Most Underrated Rock Bands

It pisses me off that everyone knows Smoke on the water and that's it. Although Smoke on the water is a very good song, it's not the only song Deep Purple has and many people don't know deep purple outside from smoke on the water. I think everyone should have smoke on the water, child in time, highway star, soldier of fortune, burn, stormbringer, knockin on your back door, space truckin' and hush on their ipods. Come on Deep Purple is a legendary band...

Everybody talks about meh meh page meh meh bonham meh meh plant!... Plant lost his voice in early 70's page can only goofin' around the theremin, his guitar skill isn't that good anyways, yes his writing is, Bonham is great but common Paice is the first one to use one hand roll in his work even before that Portnoy guy made it famous, and their live is much better than any other band, Zep is better in studio because of studio magic and yes that made them album in all the top charts in number 1 while Purple doesn't want to hassle bout in their studio, only RAW POWER in their live performance, yes that bout sums it up

I love that you voted for deep purple, but you don't need to diss led zeppelin, who is the greatest, deep purple is great, but they are not the same - Sultan_of_Swing

so influential yet very little recognition

This band isn't underrated though and unlike dream theater they aren't praise either, I would just call them a band that is neither underrated or overrated - germshep24

Considering most people only know Dire Straits for two or three songs at best ("Sultans of Swing", "Money for Nothing", and maybe "Brothers In Arms"), if even that many, they deserve to be more recognized. All of the Brothers In Arms album is really good. The self titled album and Making Movies are also pretty good, with "Sultans of Swing" and "Romeo and Juliet" being two of the coolest songs on each album, and in the entirety of their catalogue. Also, as far as musicianship goes, Mark Knopfler is one of the greatest guitarists of all time with the absolute weirdest/coolest fingerstyle picking techniques ever. That coupled with his unique singing style of talking casually more than really singing is pretty nice. Everything in the band just comes together to form a tight sound every second of every album. - Aweso

I love this band. Barely anybody knows any songs by them. In Your Library, just a start, I would make sure to have Walk Of Life, Money For Nothing, Sultans Of Swing, Brothers In Arms, Telegraph Road, Lady Writer, Why Worry, Tunnel Of Love, Your Latest Trick, Romeo and Juliet, So Far Away, and Ride Across The River. There are many other great ones but these ones stand out among everything.

This band I would definitely say is underrated I could confidently say if you asked someone who dire straits ways most would recognize the name but none would be able to give you a song from them - germshep24

How this band does not get more recognition is beyond me... Lady writer, Love over gold and Expresso love are masterpieces that most people don't know about.

Almost every song they have is great, and that is not something all bands can say.

Great list. It has to be KC though, after Yes and Genesis which are probably better bands. But I’m glad this is a the top of the list

Listening to The Devil's Triangle from In the Wake of the Poseidon. Very clear that this was the influence for Genesis Watcher of the Skies. Agree with others who say that if this lineup had stayed together for ten years, King Crimson would have been better known. This music-and all prog rock-is so creative and layered that it's noteworthy that no American band successfully had a presence in this genre

It should definitely be at number 1. One of the best prog rock bands of all time (right after Pink Floyd), and it is alive for nearly 50 years. Weirdly catchy tunes and improvised instrumentation make this a great band (one of the best, if I may). Very underrated and unpopular for the public, maybe because it is not as usual as other prog rock bands like Rush. It may easily be at #1 - patrickfloyd

Very little airplay and hardly any mainstream recognition despite a very influential and highly regarded debut album (which eventually went gold). Yeah, I'd say they are a very under rated classic rock/progressive rock band.

they are very unknown and underrated, you rarely would find a person who knows them... maybe they are only known because Metallica made a cover from them, "Whiskey in the Jar". They have great songs like "Whiskey in the Jar", "Rocker", "Jailbreak" and "The Boys Are Back in Town". - rock2metal

Not unknown, (I mean come on, they played the Sydney ' Opera House) but definitely underrated. - adfairhurst

U2 say they would not exist if wasn't for Thin Lizzy, yet they get all the adulation. A band that influenced so many others is ignored outside of rock circles. Brilliant story telling lyrics from the start, everything about them screams just how excellent they are. Look beyond "The Boys are back in Town", and you'll find endless rock classics such as vagabonds of the Western World, Still in Love With You, Johnny,. Miss Phil Lynott everyday.

Listen to them, they just draw you in with their awesome guitar play and catchy melody (not to say loads of attitude that just shines through in the true "rock" sense). They make rock seem cool & smooth unlike any other band. A pity that they are not as well known.

Best live band. Would have been huge if cracked the US market. 'Live and Dangerous is consistently regarded as one of, if not the best, live album ever. Melody, power, charisma and very tight musicianship. Real rock.

Wouldn't say their under rated most know their song don't fear the reaper and it only takes one song to make a person a fan of the band - germshep24

And most people have to know a band to vote it into the top 10 on this list - Alkadikce

Blue Oyster Cult's debut album, Tyranny and Mutation, Secret Treaties, and Agents of Fortune are all some of the best rock albums I've ever heard. They deserve just as much attention as the Rolling Stones. Their stuff is awesome. Some of my favorites include Cities on Flame With Rock and Roll, The Red and the Black, Hot Rails to Hell, Dominance and Submission, and ETI. Whoever is reading this should check those songs (and their albums) out. You're missing out. - dlbk03

When I first heard them I thought immediately that they are a mainstream band but I was very surprised to see that although their truly awesome music they have no fan-base like at all..

Blue Oyster Cult. Great guitarists, fantastic live, best riff of all time in don't fear the reaper, another great song and solo with Godzilla. Kick out the Jams is also good, great harmonies, fantastic solos, one of the most underrated and misunderstood bands of all time.

I saw these guys back in 83. Their opening act was Stevie Ray Vaughn. I actually came to see Stevie. He was fantastic of course. Then the Moodies came on stage and completely stole the show. I have seen every possible rock act in their heyday. Including the Stones, Zepplin, The Dead, The Eagles, The Who, Yes, ELP Neil Young and Eric Clapton on a number of occasions. This band was a good as any of these acts. It baffles me to no end why this group is not in the Hall of fame.

The Moody Blues, with their beautiful and atmospheric music, are popular and appreciated by us, their fans... But never get accolades from anyone else. They're the kings of being ignored.

There is no legitimate rational reason to argue that they shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame.

Pioneered orchestra rock. Every member was talented and they could all sing well too. Mike Pinder was a lyrical genius.

People are gonna know three (Fortunate Son, Bad Moon Rising, Down On the Corner), maybe four (Have You Ever Seen the Rain, a very overrated song) of their songs but we fans, not even hardcore consider nearly all of their discography as classics, as any sensible person should. Usually don't even make the top 50 on best music bands/artists, or even rock bands, but I'd personally rank them #6 or #7. I believe they deserve a top 15 spot for anyone who considers themselves a rock fan, these guys are truly underrated to the general public. Now, are they the most underrated? No, I'd put Nickelback, Ashes Remain, Falconer, Dream Theater, Evans Blue, Third Day and Ashbury as more underrated, but this band is one where there's much to be said, but not too much to fit in a comment.Either way, if you haven't listened to much of these guys, then please do so. I was lucky enough to be raised listening to their songs, and they're among my favorite from that era of music.

Classic southern rock, greatest band possibly ever. Just listen to there "greatest hits" album and you will believe. Green river is a true legend!

Rollin Stone once said "John Fogerty wrote more classic songs in a three-year stretch than anyone other than the Beatles"

It's a shame they never had a number 1 song. They had like 8 number 2 songs. They were just a fraction away from being the greatest band of all time

They deserve their place at number 1, that's for sure. Do they get any recognition, not much. They should do, because lot's of their music is among the finest I have ever heard. Under my vote for Tool, on another of these lists, I have ranted about how good they are. Please read this, maybe it will inspire you to begin to listen to them and become among the not many people who do. Maybe the fact that one of their songs is 42 minutes, put's them off. It shouldn't do though, it is one of the best pieces of music I have ever heard. If you like complex music and metal and you have not heard them before, please listen to them. If you are like me you will be in seventh heaven when listening to songs like "Endless Sacrifice", "Octavarium", "Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence" (42 minutes) and "The Count Of Tuscany".
Oh, and for all those who think they have the best taste in music and nobody else does etc, let me tell you something. Sure I am a huge ...more

How is a band that is in the top 50 greatest rock bands of all time be considered an underrated band, I would call them neither underrated or overrated, but by the way the fans worship the band I'd lean them more toward overrated if I had to put them into one of those classes - germshep24

Very underrated band. And with a very underrated guitarist as well. John petrucci is one of the best guitarists around here. And also the keyboard player kicks ass. I think that they are not famous because of the long songs, but the variety in those long songs is incredible awesome. So underrated

Such a talented band, jaw dropping music, so beautiful at times. An absolute travesty at the lack of recognition they get, proof that talent does not equal success

I really wish they we're more in people's conversations more instead of always talking about the same bands like The Beatles, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, etc. I mean, don't get me wrong, those bands are great, but they take all the space and attention other bands should have. - RogerMcBaloney

Just (the same) 3 guys playing a unique brand of bluesy rock and roll for over 40 years. Go see them live and try not to be impressed by what comes out of those 3 instruments. Still.

They're great, but not really underrated. They sold 50 million albums worldwide and always got much praise.

Hello, Gimme all your loving, sharp dressed man, legs, tush, viva las vegas, la grange and many many more. They are most underrated.

Most of the other bands on this list my 17 year old lead guitarist son has been listening to (and playing songs from) for years. How I forgot to include UFO on his listening list, I'll never know. That will be rectified today.

ZZ Top? Iron Maiden? Queen?! These are not underrated. UFO, Rainbow and Blue Oyster Cult come closest to most underrated rock bands- well rock bands that shockingly didn't get more attention than just for 1 album.

They are the best rock group ever to be formed by Britain. They widely prove how idiotic those music critics are, rating 5 stars all commercially sucessful albums... Damn it... Wish they were way more popular..

We don't hear much of UFO these days but they are simply awesome!

This band is extremely underrated, they are by far the best Canadian band and should be higher on this list.

Pretty underrated. One of their underrated songs even for an underrated band is "No Time," great classic high energy song.

Very very good band. Great vocals and so many memorable songs.

Hall of Fame is bogus, until The Guess Who is inducted.

Not exactly underrated. They're regarded as one of the best rock bands of all time!

They are completely underrated! Each member is so talented and they're aren't appreciated enough for their talent. Everyone forgets that Pete Townshend's lyric writing is out of this world, and that Keith Moon's drumming in "Cousin Kevin" happened to be ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE! Also, John Entwistle had an impressive vocal range for a bassist. (He sings all the high notes in A Quick One, While He's Away). And Roger Daltrey is such an amazing singer! His vocals are so passionate and clean! Also, they made 3 ROCK OPERAS! One being a song, and two being albums! How impressive is that?! Ugh. Overall, these guys are so amazing but they're so under appreciated. - MontyPython

Most people know about this band, but outside their YouTube videos and such stuff, they don't seem to receive the attention and praise they deserve at all!

Even if I was not a huge fan of The Who, I could easily tell how underrated they are. Led Zeppelin and The Beatles get constant praise but I never see or hear anybody praising The Who for their incredible contribution to rock music. It's so sad as they are one of the best bands ever to have been.

Still Loving You is the biggest selling single of all time in London. Hurricane is a true rock anthem known throughout the world. The Zoo, Loving You Sunday Morning, Sails of Charon and MANY others were both hits and trendsetting in the 70's. The several 80's albums were all deep and rich. The ballads are classics and the hits are classics but the deep cuts are why Scorpions fans are so passionate about the music. Regardless of where they land on this or any other list, The Scorps are a band that rockers need to dig into. Crazy World is likely the best album that's never mentioned that epitomizes my point.

Certainly one of the most underrated rock bands; with the impressive combination of tremendously popular songs produced by this German European group, ranking should be at least "Top Ten;" but as time flies by, along with all of us, they will also fade into the wind of change...

23? That's crazy. These guys never seem to get mentioned when people spout off great rock bands. Honestly, other than their 2 biggest hits, I never hear anything else from them on the radio and they deserve so much more airplay. Songs like "The Zoo" and "China White" are just as deserving as "Someone Like You".

The most underrated band indeed. They are one of the best bands of all time. Many rock bands 2day have been inspired by dem

My first experience with Rush was thinking that they sang The Logical song by Supertramp. I then found out that The Logical song is not by Rush so I decided to see what songs ARE by Rush. I ended up liking basically everything I heard. I think Rush unpopular because their music is not very easy for the public to handle. That being said, if you're willing to keep an open mind, if you appreciate music, and if you know music theory (not required but Rush is so technically great its nice to appreciate their technical greatness), than you will like Rush.

People look at something like 2112 and go EW! 111! ITS OVER 3 MINUTES LONG! 111! 11! ! 1111! AND THE LYRICS R ACTUALLY POETRY THAT TELLS THE STORY OF A DYSTOPIAN SOCIETY VOID OF MUSIC AND THE ARTS WERE LIFE IS DULL AND POINTLESS?! 11!?! I'm WAY TO SHALLOW TO HANDLE SUCH A DEEP, THOUGHT - PROVOKING WORK OF ART! 111! 11! 1 SOMEONE PLAY SOME NIKI MINAJ! 1! 11!

I think if people were willing to keep an open mind and listen to the ...more

Bro. Were you like 20 in the first paragraph and 8 in the next? What happened there?

Out of all the bands listed on this list, rush is very underappreciated due to its ability to not appeal to the typical rock fan. Out of all the bands listed on this list rush, whether you like it or not is the most talented band on the list period. "The singer sounds like a girl", "The lyrics are so weird". Yeah this may be true but the lead singer "Geddy Lee" isn't a great singer but his voice is unique and up there with Axl Rose (Guns 'n' roses, Bonn Scott (AC/DC, and Joe Elliott (Def Leppard). There strange weird looking and weird sounding lead singer is also the GRATEST BASSIST of all time. When you hear and criticize Rush think about the lead singer. This guy plays bass better than anyone else, plays the bass pedals, and plays the keyboard all in the unison and order the song demands. They're Guitarist Alex Lifeson, also one of the most underrated guitar players of all time, SHREDS the electric guitar and should be on the list of top 20 guitar players of all time. Just like ...more

Rush, making their debut in 1974, were something different from the very beginning. Initially a bare-bones three piece progressive hard rock (almost metal) act, Rush solidified their sound in 1976 with "2112" and perfected it in 1981 with the classic album "Moving Pictures". Known for lyrics that included themes such as fantasy and mythology (written by drummer Neil Peart), Alex Lifeson's chaotically crafted melodic, lead, and even classical guitar work, Geddy Lee's unique ability to combine speed and power into staggering baselines and unmistakable high pitched voice, and Neil Peart's technically profound, incredibly complex, and seemingly incomprehensible kit work, Rush proved to beone of the most technically advanced acts of all time. Rush is truly a band for the musical intellectual, and never compromised their, at times considered uncool, brand of rock and roll. For this I am proud to call Rush my favorite band.

Proof band is underrated : went to an r40 show and half the people didn't come in until their select few songs they came to see (and then the guy next to me blurted out amazing lyrics 5 minutes early( yes he left for the whole first set) and it was hard to enjoy the) This band is so underrated ha quarter of their fans don't like half of their repertoire. Finally when people ask me who my favorite band is ( after saying theirs is some crappy corporate band you just have to love because their popular. Why?! ) I say Rush and they stare blankly. I then I get hated on.
Rush is super underrated!

Nobody knows this band while it's actually one of the best rock bands in the 21st century . - Deathshield18

I cannot believe that most people don't know this band! All the media ever focuses on these days are people with no talent, but with pretty faces (If you call Justin Beiber, Lady Gaga and Nikki Minaj pretty, that is). A great band who writes more than meaningful lyrics... They're simply amazing!

red is a very underrated band

people with a tiny amount of talent like justin bieber get all the attention

but theres bands out there like red who can actualy write meaningful songs and actualy can make music!

One of the best bands. Not only in Christian rock, but overall. But dang these guys are so underrated. They REALLY deserve more recognition and appreciation. They have really deep and meaningful lyrics, awesome music and an amazing vocalist who can scream powerfully and sing so beautifully at the same time. I love RED!

Underrated compared to Nirvana but not underrated other than that. - Soulstealer

Why the heck is Queen, Rush, STP, and Boston up there? All of their albums pale in comparison with Dirt, and yet are more popular. AIC is synonymous with underrated band. Nirvana's shadow cast over them, and by the time the majority of the Seattle Scene dissolved, Layne slipped up (RIP Layne, greatest voice). So, how is the Riff God's band not up in the top ten? The one of the most dynamic voices in Rock history not up there? Sean Kinney's drumming is superb, as well as Mike Inez & the late great Mike Starr's bass guitar's skill. Not to mention amazing harmonies between Jerry and DuVall/Staley. WAY underrated. Heck, they're underrated on an underrated list, who's more underrated than that? - Laughitupfuzzball

Most underrated band in my opinion. The music is band created in the 90's is still the best in 2012. I only wish Layne would have stayed with us longer, the music they made with him is the best. I enjoy what they are doing now with a different singer, but my music heart belongs with Layne. RIP

Alice in Chains took me by surprise when I first heard their music.. ALways thought of them as a heavy metal band but honestly they are nothing but perfect melodies and groovy solos.. some of the purest rock out there in my opinion. If you wanna consider them grunge then consider them the best

Is there any album out there that’s more beautifully crafted than Breakfast In America? I would say nay.

Supertramp was my favorite band.
The song Dreamer would bang off the walls with my big assed tube stereo system.

I always ask people what are your favorite rock bands and I've never heard anyone say Supertramp, which is crazy because The Logical Song is one of the best songs of all time. Definitely in my top 10.

No-one I know has heard of Supertramp and I can't understand why. I can't stop listening to them, love the use of saxophone, very rare in a lot of music. They are just overall awesome.

Best band ever!
They had so many brilliant, funny and clever songs. I could never understand why they are so underrated and ignored.
Just waterloo sunset alone make them the greatest
Their sound is incredible and unique.
There will never be a band like the kinks,
They're not like everybody else.

A very special band and one that seems to be overlooked. They were at the forefront of the British Invasion with The Beatles, The Stones and The Who, yet they seem so unique. The singer/songwriter (Ray Davies) is a great humored genius with an addicting voice. The drummer is always solid and well timed. The bass is (maybe a bit shy) soft when you want and strong when needed. Finally, the guitarist is very talented and is obvious in their more complex compositions. Just start with their first album, if you aren't into 60s Pop Rock n Roll then skip to Village Green Preservation Society (easily one of the best albums ever). You'll be hooked.

Have you even heard Waterloo Sunset? I know these guys are only really known for You Really Got Me (a good song itself), but they have quite a few really good songs on their belt. In my top 20 bands definitely - AlexZoraj

The Kinks is the most criminally underrated band ever. One of the most unknowingly influential band in the 60s. Each of their songs are unique and memorable, easily to get hooked with. Not only that, Ray Davies is a lyrical genius too. Dave Davies is a very great guitarist. Lola, You Really Got Me are just the top of a huge underwater mountain of awesome music to find out. Their album like The Kinks are the Village Green, Arthur, The Kink Kontroversy, Something Else by The Kinks and many more are masterpieces, I recommend hearing them and not missing out another band that are truly up there with the Stones, the who, or even the Beatles.

I'm not sure why queen and iron maiden are even on this list. But Breaking Benjamin is my favorite band and they're very underrated. I'm not saying they should be number one but they should be higher than this.

Not underrated at all.

Among the best 21 century's bands I wish I could see seether and three days grace on this list also.. To bad those bands are really underrated

The opposite is true, Benjamin, Grace, and Seether are overrated. Still good bands, bit not nearly as good as people claim

EVERY DAMN SONG IS FANTASTIC. Seriously, I haven't heard a song from them that I didn't love. Just listen to Diary of Jane, Breath, Polyamorous, So Cold, Dear Agony, or any song from the entirety of their discography

Better Than Metallica,No One Cares Again.And Kreator,Destruction,Sadus The Real Big Four Thrash Bands.