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25 Most Famous Music Bands of All Time

*Originally published by Purity in June 2023 and Updated by Vanessa R in March 2024

Music is the language that speaks to all. Indeed, songs have sent powerful messages across generations, redefined culture, and even reshaped our belief systems. That’s the power of music. When it comes to creating iconic tracks, bands have embodied creativity, audacity, and resolve to stand out and carve a name for themselves in the hallmarks of musical history.

When ‘Queen’s Freddie Mercury moved thousands in stadiums to the rhythm of his voice, and ‘Deep Purple’s pulsating guitar riffs electrified crowds, it was more than just a performance. These bands, among others, produced music that resonated with audiences around the world.

Decades on, their sound lives on, their music has stood the test of time, and the impact they made cannot be ignored. We鈥檝e put together a list of just 25 of the most famous music bands of all time, and before you pull out the guns over your preferred one, take a look!

1. The Beatles

The Beatles (1967) by Henry Grossman. Wikimedia Commons.

Let me guess, you’re yet to find a list that leaves them out. Iconic, revolutionary; the band that took the music scene by storm in the 1960s and whose impact continues to be felt by generations. The Beatles hailed from Liverpool, England. John Lennon was the frontman, then they had Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.  The ensemble combined the electrifying rock n’ roll feel with melodious elements of pop and folk music that left audiences hooked.

Their lyrical mastery wove together themes of love, despair, name it! The band defied conventional styles to become cultural icons, and their music is widely acknowledged for its revolutionary effect in the industry. They are the best-selling music act of all time, with over 600 million sold units worldwide! They won numerous awards too, including 7 Grammys and 4 Brit Awards. In 1988, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Although they split in 1970, their legacy lives on.

See also; 15 Places to Discover The Beatles in London.

2. The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones onstage at Summerfest 2015. Photo by Jim Pietryga.

If rock n鈥� roll spirit, the rebellious and unpretentious kind, is anything to go by, then this band not only personified it but also redefined the genre. The Rolling Stones easily ranks as one of the greatest rock bands in history. Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts came together to form the group in London, in 1962. Over the years, they鈥檝e had to switch up their line-up. Their style features a mixture of rock, blues, rhythm, and a bit of gritty sound.

One hardly forgettable thing is the electrifying guitar riffs when they take the stage, and Keith is the man for the job, hands down! The hitmakers of Paint it Black, Sympathy for the Devil, and Satisfaction, among other iconic jams, have held some of the most energy-packed and soul-filled performances in their career. They’ve been active for six decades now, with an estimated record sales of 200 million! This makes them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. They’ve won three Grammy’s and in 1989, the rock band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

3. Queen

Queen,1977. From left to right; John Deacon, Roger Taylor, Freddie Mercury, and Brian May. Photo by Christopher Hopper.

There鈥檚 a kind of euphoria that鈥檚 hard to miss when it comes to Queen. We know them for the amazing crowd work, electrifying live concerts, and most importantly, iconic rock music that has stood the test of time. The beloved band was formed in 1970, in London. (Brit bands just seem to get it right every time!)

Freddie Mercury was the man at the piano and the lead vocalist. His charismatic energy and incredible vocal range were undeniable, and crowds went wild at his command. Then there was Brian May on the solo guitar, Roger Taylor on the drums, and John Deacon as the bassist. The four created a unique sound, defying the traditional trends in music at the time.

Theirs was a fusion of rock, opera, and pop. Bohemian Rhapsody was a groundbreaking operatic masterpiece, and people loved it! We Will Rock You made stadium crowds roar in melodic unison, and Love of My Life sent spasms of emotion through its audiences.

Although the band’s unfortunate end came when Freddie passed on in 1991, Queen’s influence in the world of music and pop culture in general lives on. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and their estimated record sales of 250 to 300 million render them one of the world’s best-selling music artists.

4. Aerosmith

Longtime members of Aerosmith. Clockwise, from top left: Steven Tyler, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford, Joe Perry and Joey Kramer via

The American rock band entered the music scene in 1970 and is now widely considered one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Their music style is majorly hard rock, infused with the blues and a rhythmic sound. Steven Tyler is the lead vocalist and pianist, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford get the guitar riffs on, Joey Kramer sits at the drums and Tom Hamilton handles the bass.

The band was formed in Boston, and is sometimes referred to as ‘the Bad Boys from Boston’. They’ve written numerous hits, including Dream On, Sweet Emotion, and Walk This Way. Then there鈥檚 the not-so-hard-rock 鈥�I don鈥檛 want to miss a thing鈥�, and in case you missed it, you want to check it out asap!

The band has sold more than 150 million records worldwide, making it the best-selling American hard rock band of all time. They’ve won numerous awards including four Grammy Awards, 10 MTV Music Video Music Awards, and 6 American Music Awards. They got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

Read more on; 10 of the Most Famous Rock Singers.

5. Nirvana

Kurt Cobain of Nirvana performs at a taping of ‘MTV Unplugged’ on Nov. 18, 1993 in New York City via

Nirvana was an American band that popularized alternative rock in the 1980s. Their music style combined subtle elements of punk rock and hard metal, and you could easily dance to it. The band was formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987 by Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic. They got several drummers including Chad Channing before Dave Grohl was recruited into the group permanently. Kurt was the lead singer and guitarist. His incredible, raspy voice fit perfectly with the band鈥檚 sound.

The band got their big break with their hit single 鈥�Smells Like Teen Spirit鈥� in 1991. This was their first single from their groundbreaking album 鈥�狈别惫别谤尘颈苍诲鈥�. The band’s existence, unfortunately, came to an end with Cobain’s suicide in 1994. Nirvana sold more than 75 million records worldwide and won several music awards including 7 MTV Video Music Awards, a Brit Award, Grammy Award, and an American Music Award. Rolling Stone named them among the 100 greatest artists of all time in 2004.

6. Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi at Madison Square Garden. Photo by slgckgc via

The makers of hit songs 鈥�It鈥檚 my life鈥� and ‘Living on a Prayer’ have been credited with closing the gap between heavy metal and pop with their eased-up rhythmic sound. The American rock band was formed in 1983 in New Jersey. Its members are lead vocalist Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan as the keyboardist, Phil X with the guitar, Tico Torres for the drums, and bassist Hugh McDonald. Over the years, they’ve switched up their line-up, with bassist Alec John leaving in 1994, and co-songwriter Richie Sambora leaving in 2013.

Bon Jovi achieved mainstream success with their third album ‘Slippery When Wet鈥� having sold over 20 million copies. The band is known for its catchy and arena-friendly jams, and they’ve performed more than 2,500 concerts in over 50 countries! They鈥檝e won numerous awards, and in 2018, they were inducted into the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They also received the Award of Merit at the American Music Awards in 2004. They鈥檝e sold more than 120 million records.

7. Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin in Hamburg, Germany 1973. Robert Plant, Jimmy Page. Photo by Heinrich Klaffs.

When ‘The Beatles’ are cited as the most influential band of the 1960s, Led Zeppelin takes that title for the 1970s. The English rock band redefined hard rock and heavy metal, pioneering the development of album-oriented rock (AOR). It was formed in London in 1968, comprising Robert Plant as lead vocalist, Jimmy Page as the guitarist, drummer John Bonham and bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones.

They knew how to set the stadiums ablaze with their powerful sound, and iconic guitar riffs, and their live performances were often record-breaking.  Led Zeppelin may have been unpopular with many critics at first, but they achieved undeniable success over their ten years of existence.

Their debut album, Led Zeppelin was a top-ten in several countries, and it featured hits such as Good Times Bad Times. Stairway to Heaven is perhaps their most popular and timeless hit, but then again there鈥檚 also Whole Lotta Love and Since I鈥檝e Been Loving You. The band has an estimated 200 to 300 million record sales, and Rolling Stone magazine has described it as the biggest band of the Seventies. They disbanded in 1980 following Bonham’s death.

8. ABBA

The Swedish supergroup was formed in 1972, in Stockholm. It comprised Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny Anderson, and Anni-Frid. ABBA, the name, derives from their first letters. The four were couples too, and sadly, with success and fame, trouble came knocking in their personal lives leading to the breakdown of both marriages. However, we remember ABBA for the sweet upbeat songs that won the hearts of many, and the band is considered one of the best-selling music acts in the history of pop.

Their heartfelt lyrics in songs such as Chiquitita or Fernando resonated with many. The catchy melodies and upbeat pop arrangements combined elements of rock and disco sounds as well. Some of the band鈥檚 timeless hits include Dancing Queen, The Winner Takes It All, and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! The band made over 150 million record sales, and they are the best-selling Swedish band of all time. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. ABBA disbanded in 1982.

9. Coldplay

Coldplay and Ed Sheeran (October 2021). Photo by Raph_PH.

The British rock band was formed in London in 1997 by four college buddies; Chris Martin (vocalist & pianist), Will Champion (drummer), Guy Berryman (bassist), and Jonny Buckland (guitarist). The band鈥檚 melodic style is a fusion of pop, electronica, and progressive rock. They鈥檝e been described by Forbes as the standard for modern alternative music. The band has sold 100 million albums worldwide, making them best-sellers in the music scene.

Hits such as Viva la Vida and Paradise have become anthems, and the introspective lyricism showcased in the band鈥檚 creativity continues to captivate audiences. Their fourth album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008) earned them a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. The band has won many awards and holds an achievement for the seventh-highest-grossing tour of all time.

10. Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers performing at a Pinkpop festival in 2006. From left to right: Flea, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith, and John Frusciante. Sourced from

RHCP, as they’re commonly abbreviated, is an American rock band known for alternative, punk, and psychedelic rock. It was formed in 1982, in Los Angeles, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, drummer Chad Smith, bassist Flea and guitarist John Frusciante. Over the years, their line-up has changed, with Frusciante leaving and rejoining the band at several points.

They鈥檝e sold over 120 million records worldwide, won 6 Grammy Awards, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. RHCP has released iconic albums that have achieved commercial success, including Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991), Californication (1999), and By the Way (2002). The band鈥檚 catchy melodies, introspective lyrics, and energetic live performances have won them much popularity over the years, and as of 2023, the group continues to do what they know best; rock!

Read more on; 50 Greatest Hits by Red Hot Chili Peppers of All Time.

11. Guns N鈥� Roses

Guns N鈥� Roses performing at Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, UK, on 22 May 2012. Photo by Delusion23.

The creators of the hit studio album 鈥�Appetite for Destruction鈥�  (1987) are one of the most influential  hard rock bands of all time. The band was formed in Los Angeles in 1985, and its line-up has evolved over the years. Its most famous members who鈥檝e been around long include Axl Rose (vocalist), Slash and Izzy Stradlin (guitarists), Steven Adler (drummer), and Duff McKagan (bassist).

Their music incorporates hard rock, punk, and blues, and the band has built quite a brand with their raw but smooth rock n鈥� roll style. An undeniable masterpiece is Sweet Child o’ Mine, and the solo guitar riff on the intro is simply electrifying.  The song reached number one on Billboard Hot 100. Songs such as November Rain and Estranged, exemplify their versatility in the music scene. The band has made over 100 million record sales worldwide.

Check out; Guns N’ Roses 30 Most Popular Songs.

12. Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac performing in Sacramento in November 2014. Photo by Steffane Lui.

The British-American band was formed in London, in 1967. Its crew has changed over the years, but its original members were drummer Mick Fleetwood and John McVie as the bassist. Singer Christine McVie, guitarist Danny Kirwan, and vocalist/guitarist Bob Welch then joined, to create the sound of Mac as we know it now. 

In their early stages, they were predominantly a British blues band. The group did just all right in the late 60s and early 70s, but it was their 1977 Rumours album that gave them their big international break. The best-seller featured hits such as Go Your Own Way, Dreams, and Don鈥檛 Stop. Fleetwood Mac’s style is a unique fusion of pop, rock, and blues. Their live performances are marked by great sound and amazing chemistry, which makes them one of the most endearing music performers. They have sold over 120 million records worldwide, and in 1998, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

13. The Kinks

The Kinks arrive at New York’s Kennedy Airport on February 10, 1965 for a short promotional trip in the U.S. via

Yet another British band formed in the 1960s and whose impact on music is still felt today. The Kinks go hard when it comes to rock, and the band has been credited with contributing greatly to the development of the genre. Some of their songs are the earliest examples of hard rock, and it鈥檚 hard to miss their raw, aggressive guitar riffs. The band originally comprised Ray Davies, Dave Davies, Pete Quaife, and Mick Ivory. The line-up has evolved over the years. The band’s music is known for its energetic sound, catchy melodies, and seamlessness wrapping together intriguing lyrics. Some of their hits include Waterloo Sunset (1967), Don’t Forget to Dance (1983), and Apeman (1970). The Kinks were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

14. The Cranberries

The Cranberries live in Barcelona 2010-03-13. Photo by Alterna2.

Dolores O鈥橰iordan鈥檚 spellbinding vocals, thought-provoking lyrics, undeniably smooth melody, and great instrumental work make this band a top-lister in the best bands of all time. The Irish band is known for their distinctive sound of alternative rock that took the waves by storm in the 1990s. It was formed in 1989, comprising lead vocalist Dolores, bassist Mike Hogan, guitarist Noel Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler.

Some of their biggest hits include Zombie (arguably the most iconic one, and their defining track), Linger (1993), Dream (1992) and When You’re Gone (1997).  Zombie was quite controversial and all the more powerful, with raw emotion and expression. It was a protest song in response to ‘The Troubles’; an ethno-nationalist conflict  in Northern Ireland (1960s to 1998).  Stadiums went wild with the catchy refrain, 鈥�In your head! In your head! Zombie! Zombie! Zombie!’ The band sold over 40 million albums and is one of the best-selling bands.

Read also’; 20 Greatest Irish Singers of All Time.

15. Deep Purple

Deep Purple performing at M煤sicos en la naturaleza 2013 in Hoyos del Espino, 脕vila, Spain. Photo by Carlos Delgado.

It’s impossible to talk about pioneers of heavy metal or hard rock without giving ‘Deep Purple’ their due. Alongside ‘Black Sabbath’, and ‘Led Zeppelin,’ the three have been described as ‘the unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal.’ There’s more; ‘Deep Purple’ has featured in the Guinness World Book of Records as ‘the globe’s loudest band‘! The British rock band was formed in 1968, and its original members include vocalist Rod Evans, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, keyboardist Jon Lord, bassist Nick Simper, and drummer Ian Paice. The band鈥檚 sound is majorly hard rock and metal.

Their 1972 album Machine Head made them an international sensation, with hits such as Smoke on the Water and Highway Star. Their electrifying and energy-packed concerts cement the band’s reputation as iconic music performers. The hard-hitting guitar riffs and powerful vocal sound strikes chords in the hearts of their audiences. The band has sold numerous records and has a wide discography.

16. Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd is a really famous rock band from England. They made a lot of great music in the 1960s and 1970s. Their songs are known for being long and having lots of cool sounds and ideas. They also made some really popular albums, like “The Dark Side of the Moon” and “The Wall.” 

People love Pink Floyd because their music is so unique and creative. The band has four main members: David Gilmour, who plays guitar and sings, Roger Waters, who plays bass and writes a lot of the songs, Richard Wright, who plays keyboards, and Nick Mason, who plays drums. Together, they made some of the most amazing and unforgettable music in rock history.

17. The Who

, , via Wikimedia Commons

The Who is another big rock band from England. They started playing music in the 1960s and became super famous. They’re known for their loud, energetic live shows and for smashing their instruments on stage.

The band has two main guys: Pete Townshend, who plays guitar and writes most of the songs, and Roger Daltrey, who sings. They made a bunch of hit songs like “My Generation,” “Who Are You,” and “Baba O’Riley.”  The Who’s music is a mix of rock, pop, and art rock, and they’re known for their big, powerful sound. They’ve been a huge influence on a lot of other rock bands over the years.

18. Metallica

Metallica is a heavy metal band from America. They’ve been rocking out since the 1980s and have a ton of fans all over the world. Their music is really fast, loud, and intense. They’ve made a lot of amazing albums, like “Master of Puppets,” “The Black Album,” and “Ride the Lightning.”

Metallica is known for being one of the most successful and influential metal bands ever. The band has four members: James Hetfield, who sings and plays guitar, Lars Ulrich, who plays drums, Kirk Hammett, who plays lead guitar, and Robert Trujillo, who plays bass. They’ve sold over 125 million albums worldwide and have won a bunch of awards.

19. AC/DC

, , via Wikimedia Commons

AC/DC is a rock band from Australia that’s been around since the 1970s. They’re famous for their super catchy songs and their lead guitarist, Angus Young, who always wears a school uniform on stage. AC/DC has had a bunch of huge hits, like “Back in Black,” “Highway to Hell,” and “Thunderstruck.”

They’re known for their simple but powerful rock sound and their wild live shows. The band has gone through some changes over the years, but the core members have always been Angus Young and his brother Malcolm Young, who played rhythm guitar until he retired in 2014. AC/DC’s music is loved by fans of all ages, and they’re still going strong today.

20. U2

U2 is a rock band from Ireland that’s been making music since the 1970s. They’re one of the most popular and successful bands in the world. U2’s songs are known for being really emotional and meaningful, with lyrics that often touch on social and political issues.

The band is made up of four guys: Bono, who sings and writes most of the lyrics, The Edge, who plays guitar and is known for his unique sound, Adam Clayton, who plays bass, and Larry Mullen Jr., who plays drums. They’ve made a lot of hit albums, like “The Joshua Tree,” “Achtung Baby,” and “All That You Can’t Leave Behind.”  U2 has won a ton of awards and sold over 150 million records worldwide.

21. The Eagles

, , via Wikimedia Commons

The Eagles are a rock band from America that started in the 1970s. They’re known for their super catchy songs with great harmonies and lyrics that tell stories. The band has had a lot of different members over the years, but the most famous ones are Don Henley, who sings and plays drums, and Glenn Frey, who sang and played guitar until he passed away in 2016.

The Eagles have made a ton of classic songs, like “Hotel California,” “Take It Easy,” and “Desperado.”  They’re one of the best-selling bands of all time, with over 150 million records sold. The Eagles broke up for a while in the 1980s but got back together in 1994 and have been touring and making music ever since.

22. The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys are a rock band from California that started in the 1960s. They’re known for their happy, sunny songs about surfing, cars, and girls, with great harmonies and catchy melodies. The band is made up of three brothers: Brian Wilson, who writes most of the songs and is known for his amazing musical talent, Dennis Wilson, who sang and played drums, and Carl Wilson, who sang and played guitar.

Their cousin Mike Love and their friend Al Jardine are also important members of the band. The Beach Boys have made a lot of famous songs, like “Good Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” and “Surfin’ U.S.A.”  They’re one of the most loved and influential bands of all time, with over 100 million records sold worldwide.

23. Green Day

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Green Day is a punk rock band from America that started in the 1980s. They got really popular in the 1990s with their album “Dookie,” which sold over 20 million copies worldwide. Green Day’s music is known for being fast, loud, and full of energy, with lyrics that often talk about social and political issues.

The band is made up of three guys: Billie Joe Armstrong, who sings and plays guitar, Mike Dirnt, who plays bass, and Tr茅 Cool, who plays drums. They’ve made a lot of great albums and hit songs over the years, like “Basket Case,” “American Idiot,” and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”  Green Day has won a bunch of awards, including five Grammys, and they’re still making awesome music today.

24. The Doors

The Doors were a rock band from America in the 1960s. They’re known for their mysterious and poetic songs, and for their lead singer, Jim Morrison, who was a really wild and charismatic guy. The Doors’ music is a cool mix of rock, blues, and psychedelic sounds, with lyrics that are often dark and strange.

The band had four members: Jim Morrison, who sang and wrote most of the lyrics, Ray Manzarek, who played keyboards, Robby Krieger, who played guitar, and John Densmore, who played drums. They made a lot of great songs, like “Light My Fire,” “Riders on the Storm,” and “Break On Through (To the Other Side).” Even though the band didn’t last very long, they’re still remembered as one of the most important and influential bands of their time.

25. Black Sabbath

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Black Sabbath is a heavy metal band from England that started in the 1960s. They’re known for their dark and scary sound, and for their lead singer, Ozzy Osbourne, who’s famous for his crazy antics on and off stage. Black Sabbath is considered one of the first and most important heavy metal bands ever.

They’ve made a lot of classic albums, like “Paranoid,” “Master of Reality,” and “Black Sabbath,” which is their first album and the one that gave them their name. The band’s original lineup was Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, Tony Iommi on guitar, Geezer Butler on bass, and Bill Ward on drums. They’ve gone through some changes over the years, but their music has always been heavy, loud, and full of dark themes like death, evil, and the occult. Black Sabbath has inspired tons of other metal bands and is still loved by fans all over the world.

Read more on; 50 Most Famous Musicians from around the world.

These bands and more have their special place in the musical hearts of many. They have reshaped the landscapes of various genres, defied norms to birth powerful styles, embodied the spirit of their time, and forever lived on decades after their first sound. It鈥檚 hard striking that period on my keyboard without mentioning iconic bands such as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Beach Boys, Oasis, Green Day, U2, Pink Floyd, R.E.M, AC/DC  and Credence Clearwater Revival. The list is obviously longer, and it鈥檚 pure joy to have these bands鈥� resounding greatness reverberate on our stereos whenever we want them to.