I’m almost certain that if we asked a thousand people for their best bands of all time list, we’d get a thousand different answers.
Consequently, I’m sure there will be plenty of your favorite groups missing from my list. However, hopefully, there are still at least one or two bands you like somewhere on it.
So, let’s get to it and take a look at the first of my selections for the greatest bands of all time.
Top 18 Best Bands Of All Time
The Beatles
This seems like the logical band to start with. That’s because I’m not going back any further than the 60s. Secondly, they have been one of the most influential bands in music over the last fifty years.
And thirdly, because, quite simply, they’ve sold an incredible 600 million records making them the best-selling and most successful band, or act, in history.
How it all started…
They were formed in 1960 in Liverpool, England. The early 60s in the UK were marked by a period of conformity and depression following the awful post-war years of austerity. During this time, there was very little freedom of expression, but The Beatles were instrumental in changing that.
The 60s brought with it a cultural shift in fashion, art, and music. The Beatles played a central role in championing changes in attitude. They brought fun into music, into ways of dressing, and even in just being young. The result was a pivotal change away from the establishment.
Their music was groundbreaking in several ways. They introduced the concept album, the use of feedback, and experimental new sounds. They smashed the conformity of typical music formats and released previously considered unsuitable songs due to their lyrical content.
So, what were their best albums and singles?
That is a tough one, but I think, The White Album is the best since it contains a lot of their greatest songs. Released in 1968, it also happens to be their best-selling album, with 24 million copies sold.
As for individual singles, “I want to Hold Your Hand,” released in 1963, was their most successful. It sold 12 million copies. However, I think “The Long and Winding Road” was a better song.
The world owes The Beatles unending gratitude…
Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Star, and George Harrison have had a major influence on modern music. Without them, much of modern music today may not even exist as we know it.
Consequently, they rightly deserve the top spot on any best bands of all time list. An incredible achievement for a group with just ten hours of recorded music to their names.
Guns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses came together in Los Angeles, like so many other Rock bands, in 1985. Despite the considerable contributions of their rhythm guitarist, Izzy Stradlin, their drummer, Steven Adler, and their bassist, Duff McKagan, they are best known for Slash and Axl Rose.
The Man in the Hat
Slash was the lead guitarist and a huge force in driving their hard, high-energy Rock style. Axl Rose was the lead vocalist and brought to the table a wealth of musical talent and a powerful voice with a crazy vocal range,
The Man with the Voice
Axl Rose, in his prime, had a vocal range stretching five and a half octaves. That’s greater than any current Rock or Pop artist. However, it is not only his range that’s impressive but also his ability to use and control his voice.
When he hits the highs, it’s a truly mind-blowing display of vocal talent. What’s more, his voice is also expressive, which comes through beautifully in all of their songs.
As well as being a great singer, Axl Rose is also a trained classical pianist. On stage, he sometimes plays the piano, such as when they perform “November Rain.” Without the piano, he usually runs around the stage like a madman adding a ton of energy and dynamism to the performance.
The Band that filled stadiums…
Guns N’ Roses have sold 125 million albums and are in the Top 40 most successful bands or artists of all time.
They kicked off the journey in 1987 with the release of their debut album, Appetite for Destruction. They followed up with G N’ R Lies in 1988. However, Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II, both released in 1991, broke them as a global act.
Although they are still together, they haven’t released a studio album since Chinese Democracy, which came out in 2008. However, they toured as recently as 2020-2022. Their future is uncertain, but hopefully, they’ll continue to tour and maybe even release another studio album at some point.
The Doors
The Doors are another Los Angeles band who were formed in 1965, a full twenty years before Guns N’ Roses. They were around at the same time as bands like The Monkees and The Beach Boys.
However, unlike these bands, they would experiment widely with new musical ideas and norms. Plus, they would not be afraid to explore and cover controversial topics like war, sex, and drugs.
No more war…
The Doors were making music at the height of America’s conflict in Vietnam. And, like a lot of other groups, they released plenty of anti-war songs.
Additionally, the very first song they released, “Unknown Soldier,” was a protest song. It came from their debut album, Waiting For the Sun, which was released in 1968.
The Lizard King
The lead singer of the band was Jim Morrison. He was a gifted poet who, before forming the band, had just finished studying film at UCLA. After completing his studies, he regularly hung around Venice Beach, where he eventually, almost by accident, formed the band.
The Doors proved to be the perfect outlet for showcasing Jim Morrison’s poetry. However, he was initially a reluctant performer and so shy he’d even sing with his back to his audience. Luckily, he eventually overcame his shyness and became an enigmatic performer.
Break on through…
Their music was a combination of Psychedelic Rock, Jazz, and Blues. Much of the driving force for the melodies and musical arrangement was down to the genius of Ray Manzarek. He was the keyboard player and was responsible for what was to become their signature Psychedelic sound.
Ray Manzarek would frequently improvise live with the band following his lead. Consequently, some of the songs would increase to over twice their length or more. Famously, live versions of their classic hit, “The End,” could last well over ten minutes.
This is the end…
The Door’s last album, with Jim Morrison as their lead singer, L.A. Woman, was released on April 19th, 1971. Sadly, less than three months later, on the 3rd of July, Jim Morrison was dead. He was found in a Paris hotel room after succumbing to a drugs and alcohol overdose.
The band tried to continue without him, but the magic was truly gone. That was effectively the end for The Doors. But they continue to gain new fans all these years later, making them one of the best bands of all time.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
I swear not all bands come out of Los Angeles, and we’ll get around to them soon. That said, Red Hot Chili Peppers are another group born out of the California sunshine.
They have had plenty of line-up changes since they got together in 1983. However, the current lineup consists of Anthony Kiedis as the frontman and vocalist, Flea on bass guitar, John Frusciante on lead guitar, and Chad Smith on drums.
The band has an exciting sound that’s best described as a fusion between Funk and Alternative Rock with elements of Hip-Hop. Over the years, they’ve achieved plenty of critical acclaim for their musical style. More importantly, since they have to eat, they have achieved widescale commercial success too.
California calling…
They’ve enjoyed solid sales for all of their album and single releases. But, the seventh studio album, Californication, is what truly broke them as global artists. The album was released in 1999, but it was the single of the same name that proved to be the major catalyst for their success.
This is because it went hand-in-hand with a music video that was on some kind of continuous loop at MTV. The video promoted the band around the world, and happily, they justly reaped the rewards.
Red Hot Chili Peppers are still together after forty years. They continue to play and record music as well as tour. What’s more, “Californication” is an ever-present inclusion on their setlist.
Metallica
Metallica is the best-selling Metal band in the world. They have sold 125 million records and are one of the biggest-grossing live acts. Currently, they have chalked up $1.4 billion in ticket sales for their shows.
It’s still some way behind The Rolling Stones. Although, in fairness, Mick Jagger and his crew have been performing live for a few hundred years. Metallica came together in 1981 and were formed in Los Angeles. LA, again, I know, even though they are more closely associated with San Francisco.
Riding the lightning…
They are still prolific recording artists and can be regularly seen on tour. The group has had a few changes, but by and large, the lineup has remained constant. Currently, the group consists of James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, and bassist Robert Trujillo.
Metallica is synonymous with an aggressive and heavy sound to the point of being almost industrial. Kill ‘Em All was their debut album. It was released in 1983 and indicated what to expect from the band in the future.
Probably their most famous albums are Master of Puppets, released in 1986, and Metallica, released in 1991. They’re both great albums though I think the latter was probably their best. The buying public also agree since it sold 22 million copies and became their biggest-selling album.
Masters of Music
Metallica also contains two of their biggest single hits. Namely, “Enter the Sandman” and “Nothing Else Matters.” “Enter the Sandman” was a typically hard and heavy Metallica song. However, “Nothing Else Matters” was more akin to a Rock Ballad.
It’s a great song and truly shows a much greater versatility of the band than many would imagine. Metallica is as active today as always, so I think it’s fair to say that they’ll be around for a while yet.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was made up of three musicians. These were Noel Redding on bass, Mitch Mitchell on drums, and of course, Jimi Hendrix on lead guitar and vocals.
Rightly or wrongly, there are very few who can remember the contributions of Redding and Mitchell. However, there will be almost none who don’t know about Jimi Hendrix and his legendary guitar playing.
That’s because he’s recognized as the GOAT on guitar…
Jimi Hendrix was one of the most influential guitarists and musicians of the last century. He brought his experimental sound to the world and helped champion the genre of Psychedelic Rock. Although he didn’t invent the genre, people often first associate him with it.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was formed in 1966. Despite their impact on the music world, it’s somewhat surprising that they only released three studio albums.
The first of these was released in 1966 and titled Are You Experienced. The second was released a year later and was titled Axis: Bold as Love. Finally, another year later, Electric Ladyland was released.
As well as three albums…
The band also released eight singles. My personal favorite is the much since covered “Little Wing.” However, the most successful of these eight singles was “All Along the Watchtower.”
The group disbanded after three short years when Noel Redding quit. This is reported to have been due to his increasing frustration at Hendrix’s drug-taking and excesses.
That was understandable…
If you watch Jimi Hendrix playing late in his career, his chaotic lifestyle spilled over into some erratic and sloppy stage performances.
Sadly, Jimi Hendrix’s addictions finally caught up with him. In 1970, at the age of 27, he died of a drug overdose. A huge loss to music and those around him.
U2
U2 is one of the biggest and most successful bands in history, having sold 150 million records. They are an Irish band that was formed in the city of Dublin over forty years ago in 1976.
They had a couple of personnel changes in the very early days, but from 1978 to the present day, the lineup has remained unchanged and is made up of Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., and Adam Clayton.
Although in the first few years they were active playing and writing, it wasn’t until 1980 that they released their debut album, Boy. It was very well received by the music industry and music fans alike. It enjoyed a large amount of radio airplay and quickly racked up over a million sales.
Despite their slow start to recording…
They soon got up to speed in the 80s, releasing no fewer than five more albums. In chronological order, these were October, War, The Unforgettable Fire, The Joshua Tree, and Rattle and Hum.
They all sold well, but Joshua Tree was by far the most popular. It sold 25 million copies and is still their best-selling album to this day. One of those sales was down to me. You’re welcome, guys!
U2 is a great group. However, I honestly think that Bono’s voice is a standout in a band full of musical talent. I’ve watched him perform live, and his voice is one the greatest there is. His range, power, expression, and control are insane. I love this band.
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin might not only be one of the best bands of all time but may be the best band of all time. When you take a closer look at the four individual band members and then add up the sum of the parts, it’s an opinion that’s very hard to argue with.
Formed in 1968 in London, England, they had a wealth of musical talent. They had a stunning vocalist, Robert Pant, a ridiculously accomplished multi-instrumentalist, John Paul Jones, and one of the best guitar session musicians, Jimmy Page. And the greatest drummer of all time, John Bonham.
Any band would be lucky to have even one of these among them. But, to have four was just about beyond comprehension.
Simply put, they were brilliant…
Over their career, they sold 300 million albums, and they are the third most successful band of all time. It’s hard to pick a highlight of their career – a best song or album – but I’ll try.
From a live performance perspective, their 1973 concert in Madison Square Garden, New York, was a standout. It was captured in their full-length movie, The Song Remains the Same. I think their best album was the 1971 Untitled Album, which is frequently called Led Zeppelin IV.
And their best song?
Most probably, a lot of people will consider “Stairway to Heaven” their best single. In many ways, it’s the perfect Rock song. But, my personal preference is still for “Kashmir.”
Incidentally, “Stairway to Heaven” was a track from the Untitled Album, as was “Going to California,” “When the Levee Breaks,” and “Black Dog.” Three more of my Led Zeppelin favorites.
All in all a phenomenal band.
Pink Floyd
There must have been something in the water back in the 60s in London because many of the most successful and top selling bands came from this area and era.
Pink Floyd was predominantly a Psychedelic Rock rather than a traditional Rock band. During the 60s and 70s, they experimented with their style and sound to develop something unique. In many ways, they were trailblazers for future Psychedelic and Prog Rock bands.
The founding musicians were Syd Barret, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright. Sadly, the lead guitarist, Syd Barrett, was replaced by David Gilmour in 1967 due to deteriorating mental health as a result of drug-induced psychosis.
A loss but not a defeat…
Pink Floyd had a strong and loyal following even from as far back as 1967, which was the year of their debut album release, The Pipers at the Gates of Dawn. It was a ground-breaking album and gave us a hint of what was to come just six years later.
They released five more albums and worked on refining their sound before the release of Dark Side of the Moon in 1973. This was a piece of work like no other and was a shock to the music world.
To this day, I can still remember putting a vinyl copy on the turntable, and my jaw dropped at what I was hearing.
It wouldn’t be the last time, either…
Following Dark side of the Moon was Wish You Were Here, released in 1975. This was followed by Animals in 1977 and The Wall in 1979. These four albums were undoubtedly their best work, and every single one of them still sounds amazing and relevant to this day.
If I had to choose their best album, it would have to be Dark Side of the Moon because it was so different from anything I’d ever heard before. With 45 million copies sold and a crazy 14 years spent on the US Billboard Albums chart, a lot of people agree.
I was lucky enough to see them at the Pulse (Live) concert in 1994 at Earls Court, London. I can attest to the fact that they are incredible live. What’s more, the live version of “Comfortably Numb” was the greatest guitar solo I’ve ever heard and probably the best in Rock history.
Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever…
The last time Pink Floyd played together was in 2005, when they reunited with Roger Waters for a charity concert. With the passing of Richard Wright, we will never see a full reunion again.
Consequently, with just David Gilmour and Nick Mason left in the band, it looks increasingly like Pink Floyd, though not officially, is no more. Sad indeed.
The Rolling Stones
We’re still sticking with a London band and still sticking with the 60s. The Rolling Stones were formed in 1962. They were made up of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, and Brian Jones.
Over the years…
There were a couple of comings and goings. Brian Jones died young, at the age of 27, in 1969, and after a few short-term replacements, Ronnie Wood took on his role in 1976. In 1993, Bill Wyman left, and then, sadly, in 2021, Charlie Watts passed, and the band is currently looking for a replacement for him.
The Rolling Stones are a traditional Rock band that has been at the forefront of Rock for a staggering 60 years. They helped to shape British music and culture in the 60s and continue to record and tour to this day.
That’s a remarkable feat, given their advanced ages. Seriously, how many people do you know that could keep up their insane touring schedule at even half their ages? These guys are like machines.
During their long career…
They have become the fourth most successful band in history. Only The Beatles, whom I’ve discussed, Queen, whom I’ll take a look at next, and Led Zepplin, have sold more records.
They have released a total of over 200 singles and albums and have sold over 240 million records. They have also grossed more than two billion dollars in concert ticket sales, making them the biggest-selling live act ever.
I’d go through all the awards and accolades, but we’d be here till next year.
So, what is their best work over the six decades?
This is, of course, all highly subjective. But, I believe that “Angie,” “Paint it Black,” and “Wild Horses” are their three best singles. When it comes to albums, that’s a lot easier. Although I like, Let it Bleed, I think Sticky Fingers, released in 1971, was easily their best album.
An amazing set of musicians who should seriously think of buying slippers and pipes. But, even when they do, they will still be one of the best bands of all time.
Queen
Queen is the second best-selling band of all time, only beaten to the top spot by The Beatles. During their long and illustrious career, stretching back to 1970, they have sold a truly mind-boggling 300 million records.
So, what makes them so great?
From an early stage, they developed an elaborate and experimental approach to their music and production. This was led to a large extent by Freddie Mercury’s vision for a more theatrical approach to Rock.
A Night at the Opera, released in 1975, was the first album to encompass this concept. The track “Bohemian Rhapsody” is the most famous from the album and possibly their most famous track of all time.
The album went triple-platinum in the US and the single sold close to three million copies in the UK and ten million in the US.
That’s a lot!
Their follow-up albums and singles continued to be popular right up to the death of their lead singer, Freddie Mercury, in 1991 at the age of 45. Roger Taylor on drums and Brian May as the lead guitarist have continued with the band, though with less success.
The line-up changes have most notably seen Adam Lambert joining the band in 2011 as lead singer. He seems to be popular, but I think his vocals suck.
There have been so many highlights in Queen’s career…
However, they’ll probably be most remembered for their incredible performance at Live Aid in 1985. The short set perfectly showcased their talents and was a reminder to the world of just how good they were. And what a remarkable frontman Freddie Mercury was.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Freddie Mercury was the greatest Rock performer of all time. If you do not believe me, take a listen to Queen Rock Montreal, and you’ll see what I mean. In fact, listen to any of their performances when Freddie Mercury had the mic.
Black Sabbath
There are very few bands that changed music or invented a whole new genre, but Black Sabbath is one of them.
They formed in 1968 and were made up of Tony Iommi, lead guitarist, Geezer Butler, bassist, Bill Ward, drummer. And last, but by no means least, Ozzy Osbourne, full-time nutcase and lead vocalist.
They released their first album, Black Sabbath, in 1970. And, from the very first bars of the first song, “Black Sabbath,” Metal was born. Their thick riffs, heavily distorted guitars, and heavy drumming would come to define the music of Metal bands for years to come.
Ozzy Osbourne, The Prince of Darkness, was born…
They released a total of forty albums. Their second album, Paranoid, also released in 1970, proved to be their best-selling, with a total of 12 million copies flying off the shelves.
However, despite its popularity and the subsequent release of another 38 albums, Black Sabbath will undoubtedly be remembered as being the most groundbreaking and influential.
The band enjoyed a huge amount of commercial success. But, behind the scenes, Ozzy’s drinking and drug-taking got to the point where he was completely unreliable. This led to Tony Iommi sacking him, and the well-known Rock singer, James Dio, was brought in to replace him.
They made two albums with James Dio…
Heaven and Hell in 1980 and Mob Rules in 1981. These had a reasonable amount of success. But, in 1982, James Dio left the band and was replaced by the legendary Ian Gillan of Deep Purple fame.
Sadly, despite Ian Gillan’s incredible vocal talents, he only lasted for one album, Born Again, and despite numerous other singers since then, the band never goes back to the levels of success they previously enjoyed with Ozzy. This could have been because, at the time, Ozzy had embarked on a solo career backed by an incredible bunch of musicians.
Also, it’s more than possible that a lot of fans simply jumped ship. Whatever the reason, the 4th of February 2017, in Birmingham, England, marked the day of Black Sabbath’s last performance.
Genesis
They were formed in 1967 as essentially a school band from the south of England. They are a Prog Rock band with a focus on Pop.
Over their long career, they have released a total of 15 studio albums. The first of these, From Genesis to Revelation, was released in 1969. Their last album, Calling All Stations, came out in 1997.
The initial band lineup consisted Of Mike Rutherford, Peter Gabriel, Anthony Phillips, and Tony Banks. The first big change in personnel came in 1970 when Phill Collins took over as the drummer. A year later, Steve Hackett joined the band as a guitarist.
The next big change came in 1975…
This was with the shock departure of their frontman Peter Gabriel. They had just finished recording The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway the previous year and were continuing to increase their following. Consequently, Peter Gabriel leaving to pursue a solo career was very unexpected.
Peter Gabriel went off to hug trees and bang a few drums somewhere in Africa (as well as have a hugely successful solo career).
But I digress…
The band considered becoming an instrumental-only outfit, but this was quickly rejected. At this point, Phil Collins suggested that he could try to step up from the drums and take over as the lead singer.
He did just that…
And happily, his vocal contributions to their next album, A Trick of the Tail, made it a success. It marked a new era for the band, and I think the next three albums, Wind & Wuthering in 1976, …And Then There Were Three… in 1978, and Duke in 1980, were their best works.
Phil Collins eventually left the band to pursue a highly successful solo career. Possibly a good move since the band seemed to lose direction, and after Duke, the music also began to deteriorate.
Genesis replaced Phil Collins with Ray Wilson for their final studio album, Calling All Stations, but frankly, they shouldn’t have bothered. It was crap.
That signaled a wrap…
The year 2000 was effectively the end of the group. There was a short comeback between 2006 and 2007. Additionally, in 2023, Phil Collins returned to the band for a final tour. I love the guy, but he shouldn’t have bothered.
Seeing an old man sitting and singing in a comfy chair, wearing a shabby tracksuit top, seemed vaguely ridiculous and unbecoming for such a great musician and band.
It’s not the way a group that has sold over 100 million records should be remembered.
Marillion
There’s no doubt that Marillion is the least commercially successful band on my list. Additionally, they were never big in the US, so a lot of you may not know much about them. Nevertheless, I still believe they are one of the best bands of all time and deserve their place.
So, who are Marillion, and what kind of music do they play?
They got together in 1979 and are another British Prog Rock group which is why they are following on from Genesis. This is also because they took much of their influence from them. Marillion also took influences from Pink Floyd and Supertramp. But I think they most resemble Genesis from a musical perspective.
Their first album was released in 1983 and called Script For a Jester’s Tears. The single of the same name was the very first track, and what a song. It was almost like a marker of intent for what the band was all about.
The single is nine minutes of Prog Rock genius…
Wonderful build-ups featuring multiple instruments. Additionally, there are incredible guitar solos, courtesy of their insanely gifted lead guitarist, Steve Rothery. Plus, emotive, powerful, and expressive singing from the frontman, Fish.
The blend was a winning formula, and the band went on to release a further three albums together. These were Fugazi in 1984, Misplaced Childhood in 1985, and Clutching at Straws in 1987. The first four albums, in my opinion, were their best.
In 1988…
Fish left the band to pursue a not so successful solo career, and in 1989 Steve Hogarth joined as the new frontman. Steve Hogarth was equally as enigmatic as Fish, but this wasn’t a straight replacement as with Brian Johnson for Bon Scott of AC/DC. Rather, it represented a shift of musical direction that was still no less engaging.
Unlike when Fish was with the band, I don’t feel that the new line-up particularly hit the road running. The first album, Seasons End, which was released in 1989, was OK.
However, it didn’t have the same impact as any of the previous four albums. It took them until the release of Brave in 1994 before they began to hit their stride.
Their best album came in 2004…
With the release of Marbles. An absolute masterpiece of work with an incredible opening and closing track. The first song is “Invisible Man,” and the last is “Neverland.” Both are over twelve minutes long and show how great this band truly is.
Marillion has been making music for forty years and continues to record as well as tour. They’ve sold a relatively modest 15 million records but have one the most loyal group of fans in the industry. I should know because I’m one of them.
The Eagles
The Eagles are the most successful American group of all time. They have sold 200 million records, including five #1 albums and six #1 singles on the Billboard US charts.
They got together in 1971 but in a somewhat unusual way. At the time, Linda Ronstadt was touring, and she needed a group of backing musicians. Having great taste, she chose four musicians who would decide to form The Eagles once the tour ended.
Despite having been around for over fifty years, they are still together and playing music today. Inevitably there have been a lot of changes, with Don Henley, the drummer and vocalist, being the only surviving founding member.
Their first album…
The self-titled Eagles was released in 1972. It was a fusion of Rock and Country that appealed to the mainstream in a big way. This easy-listening style quickly propelled the band to success. The album went platinum in the US and included one of their best-selling songs, “Take it Easy.”
Despite their long-running career, they’ve only ever produced seven studio albums. Perhaps even more surprising is that six of these were recorded and released in the 70s. The last of them was The Long Run which came out in 1979.
And, despite their long body of work, they will undoubtedly be most remembered for their smash hit “Hotel California,” which was released as the lead single from the same-titled album.
What a nice surprise…
The single was a #1 hit and went triple-platinum in the US. Great numbers, but never the less relatively small when compared to the album that sold over 32 million copies globally.
Like much of The Eagle’s music, “Hotel California” includes fantastic harmonies, great melodies, and musical hooks. With excellent lyrics, too, the song is a representative snapshot of The Eagles and their music.
The popularity of their songs and regular radio airplay will guarantee their music will be around for a long time to come. They’re a fine example of what American bands have to offer.
AC/DC
AC/DC was formed in Australia in 1973. They are frequently described as an Australian band, and this is mostly true. Three of the band members, Bon Scott, Phill Rudd, and Mark Evans, were born there.
However, the two guitarists, Angus and Malcolm Young, were born in Scotland but moved to Australia at a young age.
Regardless of their origin…
This is one of the tightest groups to ever play live. I’ve been lucky enough to see them twice, and their live performances are something special. You should check them out on one of their videos to see for yourself. I’d recommend, Live At River Plate.
Their debut album was High Voltage which was released to an Australian audience only in 1975. An international version was subsequently released a year later. A further five albums were released up to 1979 with Bon Scott on vocals.
When 1980 came around, Bon Scott died tragically of an alcohol overdose. Although the band was still in a state of shock, they decided to continue and replaced him with Brian Johnson. The previous frontman for the group Geordie, from Newcastle, England.
In the same year…
They released Back in Black with Brian Johnson as their new lead vocalist. The lyrics to the title track, “Back in Black,” were written by Brian Johnson and a clear tribute to their fallen singer. The album was an incredible success and confirmed the fan’s acceptance of the line-up change.
Back in Black chalked up 50 million sales which ultimately made it one of the most successful albums of all time. It also helped them to become one of the top-selling bands of all time.
And they continue to tour…
Although, in recent years, they have suffered from the tragic death of Malcolm Young through dementia. He has been replaced with this nephew, Stevie Young. Brian Johnson has also had to retire due to hearing loss issues. He was replaced by Axl Rose for their last concert tour.
Their future remains uncertain, but I’m sure their music will live on forever. That’s because they are easily one of the best bands of all time.
The Bee Gees
The Bee Gees are another kind of Australian band. Why kind of? Because the three brothers that make up the band members were all born on the Isle of Wight in the UK. Then they moved to Manchester in the north of England before moving to Australia at a very young age.
The three brothers, Maurice, Barry, and Robin, sang and played music from just about the time they could walk and talk. They formed The Bee Gees in 1958 and, despite lots of difficult times, managed to stay together until the sad death of Maurice and then Robin in 2003 and 2012.
The brothers were known for their incredible harmonies and wonderfully crafted songs. They all sang in beautiful high voices that blended perfectly. Barry Gibb was also famous for his ability to sing in an effortless falsetto.
As well as amazing performers…
They were also prolific songwriters and wrote several smash hits for fellow artists. These included “Woman in Love” by Barbara Streisand, “Islands in the Steam” by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rodgers, and “Grease” by Frankie Valli.
The brothers wrote and performed a lot of Soul and Soft Rock songs. However, they are best remembered for their Disco music and specifically for their contribution to the Stayin’ Alive Movie Soundtrack.
That was released in 1977 and coincided with the release of the movie of the same name, which starred John Travolta. They contributed six tracks to the album, including the lead single “Stayin’ Alive.” It is classic of a song and one that typifies their songwriting brilliance perfectly.
Something special to behold…
The Bee Gees were commercially highly successful and were also an amazing live act. They were supremely polished and a joy to listen to.
A performance from one of their last tours, “Bee Gees – One Night Only,” shows how good they were and is well worth watching. If you prefer, it’s also available on MP3.
This performance also features an unforgettable guest performance from Celine Dion. She joins The Bee Gees on stage to sing “Immortality.” Words honestly fail me to tell you how good it was. The Bee Gees were something very special.
Abba
Abba is a Swedish band that was formed in 1972. They first hit international fame following their win at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 on behalf of Sweden. They won with the catchy but lyrically repetitive and somewhat boring “Waterloo.”
The single was taken from the album Waterloo, which was released in the same year. It was their second album. Their debut album, Ring Ring, came out a year earlier.
For the next seven years…
They dominated the Disco and Pop charts, particularly in Europe. During this time, their best-selling album was Arrival which was released in 1975. Their best-selling single was “Dancing Queen,” which was a track taken from Arrival. “Dancing Queen” was the only Abba song to reach #1 in the US.
In 1981, they released their eighth studio album, The Visitors. Following the release a year later, the band split up. This was largely down to the breakup of the relationship between the couples, which consequently made it impossible to continue.
Very little was heard of the band for two decades…
However, in 2000, they were famously offered a staggering billion dollars to perform and tour. Just as famously, they turned it down. No doubt they already had enough grey jumpers, other assorted grey clothing, and old Volvos to last a lifetime.
Ironically, they turned down the deal considering they once penned the tune “Money, Money, Money.”
Although they have never performed since…
They were seen in public together at the 50th birthday musical celebration event in Stockholm in 2016. Also, they released a new album, Voyage, in 2021. The first new material in over forty years.
It’s unlikely that they’ll reunite to go on tour. However, Voyage was well received, going to #1 in many European countries, so a follow-up album could always happen. I hope so, and I hope this isn’t the last we’ve heard of this incredible Swedish band.
Looking for the Best Music from the Best Musicians?
Well, take a look at our detailed articles on the Best Songs Of All Time, the Best Classic Rock Songs, the Best Funk Songs of All Time, the Best R&B Songs of All Time, the Best Bluegrass Songs, and the Best Reggae Songs Ever for more unbelievable song selections.
Of course, you’ll want to listen to those songs. So, check out our in-depth reviews of the Best Headphones for Music, the Best Headphones For Rock & Metal Music, the Most Comfortable Headphones, and the Best Headphones Under $200 you can buy in 2023.
And don’t miss our comprehensive reviews of the Best Noise Isolating Earbuds, the Best Sound Quality Earbuds, the Best True Wireless Earbuds, the Best iPhone Earbuds, and the Best Cheap Earbuds Under $100 currently on the market.
Best Bands Of All Time – Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. I hope you enjoyed my selection of the best bands ever. There are a lot of Rock bands included which is pretty much the kind of music I like. I did also include some Blues, Soul, Pop, and Disco. So, I’m keeping my fingers crossed there were one or two bands you are into.
Until next time, happy listening.