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OT: Top 10 Rock Band List

BIGRUBIGDBIGredmachine

BIGRUBIGDBIGredmachine

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While we're waiting on the classic TKR music threads to roll back in...
(P.S. the Stones and Who are #2 and #3 on MY list)

Top 10 Best Rock Bands of All Time
Rock music has been the soundtrack to rebellion, freedom, and raw emotion for generations. From its early beginnings rooted in blues and R&B, it has morphed into a kaleidoscope of sub-genres, from punk to prog, grunge to glam, and everything in between. And at the heart of it all? Rock bands that have redefined what it means to let loose, connect with fans, and deliver anthems that stand the test of time.

The best rock bands don't just play music. They create experiences. They're the architects behind the guitar riffs that give you goosebumps, the drum solos that make your heart race, and the lyrics that articulate feelings you couldn't quite put into words. They offer us catharsis, community, and a break from the monotony of everyday life.
 
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RUGuitarMan1

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Too many good rock bands to limit to 10. For me, rankings are kind of useless. My rankings would change by the day depending on my mood and feeling. I ‘ll list a bunch I like in no particular order:
Steely Dan, The Doors, The Who, The Allman Bros Band, Springsteen & E Street, Bob Dylan (electric), The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, CCR, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Eagles, Crosby Stills & Nash, Grateful Dead, Black Crowes, Black Keys. Many others.
 
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Knight Shift

Knight Shift

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In no particular order: Black Sabbath, Scorpions, Led Zeppelin, Motorhead, Ozzy and his band(s), Springsteen and ESB, Metallica, Doors, Rolling Stones, Petty and HB, AC DC, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and tons of underappreciated bands. Record sales should not be the measure.
 
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RUBubba

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Solid list, but I agree the Beatles don't qualify as Rock. U2 is another band that doesn't get mentioned enough on these lists.
 
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RUGuitarMan1

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Of course I forgot to mention the Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Band, The Doobie Brothers. Among my favorites . That’s why I don’t like listing favorite bands. I always forget many.
 
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MADHAT1

MADHAT1

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Bill Haley and the Comets deserve consideration, they had a big influence in making rock & roll popular
 
WillieTheSilent

WillieTheSilent

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Don't know about Top Ten.. but some would be shocked at the B52s impact.. Might have to take Talking Heads over them if only one could be considered.



But okay.. forcing a Top Ten choice..

Elvis
Beatles
Rolling Stones
Led Zepplin
Credence CR
The Doors
The Clash
Springsteen
U2
Bowie
 
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bac2therac

bac2therac

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Not really its old music

New rock is dead. Rock will never ever have the influence in mainstream it did from the 50s until the advent of the smartphone

The global push in music ended it
 
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RU848789

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T2Kplus20 said:
Are the Beatles really a "rock band"?
Click to expand...

RUBubba said:
Solid list, but I agree the Beatles don't qualify as Rock. U2 is another band that doesn't get mentioned enough on these lists.
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I can't even begin to understand this question. The Beatles aren't just a rock band, they're the best and most important rock band ever.

The rest of my list (for today, just off the top of my head) would include a few more than 10, because it's just so hard to keep it to 10. And I assume we're talking about actual rock bands not just "artists."

Stones
U2
Led Zep
Strokes
Clash
The Who
Pink Floyd
Cure
White Stripes
LCD Soundsystem
Kinks
Nirvana
Sly & The Family Stone
CSN/Y
Talking Heads
REM
Titus Andronicus
Metallica
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Ramones
Beach Boys
Smiths
Joy Division/New Order
 
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Doctor Worm

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T2Kplus20 said:
Are the Beatles really a "rock band"?
Click to expand...
Q. Are the Beatles really a __________ band? (Fill in the blank with whatever genre you wish.)

A. Yes. They experimented in whatever genre you can imagine, and all experiments were successful.
 
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Doctor Worm

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"The children of the 21st century will be listening to the Beatles." -Brian Epstein (Beatles manager), 1965

Then, it was a statement of hyperbole. Today, it is a statement of the obvious.
 
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24Babybull

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1. Stones
2. Pink Floyd
3.The Who
4.Led Zeppelin
5.Metallica
6.Black Sabbath
7.Tool
8.Lynyrd Skynyrd
9.Dropkick Murphy's
10. Elvis
 
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Degaz-RU

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Guns ‘N Roses and Def Leppard need some consideration, and Bon Jovi. Some people would also include Rush (though not me).

From the 1990s, probably need to give consideration to Nirvana, Green Day, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden.
 
Bagarocks

Bagarocks

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one year on WNEW 102.7 FM "Where Rock Lives" Scott Muni had a contest (so to speak) of, if you were going to be stuck on a desert Island for a year and only could take 3 albums what albums would you take.
If I recall the White album was one of the 3 winners I dont recall the other 2.

my 3 the Beatles White Album The Who Quadrophenia and Derek and the Dominos Layla
 
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RU848789

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Bagarocks said:
one year on WNEW 102.7 FM "Where Rock Lives" Scott Muni had a contest (so to speak) of, if you were going to be stuck on a desert Island for a year and only could take 3 albums what albums would you take.
If I recall the White album was one of the 3 winners I dont recall the other 2.

my 3 the Beatles White Album The Who Quadrophenia and Derek and the Dominos Layla
Click to expand...
The White Album might be my least favorite Beatles album, but it's still great - would have been amazing if it had been a single album, though.
 
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kupuna133

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bac2therac said:
Not really its old music

New rock is dead. Rock will never ever have the influence in mainstream it did from the 50s until the advent of the smartphone

The global push in music ended it
Click to expand...
Just had a similar conversation at a family bbq. The definition of rock has changed and with the advent of AI you will never know if the creation is “original” (nephew is music executive and this is the thing that scares and excites the industry at the same time). But I don’t think “rock” is dead. It has now morphed into a new genre. I think today’s country would be defined as rock in prior generations.
 
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RUGuitarMan1

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kupuna133 said:
Just had a similar conversation at a family bbq. The definition of rock has changed and with the advent of AI you will never know if the creation is “original” (nephew is music executive and this is the thing that scares and excites the industry at the same time). But I don’t think “rock” is dead. It has now morphed into a new genre. I think today’s country would be defined as rock in prior generations.
Click to expand...
I don’t think the definition of rock music has really changed. In my opinion, what has changed is the absurd proliferation of sub- genres and labels for types of music that would have once (going back to the ‘50’s into the ‘70’s) been broadly defined as “rock music”. At one time The Beatles, Rolling Stones to James Taylor , Carol King, Simon & Garfunkel to Sly Stone, Bob Dylan to Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple would have been considered “rock music”. There are acts today that sometimes get labeled “Country”that are not Country/Western. . Rock at it’s best incorporates elements of Blues, Country, R&B and Jazz. Rock is actually a very broad, loosely defined genre of music with few rules. It seems today many think rock is defined narrowly by tempo, volume or attitude only.
 
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yesrutgers01

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Degaz-RU said:
Guns ‘N Roses and Def Leppard need some consideration, and Bon Jovi. Some people would also include Rush (though not me).

From the 1990s, probably need to give consideration to Nirvana, Green Day, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden.
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This is a great list to not be forgotten Red Hot Chili Peppers as well.
phlop87 said:
most of the above ... would add Van Halen and Rush.
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Any Top Rock list has to have Van Halen or the person doesn't understand rock. Rush belongs as well.
 
LeapinLou

LeapinLou

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WillieTheSilent said:
Don't know about Top Ten.. but some would be shocked at the B52s impact.. Might have to take Talking Heads over them if only one could be considered.



But okay.. forcing a Top Ten choice..

Elvis
Beatles
Rolling Stones
Led Zepplin
Credence CR
The Doors
The Clash
Springsteen
U2
Bowie
Click to expand...

Love seeing this. The B-52s were my first concert (Wild Planet Tour) and they are top 5 for me.

1. The Rolling Stones
2. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
3. The Beatles
4. The B-52s
5. U2
6. The Doors
7. The Cure
8. The Killers
9. The Police
10. The Clash
 
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