Some might argue that rock music has lost its spirit.
However, we would like to disagree as rock music is such a broad genre that developed into diverse styles by the best rock bands.
Maybe your rock music journey started with Smells Like Teen Spirit or maybe Bohemian Rhapsody?
From Queen and Beatles to Led Zeppelin and Nirvana, we are such a fan of the most influential bands of all time that shaped rock history and music industry.
We know it’s impossible to name all the bands or choose just one amazing album, yet here are the best bands of all time that found their way to our playlists.
Content
- Bits and pieces of rock music and bands
- The greatest rock bands of all time
Bits and pieces of rock music and bands
Did you know that Dixieland Jazz Band is said to be first band to record a song? Or that Eagles was once a backing band for Linda Rondstadt?
How about the first example of rock music and the original singer?
Some consider It’s Too Soon to Know executed by The Orioles as the first rock n roll song.
Others claim that You Really Got Me by The Kinks was the first one to have elements of hard rock in music industry.
Isn’t rock music history quite interesting? Let’s dive in and find out more!
Brief Rock History
Rock n roll can be fun and dangerous at the same time. — Billie Joe Armstrong
The roots of rock history goes back to early 1950s with Elvis Presley carrying crown as King of Rock n Roll.
Significantly in US and UK, rock music gained immense popularity with band’s record deal as it merged influences from genres such as electric blues, jazz and country music.
By the late 1960s, subgenres of rock music appeared including alternative rock, blues rock, progressive rock, hard rock, heavy metal, thrash metal, and punk rock.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a museum, located in the Rock n Roll capital, Cleveland.
It records the notable names of the music history from bands and solo artists to producers of all genres.
The foundation was launched in 1983 by the lead of American-Turkish record executive and major label founder Ahmet Ertegun and a team welcoming Rolling stone publisher Jann S. Wenner.
They began inducting musical artists in 1986 and inducted the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, U2 and other bands.
The greatest rock bands of all time
Queen
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
One of the most influential bands of all time, rock band Queen used the music world as their stage to achieve their fantasy.
Not just their final album, Made in Heaven, but also many of hit songs made Queen the power house of stadium anthems with lead vocals of Freddie Mercury, drum of Roger Taylor, and guitar solos of John Deacon and Brian May.
Roger Taylor also collaborated with few bands including Bon Jovi and Foo Fighters.
The Beatles
One of the most influential bands and best bands of all time, British band the Beatles led both rock music, power pop and pop music with band members, lead vocal and rhythm guitar John Lennon, multi-instrumentalist Paul McCartney, lead guitar George Harrison and drummer Ringo Starr.
During their ten years career, the Beatles incorporated strong elements of the music industry, from rock n roll to classic songs and hard rock.
Paul McCartney still continues his career as a solo artist.
Led Zeppelin
She’s buying a stairway to heaven, is probably the most famous line we heard rock band Led Zeppelin’s lead vocals Robert Plant singing.
One of the best rock bands, Led Zeppelin was formed by Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones.
The lead guitar Jimmy Page is known to occasionally play with a cello bow to change sound consistency.
Led Zeppelin played hard rock, blues rock, and folk-rock music and acknowledged as forerunners of heavy metal.
The English heavy metal band deserves to be named among the best bands of all time in rock history.
Guns n Roses
Did you know that the hard rock band Guns n Roses was formed when members from two different bands, Hollywood Roses and L.A. Guns, united?
Playing heavy metal and hard rock, lyrics attended by guitar solos, Guns n Roses made a strong start with their debut album and became one of the best bands of all time.
U2
U2 is one of the legendary rock bands of all time, famous for Bono’s (rhythm guitar and lead vocals) distinguishable voice and The Edge’s precise guitar sound.
They won more than 20 Grammy Awards until now.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The rock band, Red Hot Chili Peppers made their debut with a self-titled album and is famous for incorporating characteristics of alternative rock, funk, and punk rock.
Rolling Stones
Named as one of the best bands of all time, the hard rock band Rolling Stones had guitarists Keith Richards and lead singer Mick Taylor, who was once part of backing band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers as members.
Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards is also named as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
Pink Floyd
The predecessors of progressive rock, Pink Floyd was famous for philosophical lyrics and detailed live shows.
Allman Brothers Band
Although the first two studio albums diverted commercially, Allman Brothers Band had their big break later on playing various genres including southern rock.
Foo Fighters
Founded by former Nirvana drummer Dave Groh, Foo Fighters have won 15 Grammy Awards, five of them being Best Rock Album throughout their career.
Other band
- Deep Purple (modern hard rock and heavy metal)
- Beach Boys (rock, pop, psychedelia)
- Pearl Jam (alternative rock, hard rock)
- Talking Heads (dance rock, new wave)
- Velvet Underground (experimental rock)
Conclusion
It’s hard to choose the biggest rock band as they use music to exceed barriers and unites individuals.