Top 10 Non-Metal Music Artists That Metalheads Usually Like
This list is based on my observations, including discussions on The Top Tens, and it's not a list of my favorite bands outside metal. Well, I like some of them, too, but maybe not in the order I started this list with my initial remix.
Queen are an English rock band formed in London in 1970. The original lineup was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar, vocals). Before forming into Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury was a fan of Smile and encouraged them to experiment with more elaborate... read more @ryanrimmel
Many metal musicians listen to bands outside metal.
Jeff Waters of Annihilator is a huge ACDC fan and he often plays Hells Bells at his shows.
Hansi Kursch likes Uriah Heep and The Beach Boys, and did many awesome covers. He also sings Barbara Ann by The Beach Boys at live shows.
And Alex Skolnick of Testament even formed a jazz trio to play jazz in it.
A metal musician (don't remember who) said that listening to non-metal music gives him unique ideas and makes him a better metal musician.
My favorite band outside metal. I listened to them in my pre-metal life and they prepared me for metal a lot. I learned from them to appreciate phenomenal vocals, classical influences and complex songs - you have these 3 things in metal, too.
I don't understand why some metalheads think it's not okay to listen to 'non-metal'. If you are trying to chill out, do you listen to Cannibal Corpse because 'it's the metalhead thing to do'? No, you listen to Pink Floyd or Queen or something like that.
Rush was a Canadian progressive rock band that was formed in 1968. The band has had an iconic lineup since 1975, which included Neil Peart (Drums, Percussion), Geddy Lee (Vocals, Bass, Keyboards), and the guitarist, Alex Lifeson. Peart passed away after a 3 year battle with brain cancer in January of 2020. Because of this, Lee says there are no plans to keep the band going, so Rush is most likely... read more I never get tired of Rush, I've seen them twice!
Pink Floyd are an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. The band consisted of 5 members - David Gilmour (Vocals and Guitar), Syd Barrett (Vocals and Guitar), Nick Mason (Drums), Roger Waters (Vocals and Bass), and Richard Wright (Vocals and Keyboard). Barrett was replaced by Gilmour in 1968... read more I like them, Michael Jackson and Queen but not much metal. (Except Linkin Park and Evanescence)
When I first heard 'Shine on you crazy diamond' I played it 15 times in a row. I stopped because I thought it was unhealthy.
Even though I like metal music, this band is just awesome
AC/DC are a Australian hard rock band, formed in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, who continued as members until Malcolm's illness and departure in 2014 . They were fronted by Bon Scott until his untimely death due to alcohol poisoning in 1979, after which they hired Brian Johnson to front the band.
Commonly referred to as a hard rock or blues rock band. I was into them in my pre-metal life and I still love these guys.
I know Gemcloben loves them, too, and he may think I hate AC/DC because I often write 'they aren't metal and shouldn't be on this metal list', but it's not the case.
I just don't like seeing non metal bands/singers, etc. on metal lists.
Still heavier than a lot of metal bands.
I would call them heavy blues rock
Led Zeppelin was an English hard rock band formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds. The group consisted of Robert Plant (Vocal), Jimmy Page (Guitar), John Paul Jones (Bass, Keyboard) and John Bonham (Drums) and was very much the child of Jimmy Page who even financed their first tour. He had tasted some previous success with The [original] Yardbirds and was friendly with some big names in rock... read more I'm more of a soft rock, classic rock, hard rock fan than metal fan, but I do think metalheads would connect with Zeppelin well. Their music is loud and rocking!
@gemcloben: unfortunately Dazed and Confused isn't their song - it's a brutal ripoff.
Find on YouTube: Jake Holmes - Dazed and Confused (released in 1967).
Dazed and confused is one hell of a song
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. The first settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums).Their best works include songs like Paint it Black, Sympathy for the Devil, Satisfication (Which ranked no. 2 in The Rolling... read more
I don't think so - never met with any metalhead who said Rolling Stones are among their favorite bands.
Nirvana was an American grunge band that was formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. Nirvana disbanded after Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994. The drummer of the band, David Grohl, went on to start the Foo-Fighters, an alternative rock band.The band was comprised of Kurt Cobain (Vocals, Guitar), Dave Grohl (Drums) and Krist Novoselic (Bass).
Nirvana is most well-known for their... read more
Prefer Nirvana before Queen or another classic Rock band
One Of The Greatest If Not The Greatest Band Of All Time
The Who is an English rock band formed in London, England in 1964. The most recognizable lineup was Roger Daltrey (lead vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), John Entwistle (bass guitar), and Keith Moon (drums). They are best known for their live performances and hit songs Baba O'Riley, My Generation, and Won't Get Fooled Again. Some noted achievements were their rock operas, Tommy (album), Quadrophenia... read more I saw them live over a year ago and I loved it a lot
These guys should be a lot higher
Michael Jackson (Michael Joseph Jackson; August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose on June 25, 2009. He donated (at least) a remarkable 500,000,000 dollars to charity. Michael is also known as The King of Pop (a title given to him by Elizabeth Taylor) or under the initials MJ... read more He's probably one of the only pop singers that gets praise from metalheads.
Depeche Mode are an English electronic and synth-pop band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Vince Clarke. I like several songs by this band.
The Newcomers
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk.
Alter Bridge is an American hard rock/alternative metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 2004. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Myles Kennedy, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips.
The Beatles were an English pop rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The members consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They were soon known as the foremost and most influential act of rock era. Rooted in skiffle, beat, and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later... read more Almost everybody loves them...
I've tried to get into them many times but no success. I guess it's just not my cup of tea. Their songs are too poppy and dipped in honey to my taste.
Metal_Treasure don't hear anything pop about them they sound like rock n roll to me and their slow songs are well slow rock n roll"
They practically invented Metal with Helter Skelter.
Whitesnake are a rock band formed in England in 1978 by singer David Coverdale, after his departure from his previous band Deep Purple. I'm a metalhead but I still like hard rock especially when it touches on metal.
Whitesnake - some great heavy riffs and solos out there. Steve Vai, John Sykes and Cozy Powell played for them. Plus Coverdale's powerful vox.
Songs: Crying In the Rain, Still of the Night, Here I Go Again, Judgement Day, Give Me All Your Love, Fool For Your Loving, Best Years.
Almost a heavy metal band... Almost..?
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer, songwriter, parodist, record producer, satirist, actor, voice actor, music video director, film producer, and author. I love this guy - so funny.
Blue Öyster Cult is an American rock band from Long Island, New York, whose most successful work includes the hard rock and heavy metal songs "(Don't Fear) The Reaper", "Godzilla" and "Burnin' for You". There just good
Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known as 2Pac, was an American rapper and actor born on June 16, 1971 in East Harlem, New York. Tupac sold over 75 million records worldwide and has been referred to in multiple major publications such as Rolling Stone as one of the greatest music artists of all time. 2Pac was assassinated on September 1996 at the age of 25. ...read more.
The Cure are an English post-punk/gothic rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1978. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member.
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "the Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band".
The Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American funk-rock and alternative rock band, that was founded in 1983.The band's members are Anthony Kiedis (Vocals), Michael "Flea" Balzary (Bass), Chad Smith (Drums) and numerous guitarists, most well-known being John Frusciante.
The band is among the most well-known funk bands in music history with albums like "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" and "Californification"... read more
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race... read more Elvis is widely known, but I rarely encountered a music lover that said he is among their favorites.
John R. "Johnny" Cash (1932-2003) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and author, who was widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. He died of complications from diabetes in 2003. It was suggested that Cash's health worsened due to a broken heart over his second wife's death. As a Metalhead who loves Metallica, Megadeth, Slipknot, Dream Theater, Tool, etc. Johnny Cash is the only country artist I enjoy
He's respected by the metalheads. His lyrical theme is just the same as some metal bands.
He's an amazing artist rip
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential of all composers. His best-known compositions include 9 symphonies, 5 piano concertos, 1 violin concerto,... read more Metal is classical music with distortion. Beethoven is arguably the best musician of his time.
Beethoven is essentially the 1700s version of metal.
ABBA are a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Outside the rock world, ABBA is the best.
Foreigner is a British-American arena rock band, originally formed in New York City in 1976 by veteran English musician Mick Jones and fellow Briton and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm. An old band of the late 70s-early 80s but I dig most of their stuff. Music and vox are quite intense for a non-metal band. There’s some anxiety and striking energy in their music (these things are available in metal, too).
Foreigner need more attention because they are very underrated. Music fans just miss a wonderful piece from the music heritage.
Songs I love a lot - Urgent; Juke Box Hero; Cold As Ice; Double Vision; Blue Morning, Blue Day; Feels Like the First Time; That Was Yesterday; I Want To Know What Love Is.
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock band, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. Nine Inch Nails is my favorite band outside of metal, the music is great and contains many dark lyrics. The Fragile is one of my favorite albums of all time, I’d certainly recommend listening to it.
Very good industrial rock band.
Alice in Chains is an American grunge/alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley.