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Top 50 Classic Rock Bands (1-25)Selections are determined by a combination of album sales, radio airplay, touring history, and degree of continuous popularity.
N |
Artist |
Essential Album |
Note |
1 |
The Beatles |
Revolver |
With record sales estimated at more than a billion worldwide, no other band had a greater influence on the course of rock music. |
2 |
Pink Floyd |
Wish You Were Here |
At the vanguard of the Progressive Rock movement, they have sold more than 200-million albums since 1967. One of the first bands to use light shows and fireworks in their live performances. |
3 |
The Who |
Who's Next |
One of the first, most successful, and longest lasting power trios, The Who were innovative both musically and technically. |
4 |
Rolling Stones |
Sticky Fingers |
The original "bad boys" of rock, the Stones are among the most durable bands, recording and touring with few breaks since they began in 1961. |
5 |
Led Zeppelin |
Led Zeppelin IV |
Their "Stairway To Heaven" is believed to have received more radio airplay than any other song in history, even though it was never released as a single. |
6 |
Eagles |
Their Greatest Hits |
Another of rock's longest-lasting acts, their 1976 greatest hits album is the biggest selling album of all time. |
7 |
Grateful Dead |
Anthem Of The Sun |
One of San Francisco's first "flower power" bands, their fan following is nearly as strong today as it was when the group disbanded in 1995. |
8 |
Jefferson Airplane |
After Bathing At Baxter's |
Pioneers of the Psychedelic Rock genre, they were in the vanguard of the counter-culture of the '60s and '70s. |
9 |
The Doors |
The Doors |
In spite of a short life and limited discography, they became one of rock's most popular and influential groups. |
10 |
Moody Blues |
Days Of Future Passed |
With the exception of a few years in the mid-70s, this Progressive/Psychedelic group has toured and recorded since 1964. |
11 |
Fleetwood Mac |
Rumours |
After numerous personnel and musical style changes, their 1977 Rumours album is still among the top ten best selling albums ever. |
12 |
AC/DC |
Back In Black |
This pioneering Hard Rock/Heavy Metal group has sold an estimated 100-million albums worldwide. |
13 |
Boston |
Boston |
When their first album was released in 1976, it was the highest grossing debut album ever seen up until that time. |
14 |
Cream |
Wheels Of Fire |
The group existed for less than three years but staked its place as one of the first and most enduringly popular of rock's power trios. |
15 |
Def Leppard |
Hysteria |
Futuristic instrumentation and vocal harmonies have kept them near the top of the all-time best selling album lists for a quarter of a century. |
16 |
The Byrds |
The Byrds' Greatest Hits |
Among the pioneers of Folk Rock, their popularity in the mid-60s rivaled that of the Beatles |
17 |
Aerosmith |
Toys In The Attic |
Originally written off as Rolling Stones imitators, the group has consistently produced multi-million-selling albums for 30+ years |
18 |
Carlos Santana |
Abraxas |
This groundbreaking Latin Rock group timed the release of its first album to coincide with a highly successful performance at Woodstock in 1969. |
19 |
Blood Sweat & Tears |
Blood Sweat & Tears |
Virtually a small orchestra, this group established a milestone in rock history with its large horn section and jazz-blues orientation. |
20 |
Van Halen |
MCMLXXXIV |
One of the most innovative and influential Heavy Metal groups of the late '70s, the group continues to perform some 30+ years after its inception |
21 |
ZZ Top |
The Best Of ZZ Top |
The self-proclaimed "little ol' band from Texas" was one of the earliest influences in Southern Rock, and continues so, three decades later. |
22 |
Genesis |
Platinum Collection |
With worldwide albums sales of about 150-million since 1969, Genesis was instrumental in keeping Progressive Rock in the mainstream |
23 |
Allman Brothers |
Eat A Peach |
The success of their unique fusion of Hard Rock, Blues, Jazz, and Classical music has secured this group's immortality |
24 |
Journey |
Greatest Hits |
Journey's jazz-flavored sound has been a fixture in the rock scene since 1973. |
25 |
Traffic |
John Barleycorn Must Die |
Traffic had far greater success with albums than with singles, and thrived in spite of numerous personnel changes and long breaks. |
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