The 30 Greatest Rock Bands of All Time (2023 Update) - Guitar Lobby (2023)

This is probably the hardest and, at the same time, the most gluttonous job of all: trying to choose the best rock bands of all time. To make things even more difficult, we whittled our list down to just 30 bands, which isn't a lot when you realize that rock music has been around since the 1950s. Every decade in rock music has brought something new and fueled to countless bands in the stratosphere So how could we pick just 30 of them?

Well, we chose to focus on those that turned out to be the most original and, at the same time, the most influential. In addition, we also try to keep it very balanced and include a wide range of styles, from classic and progressive rock to punk and alternative. So, without further ado, let's get down to business.

List of the best rock bands of all time

30. ZZ Mouse

Dusty Hill, the band's bassist, and Billy Gibbons, the guitarist, are famous for their beards. Frank Beard, the drummer, doesn't have one. And then you have the raunchy music videos with fast cars, hot girls, and hairy guitars. ZZ Top has never been one to shy away from having fun while rocking out, but as fun as their image is, they've always taken their music seriously. Creating some of the best blues and hard rock you'll ever hear, ZZ Top is an American and especially Texas institution.

Billy Gibbons' guitar playing seems deceptively simple, because only a true master can make complicated and complex music look easy. ZZ Top's songs range from body-shaking songs like Sharp Dressed Man to songs filled with emotion like Blue Jean Blues. After Dusty Hill's death, the band chose to continue their activities, so we will hear from them in the future.

29. Crimson King

King Crimson is easily the weirdest band on this list because they took the rule book and threw it out the window. They are considered the titans of progressive rock, despite easily experimenting with different genres such as classical, jazz, blues and folk. They are the least commercially oriented band, but their albums have ranked on several pop charts. All this having changed more than two dozen members over 50 years. Of course, the biggest credit goes to guitarist Robert Fripp, whose approach to the band is as idiosyncratic and incredibly creative as his playing.

He was never afraid to work with virtuosos and die-hard musicians like Greg Lake and many others. Yes, Fripp was fully aware that there would be conflict and confusion, which is why many of his

set off the bandmates, but it would also result in a killer song that's in a league of its own.

28. Judas the priest

If I had to pick one band that perfectly embodies the sound, attitude, and aesthetic of heavy metal, it would be Judas Priest. They have everything from dueling guitars, heavy riffs and lyrics about the devil, to screaming vocals and leather clad front man, the legendary Rob Halford. Although they started out as a blues rock band in the late 1960s, once Halford and guitarist Glenn Tipton joined the band, they truly understood why classic heavy metal is loved by millions of fans around the world. .

Drawing inspiration first from Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, they found their own signature sound in the mid-1970s with a series of legendary albums. The band struggled several times throughout its existence, first with controversy, most notably when two fans committed suicide, allegedly inspired by the band's music, and then with Halford's departure from the band. Eventually he returned in 2003, and the band is still going strong.

27. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Tom Petty and his band The Heartbreakers are one of the best rock bands that most people don't know by name. What they do know, however, are their distinctive songs, used for decades in movies and TV shows. However, for all the success and accolades they have enjoyed, they have their work cut out for them. Being a traditional rock band and releasing an album in 1976 was a recipe for disaster at the time, with classic rock on the wane and new genres like punk and metal emerging.

The same thing happened in the 1980s, with disco, alternative, and grunge dominating the charts. Yet through it all, thanks to great musicianship, Petty's unique voice and preternatural songwriting ability, the Heartbreakers became bulletproof when it came to turning heads and have sold over 80 million. of albums. Tom Petty passed away in 2017, shortly after the band's 40th anniversary tour.

26. Lynyrd Skynyrd

Jokingly named after gym teacher Leonard Skinner, Lynyrd Skynyrd was vital when it came to popularizing Southern rock, and their soulful three-guitar attack style helped make them instant rock stars. Yet no other band has been as unlucky at the height of their commercial and creative heyday as Lynyrd Skynyrd. On October 20, 1977, the band's plane crashed, with a total of six victims, including vocalist Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines.

A decade later they managed to regroup, with Ronnie Van Zant's brother Johnny on vocals and original members Gary Rossington (guitar), Billy Powell (keyboards) and Leon Wilkeson (bass). Their songs have had a major influence on other artists such as The Black Crowes and Gov't Mule, as well as Metallica, who covered one of their songs, and Guns N' Roses, who credit Lynyrd Skynyrd as the inspiration for their biggest hit. , my sweet son. Gary Rossington and Johnny still maintain the band. Lynyrd Skynyrd is easily one of the greatest rock bands of all time and deserves a place on this list.

25. The Allman Brothers Gang

If Lynyrd Skynyrd is credited with bringing Southern rock to the masses, then it's only fair to consider the pioneers of the genre, the Allman Brothers Band. Their loose jams are second to none, but it was guitarist Duane Allman's soulful playing and lead guitar work that really made the band stand out. This even earned him an invite from Eric Clapton, who described Duane Allman as the "musical brother I never had but wish I had". The result of this collaboration is the album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos.

Sadly, tragedy struck when Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1971. After his death, the torch was picked up by his bandmate Dickey Betts and, over the years, other talented axes such as Dan Toler, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks. Duane Allman and Dickey Betts played in a way that challenged existing notions of lead/rhythm parts and how they interact with each other.

24. U2

Some would probably like to see this band at the top of the list, while others would leave them out. U2 is a very divisive band, mainly because of Bono's messianic stance and activism, but there's no denying the fact that they have many iconic albums and songs in their catalogue. Also, Bono is an amazing singer and Edge is one of the most innovative guitarists to ever hold the instrument. The band itself is cited as an influence by just about every post-punk, indie, and alternative musician out there.

To give credit where credit is due, U2 have never shied away from covering difficult and controversial topics like politics or religion, and they've been very fearless when it comes to constantly changing and evolving their sound. You're entitled to not like them (especially Bono), but you'd be depriving yourself of hearing some of the great anthems of our generation. Sometimes it pays to separate the art and the people behind it.

23. Ramones

Along with the Sex Pistols, the Ramones are often credited with birthing punk rock as we know it. When they burst onto the scene in the early 1970s, they were the exact opposite of what rock music should have been. His songs were simple, short, and loud, and his lyrics were society's equivalent of pointing the middle finger. They barely knew how to play, which was great because it meant that any young man could pick up an instrument and have his voice heard. No one would look down on them because they lacked technical skills.

The Ramones captured the essence of what rock music should be: honest and loud, and preferably live. They also played at supersonic speeds, so you'd be hard-pressed to find a Ramones song that exceeded three minutes. In fact, if you put together your own version of the Ramones greatest hits, it will probably take about 30 minutes.

22. Los Sex Pistols

Speaking of punk rock, we cannot fail to mention the Sex Pistols. They were a musical revolution, because they destroyed everything that was wrong with rock music, because at that point it had become too bloated, too indulgent, and overproduced for its own good. The Sex Pistols brought it all back to basics, albeit in a very brutal and direct way. And despite what most people think, they could play, especially Steve Jones, but they just chose to send a message instead of showing off their skills.

The inclusion of Sid Vicious may have been a poor call musically, but the man himself was the very embodiment of punk rock. Fortunately, fans understood what the Sex Pistols were trying to do. Although they only made one album, it is one of the most important albums in rock history. Their impact on the bands that came after them is immeasurable.

21. Eagles

It could easily be argued that the Eagles are the greatest American rock band of all time. Without a doubt, they are among the most successful, selling more than 120 million albums throughout their career. And we bet there's no one who hasn't heard Hotel California, which was sung by Don Henley, the band's drummer, despite the fact that the entire band shared vocal duties. However, the main creative forces behind the band were Henley and guitarist Glenn Frey, although guitarist Don Felder also played a significant role.

However, due to a powerful combination of success, drugs and egos, the Eagles broke up in 1980, much to the relief of its members. They reunited in 1994 and while they haven't been able to repeat their previous success, they can still fill any stadium. Guitarist Glenn Frey passed away in 2016.

20. Iron Maiden

No list of the greatest rock bands of all time would be complete without Iron Maiden. And they owe all their success to hard work and writing great songs. When you think about it, Iron Maiden are one of those bands that have been touring relentlessly for the last 40 years, only seemingly taking time off to record their next album. Iron Maiden falls into the category of bands like AC/DC. They don't vary their formula much, opting to stick to their signature sound. What's impressive about a band that's been around for so long is that they're still packing arenas and headlining festivals, refusing to be forgotten or irrelevant.

And somehow, for most of their career, they've managed to keep the core of their lineup intact: Bruce Dickinson, Adrian Smith, Steve Harris and Nicko McBrain are still there, working like there's no tomorrow. You have to respect that.

19. Motorhead

Motörhead went through countless line-up changes, but the one constant was, of course, Lemmy Kilmister, or just Lemmy. Although punks and metalheads see Motörhead as one of their own, they are, at their core, a rock band, and it's easy to see why. Lemmy's bass gives the band a really heavy sound, while the band's attitude screams punk. His music was raw, loud, and brutally real. And if you thought for a minute they were faking it, check out the documentary about Lemmy released in 2010.

The guy lived and breathed rock'n'roll into his sixties, so you can imagine how tough he was when he was younger. Or you don't have to, he just hears his music in all his twisted glory, warts and all (pun intended). Motörhead ceased to exist in 2015 with the death of Lemmy at the age of 70.

18. Metallic

Once dubbed "the future of metal", Metallica became one of the greatest metal and rock bands of all time. What's even more amazing about their success is that every album release, and they've been doing it for 40 years, is a musical event of the highest order. You can't really say that about most of your contemporaries. They've never hesitated to switch things up, be it 1991's Metallica aka The Black Album, or Load and Reload. They received some criticism for the latter two, but these albums also brought them closer to mainstream hard rock audiences.

They went through a few things, like the death of bassist Cliff Burton in 1986 in a bus accident, as well as turmoil within the band (most notably the conflict between vocalist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich), as captured in the documentary Some Kind of Monsters, which can be downright terrifying at times, or their infamous rivalry with Napster. However, they have since teamed up and released two great albums.

17. Creedence Clearwater Revival

If you like roots rock, Creedence Clearwater Revival is probably your favorite band. And by all accounts, they are one of the greatest rock bands of all time, with eight consecutive gold singles and seven consecutive gold albums to their credit. Sure, some of her songs have been overused, like Fortunate Son (in almost every war movie) or Proud Mary (looking at you, Tina Turner), but that doesn't detract from the power of her music.

His songs still sound fresh and John Fogerty has one of the most unique and powerful voices in rock. Unfortunately, they were unable to sustain the band for long due to conflict between John Fogerty and his brother Tom, as well as the rest of the band. His stellar legacy lives on.

16. The Stooges

Also known as Iggy Pop and the Stooges, this band is credited with setting the stage for, or even inventing, punk rock himself, and Iggy Pop is often referred to as the "Godfather of Punk". And there's more than enough evidence to back that up, with his raw music being the exact opposite of what was going on in rock at the time. Then there are their live shows, with Iggy's infamous screaming and writhing on stage, or rolling on shards of glass.

His "take no prisoners" approach to music and live performance would prove to be the right way to go, earning him a legion of fans and, a little later, respect among music critics. They broke up in 1974 and reunited in 2003, with Iggy joining original members Ron and Scott Asheton. The death of drummer Scott Asheton in 2014 marked the final end of the band.

15. The doors

The Doors were founded in 1965 after keyboardist Ray Manzarek met Jim Morrison, who was a film student at the time. The rest, as we know, is history. Back then, there were no rules about what you could and couldn't do in rock music, so the Doors wrote some beautiful, innovative, and haunting songs that were unlike anything at the time. Jim Morrison was a charismatic leader and a tortured poet at the same time, able to go from the depths to star in both his lyrics and his character on stage, who would later be nicknamed the Lizard King.

Never lacking in self-confidence or drugs, the Doors reached incredible heights, but they couldn't stay there for long, with the death of Jim Morrison in 1971 at the age of 27. The band has reunited several times, but never under the Doors name, knowing full well that Morrison's shoes are too big for anyone.

14. The Clash

The Clash or "the only band that matters" is the best punk band of all time, hands down. The band's two primary songwriters were guitarist Mick Jones and vocalist Joe Strummer. Their rough, gritty music, as well as their down-to-earth punk attitude helped blur the lines between the band and their audience, which was uncharacteristic of most bands, as most chose to soak up all the glory. that was thrown at them. . . Still, The Clash couldn't escape the fact that their songs were catchy too, despite their punk rock attitude and ethic. They didn't do it on purpose, but the end result was a song that could shock any rock fan.

Essentially, The Clash wrote great rock songs regardless of genre, but more importantly, these songs served as a vehicle for their message against racism, consumerism, and injustice. Joe Strummer would be remembered as one of the most important figures in rock and roll history.

13. Aerosmith

Aerosmith formed in 1970 and, save for a few years in the 1980s, have kept their original lineup. If we had to pick one band to see in a stadium, it would probably be Aerosmith. It took the band a few years, just like the albums, before they were able to convince audiences and critics alike that they weren't just another Stones knockoff, but a rock powerhouse in their own right. Today, they are considered one of the most influential bands that have inspired the likes of Guns N' Roses, Van Halen, Bon Jovi and many, many more.

Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry are also known as the "toxic twins" due to the band's history of drug abuse. Yet despite this, Tyler still has the same power, range and grit in his voice that he had in the past, and Perry remains the epitome of cool guitarist.

12. Guns N' Roses

Guns N' Roses need no introduction as they have been called "The Most Dangerous Band in the World". And from 1987 to 1991, they were not only the most dangerous gang, but also the biggest in the world. They were a musical anomaly in the late 1980s, because although they looked a lot like the hair metal bands of that time and lived the same debauched lifestyle, musically they were completely different. Their gritty, heavy hard rock genre was a throwback to Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin, and there was always an element of danger to the band.

Every once in a while they would dial back, and the result was a soulful ballad, like Sweet Child of Mine or November Rain. But for the most part, they reveled in the carnage before parting ways. Axl Rose continued to tour with his own version of the band, eventually reuniting with original members Slash and Duff McKagan in 2016.

11. Nirvana

It's impossible to overestimate the impact Nirvana had on music, as well as their contemporaries, in the early 1990s. Guns N' Roses helped punch hair metal in the stomach, but it was Nirvana who lopped off its head. You have to remember that Nirvana only existed for seven years. In that time, they've released three albums, and their second, Nevermind, released in 1991, basically changed everything. Nirvana opened the door for other Seattle bands like Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains, and grunge took the world by storm.

Nirvana took the quiet, loud dynamic used by the Pixies and applied it to their own musical formula, which was equal parts The Beatles and Black Sabbath, with plenty of teen angst and alienation thrown in for good measure. We can only speculate how far they could have gone. Kurt Cobain committed suicide in his home in 1994, ending not only the band, but an entire musical era.

10. dark purple

Although Deep Purple formed in 1968 and had a hit with Hush, with their original singer Rod Evans on vocals, the duo's classic Mk II lineup is what put this band on the map. Ian Gillan on vocals, Richie Blackmore on guitar, Roger Glover on bass, Jon Lord on keyboards and Ian Paice on drums, it just doesn't get any better than this. The creativity and musical success, as well as the tensions between Gillan and Blackmore, marked this era for the band, causing their separation. Richie Blackmore then introduced the Mk III lineup with David Coverdale on lead vocals and Glenn Hughes on bass and backing vocals.

While a great band in its own right, the Mk III version of Deep Purple was not well received, which is why Mk II Deep Purple reunited not once, but twice. Blackmore left the band and was replaced by Steve Morse, with Ian Gillan still on vocals.

9. CA/CC

There are very few bands as immune to trends, fads, and fads as AC/DC. And they'd be crazy if they changed their approach after 200 million records sold worldwide. And unlike most of their contemporaries, who became irrelevant legacies or ceased to exist, AC/DC still lives on, as strong as their music. After the death of their lead singer Bon Scott in 1980, they regrouped shortly thereafter with Brian Johnson, who chose to match Scott's intensity and menace with his insane screaming.

The core of the band would remain intact until they lost Malcolm Young to dementia in 2017. Brian Johnson would leave the tour to save his audition. Tough as nails though, they're back with a new album and Brian Johnson behind the mic.

8. Los Beatles

For many, the Beatles are the greatest rock band of all time. They weren't just a band, but a cultural phenomenon to which no one was immune. No matter where you were in the 1960s and 1970s, Beatlemania moved you. The Beatles weren't around for very long, though that seems to be the case thanks to the seemingly endless string of hit albums and singles. Rock'n'roll was still in its infancy when it burst onto the scene, changing it forever.

Even if other bands made great contributions to what we perceive as rock music, the Beatles were the true pioneers. Sure, you might find some of the outlandish songs or her tailored costumes ridiculous by today's standards, or you might find Yoko Ono irritating (as we all do), but those are just specs of her musical legacy, to be found. towers above almost all others. bands. out there.

7. Os Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are the very embodiment of rock'n'roll. You have the timeless hits, the charismatic vocalist, the enigmatic guitarist, the drugs and the debauchery. It's all there, and then some. Yet despite their age, despite all their drug-fuelled antics, the Stones are still going strong, making albums and selling out tours all over the world. They got over the death of their original guitarist, Brian Jones, with Ronnie Wood joining the group. They seemed pretty immortal until the death of drummer Charlie Watts in 2021.

Many were quick to write them off, only to keep their mouths shut every time the Stones found some fuel in the tank and produced a single or album that reminded everyone of who they were. And yet, after all these years, "the ancient art of weaving," which is the garish, screeching way Keith and Ronnie's guitars interplay, is as sublime as ever.

6. Crema

Cream have been around for just over two years, recording just two albums, but it was enough for the whole world to stand up and listen in awe. And looking back decades later, it's not exactly a surprise, as the iconic trio consisted of Eric Clapton, God himself, on guitar, Jack Bruce on bass, and Ginger Baker on drums. All three musicians have been considered among the best of all time on their respective instruments. Bruce and Baker, with their technical skills and jazz background, provided a backbone for Clapton to establish his fiery solos and bluesy renditions.

The three then improvised and, at that time, there was no band in the world that equaled them. More importantly, their music has stood the test of time, and Cream is considered one of the greatest bands of all time, especially among fans who appreciate the virtuosity that serves and elevates the songs.

5. Who

The Who often place themselves in the shadow of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, but they shouldn't, because they are arguably a better rock band. No other band before them has been able to capture the youthful energy so well, nor has any other band done it with as much flair as they have. Pete Townshend's windmill strumming, Keith Moon's insane percussion, John Entwistle's bass that far exceeded the song's needs, and last but not least, singer Roger Daltrey's emphatic shouts and mic swinging. Those are just little trademarks, and then you get to the songs and albums.

From simple rock songs to ambitious rock operas, The Who did it all. Although they lost Keith Moon and John Entwistle along the way, Daltrey and Townshend are still going strong, releasing new albums and touring from time to time, just to show everyone how it's done.

4. Pink Floyd

We can't even begin to name all the ways that Pink Floyd influenced other artists. His courage to experiment, as well as his musical creativity, remain unmatched. They were as influential on ambient and art rock as they were on classic and progressive rock. However, on top of all that intellectual musicianship, they have created some of the most beautiful songs and solos that any mainstream rock band can envy. Although they were unfairly shunned by punk fans, Pink Floyd criticized the system just as cruelly, but in a subtle and sophisticated way.

Whether you preferred Pink Floyd when it was led by Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, or David Gilmour, the band remains one of the most fascinating, enigmatic, and inspiring bands of all time. Their elaborate live shows were just as impressive as their albums, and while they are some of the biggest rock stars in all of history, you could pass any of the band members on the street, not knowing it was them. They let their music and their art do the talking.

3. Reina

Freddie Mercury is probably the best singer of all time. His voice is the perfect combination of opera and rock, and when it comes to commanding the stage and the crowd, no one has done it better. The best thing about Queen is that they were typical rock stars: loud, pompous and grand, but somehow they were suave and seemed to have fun doing it. If you're new to Queen, look no further than their shows at Wembley, as well as their triumphant performance during Live Aid, which is considered by many to be their best ever.

Despite being a classic rock band at their core, Queen were too big and too creative to be tied to just one genre, so they did everything from progressive rock to disco. Sadly, the death of Freddie Mercury brought Queen's career to an abrupt halt. The band would never really recover. Bassist John Deacon left the band, while Brian May and Roger Water continued with vocalists such as Paul Rogers and Adam Lambert. But replacing the greatest voice in all of rock turned out to be an impossible task.

2. Black Saturday

Guitarist Tony Iommi lost the fingertips of his right hand in an industrial accident, which was also his fret hand, so to play his guitar, he made plastic thimbles for his injured fingers. To make fretting easier and get a heavier sound, he tuned some of the strings lower than standard. This new sound turned out to be a real revelation. Together with the astonishing vocals of vocalist Ozzy Osbourne and a compact rhythmic section made up of bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward, or we are taciturn and scary guitar wind of Iommi os tornou or musical equivalent of a horror film, which was his intention all the time.

And if you add to that the dark lyrics and generous use of the tritone known as "devil's break", Black Sabbath pretty much laid the foundation for heavy metal. They inspired not only their peers to pursue a heavier sound, but generations of musicians that followed, including bands like Metallica, Judas Priest, Queens of the Stone Age, Pantera, Guns N' Roses, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains. . Along with Led Zeppelin, they made rock music what it is today.

1. Led Zepelín

What can we say about Led Zeppelin that hasn't been said before? No band had such a fanatical following, not even the Beatles. There was so much mysticism, so many myths and anecdotes surrounding the band that they almost seemed from another planet. And once people love their first album, they sound like they're from a whole different galaxy. Between 1968 and 1980, Led Zeppelin released nine albums but only a handful of singles, as they preferred their albums to be heard as a whole.

Jimmy Page's riffs and approach to guitar playing were truly innovative, and we're not just talking about tricks like playing guitar with a violin bow. In the studio, he experimented with amp placement, the use of different pedals, as well as new production techniques, all of which would give Led Zeppelin a massive, thick sound never heard before. Robert Plant had the vocal power to match Page's guitar pyrotechnics, and John Bonham's powerful percussion would become the model for all rock drummers after him.

Finally, we cannot forget the bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, a versatile musician and arranger. Many will agree that he was that X factor that made all the difference when it came to the sound of Led Zeppelin. Knowing how integral each member was to the band's sound, Led Zeppelin opted not to continue after John Bonham's death, only putting together a handful of shows. Even though they haven't been around for over 40 years, their legacy is great. The greatest rock band of all time: Led Zeppelin.

And there you have it, 30 Greatest Rock Bands of All Time. We chose to omit some of the big names, such as Davie Bowie, Bob Dylan or Jimi Hendrix, as they are mostly remembered as solo artists with backing bands. Also, since our list is quite short, some of the bands that deserve an honorable mention are: Rush, Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Sonic Youth, R.E.M, Thin Lizzy, Talking Heads, Joy Division , The Kinks, Yes, Genesis, Kiss, Fleetwood Mac, The Police, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Van Halen, Steely Dan, Journey, Toto, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Tool, among others.