Top 200 Classic Rock Bands
- Category :Music
The AOR scene helped the term ‘classic rock’ gain momentum. Ever since the roots of rock took shape, numerous bands emerged with their signature rock sound. This article is an in-depth perspective of the best classic rock bands.
The AOR scene helped the term ‘classic rock’ gain momentum. Ever since the roots of rock took shape, numerous bands emerged with their signature rock sound. This article is an in-depth perspective of the best classic rock bands.
The term ‘classic rock’ is often used as a term to describe a particular style of music or rock bands associated with the classic rock format. Classic rock came into its own when AOR radio stations in the 80s started promoting old songs of the past with current hits in the music scene. This was done to engage older audiences to music radio formats. While the classic rock format appealed to adult listeners, with time the format has become hugely popular with the teenage segment.
Classic rock bands are hugely popular globally with fans of rock music.
The cross-culture of rock music played by AOR radio stations in the 80s helped the term ‘classic rock’ emerge with stinging venom. Suddenly, the classic rock format became a phenomenon globally. The ‘classic rock hour’ became a popular format on radio stations all around the world. Many rock bands of the 60s, 70s and 80s are associated with the term ‘classic rock’ which over the years has become detrimental in describing early rock. In rock circles ‘classic rock’ is also known as ‘Timeless rock’. Typically classic rock played at a radio station comprises of rock songs of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The ‘old rock style’ that comprises of verse and chorus is strongly associated with the realms of classic rock.
Present rock bands that use vocal harmonies and signature riffs or licks in the verse or chorus are often associated with the classic rock style. In the realms of rock music…classic rock has become an umbrella term that includes every aspect of rock bands in 60s, 70s, and 80s. Colloquially the term ‘classic’ is used to describe a memorable rock songs of the past, however, when a reference is made to ‘classic rock’ it is often suggests of bands of the 60s 70s and 80s. For a true fan of rock music, the term ‘classic rock’ speaks emotions. Classic rock will never die…and new bands with the classic rock sound will keep emerging.
The space below showcases an epic list of the best classic rock bands from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Included in the list are AOR bands.
200 Greatest Classic Rock Bands
- Led Zeppelin
- The Doors
- Deep Purple
- The Rolling Stones
- Black Sabbath
- Fleetwood Mac
- The Eagles
- Cream
- Journey
- The Who
- Badfinger
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Boston
- Scorpions
- Toto
- The Jim Hendrix Experience
- Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
- Van Halen
- Kiss
- Nazareth
- The Kinks
- Dire Straits
- Queen
- Guess Who
- America
- Yes
- Guns N’ Roses
- The Doobie Brothers
- Pink Floyd
- Barclay James Harvest
- 10cc
- Aerosmith
- Def Leppard
- Heart
- Bon Jovi
- The J. Geils Band
- Styx
- Whitesnake
- Judas Priest
- Rush
- Free
- The Allman Brothers Band
- Rainbow
- Dokken
- Uriah Heep
- Motley Crue
- Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
- Quiet Riot
- Foreigner
- Skid Row
- Rare Earth
- U2
- The Runaways
- Budgie
- Dio
- Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Blue Oyster Cult
- Montrose
- Black Oak Arkansas
- Supertramp
- AC/DC
- Kansas
- Queensryche
- Motorhead
- The Byrds
- Magnum
- Chicago
- Iron Maiden
- Wishbone Ash
- The Yardbirds
- The Grateful Dead
- Sweet
- Cinderella
- Mott The Hoople
- 38 Special
- The Seeds
- Triumph
- The Smiths
- Genesis
- Hawkwind
- Sonic Youth
- Europe
- Mountain
- The Sex Pistols
- REO Speedwagon
- Status Quo
- The American Breed
- Metallica
- Bad Company
- Santana
- King Crimson
- Autograph
- Steely Dan
- Buffalo Springfield
- Thin Lizzy
- Genesis
- Blondie
- ZZ Top
- The Moody Blues
- Slade
- Twisted Sister
- Paul Revere & the Raiders
- Steppenwolf
- Little Feat
- Tesla
- The Animals
- Roxy Music
- T. Rex
- Jefferson Airplane
- The Cars
- Electric Light Ochestra
- Jethro Tul
- Tears For Fears
- Golden Earring
- The Alan Parson Project
- Survivor
- White Lion
- Loverboy
- Procol Harum
- Grand Funk Railroad
- Night Ranger
- UFO
- Nelson
- Cactus
- Bachman- Turner Overdrive
- The Velvet Underground
- Steelheart
- Big Brother and the Holding Company
- Cheap Trick
- The Zombies
- Caravan
- Goo Goo Dolls
- James Gang
- Sheriff
- The Lovin’ Spoonfull
- New Order
- The Police
- Spirit
- The Pretenders
- Iron Butterfly
- Collective Soul
- Giant
- Winger
- Ten Years After
- April Wine
- Krokus
- Poison
- Mr. Big
- Humble Pie
- The Ramones
- Warrant
- The Standells
- Alias
- Danger Danger
- The Five Americans
- Ratt
- Bad English
- Damn Yankees
- America
- Extreme
- Vinnie Vincent Invasion
- Faces
- Traffic
- The Cult
- Sleeze Beez
- Foghat
- The Beach Boys
- Blind Faith
- Kix
- Great White
- Asia
- The Grass Roots
- Vandenberg
- Mr.Mister
- Saxon
- Lillian Axe
- The 13th Floor Elevators
- Steve Miller Band
- The Band
- Saigon Kick
- XYZ
- Canned Heat
- Stryper
- Faster Pussycat
- Ennuf Z’ Nuff
- The Clash
- Keel
- Vanilla Fudge
- The Flaming Lips
- Slaughter
- L.A. Guns
- MSG (McAuley Schenker Group)
- House of Lords
- Vixen
- Kingdome Come
- Inxs
- Tyketto
- Little Caesar
- Trixter
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