22 Greatest Classic Rock Bands in History

This list only includes bands whose forte is producing classic rock ‘n' roll, and as sung mostly in the English language; and all of these bands has (or had) a distinctive sound few can imitate. At the very least, all have left an indelible mark on the world of rock ‘n' roll.

Now let's begin the countdown!

22. The Grateful Dead

Origin: Palo Alto, California

Year Started: 1965

Springing from the Haight/Ashbury district of San Francisco, California, a land of counterculture politics, psychedelic music, pot and incense filled love-ins and a peace and love ethos, The Grateful Dead, lead by frontman/guitarist/singer Jerry Garcia, created a hippy cool/country rock sound that captivated millions of fans from 1965 to 1995.

Over those 30 years, the Dead perfected the art of producing lengthy improvisational jam-concerts, some 2,000 of which recorded in some fashion; the Dead also sold over 35 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

Since then, band members such as Phil Lesh (bass) and Bob Weir (guitar) have formed numerous Dead spin-off bands: The Other Ones, The Dead, Dead & Company, RatDog, Phil Lesh and Friends and Billy & and the Kids. It seems the Dead may live-on—in some fashion—forever!

21. Guns N’ Roses

Origin: Los Angeles, California

Year Started: 1985

Nicknamed “the most dangerous band in the world,” Guns N’ Roses, highlighted by singer Axl Rose and lead guitarist Slash, began their career like an exploding star: their debut album Appetite for Destruction (1987) hit #1 on the Billboard 200 and included two of their best singles, “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” the latter of which the band’s only #1 hit on the Billboard 100.

Notably, the album sold 30 million copies worldwide and is the greatest selling debut album in the US. The band continued rocking into the 1990s, producing the hit albums Use Your Illusion I and II, both of which exemplifying their plunge into industrial music and classic rock. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, and the current lineup includes seven musicians as shown in their Guns N’ Roses 2020 Tour.

As of 2024, utilizing mostly members from their original lineup, Guns N’ Roses has sold 45 million records in the US and been nominated for awards 48 times, winning 16, including 4 American Music Awards.

20. AC/DC

Origin: Sydney, Australia

Year Started: 1973

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Formed by Scottish brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, AC/DC, certainly one of the greatest hard rock or metal bands ever, rocketed to popularity with the release of their seventh studio album, Back in Black (1980), which has sold nearly 30 million certified copies in the US, and is the second highest selling album of all time, behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1982). Back in Black also included perhaps AC/DC’s greatest single, “Back in Black,” which offers their signature opening guitar riff, and hit #37 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Notably, worldwide, the band has sold over 200 million records. Even after the death of Malcolm Young in 2017, a hiatus or two and more personnel changes, AC/DC continues to perform and record; their latest studio album is Power Up (2020).

And, using most of their original lineup, AC/DC launched their Power Up tour in 2024. Over the decades, the band has been nominated for awards 50 times, winning 17 times, including 2 Grammy Awards.

19. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Origin: Belmar, New Jersey

Year Started: 1972

Purveyors of heartland rock, the E Street Band has been Bruce Springsteen’s primary backing band—off and on—at least, for decades. Perhaps America’s most well-known and popular frontman, guitarist/singer Bruce Springsteen has assembled a group of solo performers—such as guitarist Steven Van Zandt, drummer Max Weinberg and singer Patti Scialfa (whom Springsteen married in 1991)—as well as an impressive array of session musicians and featured players who’ve also performed and recorded with scores of other artists and musical groups.

Notably, in 2014, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Since 1974, the band has performed on 15 tours and has been featured on 24 singles and albums; it has also backed Springsteen on 29 of his solo albums.

18. Pearl Jam

Origin: Seattle, Washington

Year Started: 1990

A vast multitude of rock fans fell in love with Pearl Jam’s first album. Ten (1991), which soared to #2 on the Billboard 200, stayed on the list for five years and was certified 13 times platinum! Not just a one-trick pony, Pearl Jam has continued to produce hit albums over the years and by 2018 had sold over 85 million albums worldwide, making it one of the greatest selling rock bands of all time.

As of 2021, Pearl Jam has released 11 studio albums, the latest of which Gigaton (2020). In 2005, according to a USA Today reader's poll, Pearl Jam was selected as the greatest rock and roll band of all time. Moreover, in 2017, Pearl Jam was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

17. Chicago

Origin: Chicago, Illinois

Year Started: 1967

Brass rock never sounded so good! Having a horn section comprised of four players, three of whom are still with the band as of 2021, Chicago has produced an experimental, pop-rock style of music that’s spawned the sale of millions of records for many decades. As of 2019, Chicago has released 25 studio albums and 5 live albums.

The band has also produced 20 top-ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Perhaps their greatest hit singles are “25 or 6 to 4,” “Does Anybody Know What Time It Is,” “Just You ‘n’ Me,” “If You Leave Me Now” and “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.” In 2016, Chicago was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2020 they were presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

16. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Origin: Gainesville, Florida

Started: 1976

Playing heartland rock, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers became a popular band in the U.K. and U.S. over the course of their first three albums, which included hit singles like “Breakdown,” “American Girl” and “Don’t Do Me Like That.”

In the mid-1980s, the band opted for a Southern rock sound, which led to the studio album Southern Accents (1985) and later that year, the double album, Pack Up the Plantation: Live! which hit #22 on the Billboard 200.

Petty joined the supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys in the late '80s. launched a solo career with the help of Jeff Lynne, collaborated with such artists as Dave Grohl and Stevie Nicks, and then reunited with the Heartbreakers, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with Petty in 2002.

Petty surged into the 21st century, releasing his final album with the Heartbreakers in 2014. Hypnotic Eye debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. Sadly, Petty died suddenly on October 2, 2017, due to an accidental overdose of painkillers. He was 66.

15. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Origin: Los Angeles, California

Year Started: 1968

A folk rock group—though they played hard rock too—Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young was one of rock’s first supergroups, all members also having solo careers and belonging to other bands at different times. CSNY’s first studio album was Déjà Vu (1970), which became their best selling album. CSNY also produced 4 Way Street, a live double album that ascended to #1 on the Billboard 200.

Famously, their second live performance was at Woodstock, though you may not have seen Neil Young on camera, because he refused to be filmed! Back in the 1970s, CSNY were seen as advocates for social and political issues, and their music seemed a kind of religion. Their last studio album was Looking Forward (1999), and they last performed together in October 2013.

Notably, all members of CSNY have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as solo performers or members of other bands, but only Crosby, Stills & Nash have been inducted as a group.

14. Foo Fighters

Origin: Seattle, Washington

Year Started: 1994

Emanating from the demise of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, Dave Grohl promptly brought together members of Foo Fighters, who’ve produced a potent hard rock sound to which many purists have gravitated. The band’s debut album, Foo Fighters, was a collection of Grohl’s solo singles. Recorded in six days, Grohl also played all the instruments. Considered an exemplar of the post-grunge sound, it was also likened to Nirvana’s Nevermind. The album hit #23 on the US Billboard 200.

Grohl, obviously the group’s frontman and main spokesperson (but no autographs please or questions about a prominent rocker dead at 27), has assembled various musicians over the decades, including bassist Nate Mendel and drummer Taylor Hawkins, the later of whom one of their main vocalists and also one of the most recognizable members of Foo Fighters—until his untimely death in 2022.

Foo Fighters has recorded 11 studio albums, the latest of which But Here We Are (2023), which climbed to #2 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart. And members of Foo Fighters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, their first year of eligibility. The band has also garnered an impressive 15 Grammy Awards, including five for Best Rock Album.

13. Black Sabbath

Origin: Birmingham, England

Year Started: 1968

As of 2013, Black Sabbath has sold over 70 million records and, along with Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, were considered quintessential heavy metal bands in the 1970s. Given their accolades received over the decades, it seems obvious Black Sabbath lead guitarist Tony Iommi is often considered one of the greatest metal guitarists—if not the greatest metal guitarist of all time.

Comprising a lineup of Iommi, singer Ozzy Osbourne (alias The Prince of Darkness), bassist Gizzer Butler and drummer Bill Ward, BS has remained mostly the same from 1968 until the group’s The End Tour in 2017. Notably, the notorious Ozzy Osbourne formed solo bands such as the Blizzard of Oz and Ozzmosis; and who can forget his Ozzfest tours from 1997 to 2005. Also, in 2006, members of Black Sabbath formed the supergroup Heaven & Hell; and various reunion concerts for BS have transpired over the years.

Black Sabbath has received favorable—if not rave reviews—from critics, writers and fellow metal artists. Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian said, “My top five metal albums are the first five Sabbath albums." And Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler said: "If anybody who plays heavy metal says they weren't influenced by Black Sabbath's music, I think they're lying.”

Black Sabbath was inducted into the UK Hall of Fame in 2005 and also the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006; and in 2019 BS received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

12. The Allman Brothers Band

Origin: Jacksonville, Florida

Year Started: 1969

They became a sensation after the release of their live album. At Fillmore East (1971), their blues-tinged, rock sound most evident on the masterpieces “Whipping Post,” “Hot ‘Lanta” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.”

But just months after the album’s release lead guitarist Duane Allman died in a motorcycle crash, thereafter changing the band’s sound. They developed a twangy, Southern rock style, some examples of which are the mega hits “Ramblin’ Man” and the Dickey Betts’ instrumental, “Jessica.”

In 1989, the band reformed, adding lead guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks; and then, after many personnel changes, the band broke up after the death of keyboardist/singer Gregg Allman in 2017. Among a plethora of first-rate Southern rock bands, The Allman Brothers Band may be the best of the bunch.

11. Metallica

Origin: Los Angeles, California

Year Started: 1981

One from an incredible list of rock bands coming from California, Metallica formed in the early 1980s and eventually became known as one of four bands—along with Megadeath, Anthrax and Slayer—as forerunners of thrash metal; and since that time Metallica has continued producing cutting edge metal, as heard on 10 studio albums, 8 live albums and 42 singles, as well as numerous video albums and music videos.

These songs exemplify Metallica’s sound: “Damage Inc.,” (1986), “Sad But True” (1991) and “Purify” (2003). Master of Puppets (1986) may be their most successful, influential and critically acclaimed album; it reached #26 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified as six times platinum. Continuing to record and perform, Metallica’s latest studio album is Hard Wired . . . to Self-Destruct (2016). Notably, Metallica has won nine Grammy Awards.

10. The Who

Origin: London, England

Year Started: 1964

The Who erupted upon the music scene during the mod period of the British Invasion. Known for their stage theatrics, hard rock sound and rough treatment of guitars and drums after live performances, The Who quickly became a sensation in the UK and US. They played at many of the greatest rock festivals of the 1960s: the Monterey Pop Festival, Woodstock and the Isle of Wight. The Who also released Tommy (1969), the first rock opera, which became a sensation.

They also produced a live album, Live at Leeds (1970), often considered one of the greatest live rock albums ever. In 2003, seven albums by The Who were included on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The two surviving members of The Who—Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey—still record and perform, and their latest studio album is Who (2019).

9. U2

Origin: Dublin, Ireland

Year Started: 1976

One of the most popular musical acts in the world, U2 is a band with a social conscience. One of its 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.

By the way, U2 puts on a spectacular live show, particularly when performing in arenas or stadiums. In that regard, The Edge, aka, David Howell Evans, U2’s lead guitarist, seemingly uses a different guitar for every song U2 plays. Small wonder, since it appears every guitar has a unique tone the artist must utilize to its fullest.

8. Santana

Origin: San Francisco, California

Year Started: 1966

A San Francisco Bay Area group that went stellar is Santana, which started as the Santana Blues Band, led by lead guitarist Carlos Santana. The band’s Latin-flavored rock ‘n’ roll became a quick sensation in San Francisco’s concert scene. Notably, the band became famous before the release of its first album by playing at Woodstock in August 1969.

Over the years, their top-grossing albums have been Abraxas in 1970 and, in 1999, Supernatural, the latter of which 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. And, in 2016, classic band members regrouped, releasing the album Santana IV and its hit single, “Anywhere You Want to Go.”

7. Queen

Origin: London, England

Year Started: 1970

Queen is certainly one of the most innovative, progressive and experimental rock bands of all time, producing such timeless hits as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Somebody to Love,” “We Are the Champions,” and “We Will Rock You.”

Having sold over 300 million albums worldwide, Queen has been one of the most commercially successful rock bands. Producing their first album in 1973, Queen’s best days featured Freddie Mercury on lead vocals, Brian May on lead guitar, and Roger Taylor on drums.

Generally, critics have loved Queen’s music too, as their singles and albums have landed on numerous “best of” lists. A Night at the Opera (1975) was voted #16 on Q magazine’s list of the 50 Best British Albums Ever, compiled in 2004.

Since the death of Freddie Mercury in 1991, Queen has nevertheless continued recording and touring, and in 2018 was given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

6. Aerosmith

Origin: Boston, Massachusetts

Year Started: 1970

No American rock band has won more awards and honors—and sold more albums—than Aerosmith. 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 have considered them nothing more than a poor man’s Rolling Stones. Perhaps the band’s greatest hit is “Walk This Way,” which has been covered by numerous groups, including the hip-hop band Run D.M.C.

But, even with all of their success, it has been a bumpy ride for these guys. By the middle of the 1980s, virtually every band member ended up in drug rehab. The band didn’t rebound until the end of the decade, when every member had finally sworn off the contraband. Since then, they've rocked. So, regarding rock longevity, only the Rolling Stones top these aging, though potent, rockers.

5. Pink Floyd

Origin: London, England

Year Started: 1965

Few rock bands have been as influential as Pink Floyd, which 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, 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 2006 and Richard Wright in 2008, but Pink Floyd’s space music will never perish.

4. The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Origin: London, England

Year Started: 1966

Reputedly, blues guitarist Eric Clapton’s jaw dropped when he heard Jimi Hendrix play Howlin Wolf’s “Killing Floor.” 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 Experience's greatest songs were “Purple Haze,” “Foxy Lady,” “All Along the Watchtower,” "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" and “Machine Gun.”

Then the band’s stardom was cut short by the death of Jimi Hendrix in September 1970. Using 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 supernova. Alas, poor Jimi ended likewise.

3. The Rolling Stones

Origin: London, England

Year Started: 1962

In the early 1960s 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 may have gone into decline 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, as the band performed at the 12/12/2012 Concert, which highlighted their celebration for 50 years of rocking out. And, even after the death of drummer Charlie Watts in 2021, the Stones still tour large venues.

Hackney Diamonds (2023) and its hit single “Angry,” is the Stones newest studio album since Blue & Lonesome in 2016. Diamonds highlights their world tour of the same name in 2024.