The Best Rock Music Artists of All Time

These are the best rock music artists of all time. This list is based on critical acclaim, popularity, and influence.

The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960. With a line-up comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, they are regarded as the most influential band of all time. The Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over a three-year period from 1960, with Stuart Sutcliffe initially serving as bass player. The core trio of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison, together since 1958, went through a succession of drummers, including Pete Best, before asking Starr to join them in 1962. Manager Brian Epstein moulded them into a professional act, and producer George Martin guided and developed their recordings.

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London, England, in 1962. The original line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass guitar) and Charlie Watts (drums). The band’s primary songwriters, Jagger and Richards, assumed leadership after Andrew Loog Oldham became the group’s manager. Jones left the band less than a month before his death in 1969; he was replaced by Mick Taylor, who remained until 1974. After Taylor left the band, Ronnie Wood took his place in 1975 and continues on guitar to the present day.

The Rolling Stones were at the vanguard of the British Invasion of bands that became popular in the United States in 1964 and they are identified with the youthful and rebellious counterculture of the 1960s. They were instrumental in making blues a major part of rock music and their music has been described as “blues-based rock” or “rock & roll”. They developed a style that placed them among the leaders of roots-based classic rock bands and continue to enjoy commercial success.

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin was an English rock band formed in 1968. The group consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. They are widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential rock bands of all time.

The Who

The Who is an English rock band that was formed in 1964. The band is composed of Roger Daltrey (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica), Pete Townshend (lead guitar, vocals, keyboards), John Entwistle (bass guitar, brass instruments, vocals) and Keith Moon (drums, percussion). The Who is considered to be one of the most influential rock bands of all time. They have sold over 100 million records and have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Queen

Queen is a British rock band that formed in London in 1970. The band members were Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), John Deacon (bass guitar), and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals). Queen’s classic line-up was noted for their musical diversity and eclectic style, which incorporated elements of pop, rock, hard rock, heavy metal, glam rock, opera, and disco. Their albums have sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, making them one of the world’s bestselling bands of all time.

Aerosmith

Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as “the Bad Boys from Boston” and “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band”. Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many subsequent rock artists. The band was formed in Boston in 1970, with lead singer Steven Tyler, guitarist Joe Perry, bassist Tom Hamilton, and drummer Joey Kramer.

AC/DC

AC/DC is an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. A hard rock/blues rock band, they have also been considered a heavy metal band, although they have always dubbed their music as “rock and roll”. AC/DC underwent several line-up changes before releasing their first album, High Voltage, in 1975. Membership subsequently stabilised until bassist Mark Evans was replaced by Cliff Williams in 1977 for the album Powerage. Within months of recording the album Highway to Hell, lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on 19 February 1980 after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The group briefly considered disbanding, but soon elected to stay together, bringing in Brian Johnson as Scott’s replacement. Later that year, the band released their ninth studio album, Back in Black, which became their all-time best-seller. The band’s next album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You (1981), was their first album to reach number one in the United States.

AC/DC has sold more than 200 million records worldwide, including 71.5 million albums in the United States alone. Back in Black has sold an estimated 50 million units worldwide, making it the second-highest-selling album by any artist – and the highest selling album by any band. They hold the record for the fourth most consecutive gold or platinum albums by a group after The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and U2.

Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd is one of the most popular and influential rock bands of all time, with a sound that is as unique as it is recognizable. Formed in 1965, the band rose to prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s with their groundbreaking albums The Piper at the Gates of Dawn and Dark Side of the Moon. Over the course of their nearly 50-year career, Pink Floyd released 15 studio albums, sold more than 200 million records worldwide, and inspired generations of musicians.

Nirvana

Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. The band consisted of Kurt Cobain (vocals, guitar), Krist Novoselic (bass), and Dave Grohl (drums). Nirvana achieved commercial success with their second album, “Nevermind”, which was released in 1991. The album became a global phenomenon and helped to popularize alternative rock music. Nirvana is considered to be one of the most influential rock bands of all time and their music has had a lasting impact on popular culture.

10)Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in 1990 in Seattle, Washington. The band’s current lineup consists of founder Eddie Vedder (lead vocals), Mike McCready (lead guitar), Jeff Ament (bass guitar), and Matt Cameron (drums). Pearl Jam is considered one of the most influential bands of the 1990s, helping to popularize the alternative rock genre. The band has sold over 85 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. They have also been ranked as one of the greatest artists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.