Most Influential Rock Bands

Led the musical revolution - shiftaltkey

Besides being by far the top selling musical act in history, The Beatles are also the most important musical artists of the past 200 years.
Other artists changed music, but The Beatles changed the world as a whole.
Before The Beatles, the world was about old people; after The Beatles, the world was about young people.

Immensely talented in art of word craft 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 to!

PIVOTAL

Two bands are head & shoulders above everybody. Along with being revered as the most influential bands most people still maintain that Rock music reached its pinnacle in either or both of these titans. LED ZEPPELIN & THE BEATLES. I consider Led Zeppelin to be the superior outfit & 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 were (& are) 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 & the unique magic & mystique will never again be truly understood...the people who experienced it will be gone & all will be reduced to subjective interpretation. They call that history & beyond cold unchanging facts & figures most of what actually existed & ...more

They influenced Nirvana music and doing so, the influenced modern rock

I guess not enough people have voted on this list yet because these results (#2 through #5) are utterly silly. THERE ARE TWO BANDS THAT REMAIN HEAD AND SHOULDER ABOVE ALL THE REST IN TERMS OF INFLUENCE, THEY ARE Led Zeppelin & THE Beatles. IT'S ALSO NO COINCIDENCE THAT THEY HAVE FOR DECADES CONSISTENTLY RANKED AS THE TWO GREATEST BANDS IN ROCK HISTORY. (Bon Jovi? Are you kidding me? Looks like some former 12-year old fangirls have been busy on this list.

Sabbath, zeppelin, & the Beatles are definitely the most influential bands. the Beatles were the ones that created the kind of guitar bands we hear today, zeppelin inspired millions with their INCREDIBLE different song styles, and sabbath was the first metal band. - 678rob754

#2! Right behind The Beatles and ahead of The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd? What a joke. Bon Jovi is not the most influential at anything in rock music. Uninspired drivel.

Surely this is a joke. Bon Jovi doesn't belong anywhere on this list

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 15-20th but even there, only because Slippery When Wet really opened a lot of doors for hard and heavy music and changed people's perspective (especially people who were outside the genre). So many metalheads I know are 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...rather limited.

Bon jovi rock, classic songs and a varied sound - fantastic live! One of the bands that stopped the stereotype of drugs and rock with RAD which I think is a really great thing to do as it gives a more positive roll model for kids to follow. Hair bands born of bands like bon jovi who were brave enough to play what they liked instead of what radio liked.

AC/DC IS BEAT

riffs and the best and lyrics speak for me to along with cannons and bagpipes and thunder and to the band that saluted me and taught me that there is no place worse then nowhere

My biggest influence in music - gibsonsg

Largest rock group of all time! And the best!

Influenced a lot of the underground indie and alt-rock/punk scene we see today. - shiftaltkey

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

Why can't they be like nickleback because nickleback sucks and so does nirvana

I remember hearing teen spirit for the first time, at that moment I knew glam rock was over, and guns and roses would lose title of biggest band on the planet.

Literally created metal and stoner rock. - shiftaltkey

Bon Jovi #1?!?! Anyone who has any real knowledge of rock (sorry teeny-boppers) knows that two bands made the most impact: Black Sabbath and Zeppelin. - asphaltpilot

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.

what is this bon jovi! Sabbath invented a whole new type of music where are they on the list

Influenced a lot of modern pop music we hear today (ballads and what not) - shiftaltkey

Not saying they're bad or anything, but how exactly were they influential? They didn't have a very unique sound, and even something like Bohemian Rhapsody follows a structure that had already been discovered a decade earlier by The Beach Boys and The Beatles. - Idontreallycaretoomuch

How are they not at least in the top 5?
they have influenced and inspired so many, they deserve a higher place
Freddie Mercury was a legend, the greatest singer ever

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.

Any experimental musician or indie artist has probably listened and has been inspired by Pink Floyd. Rappers, Rockers, Metalheads alike look back to Pink Floyd. - shiftaltkey

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 ground work 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, and music benefitted greatly, as a result. They took their music to a level that transcended what we consider as 'music', and as a result of this, 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 are more influential than Pink Floyd is a truly demoralising thought.

This should be higher. - Kevinsidis

When I was a kid. I grew up listening to the Beatles, the doors, the band, the clash, the Ramones, Black Sabbath and many big bands I have learned from my mother. I heard the band Pink Floyd but never really had the chance to listen and be influenced by their music when I was a teenager. Until I've watched "echoes" on YouTube. From that day onwards I was astonished, amazed how great this band is. Wouldn't be able to explain further how I praise them. Love them so much.

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

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

Why even't Green Day is in Top 10?

The greatest hard rock band ever. In the 70s they outclassed everyone. Never sold out their music, never had a gimmick, and never sold their soul for a few bucks. Their mistake was the never realized how big they were. True virtuoso musicians.

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

The greatest pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal should be in the TOP 3! - Metal_Treasure

Influenced different hard rock bands and heavy metal bands.especially ritchie blackmore and ian gillan - zxm

Ramones inspired modern punk and alt-rock sounds. - shiftaltkey

#13? You people are nuts. There's no way the Ramones aren't within the top five at a minimum.

The Ramones should be at least in the top five. They made "punk" clothes (such as leather jackets, ripped jeans, etc.) 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.

2263 shows, a career spanning through the 70's to the noughties, the ramones invented punk with funny and geniusly simple songs, inspiring bands of the future. good reason for being in the rock and roll hall of fame.

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. - shiftaltkey

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 60's, 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.

They are second only to the Beatles when it comes to the influence of rock.

Really I think people don't understand this list because if there was no jimi MOST of the bands here would be non existant

with their mix of electronic sounds, a deep driving bass, and a really high pitched singer they blazed the way for alt-rock

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

Rush is the ultimate rock band only 3 guys compare to kid rock about 12 guys

Almost every band on this list was influenced by Rush in some way.

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

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

Best rock ballads, for every ages and tastes and great hard songs for every rocker!

They will literally "Rock You Like a Hurricane"! Get it?

Guns N' Roses Arena and Hard Rock usually inspired tons of thrash and alt-rock bands to do the same stuff they were doing. - shiftaltkey

Please should be top 10

to the solos that will keep me praticing

Rip Satan rip axel roads. Rip air

The British Arena rock and post-punk/alt-rock scene paved the way for bands like Blur, Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, etc. - shiftaltkey

Bon Jovi, Evanescence, def leopard, 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!

35-40 years of spectacular music, distinctive timeless guitar sound, meaningful lyrics, powerful lead singer.

And the fact that they influenced many rock bands from the 90s onward. And when some new indie rock bands say "we want to be like U2," you know that's saying something.

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...

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. - Idontreallycaretoomuch

Without this band, we wouldn't have:
Vocal Surf
Punk Rock
Baroque Pop
Lo-Fi
Dream Pop
and probably most importantly:
Progressive Pop/Rock. - Idontreallycaretoomuch

The Beatles and The Beach Boys are #1 and #2. I listened to Pet Sounds off and on for three years before I heard it's magic sounds. There is not a better album.

The Beach Boys for Longevity, Vocal Styling, Originality blow every other group in the world out of the water. The are #1 without dispute.

An amazing band with a promising future in the world of rock.

Motorhead inspired Lars Ulrich, a founding member of Metallica as well as other groups such as Venom. No Motorhead - no Metallica. No Metallica, no thrash metal. No venom, no black/extreme metal. Motorhead should therefore be ranked ahead of both Metallica and Celtic Frost on this list...

Hhh

Amongst a heavily male-dominated rock scene, Evanescence burst into the spotlight with a gorgeously dark and more melodic sound, and I love them for it. - phensh23

How is the Who not in the top 10? The fact that Journey, KISS Queen, and the Scorpians are in front of them if 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 (key boards on "Baba O'Reilly", "Won't Get Fooled Again"; he essentially invented the rock opera, "My Generation" was what Punk Rock was all about). Daltry is one of the better front men as well.

They were the first to wreck their instruments. First to invent the rock opera. First to use lasers. Invented the marshle stack... Invented the power cord... Made the first rock movie(TOMMY). Showed us what punk, heavy metal, and rock was all about ( visually). First to unbent the synthesizer. Even the Beatles wish they had what the who had. Zeppelin based themselves on the who. No one knows the facts. All you guys care about is your own opinions.

Yeah the who are better than Journey.

holy hits their words flow together so good

Not only did they influence, a lot of post modern and modern metal bands, they even influenced punk, grunge and a lot of other stuff, by still have been 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 form iron maiden. Avenged Sevenfold, disturbed, slipknot, and even Metallica. If that is not enough influence to at least raise it to the top ten I don't know what will

34th? That's bollocks! They formed heavy metal to what it is today. Easily in the top three.

They definitely influenced TONS of metal bands with their lyrics and amazing music.

Surely Journey with Lights et al should rank above Rush

this is a joke, beach boys ahead of the chilis, the chilis changed music when cobain died thank god they did or rock would be even worse then it is today.

Going strong for 30 years now. Their style of music can't be matched by most other bands.

Bridged the worlds of funk, punk and rock. Not many other bands can compare. Great Job!

An Incredible band, so influencial

The most influential rock band of all time, they had greater impact on the music than the Beatles. Sorry for bad english.

They are the most influential rock band of all time. - BruceStark

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

They are the first alternative rock band of the history and the weirdest bands ever, they are one of the first bands on the proto-punk scene, produced by the genius of andy warhol, they're an explosive combination, and the result is the Most influencial band on the underground rock

38? Aerosmith is one of the most influential bands ever!

Starting with, every band of the 80's are less great hair rock version of Aerosmith, with that said, Aerosmith should be ahead Bon Jovi, Guns n Roses, Nirvana and everyone else! top 15 at least

inspired so many groups. It's Slash's favorite group... Joe Perry is the reason he picked up a guitar

RADIO HITS AND MUSIC UNBEATABLE IN YOUR GENERE

You wanted the best, you got the best

New Look and beginning of the extravagant shows - Summerkat2002

They should TOTALLY I MEAN TOTALLY be in the top 10 at least. They have awesome concerts and makeup and outfits. I saw them in concert onece and I'm only 7 years old. There for they should TOTALLY be number 1! - sparkle

Woo kiss started heavy metal

Linkin Park shaped a whole new generation of Rock in my opinion. They were my gateway into more heavy rock music.

they have revolutionized nu metal/rapcore/raprock as we know it!

They have meaning in their songs.

Linkin park is the best band

Although not popular among the younger generation this band has had an incredibly big impact on musical style and many bands have credited them for inspiration. Muse and Coldplay being some examples.

Awesome is not enough..

Excellent stream musical band

They are as influencial as the beatles if not more

We are the kings and queens

I have no idea why they are so low on this list. At the very least they should be in the top five. I personally would put them at number 2 right behind the Beatles if for no other reason that they are all geriatric and yet still around and still tour.

you have the lyrics that made common saying like you can't always get what you want and the music is calm and crazy

This is a disgrace. The Rolling stones at 39? What? They deserve to be much higher, given as how they influenced many great groups

Kids don't know how revolutionary the rolling stones were, should be top 3

Bad list.. The Doors should be in the top 10. period.

Best psychedelic rock band ever

were one of the pioneers of an entire genre of music (pop-punk) and one of the most influential bands of the 1990's and early 2000's... and certainly one of the most popular

Blink-182 inspired so many new-age rock bands and even some electronic music producers. They even inspired Machine Gun Kelly! (he's a rapper)

Go on Google search and type "bands inspired by". "bands inspired by blink-182" comes up first. That pretty much shows that they should be in the top 10! Come on now people.

O m g YOU SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED FOR EVEN MENTIONING THEM
ON ANY LIST.

In my opinion Alice in Chains was one of the most influential bands of their era. The music was honest and passionate. They are still gaining fans today. Their music is timeless.

So influential that Korn can take their sound, add rapping and electronics and create a new genre of rock.

The REAL influence of the 90's

Listen to heavy rock bands today and its easy to see just how lasting their infuence truly is. Jerry's guitar style especially helped keep rock heavy and palm muted through the 90's and influenced the 2000s greatly. They've long outlasted Nirvana in my option.

Awesome Rock Band should be a top ten rock band in music history.

Johhny Marr must have influenced thousands of students to pick up the guitar and Morrissey no doubt encouraged many others to put pen to paper.

While I was never a giant Van Halen fan, they need to be much higher on this list. Eddie changed how the guitar was played for millions of guitar players and this guitar sound and techique is a massive influence on every musical decade since they started... I'm still mad about how they influenced glam rock though... Laugh out loud.

I bet you that without Van Halen, most of the bands on this list wouldn't exist.