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

Such good songs

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

Outside of TTT, they’re incredibly underrated.

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.

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

One of the greatest start to finish debut albums 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.

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

Amazing band - jameelSAUCE

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.

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

They had amazing guitarists in the band like Michael Schenker, Vinnie Moore, Tommy McClendon. On most UFO songs the guitar solos were better than guitar solos from more famous bands like:
ACDC, Van Halen, Rolling Stones, Twisted Sisters...

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. - Billyv

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.

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.

Excellent band, very distinct sound

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

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.

ZZ Top is overrated not 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.

Extremely underrated! - Fullwalking2

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

Love at First Sting is one of those albums that everyone should own - dlbk03

Breaking Benjamin are not underrated. -_-

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

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

This band has had more good songs then anyone out there, free bird, simple man, sweet home Alabama, gimme three steps, ballad of Curtis Loew, I need you, four walls of raiford, that smell, gimme back my bullets, Saturday night special, swamp music, what's your name,don't ask me no questions, I ain't the one,and the list goes on. God knows what they had done if it wasn't known for that plane crash

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.

Everyone seems to know Queen, but the Who are 10 times better.

Roger Daltrey>Freddie Mercury
Pete Townshend>Brian May
John Entwistle>John Deacon
Keith Moon>Roger Taylor
Baba O’Riley>Bohemian Rhapsody
Who’s next>A Night at the Opera - InsertCleverName

Truly an underrated band. - naFrovivuS

Led Zeppelin already had too much attention, and the animals are underrated. - Fullwalking2

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.

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

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

Not underrated at all. - naFrovivuS

I heard about them in a book. - Pony

Just brilliant

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.

Should have been the top 10 alternative band in the 2000's

They are pop not rock

One of the best bands out there! People should really listen to them more.

They aren't rock. - hype

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!

Very underrated band. Please give them a listen if you can. Their album "Of Beauty and Rage" is a powerful and moving piece of art. It is beautiful yet a force to be reckoned with. I wish I had gotten into them earlier.

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.

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.

The fact that a band as great as The Kinks are so low on this list just proves how underrated they are. Despite Ray Davis being one of the best songwriters of the 60's and producing a bucket load of great songs, The Kinks had very little commercial success and recognition beyond music critics. The only songs their really remembered for are You Really Got Me and Lola, and the latter is only really known among the Rock crowd.

Bangers al day

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!

Aw I love this guy but not wildly underrated

Amazing to see live - Beautifulsound

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rajaz and stationary traveler, amazing songs equal to hotel california high hopes comfortably numb wish you were here

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

Anthrax- Real Thrash
Metallica/Megadeth- Real Trash - sweetbeef

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

Pearl Jam and Nirvana get a lot of the pub. but AIC may be the best of the Seattle Sound. They are often dark but oh so cool. So many great songs.

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

My username is dedicated to these guys! The Stone Temple Pilots totally rock! They are very underrated. Just listen to their song Plush. It's EPIC! - StoneTemplePilots87

I was scrolling past all these and wondered were they were. I really like the Stone Temple Pilots and I think they are very underrated.

everyone thinks of them and pearl jam wannabes but are really just as good. - thefrozenlemon

Beast grunge band

Cinderella is one of the greatest bands of all-time. Tom Keifer's vocals were unique, few could emulate it. This band will always be labeled as a "hair-glam band" but in reality these guys were so versatile, playing bluesy tunes mixed with rock and a touch of western. They flat out ROCK! With songs like Bad Seamstress to Dead Man's Road to Night Songs, etc. The Heartbreak Station album really shows off Cinderella's versatility. I've seen them live twice and they are the best live band I've ever heard. Front man Tom Keifer still tours with a solo band today. He's still worth going to see if you have the chance.

This band is so underrated. I don't understand what happened, they opened important shows, they had grate music and yet they are not very known, unless you really like glam. Rock

A great band that is not to well known, deserves much more recognition. Songs like Coming Home, Don't Know What You Got, Gypsey Road, etc. Are great!

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)

ПŽ¶It's so sad if that's the way it's over🎶

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.

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

One of my favorite top 5 bands

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

Most underrated band of all time, no doubt at all in my mind. Salisbury, backed by a philharmonic orchestra, is a masterpiece.

Myles Kennedy easily has one of my favorite voices in rock in my opinion. Just listen to the intro to Calm the Fire and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. Or just listen to the entirety of Fortress. Truly a fantastic album that really demonstrates what Mark Tremonti is capable of writing as a guitarist, supported by Myles' great use of texture on rhythm guitar.

In my opinion, the best rock band in the last 10 years, and sadly, one of the most underrated. They have so much variety and a lot of their songs are just beautiful and badass. Myles Kennedy's great voice and Mark Tremonti's awesome guitar solos worth it.

This needs to be in the top 10. Alter Bridge is terribly underrated. Songs like Metalingus, Blackbird, Isolation, Find The Real, Come to life, and In Loving Memory prove just that.

Alter Bridge is beyond underrated. They have really great music. My top 10 are:

1. Isolation
2. Wayward One
3. Find The Real
4. Metalingus
5. Broken Wings
6. Breathe Again
7. In Loving Memory
8. Come to Life
9. Zero
10. Coming Home

Those are some of their best songs. Alter Bridge is another one of those underrated bands from the 2000's, along with Saliva, Three Days Grace, Disturbed, Godsmack, and others.