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List of most popular music groups (all time)

A list of musical ensembles of any type; music bands, hip hop groups, or electronic music groups.

Year:
Loc:
Active
Queen
1

Queen

(1970)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1970, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), John Deacon (bass guitar), and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals). Queen's earliest works...
9.1
9.1
as music band
from 27 votes
Discuss [-]
Nirvana
2

Nirvana

(1987)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. Nirvana went through a succession of drummers, the longest-lasting being Dave Groh...
8.1
8.1
as music band
from 20 votes
Discuss [-]
Europe
3

Europe

(1979)
Europe is a Swedish hard rock/heavy metal band formed in Upplands Väsby, Stockholm in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum, bassist Peter Olsson and drummer Tony Reno.
8.4
8.4
as music band
from 15 votes
Discuss [1]
Pink Floyd
4

Pink Floyd

(1965)
Pink Floyd were an English rock band formed in 1965 in London by students Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright. They gained popularity performing in London's underground music scene during the late 1960s, and...
8.8
8.8
as music band
from 11 votes
Discuss [1]
Muse
5

Muse

(1994)
Muse are an English rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of Matthew Bellamy (lead vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), Christopher Wolstenholme (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Dominic Howard (drums,...
7.9
7.9
as music band
from 10 votes
Discuss [-]
The Beatles
6

The Beatles

(1960)
The Beatles were an English rock band that formed in Liverpool in 1960. With members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, they became widely regarded as the greatest and most influential act of the rock er...
8.6
8.6
as music band
from 10 votes
Discuss [1]
Black Sabbath
7

Black Sabbath

(1968)
Black Sabbath are an English rock band, formed in Birmingham in 1968, by guitarist and main songwriter Tony Iommi, bassist and main lyricist Geezer Butler, singer Ozzy Osbourne, and drummer Bill Ward. The band have since experienc...
8.6
8.6
as music band
from 9 votes
Discuss [-]
System of a Down
8

System of a Down

(1994)
System of a Down, often shortened to SOAD or System, is a four-piece Armenian-American rock band formed in 1994 in Glendale, California. The band currently consists of Serj Tankian (lead vocals, keyboards), Daron Malakian (vocals,...
8.5
8.5
as music band
from 8 votes
Discuss [-]
Linkin Park
9

Linkin Park

(1996)
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album Hybrid Theory (2000), which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinu...
7.4
7.4
as music band
from 8 votes
Discuss [-]
Coldplay
10

Coldplay

(1996)
Coldplay are a British rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London (UCL). After they formed under the name Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bas...
7.7
7.7
as music band
from 7 votes
Discuss [-]
Creedence Clearwater Revival
11

Creedence Clearwater Revival

(1967)
Creedence Clearwater Revival (often shortened to "Creedence" or "CCR") was a United States rock band active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The band consisted of lead vocalist, lead guitarist, and primary songwriter John Fogert...
8.3
8.3
as music band
from 7 votes
Discuss [-]
Deep Purple
12

Deep Purple

(1968)
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968.
8.9
8.9
as music band
from 7 votes
Discuss [-]
Limp Bizkit
13

Limp Bizkit

(1994)
Limp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 1994. Their lineup consists of Fred Durst (lead vocals), Sam Rivers (bass guitar, backing vocals), John Otto (drums, percussions), and Wes Borland (guitars...
5.8
5.8
as music band
from 6 votes
Discuss [-]
Korn
14

Korn

(1993)
Korn (stylized as KoЯn) is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993.
7.5
7.5
as music band
from 6 votes
Discuss [-]
AC/DC
15

AC/DC

(1973)
AC/DC are an Australian hard rock band, formed in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, who continued as members until Malcolm's illness and departure in 2014.
8
8
as music band
from 6 votes
Discuss [-]
Pearl Jam
16

Pearl Jam

(1990)
Pearl Jam is an American rock band, formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has comprised Eddie Vedder (lead vocals), Mike McCready (lead guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar) and Jeff Amen...
8.3
8.3
as music band
from 6 votes
Discuss [-]
Metallica
17

Metallica

(1981)
Metallica is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California. Metallica was formed in 1981 when vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield responded to an advertisement posted by drummer Lars Ulrich in a local newspaper. The...
9
9
as music band
from 6 votes
Discuss [2]
The Rolling Stones
18

The Rolling Stones

(1962)
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. The first settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar), Bill...
9.2
9.2
as music band
from 6 votes
Discuss [-]
The Police
19

The Police

(1977)
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting (lead singer, bassist and principal songwriter), Andy Summers (guitarist) and Stewart Copeland (drummer)...
8.4
8.4
as music band
from 5 votes
Discuss [-]
Slipknot
20

Slipknot

(1995)
Slipknot is an American heavy metal band from Des Moines, Iowa. Formed in September 1995, the group was founded by percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray. After several line-up changes in their early years, the band sett...
8.4
8.4
as music band
from 5 votes
Discuss [-]
Rage Against the Machine
21

Rage Against the Machine

(1991)
Rage Against the Machine was an American rap metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group consisted of rapper and vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello...
8.8
8.8
as music band
from 5 votes
Discuss [-]
U2
22

U2

(1976)
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin, Ireland. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono (vocals and guitar), the Edge (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums and percussion)...
7.8
7.8
as music band
from 5 votes
Discuss [-]
Radiohead
23

Radiohead

(1985)
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments), Colin Greenwood (bass), Phil...
8.6
8.6
as music band
from 5 votes
Discuss [1]
The Cure
24

The Cure

(1976)
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member. The Cure f...
8.5
8.5
as music band
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
Garbage
25

Garbage

(1993)
Garbage is an American-Scottish alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1993. The group consists of Scottish musician Shirley Manson (vocals, keyboards, guitar) and American musicians Duke Erikson (bass, guitar, key...
7.5
7.5
as music band
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
Quiet Riot
26

Quiet Riot

(1973)
Quiet Riot is an American heavy metal band, best known for their hit singles "Metal Health" and "Cum on Feel the Noize". The band was founded in 1973, by guitarist Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni under the name Mach 1. They t...
5.8
5.8
as music band
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
ZZ Top
27

ZZ Top

(1969)
ZZ Top is an American rock band that formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas. The band comprises guitarist and lead vocalist Billy Gibbons (the band's leader, main lyricist, and musical arranger), bassist and co-lead vocalist Dusty Hill,...
8.5
8.5
as music band
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
Heart
28

Heart

(1973)
Heart is an American rock band. Over the group's four-decade history it has had three primary lineups, with the constant center of the group since 1974 being sisters Ann Wilson (lead singer) and Nancy Wilson (guitarist)...
8.8
8.8
as music band
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
Bon Jovi
29

Bon Jovi

(1983)
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi (born John Francis Bongiovi, Jr.), pianist and keyboard player David Bryan, and drummer Tico...
7.3
7.3
as music band
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
Led Zeppelin
30

Led Zeppelin

(1968)
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
9.3
9.3
as music band
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
Guns N' Roses
31

Guns N' Roses

(1985)
Guns N' Roses are an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, as signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist D...
8.3
8.3
as music band
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
Rush
32

Rush

(1968)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968 in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee; guitarist and backing vocalist Alex Lifeson; and dr...
8.8
8.8
as music band
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
ABBA
33

ABBA

(1972)
ABBA (stylised ᗅᗺᗷᗅ) are a Swedish pop group who formed in Stockholm in 1972. With members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, ABBA became one of the most commercially successful acts in the h...
8.3
8.3
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Bad Company
34

Bad Company

(1973)
Bad Company are an English hard rock supergroup formed in Westminster, London, in 1973 by two former Free band members—singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke—as well as Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and King Crimson b...
9
9
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
35

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

(1970)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, were an English progressive rock supergroup power trio formed in London in 1970. The group consisted of keyboardist Keith Emerson, singer and guitarist Greg Lake, and drummer and percussi...
8
8
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
The Moody Blues
36

The Moody Blues

(1964)
The Moody Blues are an English rock band.
8
8
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Lynyrd Skynyrd
37

Lynyrd Skynyrd

(1964)
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band.
9.3
9.3
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Hollywood Undead
38

Hollywood Undead

(2005)
Hollywood Undead is an American rap rock band from Los Angeles, California. They released their debut album, Swan Songs, on September 2, 2008, and their live CD/DVD Desperate Measures, on November 10, 2009. Their second studio alb...
8
8
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [multi]
Nightwish
39

Nightwish

(1996)
Nightwish is a symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and lead singer Tarja Turunen. The band soon picked up drummer Ju...
8
8
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
40

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

(1968)
Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) is a folk rock supergroup made up of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. They are known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY) when joined by occasional fourth member Neil Young...
8
8
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
The Byrds
41

The Byrds

(1964)
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn (known as Jim McGuinn until mid-1967) remaining the...
7.7
7.7
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Red Hot Chili Peppers
42

Red Hot Chili Peppers

(1983)
Red Hot Chili Peppers (also sometimes shortened to "The Chili Peppers" or abbreviated as "RHCP") are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983.
8.3
8.3
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Ratt
43

Ratt

(1976)
Ratt is an American heavy metal band. Their albums have been certified as gold, platinum, and multi-platinum by the RIAA.
7.3
7.3
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Def Leppard
44

Def Leppard

(1977)
Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield. Since 1992, the band has consisted of Joe Elliott (lead vocals), Rick Savage (bassist, backing vocals), Rick Allen (drums, backing vocals), Phil Collen (guitar, bac...
7.3
7.3
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Alice in Chains
45

Alice in Chains

(1987)
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney and bass...
8.3
8.3
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Mötley Crüe
46

Mötley Crüe

(1981)
Mötley Crüe is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California on January 17, 1981. The group was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by guitarist Mick Mars, and vocalist Vince Neil...
6.3
6.3
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Jethro Tull
47

Jethro Tull

(1967)
Jethro Tull were a British rock group, formed in Luton, Bedfordshire, in December 1967. The band was led by vocalist/flautist/guitarist Ian Anderson, and have included other significant members such as guitarist Martin Barre, keyb...
8
8
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Scorpions
48

Scorpions

(1965)
Scorpions are a German rock band founded in 1965 in Hanover by Rudolf Schenker.
8.7
8.7
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Eagles
49

Eagles

(1971)
The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971 by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner. With five number-one singles, six Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards, and six number one albums...
7.3
7.3
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Styx
50

Styx

(1972)
Styx is an American rock band formed in 1970 from Chicago. Styx is best known for the hit songs "Lady" (#6, 1973), "Come Sail Away" (#8, 1977), "Babe" (#1, 1979), "The Best of Times" (#3, 1981), "Too Much Time on My Hands" (#9, 19...
8.7
8.7
as music band
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
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