The Greatest Rock Bands Of The 20th Century
These are, in my opinion, the greatest rock bands of the 20th Century. Criteria: Worldwide sales, impact and influence and personal taste. In your opinion what's the greatest rock band of rthe last century? |
| 1 |  | Pink Floyd
The Dark Side of the Moon
The most successful progressive/psychedelic rock band of the 20th century. Best
selling album: The Dark Side of the Moon. Worldwide claimed sales: Over 200
million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 2 |  | The Beatles
The Beatles
The most commercially successful band of the 20th century. Best selling album:
The Beatles. Worldwide claimed sales: 600 million/1 billion. Source: Wikipedia |
| 3 |  | The Rolling Stones
Hot Rocks
The Rolling Stones had "pioneered the gritty, hard-driving blues-based rock & roll
that came to define hard rock". Best selling album: Hot Rocks. Worldwide claimed
sales: 200 million. Sources: Wikipedia and Allmusic |
| 4 |  | Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin IV
The most successful hard rock band of the 20th century. Best selling album: Led
Zeppelin IV. Worldwide claimed sales: 200/300 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 5 |  | Queen
Greatest Hits One
Queen were one of the biggest stadium rock bands in the world, and their
performance at 1985's Live Aid is regarded as one of the greatest in rock history.
Best selling album: Greatest Hits, 1981. Worldwide claimed sales: 150/300 million.
Source: Wikipedia |
| 6 |  | U2
The Joshua Tree
The most successful rock band of the 80's. They have won 22 Grammy Awards,
more than any other band. Best selling album: The Joshua Tree. Worldwide claimed
sales: 150 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 7 |  | Genesis
Invisible Touch
One of the most successful and influential progressive rock bands of the last
century. Best selling album: Invisible Touch. Worldwide claimed sales: 150
million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 8 |  | Black Sabbath
Paranoid
Heavy metal pioneers, Black Sabbath is probably the most influential heavy
metal band of the 20th century. Best selling album: Paranoid. Worldwide claimed
sales: 50/100 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 9 |  | The Doors
The Best of The Doors
The most controversial rock act of the 60's. Morrison's poetic lyrics and
unpredictable stage performances are legendary. Best selling album: The Best of
The Doors. Worldwide claimed sales: 80 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 10 |  | Deep Purple
Machine Head
One of the most successful rock bands of the 70's, Deep Purple are considered to
be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock. Best selling album:
Machine Head. Worldwide claimed sales: 100 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 11 |  | The Who
Tommy
These legendary band became famous for their energetic and uncontrolled live
performances. Tommy was the first full "rock opera" album ever released. Best
selling album: Tommy. Worldwide claimed sales: 100 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 12 |  | Dire Straits
Brothers in Arms
One of the most successful rock bands of the 80's. Best selling album: Brothers in
Arms. Worldwide claimed sales: 120 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 13 |  | Eagles
Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)
Eagles were one of the most successful U.S bands of the 70's. "Their Greatest
Hits (1971?1975)" and "Hotel California" are ranked among the 20 best-selling
albums in the U.S. Best selling album: Their Greatest Hits (1971?1975).
Worldwide claimed sales: 120 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 14 |  | Fleetwood Mac
Rumours
A famous British/American rock band with two successful periods: The late 60's,
lead by guitarist Peter Green and from 1975 to 1987, with Stevie Nicks. Best selling
album: Rumours. Worldwide claimed sales: 100 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 15 |  | Iron Maiden
The Number of the Beast
New Wave of British Heavy Metal pioneers, Iron Maiden is one of the most successful
heavy metal bands of the 20th century. Best selling album: The Number of the Beast.
Worldwide claimed sales: 85/100 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 16 |  | Judas Priest
British Steel
The band that got its name from the Bob Dylan song "The Ballad of Frankie Lee and
Judas Priest", is one of the most successful and influential heavy metal bands of the
last century. Best selling album: British Steel. Worldwide claimed sales: Over 50
million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 17 |  | Metallica
Metallica
Speed/thrash metal pioneers, Metallica are the most successful heavy metal band of
the 20th century. Best selling album: Metallica. Worldwide claimed sales: 100 million.
Source: Wikipedia |
| 18 |  | AC/DC
Back in Black
One of the most hard rock highest grossing bands of the last century. "Back in
Black has sold an estimated 49 million units worldwide, making it the highest-
selling album by any band and the second-highest-selling album in history,
behind Thriller". Best selling album: Back in Black. Worldwide claimed sales: 200
million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 19 |  | The Police
Synchronicity
One of the most successful and influential rock bands of the late 70?s. Best selling
album: Synchronicity. Worldwide claimed sales: 50 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 20 |  | Yes
90125
One of the pioneers of the progressive and symphonic rock, Yes are known for their
"lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, and elaborate album art and live stage sets". Best
selling album: 90125. Worldwide claimed sales: 50 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 21 |  | Van Halen
1984
The most successful and influential U.S. Hard rock band of the early 80's. Best selling
album: 1984. Worldwide claimed sales: 80 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 22 |  | Emerson Lake and Palmer
Pictures at an Exhibition
One of the most commercially successful progressive rock bands of the 70's. Pictures
at an Exhibition remains the only complete classical suite that has hit the top 10 in
either the US or the UK. Best selling album: Probably Pictures at an Exhibition.
Worldwide claimed sales: 40 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 23 |  | Aerosmith
Get a Grip
The best-selling American rock band of all time, "The Bad Boys from Boston" scored
21 top 40 hits on the Billboard. Best selling album: Get a Grip. Worldwide claimed
sales: 150 million. Source: Wikipedia |
| 24 |  | The Beach Boys
Pet Sounds
One of the most successful American rock bands of the last century. Best selling
album: Pet Sounds (unconfirmed). Worldwide claimed sales: 100 million. Source:
Wikipedia |
| 25 |  | Jimi Hendrix
Are You Experienced
Hugely influential on the development of hard rock and heavy metal in the late 60's.
Jimi Hendrix is probably the most iconic guitar player of the 20th Century. Best selling
album: Are You Experienced. Worldwide claimed sales: 20/40 million (unconfirmed).
Source: Wikipedia . Classic rock legends |
|
