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Best hard rock bands (all time)

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Lynyrd Skynyrd
1

Lynyrd Skynyrd

(1964)
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band.
9.3
9.3
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Led Zeppelin
2

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
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
Bad Company
3

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
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Van Halen
3

Van Halen

(1972)
Van Halen is an American rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. From 1974 until 1985, the band comprised guitarist Eddie Van Halen, vocalist David Lee Roth, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony...
9
9
from 3 votes
Discuss [1]
Stone Temple Pilots
5

Stone Temple Pilots

(1985)
Stone Temple Pilots (often abbreviated as STP) is an American rock band from San Diego, California, that consists of brothers Robert DeLeo (bass, backing vocals) and Dean DeLeo (guitar), Eric Kretz (drums, percussion), and formerl...
9
9
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
The Stooges
5

The Stooges

(1967)
The Stooges, also known as Iggy and the Stooges, are an American proto-punk band from Ann Arbor, Michigan, first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003. The Stooges were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame i...
9
9
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Cream
7

Cream

(1966)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup power trio consisting of bassist/singer Jack Bruce, drummer Ginger Baker, and guitarist/singer Eric Clapton. The group's third album, Wheels of Fire, was the world's first platinum-sellin...
9
9
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Deep Purple
8

Deep Purple

(1968)
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968.
8.9
8.9
from 7 votes
Discuss [-]
Heart
9

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
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
Rush
9

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
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
Scorpions
11

Scorpions

(1965)
Scorpions are a German rock band founded in 1965 in Hanover by Rudolf Schenker.
8.7
8.7
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Styx
11

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
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
System of a Down
13

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
from 8 votes
Discuss [-]
ZZ Top
14

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
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
Bullet for My Valentine
15

Bullet for My Valentine

(1998)
Bullet for My Valentine are a Welsh heavy metal band from Bridgend, formed in 1998. The band is composed of Matthew Tuck (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Michael Paget (lead guitar, backing vocals), Michael Thomas (drums) and Jamie M...
8.5
8.5
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Boston
15

Boston

(1976)
Boston is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, that achieved their most notable successes during the 1970s and 1980s. Centered on guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, and producer Tom Scholz, the band is a staple of cl...
8.5
8.5
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Europe
17

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
from 15 votes
Discuss [1]
Pearl Jam
18

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
from 6 votes
Discuss [-]
Guns N' Roses
19

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
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
AC/DC
20

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
from 6 votes
Discuss [-]
Kiss
21

Kiss

(1973)
Kiss (often styled as KISS) is an American hard rock band formed in New York City in January 1973 by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons.
8
8
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Jethro Tull
21

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
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Whitesnake
23

Whitesnake

(1978)
Whitesnake are a rock band, formed in England in 1978 by David Coverdale after his departure from his previous band, Deep Purple. The band's 1987 self-titled album was their most commercially successful worldwide, and contained tw...
8
8
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Thin Lizzy
23

Thin Lizzy

(1969)
Thin Lizzy are an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist and vocalist Phil Lynott, met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them...
8
8
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Journey
23

Journey

(1973)
Journey is an American rock band that formed in San Francisco in 1973, composed of former members of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between 19...
8
8
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Marilyn Manson
26

Marilyn Manson

(1989)
Marilyn Manson are an American rock band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by frontman Marilyn Manson and Daisy Berkowitz, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids in the early 1990s. The band's...
8
8
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Motörhead
26

Motörhead

(1975)
Motörhead are an English rock band formed in June 1975 by bassist, singer, and songwriter Ian Fraser Kilmister, professionally known by his stage name Lemmy, who has remained the sole constant member.
8
8
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
The Black Crowes
26

The Black Crowes

(1989)
The Black Crowes were an American rock band formed in 1989.
8
8
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Buffalo Springfield
26

Buffalo Springfield

(1966)
Buffalo Springfield was an American-Canadian rock band formed in 1966 whose members included Richie Furay, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Dewey Martin, Bruce Palmer, Jim Messina, Ken Koblun, and Jim Fielder...
8
8
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
The Hives
26

The Hives

(1989)
The Hives are a Swedish rock band that rose to prominence in the early 2000s during the garage rock revival. Their mainstream success came with the release of the album Veni Vidi Vicious, containing the anthem "Hate to Say I Told...
8
8
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
B'z
26

B'z

(1988)
B'z is a Japanese rock duo, consisting of guitarist, composer and producer Tak Matsumoto and vocalist and lyricist Koshi Inaba. B'z is one of the best-selling music artists in the world and the best-selling in their native Japan,...
8
8
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Muse
32

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
from 10 votes
Discuss [-]
Santana
33

Santana

(1967)
Santana is a Latin rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1967 by Mexican guitarist Carlos Santana.
7.7
7.7
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
The Who
33

The Who

(1964)
The Who are an English rock band that formed in 1964. Their classic line-up consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They sold over 100 million records world...
7.7
7.7
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Loverboy
35

Loverboy

(1979)
Loverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1979 in Calgary, Alberta. Loverboy's hit singles include "Turn Me Loose" and "Working for the Weekend".
7.5
7.5
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Trapt
35

Trapt

(1995)
Trapt is an American rock band that formed in Los Gatos, California in 1995, best known for their 2002 single "Headstrong". The group consists of lead vocalist Chris Taylor Brown, bassist Peter "Pete" Charell, drummer Dylan Thomas...
7.5
7.5
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
The Darkness
35

The Darkness

(2000)
The Darkness are a British rock band from Lowestoft, Suffolk, formed in 2000. The band consists of Justin Hawkins (lead vocals, guitar), his brother Dan Hawkins (guitar, backing vocals), Frankie Poullain (bass, backing vocals) and...
7.5
7.5
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
The Cult
35

The Cult

(1983)
The Cult are a British hard rock band formed in 1983. They gained a dedicated following in the UK in the mid-1980s as a post-punk/gothic rock band with singles such as "She Sells Sanctuary", before breaking mainstream in the US in...
7.5
7.5
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Def Leppard
39

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
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Ratt
39

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
from 3 votes
Discuss [-]
Bon Jovi
41

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
from 4 votes
Discuss [-]
4 Non Blondes
42

4 Non Blondes

(1989)
4 Non Blondes was an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1989. The group was formed by bassist Christa Hillhouse, guitarist Shaunna Hall, drummer Wanda Day, and vocalist and guitarist Linda Perry. Prior to...
7
7
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Bush
42

Bush

(1992)
Bush are a British rock band formed in London in 1992. The band found immediate success with the release of their debut album Sixteen Stone in 1994, which is certified 6× multi-platinum by the RIAA. Bush went on to become one of t...
7
7
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
UFO
42

UFO

(1969)
UFO are an English heavy metal and hard rock band that was formed in 1969.
7
7
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Aerosmith
42

Aerosmith

(1970)
Aerosmith is an American rock band. The band was formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1970. Guitarist Joe Perry and bassist Tom Hamilton, originally in a band together called the Jam Band, met up with vocalist/pianist/harmonicist St...
7
7
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Tin Machine
46

Tin Machine

(1988)
Tin Machine were an English-American hard rock band formed in 1988, famous for being fronted by English singer-songwriter David Bowie. The band consisted of David Bowie on lead vocals and guitar, Reeves Gabrels on guitar, Tony Sal...
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Queens of the Stone Age
46

Queens of the Stone Age

(1996)
Queens of the Stone Age are an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1996. The band's line-up includes founder Josh Homme (lead vocals, guitar, piano), alongside longtime members Troy Van Leeuwe...
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Foreigner
46

Foreigner

(1976)
Foreigner is a British-American hard rock band, originally formed in New York City in 1976 by Mick Jones and fellow Briton and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm...
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [1]
Foo Fighters
46

Foo Fighters

(1994)
Foo Fighters is an American rock band, formed in Seattle in 1994. It was founded by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the death of Kurt Cobain and the resulting dissolution of his previous band. The group g...
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
New York Dolls
46

New York Dolls

(1971)
New York Dolls are an American hard rock band formed in New York City in 1971.
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
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