typical contemporary Brit picks Oasis. They wouldn't belong in the Top 100. Later!
typical yanks!!
Brits rule music -especially rock- and Oasis without doubt should be in top ten!!!! top 5 even JESUS!!!!
1)scorpions(not the very best but my favourite:D)
2)pink floyd
3)led zeppelin
4)black sabbath (dio years)
5)eagles
6)iron maiden
7)Ac/Dc
8)Deep Purple
9)U2
10)CCR
My top 10 version is:
1. Pink Floyd
2. Led Zep
3. Deep Purple
4. Black Sabbath
5. Hendrix exp.
6. Metallica
7. AC/DC
8. Ganz n Roses
9. Nazaret
10. Judas priest
ramones belong there before any of these other exceptions like guns n roses or van halen, and i agree with where's pink floyd
n where the heck is pink floyd??
you must be kidding me by not including floyd
A very nicely formed and cool list. You also put in some cool information I did not know about all of them.
Thanks for the list, Mikey. You've got three bands on this list I've never heard of - that's quite a trick! Later!
Yikes! Grateful Dead and Santana are 2 of the most boring sounding bands ever. I would put them #1 and #2 of a top 10 'Boring Bands' list. But hey, to each his own.
#1 The Beatles
#2 Pink Floyd
#3 Rush
#4 Led Zepplin
#5 Van Halen
#6 Styx
#7 The Tragically Hip
#8 G n R
#9 Live
#10 Our Lady Peace
Yes I live in Canada - there are 3 Canadian Bands on my list to go with 4 from the US, and 3 from Britain.
Rammstein-2nd to the Beatles for me
I like the Jefferson Airplane too. In fact, many of the Sixties SFO Bay Area Bands were as good as Pink Floyd. It's true. Later!
Hey guys. You all missed the greatest 60's band - Jefferson Airplane. Grace Slick, what a beauty. Still is at 70
without black sabbath, pink floyd,deep purple,scorpion,guns,your list are not complete!
no pink floyd= fail
Thanks for the comment, Joyus Crynoid. Most great fans of rock and roll know about the Fab Four. Later!
Good stuff Kosmo. My top 10 would be a little different, but with several of the same bands, and like yours, with the Beatles at number 1!
Great and entertaining hub. Always love to discuss and read about music. Not all the bands you picked i would agree with but overall you know your rock. i enjoyed reading this.
Sorry. There are no idividual artists on this list - only bands. I like Ozzy the best in Black Sabbath, a top band but not top ten. Later!
Great list but you forgot the most important and possibly the single most influential Rocker of all time. Rocking for over 40 years and with one success after the other, the original diary of a Madman Ozzy Osbourne
As indicated in other comments, I think plenty of bands not on this list were as good or better than Pink Floyd, bands such as Yes and Queen. You're right as well, we all have our own subjectively with which to write such lists. Anyway, I also don't care much for AC/DC. Later!
Great list!
Personally agree floyd should be on it... and that Darkside is the greatest album of all time, but thats the great thing about music, it's different for everyone. No one will ever make a perfect list of the best bands because music appeals to everyone differently. Frankly I hate ACDC and im glad you left them out :)
and to flamefist- Nirvana was one of the best selling artists of all time, pushing MJ off the charts, long before kurt died. And everyone loves the beatles
For me, currently, it would be
Led Zep
Pink Floyd
Nirvana
Blind Melon
The Doors
The Shins
CCR
Arcade Fire
Stone Temple Pilots
Oasis
The people born in the 60's 70's love the beatles but few of the present generation seems to care for them. I mean, for their time they were new and innovative.
Another overrated band is Aerosmith.
I listened to Pink floyd , other than a couple of songs its too boring(I mean u enjoy it better when ur stoned)
Led Zeppelin is an acquired taste , u dont instantly love them.
Jimi hendrix My GOD!!!! Voodoo child ,purple haze.. need i say more???
The WHO FANTSATIC: Outpunking all bands even before PUNK was invented!!
AC/DC :(BOWS DOWN) sacrilege To not include them in the top 10.
No One channels the spirit of ROCK N ROLL better than they do. BON SCOTT R.I.P
Van HAlen: eddie van halen is great
Deep purple: great riffs great songs
Def Leppard: I kinda like ARENA ROCK MORE
Queen: good but not GREAT...
Black Sabbath: metal not rock and roll...
Boston: Degraded after a coupla albums
Cream: good band
TREX & STEPPENWOLF: Vastly underrated
NIRVANA: really? Got famous cos cobain died.
U2: not sumthin id listen to all the time
Rush: good drummin
GUNS N ROSES: love SLASH!!!!
I love the classics too, SognoPiccolo. Thanks for the comment. Later!
fantastic list.. Works for me. Everyone has different tastes in music but sometimes the classics are just that. classics.
Well, it always depends on where you come from, how old you are, what you prefer and what u like ! If you ask s.o. from Sweden, he would ask "hey, wheres Roxette ?! :) If you ask a german Guy, he would tell you "Rammstein should be in the list" ....so every culture and every generation has it's own favorites ! So it makes no sense to discuss every list somebody puts in here... English is not my Mother tongue, so sorry if there are maybe some mistakes
Don't tell me - it's volume three of TERMINUS!!! Good to have you back. Yes, Heart was (is?) very good, the Wilson sisters could wail like Janis, and Roger Fisher could certainly pluck 'em with the best. (I loved his vibrato.) If I ever do another list of classic rock guitarists I'll be sure to add him! And yeah, Robert Plant continued to progress after the crash of the Zeppelin. Get the pun? Ha!
Anyway, Beck and Clapton made my list of the 10 Best Rock Guitarists Ever. Check it out, dude. Whom do you think I listed as number one? I ain't tellin' ya. Go look. Regarding Frank Zappa, nobody played his licks - and they were SO FAST. I couldn't believe anybody was playing them. Concerning bands from ancient times, don't forget Iron Butterfly, the Velvet Underground and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Later!
Indeed, there are many good lists in this thread. Even good bands that splintered produced decent efforts, some short-lived, but nonetheless significant. Robert Plant certainly had super albums like Pictures at Eleven & The Priciple of Moments. He had a killer guitarist called Robbie Blunt and even Phil Collins was his drummer! The guy just never stops assembling outstanding musicians for various projects over the years. Other rockers just did not age so gracefully.
There dozens of great bands that deserve mention if only because they produced 2-3 good albums and either disbanded or changed to some kind of corporate driven junk. Some redeem themselves. Heart is a good example of this. After 'Dog & Butterfly' they lost their top musician, a fella called Roger Fisher. It was downhill from there for the Wilson sisters. That being said, eventually they discarded the big hair and glam rock drivel and got back to solid song writing. I'll tell ya, few can sing as well as Ann Wilson, and during first 5 years of that band, they were amazingly good live, even outdoing Zeppelin at some of their own songs. Page and Plant would agree with this statement.
Zappa was absolutely a genius, not my cup of tea, but he was unquestionably one of the best guitarists and songwriters rock ever saw. I think much of his music cannot be classified.
The subject gets tough because there are so many great musicians that crossover to other types of music. Jeff Beck/Eric Clapton come to mind. Who can argue that they are not among the top 10 rock guitarists ever? Austin still very 'weird' and continues to proclaim itself the 'live music capital of the world'. Obviously, Nashville and New Orleans have something to say about that, and even Seattle can jump into that debate. I do like it here and it's extremely easy to see quality live music and emerging talent.
TERMINUS IS BACK! And he's written another bible of rock! Hey, don't forget The Quicksilver Messenger Service (before they went poppy), Frank Zappa and the Mothers and the Pretenders (the 80s weren't all bad). Yes, compiling such a list is very hard. I like your list, Mr. Rock. It's as good as mine (except the Doors went down hill and poppy after their first two albums.) By the way, is Austin still the hippest place in Texas? Later!
OMG, My Deep Purple BURN vinyl started to smoke after I submitted the post. The point I was trying to make is that it's just so tough to create a great list that will satisfy the grand majority of everyone and ourselves. Always loved bands like Gentle Giant, Kansas, Uriah Heep, early Journey (before Steve Perry)... the list is so darn endless. Tool...NiN..AIC..Sound Garden. Each decade having it's redeeming qualities. I think everyone agrees that the 80's were a complete waste. I will say that I will always love the original Asia lineup because they made a magic that few could equal. Seeing them tomorrow athte Paramount Theater, Austin, TX.
Thanks, Terminus, for your voluminous response! Wait, you forgot Cactus, the Kinks, Argent and Deep Purple! You certainly know your rock bands. I'd like to see your top 10. It would rock, I'm sure. Overall, it's tough comparing the old rock bands with the contemporary, which is the hardest task in compiling such a list. Later!
Very good list, and I am old enough to have seen many (Allman Brothers) in their original incarnations, however like any best of all time lists, I have slightly differing opinions.
1. The Beatles - No argument can stand scrutiny.
2. Led Zeppelin - John Bonham died, and I was left holding a ticket to see them.
3. Yes - Musically, they are finest rock band ever, except The Beatles of course. End of story. Early Stones were incredible, but became trailer trash rock afterwards. (Van Halen went this way, starting with "Women and Children First"
4. Pink Floyd - A terrible omission from original list. They mean too much to too many. Love those guys.
5. Emerson, Lake, & Palmer - Gods
6. The Doors - Their influence cannot be denied.
7. Rush - Canadian power trio delivers quality music for four decades.
8. The Who - To exclude them from a top 10 list is sacrilege. R.I.P. Keith Moon
9. Santana - Any incarnation always had Carlos, enough said.
10. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Not enough material was created, but Jimi's influence cannot be denied.
Reason why Grateful Dead was omitted = As inovative as they were, you have to be on acid to appreciate them. Similar to Mars Volta is today. You have to tune in and drop out.
Why the Rolling Stones are not in my top 10 - As amazing as they were in the first 3 albums, frankly, I thought they sucked live, and I saw them three times, and their material from 80's onwards blows chunks. Same goes for Aerosmith , but at least Joe Perry can play, Keith is a terrible guitarist. Way too much heroin.
U2 is a great band, but I think the Police were more relevant. Bono is a great activist, but I just can't put them on this list. Heck; Boston or Heart, would blow U2 off the stage...trust me on this, saw all of them, often together.
Would love to make it a top 20 list, then, folks like Nirvana, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Pearl Jam. King Crimson, Deep Purple, Kansas, UFO/Scorps, Styx, Heart, Blue Oyster Cult, Dream Theater.. argghhh so many good bands! Many of the bands I mentioned have not been around in many years and unless you are over 45 yrs old, you did not see them except on some crappy Utube video or an old folks revival concert on Palladia. I like Pearl jam just like anyone else, but they don't hold a candle to the likes of Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young. The trusth is that rock is all but dead in America. You want to hear good music, research European underground. I'd start with Within Temptation or Lacuna Coil. I love the Eagles, 38 Special, very old David Bowie, Robin Trower, Frank Marino and Mohogany Rush, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Roy Buchanan, Ted Nugent, and as you can tell, I can go on forever....sorry Kiss, I almost forgot you barbies..Toto, Gamma with Ronnie Montrose...and yes, Triumph definitely had their moment... Thinking of all this stuff is hard work! - Hope you enjoyed.
You list has a couple good bands. I never understood why people like the rolling stones, nirvana or AC/DC. I personally think Pink Floyd is the best band of all time. If you listened to the album Wish you Were here you would probably agree. You also need the Band and David Bowie and the spiders from mars
Not counting solo artists with backing bands, here's my list:
1. The Beatles
2. The Rolling Stones
3. The Clash
4. Led Zeppelin
5. The Kinks
6. R.E.M.
7. The Beach Boys
8. Radiohead
9. The Doors
10. The Pixies
I have to leave The Smiths, Velvet Underground and Pink Floyd as honorable mentions. I would consider Wilco but they're really just not for everyone.
I don't think Thin Lizzy was quite that good, but everyone has an equally valuable opinion. Later!
Thin Lizzy should always be in the top 10 of this sort of list. It is simply ignorant to leave them out as they earned it by being so amazing in concert.
Also AC/DC should also grace the top 10 alongside Led Zeppelin and The Who.
There are plenty of bands not on this list that were as good as Pink Floyd. Do you remember Yes or the Quicksilver Messenger Service? Either of these two bands were just as good or better than that overblown psychedelic assemblage, and so was Queen for that matter. Hey, are you saying you aren't a fan? Do you play guitar? Are you in a band? Later!
pink floyd not there! what?
something else! no Queen either!!
You lost your credibility Kosmo, sorry! You got a fan's point of view.
Bob Dylan is an individual artist such as John Lennon, not a band. Thanks. Later!
Hey in all this list where is Bob Dylan? Is he considered rock and roll? Is he Rock/folk? I believe we all forgot about Uncle Bob. Later!
There are many better albums than "The Dark Side of the Moon." Sorry, dude. Of course, lots of people like Metallica, certainly a top 20 band. Later!
Pink Floyd deserves to be there,3 or 4 atleast...The Dark Side of the Moon-d best album ever and Metallica is also a personal favourite...
now now now guys seriously the list goes as follows:
1. LED ZEPPELIN,
2. THE JEFF HEALEY BAND,
3. GEORGE THOROGOOD AND THE DESTROYERS,
4. ACDC,
5. HENDRIX,
6. GUNS N' ROSES,
7. THE BLUES BROTHERS BAND,
8. LYNARD SKYNARD,
9. 38 SPECIAL,
10. JOHN LEE HOOKER.
now seriously these are the greatest most awe inspiring musicians to ever live performing live music that could never be re-created by any of that rap crap from today and will forever live inside our hearts its energy and the fuel of life rock n' Roll dudes,
Chris 18 brentwood england.
How can u forget PINK FLOYD dude........Pink floyd is the greatest rock band ever.....u cant just ignore pink floyd.......almost all... in the entire world loves pink floyd songs.......u hav a gud list over there.............but the such a great band is missing
You're right - nobody else has mentioned the Eagles, a band that would make many "best of" lists, but not this one. Sorry. As for "Hotel California," definitely one of the best of the 1970s. How's that? Later!
Nobody seems to be mentioning The Eagles, if you were to take five bands froms the list add their album sales The Eagles would still beat them. Not to mention Hotel California is arguably the greatest rock song of all time, It's a master piece!
of course The Beatles and Zepp and Stones make every list, but Pink Floyd tops everything in my opinion... That's the only thing I woulda added, and I get annoyed by post 70's Aerosmith so Queen would prolly replace them somewhere... I do like the list though, and you got your own taste and that is fine, no one will ever completely agree haha
Who dares compile such a list? Excellent question! I can only agree with Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead, Hendrix and Pearl Jam. There are other bands that need to go in that top ten, including The Who as Adam B suggested. Ups, I forgot the Beatles...sorry
Another Pink Floyd fan, eh? There are many of those, but I am not one of them. Of course, many bands such as the Stones started with the blues and R&B but most of their material - the best in fact - was good old rock 'n' roll. Moreover, if I'd included blues, R&B, soul and funk bands, this list would have been even harder to produce. Rock is rock - it ain't nothin' else! Later!
Are you kidding?! You're rules say no blues or R&B, yet your first few picks are the Beatles, the Dead and the Stones, all of which were grounded in the blues and R&B influences of the delta musicians of the 30s, 40s and 50s. Your worst faux pas, though, was ignoring Pink Floyd, perhaps the greatest band ever. Of course, I'm referring to the post-Barrett era. Come on, dude, get with it!
AC/DC may be able to rock down the house, but their musicians are no better than those in the Allman Brothers! I'd put AC/DC in the top 15 or 20, though, as well as Metallica and perhaps Iron Maiden. Thanks for the comment. Later!
Any of these top ten rock band lists which don't include AC DC are simply a joke. They can rock a whole stadium like practically no other, and would blow most top ten list bands off the stage. Their music will last and be covered by many huge artists. I'm a long term fan of Hendrix, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, nonetheless, I think AC/DC are in the same league in terms of their ability to rock the house down.
All great bands. I have some music reviews on my hubs you might like. I voted - Thanks, good hub!
Yeah, there have been many great rock bands. I'm thinking of doing a top 50 or 100, then I can include many more such as the Doors and Pink Floyd. Thanks. Later!
Great list, but I can't say I agree with the Beatles, I don't rate them as a rock band! I agree with you about the Revolver album though. The rest of the list is spot on,I wonder,how long did it take you and how the hell did you decide?? Even now i'm thinking where's the Doors,The Band or Pink Floyd?? The more you think about it the more bands spring to mind - ah descisions descisions!!
Nice list man.
Lots of people want the Who on this list. It's about time somebody picked the Doors. As for Rush, they're well off the pace as far as I'm concerned. Later!
Rush has to be included in this list. they have never given in to the masses but have always stayed true to their fans.
Good job! I agree with 80percent. I would lose the allman brothers and Santana and insert The Who and THe Doors but it's all just opinnions in the end!
Good list Kosmo. Glad to see Allman Brothers Band. I wrote a small update about the Big House Re-opening on my hub page under you latest comment.
I've listened to some samples of the Who's "Endless Wire," and it's not bad, but "Live at Leeds," it ain't. As I indicated in earlier comments, The Who definitely belongs in the top 15 to 20, and that ain't hamburger, ya know? Later!
This is so difficult to compile the the top 10 best. There are/were so many great bands.
The Who is the greatest rock band ever. Period. regardless of longevity. Have you heard there latest CD the Endless Wire? Later
U2 has had much greater longevity than the Who, whose heyday ended in the early 1970s. Moreover, I think the Who were better at destroying their instruments than playing rock! Regarding Pearl Jam, I knew I was sticking out my neck on them, but I think the sound of the original band was some of the best ever. Later!
I also say that U2 is not a better rock and roll/band than the Who. No Way!
The Who is in another league of Pearl Jam and should not be in the top 10 all time rock bands ever. However it is hard to compile a top 10 list without favoring bands you prefer.The Who is deserving to be the # 1 best band/rock and roll band ever. Also I am a big Pearl Jam fan.
WTF wheres THin Lizzy in all of this. they were more rock n roll than the beatles.
ACDC should be there for sure, am i right?
The Band
You have a good list, and the comments added some great suggestions. I would add Pink Floyd and The Dave Matthews Band.
Namaste.
You can argue this topic all night and never come up with a clear top 10, having said that all of the afore mentioned are great bands and deserve their place. However it still confuses me to this day that RUSH more than not always seems to get overlooked as a top 10 band. Four decades of all that great music and their not in the "Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame". Thats BS!
WHERE IS AC/DC OMG. THE BEST BAND IN THE WORLD ARE NOT EVEN ON THIS LIST.
But your selection is still very well thought. Check out my hub añd leave your comment http://hubpages.com/hub/Top-10-Music-Videos-with-a
Joaoismail, everybody has their favorites. Thanks for the input. Later!
Missing Pink Floyd
I like the list but a top ten band is very hard to choose since of course everybodies taste is diffrent
My list would be in no order:
Metallica
beatles
led zeppelin
Hendrix
Nirvana
Black sabbath
Pink floyd
Ac/DC
Alice In Chains
Guns and Roses.
My list
1. The Beatles
2. The Rolling Stones
3. Led Zeppelin
4. Pink Floyd
5. The Jimi Hendrix Expierience
6. Rush
7. CREAM
8. The Who
9. Nirvana
10. The Beach Boys
Another guys opine
acdc1
the rest are great as well!
both of hendrixs' three man bands were great by the was... piggybacking off the 3 man band thing
If we were in the hayday 70's Yes would be on every ones list,but softness& sex sell too well in our (no epic) times so all the white bread bands get played and played.....
Do you really think the Beatles are "overrated"? Whatever. After the Beatles, the top five could be resorted in some fashion. You're right about keeping pop and R&B, etc. off this list of rock bands; otherwise, bands such as Earth, Wind and Fire would be there. Thanks for the comment. Later!
Not sure about this list. Bealtes are over rated as are the Dead. Stones should be at least 2 or 3. I am a big Zeppelin fan but would have put them down a few notches. When looking at who contributed to Rock music moving forward is how I judge greatness. There are a lot of great bands out there but only a few that push music beyond its boundaries. I also would not put pop music and rock together which is often done. Just like throwing in some metal bands does not belong here. There are so many different genres of music it is a tough call to narrow down to just 10 but as you said "gotta draw the line somewhere".
Queen was very good, but so were the Tubes. And don't forget Yes, AC/DC and Foreigner, they belong here too, don't they? Gotta draw the line somewhere, dude. Later!
Really?...you chose 8,9 and 10 over Queen?
Shameful
I agree with Nate
The band that the others follow and base there own image on is clearly THE WHO.
The BEATLES are the best
I'd like to see REM
THE LIST IS HERE:-
(1) THE BEATLES
(1) THE BEATLES
(1) THE BEATLES
(1) THE BEATLES
(1) THE BEATLES
(1) THE BEATLES
(1) THE BEATLES
(1) THE BEATLES
(1) THE BEATLES
(1) THE BEATLES
Yes, Carolina Muscle, this list was hard to compile, especially toward the end of it. Later!
The top four were gimmies.. after that, it gets a lot harder, huh? Great list.
Beatles/zep/who/pink floyd/Doors/stones/ the rest are commentary
"After many changes in personnel over the years - though lead singer Eddie Vedder remains the group's main man"
weird phrasing for a band thats kept their core of 4 since day one. All they ever tinker with is their drummer.
I'm very pleased to see that the grateful dead were in the top ten. Makes me smile. =) I think the only change I would make would be to remove Aerosmith. I'm not sure who I'd like to see there instead, but definitely not Aerosmith.
i deffinitly agree with that but you do need some doors and floyd in there, and the dead should be at the way top, go to a show, and you will never come back.
How wet you all have become. Yes is truly the workhorse band of all time .It's ok too much TV.
Off to see Pearl Jam in Manchester and London - can't wait. Saw Neil Young at Hyde Park this year. He was amazing (as usual). Not sure about my top ten - but the Stones, Beatles and Neil Young have got to be in there somewhere.
Here's the real list:
1) The Who
2) Beatles
3) Springsteen & E Street Band
4) Stones
5) Jimi Hendrix Experience
6) Zeppelin
7) U2
8) Floyd
9) Neil Young & Crazy Horse
10) The Clash
Four of my bands are on that list's top ten. I guess that's corroboration of sorts. At any rate, they gotta take The Carpenters off that list. Dudes! Thanks for the link. Later!
http://www.avrev.com/top-100-bands-of-all-time/top
thats the most accurate list check it out
it has been and will always be Led Zeppelin
no questions asked
the beatles are obvs good but they dont define rock and roll like Zeppelin does
Nice effort. I wouldn't argue too much with your picks. My top ten in order would be Beatles, U2, Led Zepplin, Rolling Stones, The Who, Doors, CCR, Neil Young (w Crazy Horse), Moody Blues, and Interpol. Obvoiusly I'm top loaded with classic rock bands, but there are a lot of other bands from the 70's to 2000's that are just under my radar.
I agree with the first two choices. Good work
kewl hub, I woulda put the stones before the dead and zep
but hey thats me!
I'll have to check out Coldplay on YouTube. Guns N Roses are a good choice too. Slash can blaze, of course. Thanks!
I seriously think that list is pretty good, but I personally dont PARTICULARLY like U-2. I prefer Coldplay. My 5 favourite bands EVER are:ColdplayAerosmithAC/DCGuns 'n' RosesVelvet RevolverI love Guns 'n' Roses and Velvet Revolver cuz they have the best guitarist ever (debatable). Yes. Slash. AC/DC = Legends of Rock. Almost perfect in every aspect.Aerosmith. I could listen to them for hours and still love them.Coldplay. Just plain good. Like U-2, but about 4 billion times better.Those would be my top 5, in that order, but that is again ENTIRELY debatable.
Good solid picks. Not necessarily all my favorites, but I acknowledge the influence of all. (Of course, the Beatles as #1 is undisputable!) Oddlyl enough, I wouldn't have chosen Santana until this site: http://www.UltimateSantana.com, showed just how much of an impact they had.
I've listed Cream as the greatest rock power trio of all time. Is that good enough?
Amazed to see The Who missing from top ten , another i would have considered, although due to their short life span i am not really surprised by their omission are Cream.
I enjoyed reading this page. You have put together a comprehensive list except for the omission of Pink Floyd. Beatles are # 1, that's for sure. I look forward to reading some of your other posts.
Greatest Band ever, I love your hub !
Come check out my neq Hub on The Deads 2009 tour happening NOW!
I have setlists,photos and I am always looking for reviews as well as meeting newe Heads!
Greatest Band ever, I love your hub !
Come check out my neq Hub on The Deads 2009 tour happening NOW!
I have setlists,photos and I am always looking for reviews as well as meeting newe Heads!
Led Zeppelin is one of the greatest bands, with santana ,jimi hendrix,Beatles, and off course the doors
Lots of people like The Who, and they almost made the list, believe me. Regarding Pearl Jam, I knew I was sticking out my neck, but which rock group had more influence in the 1990s? Nirvana, maybe. (Besides, I really dig 'em!) As for the Ramones, I think Thin Lizzy was a better comparable group.
It's a good list, there is no arguing these are strong bands. For my money the names:
The Mother's of Invention
The Who
The Clash
Blue Rodeo
The Ramones
Deep Purple
The Rev. Horton Heat
Kansas
Slipknot
Roxy Music
would be on my list, but choosing a top 10 greatests bands would be way too hard. Since my taste in music is always in flux.
DUDE! No way is U2, Santana, Allmond Brothers band and Pearl Jam better than THE WHO!
Put all the bands on a stage (in thier prime), each playing thier greatest hits and see who would will...
THE WHO: My Generation, Baba O'Reily, Won't Get Fooled Again, Behind Blue Eyes, Pinball Wizard, Squeeze Box, Th Seeker, I Can See ForMiles, Who Are You & Magic Bus
VS
U2: Sunday Bloody Sunday, One, Vertigo, Still Havent Found What I'm Looking For, Pride (In the Name of Love), Desire, With or Without You Where he Stret Have No Name
VS
PEARL JAM: Jeremy, Alive, Evenflow, Better Man & Once (They don't have that many big hits)
VS
SANTANA: Smooth, Black Magic Woman, Evil Ways, Oy Como Va, Jingo, Maria Maria, Everybody's Everything & Europa
VS
ALOND BROTHERS BAND: Midnight Rider, Whipping Post, Ramblin Man, Ain't Wastin Time No More, Revival & Crazy Love
Winner: THE WHO BY A LANDSLIDE!!!!
Seriously though, I am not attacking you or trying to be an ass in any way. I respect your list as it is your opinion. I dig your hubs and you will probably see my name on other posts in the future.
Golden Earring are Rocks 'Best Kept Secret'!!!
Longest lasting band... going on 45 years... non-stop!!! And still going!
Cool list though.... If Bob Dylan were a band, he would be number 1!!!
I could think of another 50 bands that could possibly be on this list - more heavy metal, more 80s bands, more SFO Bay Area or more contemporary. The Jonas Brothers? At any rate, let's see your list, bro.
Top 10 Main Stream Rock Bands of All Time... is more like it. Pretty transparent picks...
list is ok but without pink floyd its incomplete....floyd should be thr in top 5...they r best band....
There are many excellent rock bands and each of us has our own picks, but nice list though
Huh, think you forgot about The Kinks, Dave Clark 5 all part of the British invasion, also The Zombies. To see the impact the British had on America visit:
hubpages.com/hub/British-Invasion-into-America
Great list. I like all of the bands you have included. I personally would change 8,9, and 10. Though they are all great I don't think they are better than Queen, Pink Floyd, and The Who.
Very nice list although I'd flip the top 2 and place the mighty Led Zeppelin as rock's greatest band.
Great list. I am a Fleetwood Mac Fan.
nice but my top 10 (no particular order) are Nirvana, Iron Maiden, The Police, Green Day, Linkin Park, Black Sabbath, The Doors, Hendrix Experience, Beatles (of course), and Aerosmith. But seriously why the Ramones? There are more punk bands way better than them I mean The Clash, Green Day, Dead Kennedys, and the originals The Sex Pistols
You cant please all the people all the time! but i agree with above and would add Pink Floyd! other than this the listings good!:)
The Who and Pink Floyd would definitely belong in my Top 15 or 20. As for the Police, they might crack the Top 25. Grand Funk and Crazy Horse rate highly too. But the Ramones, FORGET ABOUT IT!!!
Where's Grand Funk?
Neil Young and Crazy Horse? Pink Floyd? Other than that, I agree completely.
Where is Pink Floyd?
Excellent Hub!
I agree with you
The Beatles are Without a Doubt #1
I was with on the first six no doubt. #10 also is untouchable.
7,8,9 should be Ramones, The Police, The Who
Great Hub my brother! Look forward to more!
Nice one--I agree with your picks!
lorenzo 9 days ago
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