Greatest Southern Rock Bands

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band best known for popularizing the Southern rock genre during the 1970s. They are famous for songs like "Free Bird," "Sweet Home Alabama," and "Tuesday's Gone."

The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964 and originally went by the name My Backyard... read more

Almost nothing needs to be said. Lynyrd Skynyrd's, or simply "Skynyrd"'s as they're often referred to, sound is unmistakable, the perfect mix of Blues, Rock, Jazz, and Van Zant's relatable lyrics and more than capable voice. Billy Powell, Artemis Pyle, and Leon Wilkeson's respective parts, and possibly above all, the three guitar lineup of Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, and Ed King/Steve Gains.
No really, nothing needs to be said, just listened to. Turns on Free Bird.

These guys and the Allman Brothers are the best, but these guys win by a little bit. The new Skynyrd line-up isn't too bad either, with Danny Van Zant being the new singer. The only original member left is Gary Rossington, and Artemis Pyle, but he got kicked out. It sucks tragedy hit such a good band.

The Allman Brothers Band

The Allman Brothers Band was an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman and Gregg Allman, along with Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks, and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson. They are known for pioneering Southern rock and blending blues, jazz, and country... read more

Skynyrd may be more popular, especially in the south, but the ABB is better by a good margin if you're going by pure talent in musicianship and songwriting. They didn't wave the Dixie flag as much, and they were racially integrated, so they lose points with the rednecks, but at peak, their live show was second to none. So many chops they could have reformed the hog.

ZZ Top

ZZ Top is an American rock band that formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas. The band's classic lineup consisted of bassist and lead vocalist Dusty Hill, guitarist and lead vocalist Billy Gibbons, and drummer Frank Beard. Known for their blues-infused rock and signature beards, ZZ Top achieved commercial success... read more

Really look at all the stuff ZZ Top has put out over the years. I bet if you're a true rock n roll fan, you will know, like, and be able to sing along with at least thirty songs! I recently started downloading a few (five to six) of their earlier songs and ended up with 63! And actually knew all or most of the lyrics.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival, commonly abbreviated as CCR or simply Creedence, was an American rock band formed in El Cerrito, California. The band consisted of lead vocalist, lead guitarist, and primary songwriter John Fogerty. His brother, rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty. Bassist Stu Cook. And drummer... read more

The top four here (Allman Brothers, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, CCR) are all great, but I'd change the order to 1. CCR 2. ZZ Top 3. Lynyrd Skynyrd 4. Allman Brothers.

If CCR were a southern rock band, which they are not (from California), they would be at or near the top of this list.

The Marshall Tucker Band

Too bad that Toy Caldwell died so young, they were really a dynamic organization. He was a great "no pick" guitarist. Fun to listen to...

Charlie Daniels Band

The Outlaws

Molly Hatchet

Molly Hatchet is an American Southern rock band that was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1971 by guitarist Dave Hlubek. The band gained popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s with a sound that blended boogie, blues, and hard rock. Their second album, Flirtin' with Disaster (1979), became their... read more

So many great hits/albums. They rock!

Drive-By Truckers

They have the best perspective on the whole southern rock thing.
Southern Rock Opera is the album that knocks it out of the park, but they've got a lot of depth throughout their southern rock style.

Best southern band.
They transcend southern rock and have become one of the best bands in the world. They're still at the top of their game twenty years after starting.

Eagles

The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971 by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner.

The band achieved major success in the 1970s with hits like Hotel California, Take It Easy, and Desperado. They broke up in 1980 but reunited in 1994 for the Hell Freezes... read more

Great band with deep lyrics, just listen to Hotel California!

This is one great Southern band indeed!

I will say Lynyrd Skynyrd may be more popular, but in my opinion, Eagles is basically superior.

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Turnpike Troubadours

Turnpike Troubadours is an American Red Dirt band from Oklahoma. The group consists of Evan Felker, R.C. Edwards, Kyle Nix, Ryan Engelman, and Gabe Pearson. They're recognized for their storytelling lyrics and traditional country instrumentation.

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Needtobreathe

Needtobreathe is an American rock band from Seneca, South Carolina, stylized as NEEDTOBREATHE. The band blends rock, folk, and Christian influences and has released several albums since forming in 1998. Their music includes albums like Rivers in the Wasteland and Into the Mystery, and they have been... read more

.38 Special

The Black Crowes

The Black Crowes were an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes eight studio albums, four live albums, and several charting singles. The band is known for hits like She Talks to Angels and Hard to Handle.

Kings of Leon

Kings of Leon is an American rock band that formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Caleb Followill, Nathan Followill, and Jared Followill, along with their cousin Matthew Followill. They rose to fame with hits like Sex on Fire and Use Somebody, winning Grammy Awards... read more

Blackfoot

Blackfoot is an American Southern rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 1970. While primarily known for their Southern rock style, they also incorporate elements of hard rock. Their most successful period came in the late 1970s and early 1980s with albums like Strikes and hits such as Train... read more

These guys are awesome! Enough said.
My favorite songs:
1. Highway Song
2. Wishing Well
3. Left Turn on a Red Light
4. Fox Chase
5. Rattlesnake Rock 'N' Roller

Wet Willie

The Band

The Band was a Canadian-American roots rock group formed in 1965. It originally consisted of Rick Danko (bass guitar, double bass, fiddle, vocals), Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Garth Hudson (keyboards, saxophones, trumpet), Richard Manuel (piano, drums, vocals), and Robbie Robertson... read more

Whiskey Myers

Whiskey Myers is an American Southern rock, Red Dirt, and country group from Palestine, Texas. The band consists of Cody Cannon (lead vocals and acoustic guitar), Cody Tate (lead and rhythm guitar), John Jeffers (lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Jeff Hogg (drums), and Gary Brown (bass). They're... read more

Eric Clapton

Eric Patrick Clapton is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream. He was also a founding member of Derek and the Dominos, known for... read more

Not a band and not Southern Rock.

Blackberry Smoke

Black Stone Cherry

Black Oak Arkansas

Sea Level

Alabama

Atlanta Rhythm Section

"So Into You"... Now this is the kind of soft rock that I like. Everything just goes together perfectly in this song. The electric piano melody, Ronnie Hammond's ethereal-sounding vocals, and funky bassline just makes this an out-of-body experience through and through. With a sound like this, you may think this band would be from southern California or New York State, not way down in Georgia, even if you know the name of the band. The South truly was the birthplace of rock n' roll." -an older comment that I made on this song

I feel like Atlanta Rhythm Section is one of the Southern rock genre's more criminally underrated groups. They have been heralded as a radio-friendly version of Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers, and they blended hard rock and soft rock perfectly. I would pretty much consider them to be a Southern version of Steely Dan or Jefferson Starship.