The Best Rock Music of All Time

A look at the best rock music of all time and what made these songs and albums so great.

The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band that formed inLiverpool in 1960. With members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, they became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band in history. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented with several genres, ranging from pop ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock, often incorporating classical elements in innovative ways. In 1963, their enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania”; as the group’s music grew in sophistication, led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, they came to be perceived as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the era’s sociocultural revolutions.

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band that formed in London in 1962. The first stable line-up consisted of Brian Jones (lead guitar, harmonica), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (rhythm guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass), Charlie Watts (drums), and Ian Stewart (piano). Stewart was removed from the official line-up in 1963 but continued to work with the band as a contracted musician until his death in 1985. Jones died less than a month after recording finished for their debut album and was replaced by Mick Taylor, who remained as second guitarist until 1974. Following Taylor’s departure, Ronnie Wood has been on guitar in tandem with Richards.

Since Wyman’s departure in 1993, Darryl Jones has served as touring bassist. The Stones have not had an official keyboardist since 1963; however, they hired Chuck Leavell for their 1982 European tour and again for their 2002–2003 Licks Tour. Active from 1962 to the present day, the Rolling Stones have been described as “one of the most influential bands of all time.” They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and he Rolling Stone magazine ranked them fourth on its list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time with remarks that they “didn’t just give rock its swagger – they gave it its purpose.”

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin was an English rock band formed in 1968 by Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham. The band’s heavy, guitar-driven sound has led them to be cited as one of the progenitors of heavy metal. Their style drew from a wide variety of influences, including blues, psychedelia, and folk music.

The band is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential rock bands of all time. They have sold more than 300 million records worldwide, including 111.5 million records in the United States, making them the second-best-selling band in history behind only the Beatles. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and included in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”.

Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd was an English rock band who achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Formed in 1965, the group initially consisted of Syd Barrett on lead guitar and lead vocals, Nick Mason on drums, Roger Waters on bass and vocals, and Richard Wright on keyboards and vocals. Barrett left the band in 1968 due to mental health issues, and Pink Floyd went on to release some of the most iconic and influential albums of all time, including The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), Animals (1977), The Wall (1979) and The Division Bell (1994). With their mix of driving rock rhythms, searing guitar solos, innovative sound effects and thought-provoking lyrics, Pink Floyd pushed the boundaries of what could be accomplished in rock music, creating records that have stood the test of time and influenced countless other artists.

The Who

The Who is an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century, selling over 100 million records worldwide.

The Who’s early work was marked by a high degree of experimentation. Their first two albums, My Generation (1965) and A Quick One (1966), broke new ground in terms of sonic experimentation for mainstream rock music. Their third album, The Who Sell Out (1967), was a concept album that featured varied sound collages and jingles which were designed to sound like legitimate commercials. Its packaging included mock ads for products such as Bubblegum Cigarettes and VD prevention cream.

The group’s fourth album, Tommy (1969), was a critical and commercial success. It was a double album about a “deaf, dumb and blind” boy who becomes a pinball champion before reaching spiritual enlightenment. The album’s success led to a film adaptation directed by Ken Russell, which was released in 1975.

The Who continued to experiment with their next several albums, including 1971’s Who’s Next, 1973’s Quadrophenia, and 1975’s The Who by Numbers. They also ventured into more commercial territory with 1978’s Who Are You and 1982’s It’s Hard. In 1982, drummer Keith Moon died after overdosing on sleeping pills; he was replaced by Kenney Jones. The group released two more albums with Jones before breaking up in 1983; they reunited briefly in 1989 for Live Aid and again in 1996 for their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2000, they also released an album of new material called Wire & Glass EP as well as staging a successful world tour. Since playing at Live 8 in 2005, the group has not toured or recorded new material; however, they have continued to make sporadic live appearances.

Queen

Queen is a British rock band that formed in London in 1970. The band members are Freddie Mercury (lead vocals and piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), John Deacon (bass guitar), and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals). Queen’s classic line-up was notable for its diversity, with members originating from all across the United Kingdom.

The band is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 300 million records worldwide. Queen’s earliest hits include “Killer Queen” (1974), “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975), “We Will Rock You” (1977), and “Another One Bites the Dust” (1980). The band continued to enjoy success through the 1980s and 1990s with hits such as “I Want to Break Free” (1984), “Who Wants to Live Forever” (1986), “Radio Ga Ga” (1984), “Hammer to Fall” (1984), and “Heaven for Everyone” (1995).

Queen’s influence on popular culture is undeniable; they are one of the most iconic rock bands of all time. Their music has been featured in movies, television shows, and video games, and their songs have been covered by countless other artists.

AC/DC

With hits like “Highway to Hell” and “Back in Black,” AC/DC is one of the most popular and influential rock bands of all time. Formed in Australia in 1973, AC/DC has sold more than 200 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. In addition to their commercial success, the band is also highly respected by critics and fellow musicians, often being cited as an influence by other artists.

Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath is often cited as the godfathers of heavy metal music. Formed in Birmingham, England in 1968, the band originally consisted of Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass), and Bill Ward (drums). Together, they pioneered a new genre of music characterized by its dark, ominous sound and themes of death, darkness, and evil. Sabbath’s self-titled debut album was released in 1970 to critical acclaim and commercial success, cementing their status as one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Throughout their career, Black Sabbath released a total of nineteen studio albums, selling over 100 million copies worldwide. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

Metallica

Metallica is one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time. Formed in 1981, the group has sold over 100 million albums and garnered numerous awards, including nine Grammy Awards. Their music has been described as “intense, aggressive, and often complex”. Metallica’s biggest hits include “Enter Sandman”, “One”, and “Nothing Else Matters”.

Nirvana

Nirvana was an American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. It was founded by singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic. drummer Dave Grohl joined the band in 1990. Nirvana went through a succession of drummers, the longest-lasting being Chad Channing, who performed on the band’s second album, Nevermind (1991).

Nirvana’s success popularized alternative rock, and they were often referenced as the founders of generation X music. Their music maintains a popular following and continues to influence modern rock and roll culture. In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked them at number nine on their list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”, while they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, in their first year of eligibility.