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...

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

Every member of Deep Purple (at least its most famous lineup - Gillan, Glover, Blackmore, Lord, Paice) are better at their respective instruments than their Led Zeppelin counterparts. Proof? "Child in Time". Also, they are a whole lot more contributional to metal than Zep are. Anyone who knows any Deep Purple song other than "Smoke on the Water" will tell you Deep Purple is metal a thousand times before they would say it for Zep. - Adrian_4

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

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.

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

Mark Knofler is a great guitarist and I don't think a lot of people don't see that

Its just so good

This band should be among other great bands of the 70s but most of the time it's just omitted. They are simply amazing, everything's on point: guitar playing, bass, vocals and drums work so well together. Love them :D

Awesome! Best twin guitars of all time.
Best live band ever, and box also

#1. Deep purple didn't have the influence that Thin Lizzy had. This is the most understated band ever!

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

If you can write a 42-minute long epic, you deserve all the recognition! - CaptDeadeye

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

The greatest band of all time and seeing how few people know them, makes me sad

They created a number of albums considered as the brilliant classics of rock music, such as Red, In the Court of the Crimson King, Larks' Tongues in Aspic and others. - Merkwurdigliebe

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

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

One of the greats. Deserves to be there with Rush, Zeppelin, and Floyd.

One of the greatest bands ever, a massive influence, and they never seem to get the credit they deserve.

Very underrated, a big influence in the metal scene, very very distinct and big sound.

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.

Oh yes, and Alter Bridge is also more underrated

Is everyone just gonna ignore the fact they released hit songs like Have You Ever Seen The Rain? Bad Moon Rising, Fortunate Son, Wholl Stop the Rain, Down on The Corner and many more under 10 years of existence as a band. So underrated, right with legendary 60's bands like The Beatles, The Who, The Stones, Doors...

Underrated? their songs have millions of views on Youtube... much more underrated is Rush - juanjaramillom

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.

Perfect band

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.

First heard them in '75 when I was 15. Loved them ever since. Everything you said is right on. Most talented bunch of muscians/artists in Rock.

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!

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? - TheInsomniac

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

Up there on greatest rock bands of all time their depth and complexity was far unreachable their constant theme against conformity is single handedly superior to any other musical artist they are the most talented band ever

2112. Tom Sawyer. Limelight. Afterimage. Fly By Night. Nobody's Hero. The Garden. Working Man. Fountain of Lamneth. Xanadu. Hemispheres. The Spirit of Radio. All of these songs and more are amazing. Rush is so awesome that they only have 1 bad song (Tai Shan). Just one. That's it! No bad albums either! - CaptDeadeye

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.

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.

Iconic. Punk does not happen without The Who.

The Who underrated? Seriously?
Every single person on the planet knows about them and most of them like their music, so they aren't underrated at all!
In fact, they're one of the most iconic bands of all time!

Pretty good
Revolutionary

Where the heck are the Beach Boys! They are for me one of the greatest bands of all time and I feel that nobody talks about them nowadays. Nobody seems to know who they are. Even the Award Winning "Love and Mercy" didn't receive the fame it should had. The Beach Boys are the only band that could pass the Beatles, and that's why they are second on my list of favorite bands

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.

ROCK ME LIKE A HURRICANE

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".

Very dark yet nice music. - Userguy44

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

One of the most underrated bands of all time. - Userguy44

Supertramp is awesome- incredible underrated

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. - NvGNick

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.

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

Brilliant band, their music is truly underrated

Hiding in the shadows of the Beatles, the Kinks should definitely be brought into the spotlight. The Davis brothers over the years wrote numerous amazing songs that go overlooked. "Waterloo Sunset" is listed on many top 100 songs of all time lists, but other than that, come dancing, lola, strangers, moneygoround, and many others are all fantastic

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

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!

It's really weird that this band doesn't get any attention. Unique music, meaningful lyrics, and very AMAZING vocals... So touching and emotional.

Breaking Benjamin are not underrated. -_-

They are practically the opposite of underrated. - Pagepage21

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 - Alpha101

No other underrated band of the 70s has had a cult following like ELO.

I didn't know about this band until Guardians of the Galaxy. That is how criminally underrated this band is. I saw the movie, watched a few movies, and now I own five of their albums, saw Jeff Lynne live in Chicago, and watched Xanadu. ' Xanadu. Elo rules.

Electric Light Orchestra is one of the best underrated bands to ever come out of the 70s. They are the quintessential symphonic rock band.

This band might be called a guilty pleasure, but I don't think this kind of pleasure should ever be guilty.

Simply the best

I went on here because I wanted to see if Sweet was on the list, but Camel is one of the best bands of all time in my opinion, and yet no one knows about wonders such as Lady Fantasy and Nimrodel.
There are so many good bands in here, but Camel had to be the one.

Worldly Instrumentals. A band that is beloved for musical intricacies and composition.

Such an amazing prog rock band. Creates a spiritual atmosphere through their music. - RalphSaad

Sonic Youth isn't for everyone, but they are without doubt extremely underrated - papervinnie

Underrated on an underrated list, how ironic - Mowberg

So underrated that I only found out about them by scrolling through the bottom half punk top ten lists when I'm board.

So underrated they're not even on the list

Free bird is the best song ever. This band is pretty underrated. - MrSnuffleupagus

free bird, sweet home alabama, simple man, and much more but so little credit - thefrozenlemon

One of their songs has become an anthem. Free bird is a genius song, and they have others that are excellent. They are so underrated and very talented.

They are known for "Free Bird", and "Sweet Home Alabama" but that's it. - hype

Their impact on music hasn't been highlighted enough - ellster2005

If I had to pick a favorite band of all time this would be at the top of my list. Not sure if number 1 but top 5 for sure - Jonerman

RATM Sucks what Happen To Deftones And Smashing Pumpkins,Helmet,Prong,Ministry? Jeez.

This band has some of the most jovial and haunting melodies. As stated before all the members are great at what they do and their music can really sends a message. All their albums are great but I really enjoyed, Morning View and A Crow Left of the Murder. They have many different sounds and styles, and their music can be very atmospheric. A lot of people will say their newer stuff is poppy, but after listening to If Not Now, When? Finally I fell in love. Still making music that's makes you think and feel. Probably my favorite band. Want to see them live soon watched their concerts many times via YouTube. AMAZING.

Dude this band is so underratted; they are never on the top 100 anything. All the members rock at what they do, are one of the only bands that can pull off having a dj, and have a vast array of styles. They put on a hell of a performance and every song is a new "favorite song".

Incubus is one of a kind. Matching rock with funk metal and alternative metal they created a unique music style that defined them in the early 00s.. They deserve more credit since they made awesome songs.

This band is truly one of a kind with a style so unique it can't be matched. By far the most original and meaningful bands of the 2000s. They deserve so much more credit

I heard about them in a book. - Pony

Just brilliant

They're a pop band but ok - LightningStrike

Great band. - Userguy44

They are pop not rock

They aren't rock. - hype

Probably not deserving of the number 1 spot, but at 75? Seriously? They have several great deep cuts that are just as good as, sometimes exceeding, their hits. They have been around for almost 4 decades and are very consistent, putting out new material every few years instead of cramming so much in 1 decade then going on a huge hiatus with few new material afterwards, and while their highs aren't quite as good as the likes of Pink Floyd or other artists, their lows aren't even remotely close to being as bad. If you're not convinced, check out Tom Petty's Buried Treasure on SiriusXM. It has everything from hits, to deep cuts, to cover songs, and other artists from Tom's personal record collection, both live and studio, old and new. Good stuff.

Tom Petty and the heartbreakers are my favorite band of all time. They are so underrated because their music is unique and just classic. His music is untimely and I will listen to him until the day I die.

No disrespect to anyone on this list but these guys are total stand out. Listen to them live, they can cover anything as well as playing variations of their own classics. As the man says " just a hard working rock and roll band.

Great band. But not underrated. - BrianScott01

Surprisingly overlooked.

NO - JJGAY

To me, Alice seems to be really underrated. He doesn't get all the recognition he deserves. If you type in top ten greatest rock bands, he's always over 50. Not Acceptable.

A living legend with a deep catalog!

Awesome music.. Creativity.. Lyrics... This band should b in the top 10...

They are terrible rock band on history other then morn and slipknot

There music makes you think out side the box. Shows how. ignorant people are in the present and past.

Definitely not underrated! - Huntern

I don’t see why people like them. - Userguy44

toxicity, question, chop suey, byob, sugar, aerials, spiders, hypnotize, holy mountains, radio/video, lonely day, kill rock n roll, this is the greatest rock band of all time and yet very few people appreiciate them - CaptainComedy17

How the hell did the get on the overrated list!? no one knows them - SoldierSide1224

Anthrax is awesome. Megadeth is very over rated and if they sold near as much as Metallica then they would be the most over rated band of all time. Megadeth fans are idiots that are easily amused by a average band. Anthrax had then beat - Sabbath

Anthrax is awesome. Megadeth is over rated

Shame that metal heads mostly look at Slayer and Metallica and forget about this more talented group from the Thrash Era

I like it, it's original

They really should get more recognition. - LarkwingFlight

They are quite good, better than even some of old linkin park.

Such a great band.

TFK is amazing! Very underrated

I often wonder why we don't hear about them more - Slimshelly

This should be in the top 100 See...There so Overrated That Nobody Knows them to vote for them...Isn't that ironic

Almost no one knows them
Listen to their songs Remedy, Don't Belong, A Different Kind Of Pain,and Stupid Girl. You might like 'em - spiderskull98

The Godfathers of Grunge, even before Nirvana. - Pony

One of the best bands for an entire decade. They are the sound of the 1970's.

Very underrated band. Love the earlier stuff. Saw them is Australia 2011 fantastic.

Rivals any band in terms of pure musical talent. David Byron is the most underrated singer ever as well.

One of my favorite top 5 bands

I agree they are underrated and deserve attention

I think people get caught up in whether they're metal or not (they're not) so that they overlook just how damn good they are (or were in their best years). - truckturner

Never get discussed. Great guitarists and one of the top 20 voices in rock of all time in Joe Elliot.

The Best. The sound undeniably unique.

STYX FAN TIL THE NUKES FLY

It is a shame that the world refuses to hear Styx for what they are. They would be knighted if they were British. They are the most original band ever. They would be a tough act for anyone to follow even today. It wasn't about the sex appeal of rock and roll for them, it was about the music. Better than every British band, hands down.

Everyone seems to hate this band. That's partly because, mostly, only their later, not-so-great songs got popular. Their really phenomenal songs (almost all from the 70s), like "Castle Walls", "Clair de Lune/Ballerina", "A Day" and "Boat on the River" are mostly unknown. - Raa396

They should be at he number one position suite madame blue is one of the greatest songs of all time!