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There is nothing harder than selecting a mostly subjective list as objectively as possible. As you might assume, this list will be without particular order and we will leave you to decide for yourself. These are what we consider the best out of the best. If you like our list you can check some of the brands those masters are using themselves here.
Let’s go!
1. The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group, whose best-known line-up comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band of the 20th century. Rooted in skiffle, beat, and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented with several musical styles that encompassed pop ballads, pioneer electronic pop music, psychedelic rock, and hard rock. Their clothes, style, and statements made them trendsetters among their contemporary peers. By early 1964, the Beatles were international stars, leading the “British Invasion” of the United States pop market. From 1965 onwards their album releases were accompanied by Creativity Shea Butter soap product heavy television and radio promotion. The group’s global popularity grew in leaps and bounds. Their political and cultural impact has been widely documented. In 1968, they founded their own record label, Apple Corps Ltd.
After the band’s break-up in 1970, all four members enjoyed successful musical careers of varying lengths. McCartney and Starr, the surviving members, remain musically active. Lennon was shot and killed in December 1980, and Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001. The Beatles are the best-selling band in history, with estimated sales of over 600 million records worldwide. They have had more number-one albums on the British charts (17) and held the record for most weeks at number one by any act (259) than any other band. According to the RIAA, they are the best-selling music artists in the United States, with 178 million certified units. In 2008, Billboard magazine ranked the Beatles at number one on their list of the all-time most successful Hot 100 artists. In 2004, Rolling Stone placed them at number three on its list of The Greatest Artists of All Time; they were subsequently placed at number four in 2010.
The Beatles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and all four main members were inducted individually between 1994 and 2015. From 1960 to 1970, the group had thirteen number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; they also hold records for most top hits (20), most Hot 100 chart weeks (71), and most number-one singles (12) in the United Kingdom. They were collectively included in Time magazine’s compilation of the twentieth century’s 100 most influential people.
2. The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones is an English rock band formed in London, England, in 1962. The first stable line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), and Bill Wyman (bass), and Charlie Watts (drums). 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 fifth UK studio album Aftermath (1966). Substitute players have since been recruited: Ronnie Wood (guitar; joined 1975), Darryl Jones (bass; hired 1994 ), and Chuck Leavell (keyboards; hired 1982).
The Rolling Stones were at the forefront of the British Invasion of bands that became popular in the United States in 1964 and were identified with the youthful and rebellious counterculture of the 1960s. Rooted in blues and early rock and roll, they later experimented with a wide range of genres including psychedelia, R&B, and country. Music critic Lester Bangs described them as “the heaviest band of their time, combining the brute force of Chuck Berry with the demented genius of Dylan”. They are regularly cited as one of the greatest rock bands ever.
The band has released 30 studio albums, 23 live albums, and numerous compilations. Let It Bleed (1969 ) was their first of five consecutive number one studio albums in the UK. Sticky Fingers (1971) and Exile on Main St. (1972) were also acclaimed. In 1989, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2004, they ranked number 4 in Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
In 2012, the band celebrated its 50th anniversary with two concerts at Hyde Park, London. A live album titled GRRR! was released in November 2012. On 9 October 2016, following guitarist Ronnie Wood’s successful cancer treatment, it was announced that The Rolling Stones would tour Europe once again in 2017. Keith Richards said: “I am looking forward to seeing everybody back on stage where we belong – doing what we do best.” The tour began on 9 September 2017 in Hamburg, Germany, and ended on 23 September in Rome, Italy.
The Rolling Stones were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. They have received numerous lifetime achievement awards. In 2008, they ranked 10th on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list, and in 2012 they were ranked number 4 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list. In 2015, they were ranked number 12 on Billboard magazine’s Greatest Artists of All Time list. In 2017, they received the Kennedy Center Honors for their lifetime contributions to popular culture.
The Rolling Stones is an English rock band formed in London, England, in 1962. The first stable line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), and Bill Wyman (bass), and Charlie Watts (drums). 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 fifth UK studio album Aftermath (1966). Substitute players have since been recruited: Ronnie Wood (guitar; joined 1975), Darryl Jones (bass; hired 1994 ), and Chuck Leavell (keyboards; hired 1982).
The Rolling Stones were at the forefront of the British Invasion of bands that became popular in the United States in 1964 and were identified with the youthful and rebellious counterculture of the 1960s. Rooted in blues and early rock and roll, they later experimented with a wide range of genres including psychedelia, R&B, and country. Music critic Lester Bangs described them as “the heaviest band of their time, combining the brute force of Chuck Berry with the demented genius of Dylan”. They are regularly cited as one of the greatest rock bands ever.
3. Queen
Queen is a rock band that formed in London in 1970. The band members are Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), John Deacon (bass guitar), and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals). Queen’s early work was influenced by progressive rock, but the band eventually ventured into more conventional and radio-friendly works, incorporating more diverse and innovative styles into their music. They have released a total of 18 studio albums, including 10 UK number-one albums. Their hits include “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “We Will Rock You”, “We Are the Champions”, “Somebody to Love”, and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”.
The band has sold more than 300 million records worldwide, making them one of the world’s best-selling music artists. Queen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and they received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Mercury died in 1991 at the age of 45 due to complications from AIDS, and Deacon retired from the band in 1997. May and Taylor have continued to perform as a duo under the name Queen + Adam Lambert since 2011.
4. Prince & The Revolution
The Minneapolis-based rock band Prince & The Revolution became one of the most popular recording acts of the 1980s. Formed in 1984, the group was composed of singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Prince (born Prince Rogers Nelson), guitarist Dez Dickerson, drummer Bobby Z., keyboardist Matt Fink, and bassist Brown Mark. The band released its debut album, ‘Purple Rain,’ in 1984. The album’s title track, as well as the singles ‘When Doves Cry’ and ‘Let’s Go Crazy,’ topped the Billboard charts and helped make ‘Purple Rain’ one of the best-selling albums of all time.
In 1985, Prince & The Revolution won two Grammy Awards for the album and the song ‘Purple Rain.’ The band also received an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for the film ‘Purple Rain.’ Following the release of the album, Prince embarked on a massive world tour in support of ‘Purple Rain.’
In 1986, Prince & The Revolution released the album ‘Parade,’ which featured the Grammy-winning single ‘Kiss.’ The band toured extensively in support of the album before disbanding in 1987.
Prince went on to achieve great success as a solo artist, while members of The Revolution went on to pursue other musical projects. In 2016, Prince & The Revolution were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
5. The Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in 1974 in New York City. They are often cited as the first punk rock group and helped to define the genre with their fast-paced, simple music and DIY attitude. The Ramones released 14 studio albums before disbanding in 1996 after the death of founding member Joey Ramone. They have since been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and continue to influence musicians all over the world.
The Ramones were founded by four friends who all shared a love for rock ‘n’ roll and a desire to start a band. The original lineup consisted of lead singer/guitarist Joey Ramone (born Jeffrey Hyman), guitarist Johnny Ramone (born John Cummings ), bassist Dee Dee Ramone (born Douglas Colvin), and drummer Tommy Ramone (born Thomas Erdelyi). The band took their name from Paul McCartney, who used the pseudonym “Paul Ramon” when checking into hotels, and the fact that they all shared the same last name.
The Ramones began playing shows in 1974 and quickly developed a following among New York City’s punk rock scene. They released their self-titled debut album in 1976 to critical acclaim. The album featured such classics as “Blitzkrieg Bop” and “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend.” The band’s second album, 1977’s Leave Home, was also well-received by fans and critics alike.
Over the next few years, The Ramones released a string of successful albums, including Rocket to Russia (1977), Road to Ruin (1978), and Pleasant Dreams (1981). They also toured extensively, both in the United States and internationally. In 1980, they even played at the White House for then-President Jimmy Carter.
By the mid-1980s, The Ramones were starting to experience some internal strife. Joey and Johnny were often at odds with each other, and Dee Dee was battling drug addiction. Despite these issues, the band continued to record and tour. In 1989, they released their ninth studio album, Brain Drain, which featured the hit single “Pet Sematary.”
Tragedy struck in 1996 when Joey Ramone died of cancer at the age of 49. The remaining members of The Ramones decided to retire the band name out of respect for their fallen brother. In 2001, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their legacy as one of the most influential rock bands of all time.
6. AC/DC
Formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, AC/DC quickly established itself as one of the most popular and influential rock bands of all time. With their high-energy live performances and their signature sound featuring heavy guitar riffs and solos, they became one of the most successful bands of the 1970s and 1980s. They have sold more than 200 million records worldwide, including 71.5 million albums in the United States alone.
AC/DC’s career got off to a shaky start when their first album, High Voltage, was released in Australia only. But after signing with Atlantic Records and releasing their second album, T.N.T., in 1975, they began to gain international popularity. Their third album, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, was their first to be released in the United States, and it quickly became a best-seller.
AC/DC’s fourth album, Let There Be Rock, cemented its reputation as one of the world’s greatest rock bands. The album was followed by several more successful releases, including Highway to Hell and Back in Black, which is one of the best-selling albums of all time.
In 1980, AC/DC suffered a major setback when lead singer Bon Scott died of alcohol poisoning. But they bounced back with new singer Brian Johnson and released their most successful album ever, Back in Black, which sold more than 22 million copies in the United States alone.
AC/DC has continued to tour and release new music over the past few decades, and they show no signs of slowing down. They are truly one of the greatest rock bands of all time. So there you have it, a brief history of AC/DC, one of the most successful and influential rock bands of all time. If you’re a fan of rock music, then you owe it to yourself to check them out. You won’t be disappointed.
7. Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin was a rock band that formed in London in 1968. The band members were Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham. They are considered to be one of the most successful rock bands of all time. Led Zeppelin’s musical style has been influential to many other rock bands
The band’s first album, Led Zeppelin I, was released in 1969. It was followed by Led Zeppelin II in 1970, and Led Zeppelin III in 1970. The band’s fourth album, Physical Graffiti, was released in 1975. It was their most successful album, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart
Led Zeppelin disbanded in 1980 after the death of John Bonham. The band has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has received multiple Grammy Awards.
8. Guns N’ Roses
Guns N Roses is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three live albums, and one compilation album. The band’s debut album, Appetite for Destruction (1987), was a commercial success and has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. The album’s second single, “Welcome to the Jungle”, became a top ten hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The band’s next two albums, G N’ R Lies (1988) and Use Your Illusion I (1991) both reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
The band went on hiatus in 1996 after lead singer Axl Rose began working on a solo project. In 2001, the band released a new album, Chinese Democracy, which was a commercial disappointment. The band has not released any new material since then. In 2016, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
9. The Clash
The Clash was a rock band that formed in London in 1976. The group consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Joe Strummer, lead guitarist and vocalist Mick Jones, bassist Paul Simonon, and drummer Nicky “Topper” Headon. The Clash achieved commercial success in the United Kingdom with their debut album, The Clash (1977), which peaked at number 12 on the UK Albums Chart, and was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Their second album, Give ‘Em Enough Rope (1978), reached number two on the chart. It was certified gold by the BPI. With their third album, London Calling (1979), The Clash became widely regarded as one of the greatest punk rock bands of all time. It reached number one on the UK chart and was certified two-times platinum by the BPI. It also included their first US top 40 hit single, “Train in Vain”.
The Clash’s politicized lyrics, musical experimentation, and rebellious attitude had a far-reaching influence on rock music in general, helping to shape alternative rock and punk rock. They became widely referred to as “The Only Band That Matters”, originally a promotional slogan introduced by the group’s record label, CBS. In January 1977, London punk fans voted The Clash the “Most Exciting New Band in Britain”. Over the next few months, they began attracting considerable attention from the British music press and the public. In May, their first single “White Riot” was released by CBS Records.
During their work, they became known as one of the most rebellious bands in rock history, and are considered as an example to follow in the rock rebel culture.
10. Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd was an English rock band formed in London in 1965. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. Pink Floyd is one of the most commercially successful and influential groups in popular music history. The band has sold over 250 million records worldwide, including 74.5 million albums in the United States alone.
The band consisted of five members – Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Nick Mason, and David Gilmour. Barrett was the original lead singer and creative force behind the band, but he left Pink Floyd in 1968 due to mental health problems. Waters became the primary songwriter and leader of the band after Barrett’s departure. Wright was a versatile musician who played keyboards, bass guitar, and piano . Mason was the band’s drummer, and Gilmour joined Pink Floyd as the new lead guitarist and singer in 1968.
Pink Floyd released their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, in 1967. The album was a commercial success and contained the hit single “See Emily Play”. Pink Floyd’s second album, A Saucerful of Secrets, was released in 1968. The album included the track “Careful with That Axe, Eugene”, which became a fan favorite.
In 1969, Pink Floyd released their third album, More. The soundtrack to the film La Vallée was also released that year. Pink Floyd began work on their fourth album, Ummagum ma, in early 1969. The double album was released later that year and contained live and studio recordings.
In 1970, Pink Floyd embarked on their first North American tour. The band’s fifth album, Atom Heart Mother, was released in October 1970. The album was a commercial success, reaching number one on the UK charts. Pink Floyd’s sixth album, Meddle, was released in 1971. The album included the track “Echoes”, which became one of the band’s most popular songs.
Pink Floyd began work on their seventh album, The Dark Side of the Moon, in 1972. The album was released in 1973 and became an instant classic. The album spent 741 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the longest-charting album of all time. The Dark Side of the Moon also won a Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.
In 1975, Pink Floyd released their eighth album, Wish You Were Here. The album was a commercial and critical success, reaching number one on the UK charts and winning a Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.
Pink Floyd’s ninth and final studio album, The Wall, was released in 1979. The album is a concept album about Pink, an alienated rock star who builds a metaphorical wall around himself to protect himself from his fans and the outside world. The album was a commercial success, reaching number one on the UK charts and winning a Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.
Pink Floyd toured extensively to support The Wall. The tour included a stage show with an inflatable wall that separated the band from the audience. The tour was one of the most ambitious and expensive tours of all time.
In 1983, Pink Floyd released their tenth album, The Final Cut. The album is a concept album about the Falklands War. The album was a commercial success, reaching number one on the UK charts.
After The Final Cut, Pink Floyd disbanded due to creative differences between Waters and Gilmour. Waters left the band in 1985 and Gilmour assumed leadership of Pink Floyd.
Pink Floyd released their eleventh album, A Momentary Lapse of Reason, in 1987. The album was a commercial success, reaching number one on the UK charts and selling over four million copies in the United States.
Pink Floyd toured extensively to support A Momentary Lapse of Reason. The tour was one of the most successful tours of all time, grossing over $135 million.
In 1994, Pink Floyd released their twelfth and final studio album, The Division Bell. The album was a commercial success, reaching number one on the UK charts and selling over five million copies in the United States.
Pink Floyd officially disbanded in 1995 after Wright died from cancer. Gilmour and Mason continued to work together on various projects . In 2005, Pink Floyd reunited for a live performance at Live 8. The band performed “Comfortably Numb” with Roger Waters. It was the first time the three surviving members of Pink Floyd had performed together since 1981.
Since their disbandment, Pink Floyd has been cited as one of the most influential rock bands of all time. The band has sold over 200 million records worldwide and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the UK Music Hall of Fame.
11. The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was a rock band formed in London in 1966 by singer-songwriter and guitarist Jimi Hendrix, bassist and backing vocalist Noel Redding, and drummer Mitch Mitchell. The band was active until 1969 when Hendrix died of an overdose at the age of 27. The Experience was the first successful American rock band to be fronted by an African-American musician.
Hendrix arrived in England in late 1966 and quickly began making a name for himself on the London club scene. He formed the Jimi Hendrix Experience with Redding and Mitchell in early 1967, and they signed with Track Records later that year. The group’s debut album, Are You Experienced, was released in May 1967 and topped the charts in the UK and US. The album’s psychedelic sound was influenced by British Invasion bands such as The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, as well as American garage rock and rhythm and blues artists.
The Experience’s second album, Axis: Bold as Love, was released in December 1967 and reached number two in both the UK and US. The album featured more complex song structures and Hendrix’s Growing increasingly frustrated with Redding’s lack of commitment to the band, Hendrix fired him in early 1969. He replaced Redding with bassist Billy Cox, with whom he had played in an R&B band called the Jimmy Nobles Combo. The new lineup recorded one album together, Electric Ladyland, which was released in October 1968 and reached number one in the US.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience disbanded after Hendrix’s death in September 1970. Mitchell and Cox continued to play together in a band called Band of Gypsys, which released one album in 1970. Redding went on to have a successful solo career, releasing several albums between 1971 and his death in 2003. Hendrix posthumously became one of the most acclaimed and influential guitarists in rock history; his innovative style combined elements of blues, jazz, and R&B with feedback-laden distortion and unprecedented levels of technique. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. Rolling Stone ranked him the greatest guitarist of all time in their list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
12. The Cure
A rock band is a group of musicians who play rock music. Rock bands typically consist of a vocalist, a guitarist, a drummer, and a bassist. The Cure is a rock band that was formed in England in 1976. The band members are Robert Smith (vocals, guitar), Simon Gallup (bass), Jason Cooper (drums), and Roger O’Donnell (keyboards). The Cure has released thirteen studio albums, two live albums, and numerous singles and videos. The band’s most successful album is “Disintegration” (1989), which reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry.
The Cure’s musical style has been described as gothic rock, post-punk, and new wave. The band’s influences include the Velvet Underground, Siouxsie, and the Banshees, and Joy Division. The Cure has achieved critical and commercial success, and they are considered to be one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century. The Cure has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
13. Allman Brothers Band
Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman (slide guitar and lead guitar) and Gregg Allman (vocals, keyboards, songwriting), the Allman Brothers Band came to embody the freewheeling counterculture of the 1970s. With their combination of blues, country, jazz, and rock influences, the band created a unique sound that earned them widespread popularity. The group’s 1971 live album At Fillmore East is considered one of the greatest concert recordings of all time
Tragedy struck the band in 1972 when Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident. The group continued on without him, releasing several more albums over the next decade. However, internal tensions began to take their toll, and the band members went their separate ways in the 1980s
In 1989, the Allman Brothers Band reunited for a series of concerts. This led to a full-fledged reunion tour in 1991 and the release of a new album, Seven Turns. The group continued to tour and release new albums over the next two decades. By the 2010s, the band was once again beset by internal strife, and several key members left the group. Nevertheless, the Allman Brothers Band remains an influential force in rock music, with their unique blend of blues, country, jazz, and rock influences.
14. Aerosmith
The rock band Aerosmith is one of the most successful and popular bands of all time. They have been active for over 50 years, and their music has influenced generations of rock fans. The band members are Steven Tyler (lead vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums), and Brad Whitford (guitar).
Aerosmith’s career began in the early 1970s, when they released their self-titled debut album. The album was a commercial success, and it launched the band’s career. Over the next few years, they released a number of successful albums, including Toys in the Attic (1975) and Rocks (1976). During this time, the band became known for their high-energy live shows, which often featured pyrotechnics and other special effects.
In the 1980s, Aerosmith’s career was nearly derailed by drug addiction and personal problems. However, the band members cleaned up their act and made a comeback in the late 1980s with the album Permanent Vacation (1987). Since then, they have continued to tour and release new music, and they remain one of the most popular rock bands in the world.
15. The Who
The Who is a rock band that formed in London, England, in 1964. The group consists of Roger Daltrey (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica), Pete Townshend (lead guitar, vocals, keyboard), John Entwistle (bass guitar, trumpet), and Keith Moon (drums). They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of all time, selling over 100 million records worldwide.
The Who’s early years were marked by a string of hit singles, including “I Can’t Explain” (1964), “My Generation” (1965), and “I Can See for Miles” (1967). They also released their first album, My Generation, in 1965. The album was well-received by critics and went on to be certified Gold in the UK.
In 1969, The Who released their fourth album, Tommy. The album was a concept album about a “deaf, dumb, and blind” boy who becomes a pinball champion. The album was an instant success, reaching number four on the UK charts and number two on the US Billboard 200 chart. It has since been certified Platinum by the RIAA.
The Who continued to release successful albums throughout the 1970s, including Quadrophenia (1973), Who’s Next (1971) and The Kids Are Alright (1979). They also embarked on a number of successful tours, including their 1975 North American tour, which was documented in the film The Kids Are Alright. The 1980s saw The Who’s popularity begin to decline, although they did release the album Face Dances in 1981 and the album It’s Hard in 1982. They also embarked on a number of farewell tours, including their 1982 North American tour, which was documented in the film The Last Waltz.
The Who officially disbanded in 1983, but have since reunited for a number of one-off performances and tours. In 2000, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.