This is just an opinion. These artists were chosen because they reflect a number of different sounds and influences, and are chosen based on continued popularity & the influence they leave behind today. This is only a fraction of the artists that deserve to be mentioned, as, in my opinion, music isn’t meant to be judged as structured as shown here.

1.

The Beatles- . from their early days singing rock and roll in the 50’s to being psychedelic in the 60’s, the Beatles, through using their own influences, have influenced generations and generations of musicians to come. They signaled the end of the old rock & roll era of the 50s, & whether it’s the billions of records they sold, John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s exemplary songwriting, or their ever present influence on pop culture even to this day, it’s hard to deny that The Beatles are the greatest band of all time.

-Band Members: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, George Harrison

-Best Known For: “Hey Jude”, “Let it Be”

-Check Out: Yellow Submarine (movie)



2.

The Rolling Stones- they have released 22 studio albums in the UK and 24 in the US. The Rolling Stones started out as a blues band but quickly became known as the epitome of the rock & roll band, living the lifestyles of sex, drugs and rock & roll unlike any other before them. They paved the way for new sounds by using their many influences that range from American blues, country, folk, reggae, and dance.

-Band Members: Mick Jagger. Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood

-Best Known For: “Gimme Shelter” “I Cant Get No (Satisfaction)”



3.

Bob Dylan- often hailed as the greatest songwriter of our time, Bob Dylan is seen by many as “the reluctant figurehead of American unrest”. Just this year he won a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation for his "profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power."

-Best Known For: “Like a Rolling Stone”, “The Times They Are A-Changin”

-Check Out: “Dink’s Song”



4.

Led Zeppelin- seen by many as the greatest hard rock group of all time, Led Zeppelin is regarded as one of the very first heavy metal bands, however, the bands individual style draws from many different influences, sources, and genres; Such as Celtic, Arabic, Latin, soul, reggae and country. They were known as "the biggest band of the 70s".

-Band Members: Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, John Bonham

-Best Known for: “Stairway to Heaven” “Kashmir” “Immigrant Song”



5.

Chuck Berry- according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Website, "While no individual can be said to have invented rock and roll, Chuck Berry comes the closest of any single figure to being the one who put all the essential pieces together." Undeniably one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Chuck Berry was the pioneer that paved the way for hundreds of artists and sub genres of Rock & Roll. Inspired John Lennon, The Who, Bob Dylan, and many others.

-Best Known For: “Johnny B. Goode”

-Check Out: The Great Twenty-Eight (album)



6.

Nirvana- lead by front man/songwriter Kurt Cobain, this Seattle born band defined alternative rock in the 90’s and the sub genre of which many would call “grunge”. They brought the sounds of Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam to the mainstream while creating a generation culturally defined by angst and freedom. With their main influence as The Beatles, they, as their heroes before the, have undeniably changed the face of modern rock music for the generations to come.

-Best Known For: “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, “Come As You Are”

-Band Members: Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl

-Check Out: Kurt Cobain About a Son (documentary)



7.

Jimi Hendrix- known as the best guitar player of all time, Hendrix’s unique and controversial persona made him an icon in rock music. “Hendrix synthesized many styles in creating his musical voice and his guitar style was unique, later to be abundantly imitated by others.” He took blues to another level, furthered the development of hard rock and paved the way for heavy metal by incorporating the wah-wah, feedback and fuzz laden guitar solos into his unique sound.

-Best Known For: “Purple Haze”, “Voodoo Child”

- Check Out: “All Along The Watchtower” (song)



8.

Pink Floyd- known mostly for their psychedelic, experimental sound with incorporated philosophical lyrics, as well as their inventive, innovative cover art.

They have influenced artists such as Genesis, Nine Inch Nails, Yes, and Dream Theater. One of the most successful rock artists of all time, they sold more than 200 million albums worldwide.

-Band Members: Syd Barrett, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Bob Klose

-Best Known For: “Another Brick In The Wall”

-Check Out: The Wall (movie) “Dark Side Of The Moon” (album)



9.

The Doors- a controversial band of their time, mostly due to Jim Morrison’s cryptic lyrics and his unpredictable stage antics.(i.e. December 9th, 1967- New Haven Connecticut, March 1st, 1969- Miami, Florida, where he exposed himself onstage.). The Doors were of the most influential bands to come out of LA that wasn’t surf oriented. According to a popular publication- “Blending blues, classical, Eastern music, and pop into sinister but beguiling melodies, the band sounded like no other.”

-Best Known For: “Break on Through”, “Light My Fire” “Touch Me”

-Band Members: Jim Morrison, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore

-Check Out: “Blondie vs. The Doors/Rapture Riders” (song)



10.

The Who- they sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, and have been called “The Godfathers of Punk”. The Who brought the hard-rock style to England’s music scene and set the stage for other bands like Led Zeppelin and The Clash. Their energetic live performances pioneered the “on-stage instrument destruction” and are matched by few bands before and after them.

-Best Known For: "Baba O'Riley", “Won’t Get Fooled Again”

-Band Members: Pete Townsend, Roger Daltrey, Keith Moon, John Entwistle

-Check Out: Tommy (album)



Also notable artists that could easily place on this list: The Kinks, Bob Marley, Tom Petty, Neil Young, The Eagles, Grateful Dead, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Simon & Garfunkel, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Byrds, U2, Velvet Underground, Ramones, Queen, Eric Clapton, Santana, Van Halen, Aerosmith & Johnny Cash, The Clash, Elvis Presley.