Most Iconic Rock Bands
Queen are an English rock band formed in London in 1970. The original lineup was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar, vocals). Before forming into Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury was a fan of Smile and encouraged them to experiment with more elaborate stage and recording techniques. He then joined the band in 1970, suggested "Queen" as a new band name, and adopted his familiar stage name. John Deacon was also recruited to complete the line-up. ...read more. Queen. Of course everyone's heard the Beatles, but the Beatles are iconic because of the name. Queen on the other hand is iconic to a generation! Just because eveyone's heard 'don't stop believeing' doesn't make Journey iconic. Anywhere from Bohemian Rhapsody' to 'We Will Rock You' screams Icon of an age.
Very, very iconic band. Oh, how I would love for Freddie Mercury to still be with us at this very moment.
Queen has to be number 1 they have so many more recognizable songs then any other band on this list
Queen is definitely number 1. I can't think of anyone who has'nt heard We Will Rock You, or hates Queen.
The Beatles were an English pop rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The members consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They were soon known as the foremost and most influential act of rock era. Rooted in skiffle, beat, and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later ...read more. The Beatles are most iconic by far with top chart songs, promoting peace, love, to enjoy yourself and don't look back. For people who don't agree don't know rock the Beatles tower above others, and for journey to be taking number one spot that's not right... do whats right vote Beatles.
Without a doubt No. 1. Everyone loves at least 1 song by the Beatles, and if they don't, they really need some help.
Even the people who don't listen to music know who they are.
I wouldn't consider them rock
Journey is an American arena rock band that formed in San Francisco in 1973, composed of former members of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch. Ever time I look on a best band list journey is in the top 30 or 40 but on this list journey beet some very popular bands like the Beetles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, AC-DC and tons more. This just shows that people like and love journey but they don't spend there time to look for it on a list. Long Live Steve Perry!
Everybody should know JOurney. Don't Stop Believing is still a huge song on classic rock stations. I once again can't think of anyone who doesn't like them at all.
The best band ever. You can recognize a Journey song anywhere. Timeless, classic melodic rock. The creators of the power ballad.
Steve Perry --- the voice of rock
Led Zeppelin was an English hard rock band formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds. The group consisted of Robert Plant (Vocal), Jimmy Page (Guitar), John Paul Jones (Bass, Keyboard) and John Bonham (Drums) and was very much the child of Jimmy Page who even financed their first tour. He had tasted some previous success with The [original] Yardbirds and was friendly with some big names in rock. Page states it was Keith Moon of The Who that claimed the band could only go down, like a lead balloon -- thus prompting the iconic name of Led Zeppelin. The band's heavy, guitar-driven sound, rooted in blues and psychedelia on their early albums, has earned them recognition as one of the progenitors ...read more. The biggest selling rock band. Of course they are the icons of "rock music". No rock band can beat their records at concert tickets or album sales or radio hits like stairway, the most requested song of all time (oh, and the Beatles aren't really rock, so... the biggest rock band of all time).
Amazing band. Stairway to Heaven just rocks my mind. Enough said.
The greatest rockers in the history of life. Hands down
My second favourite band
Pink Floyd are an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. The band consisted of 5 members - David Gilmour (Vocals and Guitar), Syd Barrett (Vocals and Guitar), Nick Mason (Drums), Roger Waters (Vocals and Bass), and Richard Wright (Vocals and Keyboard). Barrett was replaced by Gilmour in 1968. ...read more. Not one of my facorite bands (honestly, I only like about 3 of their songs, ), but Pink Floyd just has to be in this list. Songs like Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 2, Comfortably Numb and Have A Cigar are just so awesome. Pink Floyds legacy will live on for generations to come.
My 6th favourite band
Metallica is an American Heavy/Thrash Metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup was James Hetfield (Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist), Dave Mustaine (Lead Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Ron McGovney (Bassist). The group came into mainstream from their Self-Titled album and the hit single "Enter Sandman".With their first two albums, Kill 'Em All and Ride The Lightning reaching underground success, their third effort, Master of Puppets has since become one of the most important heavy metal albums ever, as it became the first thrash metal album to be certified platinum. The title track has since become the band's most played song live. ...read more.
AC/DC are a Australian hard rock band, formed in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, who continued as members until Malcolm's illness and departure in 2014 . They were fronted by Bon Scott until his untimely death due to alcohol poisoning in 1979, after which they hired Brian Johnson to front the band.
Commonly referred to as a hard rock or blues rock band. Old time rock. AC/DC seems like its been around forever. Definitely a moust have on this list, songs l ike HIghway To Hell, Back In Black, and Let There Be Rock are so iconic.
Rock and Roll ain't Noise Pollution. Great die hard rockers.
Bon Jovi is a hard rock/pop rock band formed in 1983, which had a streak of successful albums in the late 1980s. The band originally consisted of lead vocalist Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Ritchie Sambora (left in 2013), bassist Alec John Such (left in 1994), keyboard David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres. ...read more.
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical approach changed over the years. Originally formed as a progressive rock band, the band shifted to a heavier sound in 1970. Deep Purple, ...read more.
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, as signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. Apart from hard rock they are also associated with heavy metal. ...read more. Their debut sold over 25 million copies, making it one of the top-selling debuts of all time. Appetite for Destruction was an album of hits: Welcome to the Jungle, Paradise City, Sweet Child O' Mine, and Night Train, plus the other songs which contain just as much energy. During their prime fame ('87-'94) they were on top of the world. Little did anybody know, these guys were going to be so impactful to rock music for the years to come. After a bit of a break, and a small album release (Guns N' Roses Lies, famous for Patience), they released the epic double-album Use Your Illusion I and II. More hits emerged with this release, such as: November Rain, Don't Cry, You Could Be Mine, Estranged, and Knocking on Heaven's Door.
Though a short-lived band (breaking up in 94), GNR have earned their status as a legendary rock band and will always be remembered as such. They helped revive hard rock music to its roots (Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Rolling Stones, AC/DC) and are easily ...more
Guns N' Roses was a band born in a time dominated by disgusting pop music and others similar to it. However these saviors brought rock and roll crashing back into the music scene. Thanks to them rock is not an ovselete genre today. The world's best true rock band lies in them.
Totally iconic. Sweet Child O' Mine, November Rain, Patience, they all left a mark on the earth for us to enjoy.
Rush was a Canadian progressive rock band that was formed in 1968. The band has had an iconic lineup since 1975, which included Neil Peart (Drums, Percussion), Geddy Lee (Vocals, Bass, Keyboards), and the guitarist, Alex Lifeson. Peart passed away after a 3 year battle with brain cancer in January of 2020. Because of this, Lee says there are no plans to keep the band going, so Rush is most likely defunct.
The band has become one of the most well-known progressive rock bands in the world, with such albums as "2112", "Hemispheres" and "Moving Pictures". More than half of their albums have gone gold or platinum, as certified by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America). The Greatest Drummer in the World and that is said by a Queen fan!
Nirvana was an American grunge band that was formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. Nirvana disbanded after Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994. The drummer of the band, David Grohl, went on to start the Foo-Fighters, an alternative rock band.The band was comprised of Kurt Cobain (Vocals, Guitar), Dave Grohl (Drums) and Krist Novoselic (Bass).
Nirvana is most well-known for their... read more
Only The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Stones, and maybe Pink Floyd should be ranked higher. Number 13 is ridiculous!
Nirvana should be way higher than 23 they pretty much founded music for the fest of the 90's
Should be in the top 5! Nirvana was the biggest band of the 90's!
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. The first settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums). ...read more. Seriously? They have one of the most iconic songs of all time, and many other huge hits nirvana is a terrible band too.
Should be higher
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "the Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". They are legends! Aerosmith is the best-selling American rock band of all time, having sold more than 150 million albums worldwide, including 66.5 million albums in the United States alone. They also hold the record for the most gold and multi-platinum albums by an American group. The band has scored 21 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, nine number-one Mainstream Rock hits, four Grammy Awards, and ten MTV Video Music Awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and were included among both Rolling Stone's and VH1's lists of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time!
Just Incredible. Steven Tyler is one of the best singers I know, and Joe Perry on guitar just absolutley fuses it.
Kiss, often styled as KISS, was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973. The original members were Paul Stanley (vocals, rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals, bass guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar, vocals), and Peter Criss (drums, vocals).Known for their face paint and stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid-1970s. Their shock rock-style live performances featured... read more
KISS rocks my world. Where would we be without Rock N' Roll All Nite and Detroit Rock City?
Kiss set the new standard for concerts and their music was amazing.
We'd be peacefully listening to another ultra repetitive anthem
Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The members are Matt Bellamy (lead vocal, lead guitar, piano, keyboard), Dom Howard (drums, percussion) and Chris Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals). They've won several awards including 5 MTV Awards, 8 NME Awards, 2 ...read more.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American funk-rock and alternative rock band, that was founded in 1983.
The band's members are Anthony Kiedis (Vocals), Michael "Flea" Balzary (Bass), Chad Smith (Drums) and numerous guitarists, most well-known being John Frusciante.
The band is among the most well-known funk bands in music history with albums like "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" and "Californification" being some of their best known works.
Throughout their career, the band has won numerous different awards and established an immense fanbase. Especially in their funk-rock era.
Whitesnake are a rock band formed in England in 1978 by singer David Coverdale, after his departure from his previous band Deep Purple.
Green Day are an American pop punk/punk rock band formed in East Bay, California in 1987. The members include Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals and guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), Tré Cool (drums) and Jason White (guitar). Green Day are associated with punk rock, pop punk and alternative rock. Some of their influences include The Ramones, Sex Pistols, NOFX, and Bad Religion. They are best known for their songs like ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’, ‘Basket Case’ and their ‘American Idiot’ & ‘Dookie’ albums. American Idiot sold 6 million copies in the U.S. and won a Grammy Award for "Best Rock Album". Green Day have sold over 75 million records worldwide and have won 5 Grammy Awards. They ...read more. Have defined the modern era of rock
The Who is an English rock band formed in London, England in 1964. The most recognizable lineup was Roger Daltrey (lead vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), John Entwistle (bass guitar), and Keith Moon (drums). They are best known for their live performances and hit songs Baba O'Riley, My Generation, and Won't Get Fooled Again. Some noted achievements were their rock operas, Tommy (album), Quadrophenia (album), and A Quick One, While He's Away (song). ...read more. Hahah. The Who being anything under Top 5 makes the list VOID. And I'm not even a huge fan but its just a fact they are Top 5. A few Facts: Best live band (no contest) Top Bassist, Top Song Writer, 1 or 2 best rock drummer, Most powerful frontman, the windmill, the swinging mike, the loon and finally the music...enough Said.
What is going on, how was this not even on the list?
Van Halen was an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. From 1974 until 1985, the band consisted of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, vocalist David Lee Roth, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony.
Linkin Park is an American alternative rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The current members include Mike Shinoda (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), Joe Hahn (DJ), and Rob Bourdon (drums). Linkin Park is associated with a mixture of alternative rock, hip hop, and techno. Some of their influences include Nine Inch Nails, Deftones,... read more The best band ever!
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was an English-American rock band that formed in Westminster, London, in September 1966. Composed of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jimi Hendrix, bassist and backing vocalist Noel Redding, and drummer Mitch Mitchell, the band was active until June 1969. During this time ...read more.
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland. They are most known for their songs "Message In A Bottle", "Don't Stand So Close To Me", "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic", "Roxanne", And "Every Breath You Take" . Um how did no one even put them on here? They're arguably the most famous band of the 80s, and have sold roughly over 100 million records.
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore. Extremely iconic!