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

so influential yet very little recognition

Deep purple is an awesome band. They have a very impressive body of work, but many people have never heard of them. This is unfortunate because they are true musicians; they don’t use computerized drum beats or synthesizers. They do use keyboards but they are played well & suit their music perfectly. Their work is excellent. Try them and hear what you think.

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

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

The Reason Why This Band Is Not Known Because Of J.P.Boring And Too Orchestral.

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.

Thin Lizzy has got to be one of the best bands I know that fly under the radar in popularity and appreciation.

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.

These guys are my favorite band of the 70s and 80s. I have their first album and their Brothers in Arms album. Both very different sounding but still really good. After listening a while I actually like some of the tracks that aren't' hits better. I recommend giving them a listen.

So glad to see them on this list. Unknown by many, but more talented than most. Knopfler is the greatest Guitarist/Soloist since Hendrix. At minimal, you need the Brothers in Arms Album, Love Over Gold, Making Movies, Communique, and their opening Album, "Dire Straits". - Beatlesboy9

No question, underrated big time given all their stellar songs.

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

CCR is my 4th favorite band for a reason

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.

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.

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

One of the Pioneer bands of prog rock, awesome band! - RogerWatersfan1999

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

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!

Best band ever!

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.

Holy this band is amazing. All you need to do is listen to the song starless. It is probably the greatest piece of music you have ever heard.

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.

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

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

ZZ Top is overrated not underrated.

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

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.

The Who's music had everything. From great vocals to awesome guitar riff. But what really made the band was Keith Moons thundering drums and John Entwistle amazing Bass along with Pete's great writing. The Who are so underrated and The Who's Who's next album is one of the greatest albums ever made. So made great songs Like Baba o'riley, Wont Get Fooled again and Behind Blue eyes. Such a great band that more people need to know about.

Yes they are frequently ranked as being amongst the greatest bands but the truth is they were the single greatest. Pete Townshend was possibly the greatest songwriter of the 20th century, he basically invented the rock opera. He was also one of the greatest guitarist and pretty much invented rock star stage antics like smashing guitars on stage. Roger Daltrey was a great singer. John Entwistle was probably the greatest bassist of all time, and Keith Moon was the greatest drummer of all time.

They released the two greatest rock operas of all time, one of the greatest concept albums of all time, the greatest live album of all time and seven of the greatest albums of all time.

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.

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 is an epic band. Just saw them play with Vanilla Fudge a month ago, and they put on an amazing show. My favorite song by them is Godzilla. I would definitely recommend them.

Great band, but could use some more cowbell...

Yeah they are the most underrated... With line up made of Dio and ritchie Blackmore, Why are they so underrated.. I think their song Stargazer is a pure epic and it doesn't even come at any list as a great song - amitcornelius1

Dio made Rainbow so good, one of my all time favourite bands. It has a great diversity of songs ranging from rock and roll to pre power metal like sound

They are not popular man. I mean even among rock fans. Every rock listener knows something about deep Purple or iron maiden but rainbow is underrated even by those "rock fans"... Ah man, I really would like to see this group listened.

Dio + Ritchie Blackmore

Recipe for wonders, yet nobody knows them

I love ELO! They have awesome lyrics, catchy melodies, and great talent! I have to say, 'Livin Thing' probably my favorite along with 'Telephone Line' and 'Evil Woman'. It is so sad that not a lot of people listen to them these days. And one last thing, if you like The Beatles, you will probably like ELO because they are similar, but still very different in their own good way!

ELO basically invented their own style of rock n roll and nobody recognizes it. They are legends and always will be. It is sad that people listen to rap when bands like ELO basically use the same instruments and are lot better.

Probably (in my opinion) the most underrated acts of the 1970s and of all time. Do I like other bands more than them, Of course. But ELO is definitely high up there. Their melodies, mixture of pop rock and classical, and their versatility, makes them one of the most massive and sophisticated acts in all of classic rock. They've had tons of hits, but barely any of them get radio play. A definite reccomendation (also "Big Wheels" may be one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard)

As Paul McCartney said, "ELO is the son of the Beatles." Their spaceships and strings should be taken seriously.

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.

I feel like all Canadian bands have been forgotten. These guys, rush, bto, the band, steppenwolf, all are very overlooked

The Animals are my favorite band, next to Pink Floyd. They have an amazing creative sound, and unfortunately only one chart topper. Eric Burdon's voice is amazing, and their spirit and beats always can get a crowd moving. They need more attention. The Animals are amazing. - TheAwesomeBrosVotes

Truly an underrated band. - naFrovivuS

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

Seriously? 19? You gotta be kidding me! The Who aren't underrated at all! & Breaking benjamin?! Really?! I mean I like their music but Scorpions Are WAY MORE UNDERRATED