This is a very good list of the best rock bands since 1962 that have produced the good ol’ rock n roll sound. All of these bands have or had a distinctive sound that few can imitate successfully. All of the bands were together for many years or still perform.
1. What more can anyone say about the Beatles. Soon they became known as the Fab Four. Perhaps their best album, Revolver, was VH1s pick for the best album of all time. In 1967, during the psychedelic era we loved their enigmatic post-acid lyrics eg Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.
2. Led Zeppelin were amazing, especially Jimmy Page’s hyperkinetic guitar playing. Perhaps their best album was Houses of the Holy, including smash hits Dancing Days, The Rain Song and No Quarter. They broke up after John Bonham died in 1980 but their was a reunion concert in 2007 and there may be a reunion tour.
3. In the mid 1960s the San Francisco Bay area produced the Grateful Dead, whose eclectic folk/acid rock sound produced a counterculture movement that continues to this day.
4. In 1962 Brian Jones brought together the members of a rythm and blues band that would become the Rolling Stones. Their list of albums is long and included Out of our Heads, Aftermath, Let it Bleed, Sticky Fingers. Their live album Flashpoint released in 1991 never sounded so good and their longevity speaks for itself.
5. Jimi Hendrix is often described as the greatest rock guitarist of all time. Among their greatest hits were Purple Haze and Foxy Lady, All Along the Watchtower. The bands stardom was cut short by Jimi’s death in 1970.
6. U2 seem to be one of the most popular musical acts in the world. Bono the lead singer remains a social activist on the music scene regularly visiting trouble spots. If any rock goups lasts longer that the Rolling Stones it may be U2.
7. No American rock band has sold more albums than Aerosmith. Perhaps the band’s greatest hit is Walk this way. Only the Rolling Stones beat them for longevity.
8. Santana became famous before the release of its first album by playing at Woodstock in 1969. Their top-grossing albums were Abraxus in 1970 and Supernatural in 1999. Carlos Santana still heads the group. Amazing guy!
Seek these groups out, you won’t be disappointed. These guys are the ‘backbones’ of the rock industry and are not likely to be forgotten. They are all legends in their own right.
