Last year I spent a lot of time talking about one of my top passions – travel. I picked a new topic for 2022 – listening to great music. Here is my first list. The top ten rock bands of all time in my humble opinion. I included a few surprises on the list. I am comfortable with my selection for the greatest rock band of all time. Feel free to share your own list, debate, or tell me I am wrong in the comments.
The criteria I used for creating this list
Here are the three criteria I used for selecting the bands on my list:
- The band released at least three awesome albums – no one-album wonders.
- The band plays live well. Some bands suck in concert.
- The band is well known – no obscure choices allowed.
For example, The Ramones did not make the list because they did not release three awesome albums. The Replacements did not make the list because they are not well known and sometimes were too drunk during their concerts to play well.
Rock band #10 – Metallica
Metallica released several classic albums. They are unbelievably great in concert. I saw them play many years ago, and they can get a whole stadium of headbangers going crazy. They are well known, especially for any heavy metal or hard rock fans.
Rock band #9 – INXS
My first surprise choice is the Australian band, INXS. They released a string of awesome albums in the 1980s. Live – they put on a great show. They are one of the best-known bands from the land down under.
Rock bank of all-time #8 – Queen
Queen released many awesome albums over the course of their career. Live in concert – they put on a show like no other band. Just watch the videos from Live Aid. They were the best band that day. That is saying something if you think about everyone who played that day. Queen brought down the house. They are certainly well known, especially after the movie Bohemiam Rhapsody.
Band #7 – Foo Fighters
Perhaps another surprise – Foo Fighters make my top ten list. They have a pile of great albums. I have seen them twice in concert and they are awesome. Dave Grohl, the consummate showman, includes the crowd in every concert. Who doesn’t know about the Foo Fighters? You see Dave Grohl everywhere these days. Sad news about Taylor Hawkins this week. May he rest in peace.
Halfway to the top #6 – Van Halen
One big reason they make this list is Eddie Van Halen’s guitar playing. He changed rock music with all of his innovative techniques and tricks. I saw them live with David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar. Both shows were epic. I hope everyone knows about this band. If you have never heard of Van Halen – get busy cranking up their albums on your stereo system.
The biggest surprise on the list #5 – Mumford and Sons
Yes – you read that correctly, Mumford and Sons. Why are they on this list? They have yet to release a bad album. Everything they released to date has been solid. Live they put on a great show. They are pretty well known considering many bands these days are not.
Band #4 – the boys from Dublin, U2
U2 has released a pile of awesome albums. I have seen them live more than any other band. Every show was fantastic, especially the one in Dublin. Everyone knows Bono. They are so popular that no one even knows his real name, or the Edge’s. As a matter of fact, not sure I remember either.
Band #3 – from Liverpool, the Beatles
The Beatles released all kinds of awesome albums. They were great playing live until they stopped playing concerts. The Beatles became a studio band in their later years. If you do not know who the Beatles are then I am not sure how you get through the day. They are rock-n-roll legends.
The second greatest rock band of all time, the Rolling Stones
They released a ton of awesome albums. I will give them a little flack since they have not created any great music in quite some time, and they keep releasing albums. Legendary live concerts and they are definitely well known across the globe.
The greatest rock band of all time is Led Zeppelin
So many great songs and awesome albums. Even what some people consider to be Led Zeppelin’s bad albums are still better than many bands’ good ones. They played legendary shows all over the world. If you have ever seen Jimmy Page play guitar live then you know why. Everyone should know this band. If you don’t or have never heard Stairway to Heaven, then I wonder what planet you live on.
There you have it – my list of the top ten rock bands of all time. If you think I am wrong – let me know in the comments. All feedback is welcome. Feel free to post your own list.
I am Doug Keating and this is my letter to sons.