The best rock bands of all time, as voted on by music fans on Ranker. Click 'contribute' to add your input to this list of the greatest rock and roll groups ever. The list updates automatically every time new votes are added, making this a statistically-accurate representation of the community's collective rankings of the top rock bands in history. Add your picks to the list, vote for your favorite bands and rock on.
Top 500 Rock Bands isn't 100% accurate as this includes solo artists, and though it does not include jazz or blues it does include soul, R&B, Americana, reggae, and classic country (yes, that is somewhat arbitrary, but for whatever reason i listen to blues and jazz differently than the rest, and would be too hard to compare Miles or Ornette or Hooker to, say, Aerosmith). Criteria for my greatest bands of all time list is a combination of recorded albums, live shows I've seen, live recordings I've heard, radio songs, and even overall image/album covers/general coolness or uniqueness. I guess that was a way of trying to explain that the ranking is just a gut feeling. But it's probably about 50% based on "live chops", hence the lower ranking of the Beatles, who quit playing live before the most creative parts of their career. I am very into live shows and live recordings.
Obviously, this list will change over time. I'm adding commentary to items whenever i get a spare minute or something interesting comes to mind about a band, probably 10-20 entries a month.
The first band I just had to own every album by. Back when that meant a lot.
And my first live show ('82, with the late Rory Gallagher opening).
UPDATE: I had parked the mighty Rush at #16 on my list.
But in 2010, with the tour where they will be playing "Moving Pictures" looming, and the fine documentary Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage, I have come to my senses and moved them to their rightful slot just shy of my Top 10. Perhaps I myself have been as guilty as the critics I used to loathe as a kid. I am looking forward to this Rush show at a level which I save these days for festivals. I am turning to the Rush catalog and bootlegs regularly when I need comfort food. So I have vaulted Rush beyond their peers in VH and Aerosmith, and even above master songwriters The Beatles (who lose points for not being a live band) and Bob Marley.
Top 500 Rock Bands isn't 100% accurate as this includes solo artists, and though it does not include jazz or blues it does include soul, R&B, Americana, reggae, and classic country (yes, that is somewhat arbitrary, but for whatever reason i listen to blues and jazz differently than the rest, and would be too hard to compare Miles or Ornette or Hooker to, say, Aerosmith). Criteria for my greatest bands of all time list is a combination of recorded albums, live shows I've seen, live recordings I've heard, radio songs, and even overall image/album covers/general coolness or uniqueness. I guess that was a way of trying to explain that the ranking is just a gut feeling. But it's probably about 50% based on "live chops", hence the lower ranking of the Beatles, who quit playing live before the most creative parts of their career. I am very into live shows and live recordings.
Obviously, this list will change over time. I'm adding commentary to items whenever i get a spare minute or something interesting comes to mind about a band, probably 10-20 entries a month.
The best bands. Ever. A mix of my opinion, that of critic's lists, and that of many other people on this site as well as my friends and family's favorite bands too. Bands are rated on how influential and skilled they are, and how good their songs are.
(996 Items) Progressive rock artists are listed here in full, with photos and other data. List features Barış Manço, 14 Bis and more. This list of Progressive rock bands includes all musicians who have released recordings that have gotten distribution, and is an up-to-date list. Progressive rock groups and artists are listed alphabetically. Click the artist name to see full discography and other data. You can make your own list of your favorite musical artists of this or other genres with just a few clicks on Ranker.
-578 Items- Atlantic Records artists - a complete roster, past and present, of this recording label. Atlantic Records bands and groups are all listed here with photos and data, and you can link their full discography. You can use Ranker to make your own list of your favorite Atlantic Records musicians, or you can make your own dream record company to compete against the Atlantic Records roster. The list you're viewing has a variety of items, like Brandy and T.I., in it.
(332 Items) Mercury Records artists - a complete roster, past and present, of this recording label. Mercury Records bands and groups are all listed here with photos and data, and you can link their full discography. You can use Ranker to make your own list of your favorite Mercury Records musicians, or you can make your own dream record company to compete against the Mercury Records roster. Use every item on this list for yours, from 10cc to Ainslie Henderson.