Rock music has been around for decades at this point and truly has become one of the most iconic forms of entertainment ever created. It’s more than the timeless hits. It’s the hair. It’s the solos. It’s the vibe and the attitude that comes along with it. We’ll always have new bands and artists, but some rock bands have written their stories into legend, never to be forgotten.
Whether you’re listening to these iconic bands while working out or working around the office, you’ll be head bobbing and tapping along the entire time.
StudyFinds visited 10 expert websites to put together this list of the best rock bands of all time according to rock enthusiasts.
1. The Beatles
Would anyone else take the number one spot? The Beatles are more than just a rock band. They are history itself. Master songwriters, performers, and icons. They are the epitome of music. Plus, all of their top songs are still played today.
Each member of the Beatles was special, “With voices like John Lennon and Paul McCartney, The Beatles captured the heart of many, but wouldn’t have been able to do so had it not been for the presence of the equally-renowned George Harrison and Ringo Starr, two of the best instrumentalists who knew exactly what to do to bring out the best in the voices of Lennon and McCartney,” notes Guitar Junky.
Really Simple Guitar followed with this sentiment, “These four guys and the people in their orbits have been associated with more legendary stories than number-one records. But, the fact that 8 of their 20 number 1 hits came after they stopped touring is impressive.”
They are a group that spurned more music from others, “The Beatles are globally recognized and are credited with inspiring many famous musicians to pursue music. The most influential band of all time,” says Music Grotto.
2. The Rolling Stones
If the world forgot about the Beatles, The Rolling Stones would easily slide into the number one spot. A rock band from England that never let age, or anything else, define them.
Even now, they’re still going, “The fact that they remain one of the highest grossing concerts draws in existence, even with their members now well past the age of collecting social security checks, is a testament to more than just will power,” says Music Influence.
“The Rolling Stones were hailed as the greatest rock and roll band in the world in the 1970s, a title they have battled other famous bands to keep. Having sold over 200 million records worldwide, the band is one of the best-selling bands of all time,” mentions Hello Music Theor
“Their countercultural symbolism, raunchy lyrics and killer musicianship have made them one of the most enduring acts ever,” adds Parade
3. Queen
The British rock group from London led by the enigmatic Freddie Mercury takes the number three spot on this list. These stadium jams will never be forgotten, and they will rock you.
Freddie was a legend at the front of the group, “Freddie Mercury is probably the best singer of all time. His vocals are the perfect blend of operatic and rocking, and when it comes to his command of the stage and the crowd, well, nobody did it better,” says Guitar Lobby.
There wasn’t a genre they wouldn’t touch as Dig writes, “Though broadly a classic rock band, Queen made forays into disco, funk, and classic pop without ever sacrificing their identity, and they remained a phenomenal live act until they effectively ceased touring in 1986.”
Simply, “Queen reinvented music. There is no other way to put it,” adds The Top Tens.
4. Led Zeppelin
Plant, Page, Jones, and Bonham – names almost as famous as the four Beatles – formed the English rock group Led Zeppelin in 1968 and made their mark on music forever.
As Today puts it, “Over a 10-year, nine-album career from 1969-79, Led Zeppelin was the most popular rock group in the world, ultimately selling more than 50 million records in the U.S. alone.”
They emphasized the larger-than-life persona of rock stars, “No band ever has had such a fanatical following, not even The Beatles. There was so much mystique, so many myths and anecdotes surrounding the band that they almost seemed like they were from another planet,” says Guitar Lobby.
Dig writes, “when it comes to rock on the most grandiose scale, no band has ever flown quite as high as Led Zeppelin.”
5. Pink Floyd
Our all-English rock band list comes to a close with the kings of psychedelic rock music. Hello Music Theory says, “With their music, they became deeply inspirational to other rising artists. The band drew in an audience from the psychedelic music scene, composing music for elaborately planned live performances.”
They were trendsetters of their genre, “One of the pioneers and most influential bands on ambient music, also commonly known as ‘psychedelic’ music, Pink Floyd remains as one of the greatest rock bands the 20th century has given us,” adds Guitar Junky.
“Known for their lengthy compositions, Pink Floyd’s songbook is unusual, trippy, and often philosophical. The band’s most famous album ‘The Wall’ depicts images of a woebegone rock star; the album is purported to be autobiographical,” writes Music Grotto.