Top 10 Best British Classic Rock Bands
Queen are just one of those bands that you can't really fault. They aren't overrated. Every inch of their fame and glory was thoroughly deserved. Their live performances have some people of the current generation wishing they were born earlier. Freddie's vocals are probably the best you will hear on the face of the Earth (and he was one of the greatest pianists). Brian and his Red Special are probably the most emotional guitar leads you will hear. John is possibly the most underrated musician of all time and was Queen's secret weapon. Roger was no slouch on the drums, and his backup voice was also quite impressive.
Also, all the members of the band were talented writers (they all wrote hits; Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are The Champions, and Don't Stop Me Now belonged to Freddie. Brian had We Will Rock You, Hammer to Fall, and I Want It All. John had Spread Your Wings, Another One Bites The Dust, and I Want To Break Free. Roger had Radio Ga Ga, A Kind Of Magic, and These Are The Days Of Our Lives).
Enough said.
They were it, like nothing else! If you were alive when they were at their peak, you already know that nothing - and I mean nothing - before or since has captured the imagination and adoration of the world or influenced it as they did. You already know that nothing gets close to this!
The variety and originality of sound they produced (while occupying the top of the charts) simply left the rest of the world in their dust, and their appearance and style established men's fashion that we still know today. So, the only credible battle about best bands (or, indeed, best popular musical act) can only be about who might occupy a very distant second place.
Best band of all time. Their music is beyond awesome. They have the best album ever, which is Dark Side Of The Moon. I had to vote for this band. They weren't afraid to be different in music. Plus, they have the deepest of lyrics.
Lyrics that make you think, music that takes you to another dimension. Very easy to just sit in a dark room and listen to any of their albums all the way through.
Their songs are accessible but unique and experimental. Not only are they one of the best-selling acts of all time but one of the best, full stop.
I consider myself Hendrix's number one fan, yet I believe when we use the word "band" and this being about the best British bands, Led Zeppelin is the definite answer. All the members were excellent musicians. These were multi-talented stars with an incredible thirst for creating music. Their music was so easy to understand and had so many levels.
Take "Immigrant Song," an iconic two-note masterpiece with incredible drive. You also have songs like "Achilles' Last Stand," "The Rain Song," and others that have so many layers. A singer who was a master at the harmonica like the classic blues stars he admired, a guitarist that could play just about anything with strings, a bass player who also played strings and produced incredible music, and last but not least, the one and only John "Bonzo" Henry Bonham, who did not have to play any other instrument because he was the hungriest percussionist always on the lookout for a groove.
Bonzo would spice every song up differently to the point where I must have at least four different paced and organized versions of "Moby Dick." You ask bands...this was it. I do not want to put anybody else down. How can you take away from the Stones, Queen, Black Sabbath, or Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac? But Led Zepp had it all. It was bluesy, it was hard, it was sweet, it was simple, it could be complex, it was spicy and creative, and it was always right for any occasion.
Their music will never grow old, and how long has it been since they decided to call it quits after Bonzo's death?
They're still rocking from the '60s to nowadays. Definitely one of the very best bands from the UK. Sympathy for the Devil is one of the greatest songs. 99.99% of their songs rock.
They are simply amazing. They have one of the most energetic lives I've ever seen, yet it's not too much over the top. Exactly what you expect of rock. People always tell me you either have to be a Rolling Stones, Beatles, or The Who fan. I'd pick The Who any day.
Sure, Hendrix is by far the greatest American rocker around, but after settling down in England he formed this fantastic group!
Thanks for giving Purple a high ranking. Blackmore, Gillan, Glover, Lord, and Paice were as good as Led Zeppelin. They should be in the top 5.
Ritchie and John were the greatest. Nobody could compare with them.
As good of musicians as you'll ever see or hear. It's amazing that so few have taken the time to listen and understand how great this band was and still is. Close to the Edge is a groundbreaking album. Yes set the stage for many of today's acts, yet no one to date can duplicate their intricate musical scores and soaring keyboard, guitar, and bass leads. Hats off to Yes!
These guys were one of the godfathers of progressive rock. I'm sure we wouldn't have Opeth without them.
Genesis created absolutely fantastic music. Played with skill, they could teach most modern bands a lot!
The Moody Blues deserve to be in the Top 10. They still tour, and their music is timeless. I am in awe of their passion for what they do!
Different in style, not a copycat, most underrated rock band!
The only band that matters. The greatest band hands down, although T. Rex and The Smiths come close.
When The Kinks' songs first played on the radio in the U.S. in '64/'65, the sound was like nothing I had ever heard before. The songs made you feel alive with the heavy guitar riff. This sound was completely different from The Beatles. I was hooked.
Their music has not aged with time. It's easy to use the style of a band already established, but to be the first to create a new sound, that's different. In my opinion, they should be number three.
Should be way higher up in this list! Way higher! Could be as high as three or four! People, listen to their albums from 1966 to '71 and then tell me they didn't influence, well, everyone!
Splendid songwriting by Mark Knopfler.
Intelligent music and lyrics.
Incredible fame and fastest/biggest selling band at their time.
There has always been something universal about their music (as for The Beatles), but the music and the lyrics are more profound, according to me.
Mark Knopfler was the king of his generation. All of Dire Straits' songs are just art. They are all Mona Lisas, really. Mark Knopfler just makes it cool, and he knows chords no one else knows. He's amazing. Dire Straits is not only the best band in the UK but the best in the world...
I still remember when I heard the Pyromania album for the first time. Awesome. F-f-f-foolin, Photograph, Die Hard the Hunter, need I say more.
Def Leppard was a great '80s hair band. Their most famous song is "Pour Some Sugar on Me."
Hm, never heard better guitar riffs besides Deep Purple and Ozzy. Ah, legendary Ozzy - getting wet eyes when reflecting on this...
The best three musicians in their trade in one band.
Eric Clapton is one of the best guitarists ever!
From 2008's Wake the Sleeper through 2015's Outsider, quality hard rock, AOR, and classic rock. Listen, and you will know.
Great British rock band, from its early rock-blues to its hard metal sound, always great melodies, lyrics, and David Coverdale's fantastic voice. Who can forget In the Still of the Night, Is This Love, Fool for Your Loving, Here I Go Again, and Don't Break My Heart Again, all superb.
One of the most influential bands of all time.
Their sound is much like The Beatles during the Sgt. Pepper stage. They started with orchestral, then into rock, then into pop. They changed a lot.
One of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands alongside Queen and Pink Floyd.
So underrated. They defined the '80s.