Top 10 Most Influential Rock Bands

The 10 most influential rock groups of the rock era.

The Top Ten

The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the development of the 1960s counterculture and the recognition of popular... read more

Having created several musical genres not normally associated with the Beatles, most notably Heavy Metal, and introducing music videos and the use of an album as a collective unit rather than songs added to promote the single, I can't truly say how great their impact was as I was not alive when the Beatles exploded.
But from what I can tell, they changed not only the world of music but the world in general.

Immensely talented in the art of wordcraft as well as brilliant melodies and harmonies. As I recall, on an awards show, the emcee stated that "their music is instantly recognizable and immediately unforgettable."
The best proof of their stature is that after 50+ years since their debut on the Ed Sullivan Show, they are still the benchmark by which every subsequent talent is compared!
Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin was an English hard rock band formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds. The group consisted of Robert Plant (vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass, keyboard), and John Bonham (drums). The band was largely the brainchild of Jimmy Page, who even financed their first tour... read more

Two bands are head and shoulders above everybody. Along with being revered as the most influential bands, most people still maintain that rock music reached its pinnacle with either or both of these titans: Led Zeppelin and The Beatles.
I consider Led Zeppelin to be the superior outfit and the zenith of rock music. Nobody before or since has equaled their eerie mystique or commanded their level of power.
Though every detail of Zeppelin's superficial qualities was (and is) endlessly studied, copied, emulated, etc., there's ultimately only one reason that they are still so revered. Because all the other elements will fade with the passage of time, and that is the music! Simply the music. They delivered the goods.
A few more decades will pass, and the unique magic and mystique will never again be truly understood. The people who experienced it will be gone, and all will be reduced to subjective interpretation. They call that history, and beyond cold unchanging facts and figures, most of what actually existed and occurred is grossly distorted or lost.
Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath were a heavy metal band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1968 by guitarist and songwriter Tony Iommi, singer John "Ozzy" Osbourne, bassist and main lyricist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. Their self-titled debut album received mixed reviews, but they quickly gained a strong following... read more

Just how in the hell are Sabbath below AC/DC, Bon Jovi, and Nirvana if Sabbath not only influenced these 3 bands but many more?
Sabbath influenced every band after them: hard rock, heavy metal, punk, then glam metal and thrash metal, then grunge, alternative rock, and other subgenres of metal like death, black, and groove.

Black Sabbath created the genre of Metal, simply put. There isn't a metal band that hasn't been influenced by Sabbath in some way or form. They're especially influential to Doom Metal and Stoner Metal.
Black Sabbath are the Led Zeppelin of Metal.
Nirvana

Nirvana was an American grunge band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. The band consisted of Kurt Cobain (vocals, guitar), Krist Novoselic (bass), and Dave Grohl (drums), who joined in 1990. Nirvana disbanded following Cobain's death by suicide in 1994.... read more

Nirvana changed it all, and they didn't care. They grew up from nothing but divorced families and being picked on in school. Kurt Cobain, aka the Riff Master, became the voice of the voiceless, the grunge city saint, also giving a middle finger to glam rock.

I remember hearing Teen Spirit for the first time. At that moment, I knew glam rock was over, and Guns N' Roses would lose the title of the biggest band on the planet.

Nirvana brought a previously unknown genre, i.e., grunge, into the mainstream. And they rocked. They were truly the "Beatles" of the '90s - yeah, yeah, yeah!
Queen

Queen is 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). Before Queen, May and Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury, a fan... read more

Most influential rock band of all time. This band was way ahead of their time and definitely sits higher than 7 on this list. They popularized rock music with doses of funk and disco. They are rock music and have set the bar for bands after them to follow.
No one can do what Queen has done.

Is there anyone who has not listened to Queen? They influenced so many because their music is imprinted in DNA now, and they played in more genres than any other by miles.
Their musical is successfully played in many countries for many years. They started the video era. And on and on.
Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi is a hard rock and pop rock band formed in 1983. The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora (who left in 2013), bassist Alec John Such (who left in 1994), keyboardist David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres.... read more

Huge Jovi fan here. These Days is one of the best 2-3 albums ever recorded, and Sambora is one of the most versatile players that America has ever produced. However, not even I would put Bon Jovi anywhere near the top 10.
Maybe somewhere in the 15-20th range, but even there, only because Slippery When Wet really opened a lot of doors for hard and heavy music and changed people's perspectives (especially those who were outside the genre).
So many metalheads I know got into rock/metal because of a Bon Jovi song they heard or because their parents were playing Jovi in their youth. That has to count for something. Direct influence on other bands, though, is rather limited.
Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd are an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They gained international acclaim with their innovative, conceptual music blending progressive rock and psychedelia. The classic lineup included Syd Barrett (vocals and guitar), David Gilmour (vocals and guitar), Nick... read more

Bearing in mind this is a list of the most influential rock groups, not necessarily the best, it's pretty shocking that Pink Floyd isn't in the top 5 at least, let alone the top 10.
Not only did they lay the groundwork for an enormous portion of all music to follow, but they dared to go places that most others wouldn't and do things that people wouldn't try. Music benefited greatly as a result.
They took their music to a level that transcended what we consider as music, and as a result, cemented their position in the history books as one of the forefathers of not only modern rock but modern music in general. Maybe they're not one of the best rock groups (personally, I believe they are), but they sure as hell are one of the most influential. The idea that some people actually think Green Day is more influential than Pink Floyd is a truly demoralizing thought.
AC/DC

AC/DC is an Australian hard rock band founded in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Bon Scott was the lead singer until his death in 1980 from alcohol poisoning. He was succeeded by Brian Johnson.
The band is known for its blues-influenced rock sound and enduring hits such as Highway... read more

Largest rock group of all time! And the best!
The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys are an American pop rock band formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The original lineup included brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine. They are widely recognized for their vocal harmonies and innovative studio work, especially... read more

Punk took influence by vocal surf, so no punk without early Beach Boys. And don't get me started on late Beach Boys.
They first catalyzed the Progressive movement with Pet Sounds, attempted to push Experimental into the mainstream with SMiLE, and then released a trilogy of albums that would be the first recorded Lo-Fi music.

The Beach Boys not being number one on this list discredits the list and makes it a joke. I mean, seriously, none of the other bands before them here are worth a damn.
I have a sense of humor like anyone, but I don't get it. Summerkat called it: longevity, vocal styling - number one all the way!
Deep Purple

Deep Purple is an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are regarded as pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical style has changed over the years. They originally played progressive rock, but shifted to a heavier sound around 1970.... read more

For me, influential is different from popular. Influential is when a band influences the next generations of musicians. Very often, the most influential bands are not the most popular bands.
Deep Purple gets my vote because they were the most influential in the music genres I like the most: heavy metal and hard rock.

The best band in the world that influenced the bands that are higher on this list. In addition to the general sound, they influenced on an individual level and brought many innovations that became the basis for subsequent groups in the rock genre.

The Newcomers

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Dio

Dio was an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 by vocalist Ronnie James Dio after he left Black Sabbath. The band was also co-founded by drummer Vinny Appice, who had played with Dio in Black Sabbath. Dio released several acclaimed albums, including Holy Diver and The Last in Line, and remained... read more

The man was a godsend to all future metal singers!
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The Vapors

The Contenders

Metallica

Metallica is an American heavy and thrash metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup included James Hetfield (vocals and rhythm guitar), Dave Mustaine (lead guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), and Ron McGovney (bass). They first gained mainstream fame with their 1991 self-titled album (The Black Album... read more

Easily the #1 most influential band in metal and with a wide reach outside of metal. The Beatles did more in rock, but everybody else is at most equal in influence.

These guys literally shaped the image of rock throughout the '80s and '90s. The fact that they still kick ass to this day, while everyone else mentioned on this list... Well, you know.

Their live concerts are unbelievably awesome! Even better than recorded ones and that's amazing. And he really has the sound!
The Ramones

The Ramones were an American punk rock band that formed in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Queens, New York City, in 1974. They are widely regarded as the first band to define the punk rock sound. The original lineup included Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, and Tommy Ramone.

The Ramones should be at least in the top five. They made "punk" clothes, such as leather jackets and ripped jeans, popular and released the first pure punk rock album.
The Ramones and the Beatles are the reasons why simple and vigorous rock songs are so popular. If only they weren't so horribly underrated.

The Ramones inspired bands like The Clash, who are in the top ten, to play. They are the most influential punk band, without a doubt. By the way, they are in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. Not many bands on this list are.
The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1964. Active until 1973, the band was managed early on by Andy Warhol and became influential for their experimental sound and lyrical themes. Members included Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Maureen Tucker.

This is the most influential band of all time. You can disagree all you want, but they shaped punk rock the most, predicted the way for industrial, experimental rock, and avant-garde rock, and greatly influenced glam rock and art rock.

The most influential rock band of all time. They had a greater impact on music than the Beatles. Sorry for bad English.

These guys did modern rock before anyone else did it. Absolutely as influential and essential to the rock canon.
Rolling Stones

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

Enduring and yet remaining the same, they really took blues to the masses.
The Who

The Who is an English rock band formed in London, England, in 1964. The most recognizable lineup consisted of 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... read more

How is The Who not in the top 10? The fact that Journey, KISS, Queen, and the Scorpions are in front of them is laughable. I understand this is all subjective, but really?
Half the bands that came after these guys copied some element of them, and countless guitarists credit Townshend as why they play guitar. These guys were the first great "live" band.
Moon was arguably the best drummer ever, Entwistle was the real bass player, and Townshend is a great innovator (keyboards on "Baba O'Riley," "Won't Get Fooled Again"). He essentially invented the rock opera. "My Generation" was what Punk Rock was all about. Daltrey is one of the better frontmen as well.
The Allman Brothers Band

The Allman Brothers Band was an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman and Gregg Allman, along with Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks, and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson. They are known for pioneering Southern rock and blending blues, jazz, and country... read more
The Jimi Hendrix Experience

The Jimi Hendrix Experience was an English-American rock band formed in Westminster, London, in September 1966. The group featured Jimi Hendrix on vocals and guitar, Noel Redding on bass and backing vocals, and Mitch Mitchell on drums.... read more

I don't think you people understand that this is a list about influential bands. That being said, why are Bon Jovi at number 2? Why are Journey at number 15?! So many of these bands on this list did nothing in terms of influence.
After the 60s, if you identified as a rock musician and you did not cite Hendrix as an influence, then you were a fraud. Every person that plays the guitar today, acoustic or electric, was influenced by this man and this band.

Way ahead of their time. All of the modern Indie, Blues Rock, and Alt-rock bands would not have crafted trippy or psychedelic vibes if it wasn't for Hendrix.
Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Their most critically acclaimed period is widely considered to be from 1983 to 1989, during which they released landmark albums like Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere... read more

Not only did they influence a lot of postmodern and modern metal bands, but they even influenced punk, grunge, and a lot of other styles. They were more complete musicians than some of the bands that followed.
Number 28 right now for Iron Maiden is a joke. They had far more influence than some of you may know.

Pretty much every band I listen to today has some influence from Iron Maiden: Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, Slipknot, and even Metallica. If that is not enough influence to at least raise them to the top ten, I don't know what is.
Green Day

Green Day are an American pop punk and punk rock band formed in East Bay, California, in 1987. The core members are Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals, guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), and Tré Cool (drums), with Jason White often performing live on guitar. They blend punk rock, pop punk, and alternative rock, drawing... read more

Green Day has been a main influence on most, if not all, of the mainstream bands for the past 20 years.

One of the most influential and best groups of all time. They are awesome.
Judas Priest

Judas Priest are a British heavy metal band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969. They are frequently ranked among the greatest metal bands of all time and are commonly called "The Metal Gods," after their song on the 1980 album British Steel. Their influence on the development of heavy metal is profound,... read more
Scorpions

Scorpions are a German rock band formed in 1965 in Hanover by guitarist Rudolf Schenker. Early members included vocalist Klaus Meine and guitarist Michael Schenker, later replaced by Matthias Jabs. The band first gained international attention in the late 1970s, and has since explored styles ranging... read more

I could think of more than 100 artists inspired by Scorpions. Even Bon Jovi was inspired by Scorpions. And Nirvana? Really? How can anyone even go for that garbage?

There are a lot of artists who have been influenced by Scorpions! It's just impossible not to be influenced by them! Scorpions rock!

Best rock ballads for every age and taste, and great hard songs for every rocker!
Rush

Rush is a Canadian progressive rock band that was formed in 1968. The band's most iconic lineup consisted of guitarist Alex Lifeson, bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee, and drummer Neil Peart, who joined in 1974. Following Peart's death from brain cancer on January 7, 2020, Lee and Lifeson announced in October... read more

Absolutely unbelievable sound! Powered by the greatest drummer the planet has ever known and one of the most unique voices to flow through a mic, the music of Rush is unmistakably Rush! Absolutely awesome!

I have heard many musicians, even from this list, who have stated that Rush was a huge influence on them.

Geezus, people! No group can match the musicianship these three have. Masters they are. Very hard to imitate! Everyone else is pretty easy to copy. The true rock peers and musicians know!
Guns N' Roses

Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, 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. In addition to hard rock, they are also... read more

Guns N' Roses' arena and hard rock usually inspired tons of thrash and alt-rock bands to do the same stuff they were doing.
Celtic Frost

Celtic Frost was a Swiss extreme metal band from Zürich, known for their influential role in shaping the genres of black, death, and doom metal. They were formed in 1981 under the name Hellhammer, then rebranded as Celtic Frost in 1984. The band was active until 1993, with a brief reformation from... read more
U2

U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk and gradually evolved to incorporate elements of alternative rock, electronic, and pop music. Known for their anthemic sound and use... read more

35-40 years of spectacular music, distinctive timeless guitar sound, meaningful lyrics, and a powerful lead singer. The fact that they influenced many rock bands from the 90s onward speaks volumes.
When some new indie rock bands say, "we want to be like U2," you know that's saying something.

Bon Jovi, Evanescence, Def Leppard, and Three Days Grace above U2! What a joke! U2 is one of the most influential bands of all time and the band of a generation. Top 10 easily!

Very unique sound. And every Christian band guitarist on the planet now sounds like The Edge! That's got to be worth a boost on this chart.