Top 10 Greatest Rockers

We have had some very controversial lists relating to rock and pop music over the past year and a bit – and today we have one that I think might take the cake. This is a submitted list of the ten greatest rockers (bands or individuals). Almost all of the bands or people here have been featured on other lists but in differing orders or for different reasons. Hopefully there is at least one group here for everyone’s taste!

10

The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys are an American rock and roll band. Formed in 1961, the group gained popularity for its close vocal harmonies and lyrics reflecting a California youth culture of surfing, girls, and cars. Brian Wilson’s growing creative ambitions later transformed them into a more artistically innovative group that earned critical praise and influenced many later musicians. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988

9

Metallica

Metallica is an American heavy metal band that formed in 1981 in Los Angeles, California. Founded when drummer Lars Ulrich posted an advertisement in a Los Angeles newspaper, Metallica’s original line-up consisted of Ulrich, rhythm guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, and bassist Ron McGovney.

Metallica has released eight studio albums, two live albums, two EPs, nine videos, and has finished recording their upcoming ninth studio album, Death Magnetic. The band has become one of the most commercially successful and influential heavy metal acts. With over 95 million records sold worldwide, including 57 million in the United States, the band has won seven Grammy Awards, and has had four albums peak at number one on the Billboard 200

8

Queen

Queen are an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist Brian May, lead vocalist Freddie Mercury, and drummer Roger Taylor, with bass guitarist John Deacon joining the following year. Queen rose to prominence during the 1970s and are arguably Britain’s most successful band of the past thirty years.

The band is noted for their musical diversity, multi-layered arrangements, vocal harmonies, and incorporation of audience participation into their live performances. Since 1975, eighteen of the band’s albums have reached number one on numerous charts around the world. Since 1973, they have released fifteen studio albums and five live albums.

7

Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd are an English rock band who initially earned recognition for their psychedelic or space rock music, and, as they evolved, for their progressive rock music. They are known for philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative cover art, and elaborate live shows. One of rock music’s most successful acts, the group have sold over 200 million albums worldwide including 74.5 million albums in the United States alone.

They have released fourteen studio albums, four live albums, seven compilations, twenty-six singles, twenty-six B-sides, fifteen music videos, and six video albums.

6

The Who

The Who are an English rock band that formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend, vocalist Roger Daltrey, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. The band reached international success, became known for their energetic live performances, are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s and ’70s, and recognized as one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time.The Who have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide.

The Who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005 and won the first annual Freddie Mercury Lifetime Achievement in Live Music Award in 2006. They received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Phonographic Industry in 1988, and from the Grammy Foundation in 2001, for creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording. Tommy was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, “My Generation” in 1999 and Who’s Next in 2007.

5

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English band whose music was initially based on rhythm and blues and rock & roll. Formed in London and having their first success in the UK, they subsequently became popular in the US during the “British Invasion” in the early 1960s.

The band formed in 1962 when original leader Brian Jones and pianist Ian Stewart were joined by singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards, whose songwriting partnership later contributed to their taking the leadership role in the group.

The Rolling Stones have released 22 studio albums in the UK (24 in the US), eight concert albums (nine in the US) and numerous compilations; they have had 32 UK & US top-10 singles, 43 UK & US top-10 albums between 1964 and 2008 and have sold more than 200 million albums worldwide. 1971′s Sticky Fingers began a string of eight consecutive studio albums at number one in the United States. In 1989 the Rolling Stones were inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

4

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

The ‘Jimi Hendrix Experience’ were an English/American rock band famous for the guitar work, original songs, outrageous style and performance of its eponymous frontman Jimi Hendrix on songs such as ‘Hey Joe’, ‘Purple Haze’, ‘Foxy Lady’, ‘Fire’, ‘Little Wing’, ‘Spanish Castle Magic’, ‘All Along the Watchtower’ and ‘Voodoo Child (Slight Return)’. They are also known for their performance at Woodstock. The Experience was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

3

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin were an English rock band that formed in 1968. Led Zeppelin consisted of Jimmy Page (guitar), Robert Plant (vocals), John Paul Jones (bass guitar, keyboards) and John Bonham (drums). With their heavy, guitar-driven sound, Led Zeppelin are regarded as one of the first heavy metal bands. However, the band’s individualistic style draws from many sources and transcends any one genre. Their rock-infused interpretation of the blues and folk genres also incorporated rockabilly, reggae, soul, funk,classical, Celtic, Indian, Arabic, pop, Latin and country.

Close to 30 years after disbanding following Bonham’s death in 1980, Led Zeppelin continues to be held in high regard for their artistic achievements, commercial success and broad influence. The band has sold more than 300 million albums worldwide including 111.5 million sales in the United States and they have had all of their original studio albums reach the U.S. Billboard Top 10.[16] Led Zeppelin are ranked No. 1 on VH1′s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. Rolling Stone magazine has described Led Zeppelin as “the heaviest band of all time” and “the biggest band of the 70s”.

2

Elvis Presley

Elvis was an American singer, musician and actor. He is considered a cultural icon, sometimes referred to as “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”, or simply “The King”.

Presley began his career as one of the first performers of rockabilly, an uptempo fusion of country and rhythm and blues with a strong back beat. His novel versions of existing songs, mixing “black” and “white” sounds, made him popular—and controversial—as did his uninhibited stage and television performances. He recorded songs in the rock and roll genre, with tracks like “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock” . Presley had a versatile voice and had unusually wide success encompassing other genres, including gospel, blues, ballads and pop. To date, he has been inducted into four music halls of fame. The King has had 215 top singles worldwide.

1

The Beatles

The Beatles were a pop and rock group from Liverpool, England formed in 1960. Primarily consisting of John Lennon (rhythm guitar, vocals), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals) and Ringo Starr (drums, vocals) throughout their career, The Beatles are recognised for leading the mid-1960s musical “British Invasion” into the United States. Although their initial musical style was rooted in 1950s rock and roll and homegrown skiffle, the group explored genres ranging from Tin Pan Alley to psychedelic rock. Their clothes, styles, and statements made them trend-setters, while their growing social awareness saw their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s. After the band broke up in 1970, all four members embarked upon solo careers.

The Beatles are one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands in the history of popular music. The Beatles are the best-selling musical group in history. In the United Kingdom, The Beatles released more than 40 different singles, albums, and EPs that reached number one, earning more number one albums (15) than any other group in UK chart history. This commercial success was repeated in many other countries; their record company, EMI, estimated that by 1985 they had sold over one billion records worldwide. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, The Beatles have sold more albums in the United States than any other band. According to Rolling Stone Magazine, The Beatles’ innovative music and cultural impact helped define the 1960s, and their influence on pop culture is still evident today.

This article is licensed under the GFDL because it contains extracts from Wikipedia.

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Top 10 Greatest Fictional Bands

The world’s hipsters and rock writers will endlessly debate who the greatest rock bands of all time are. Some bands like The Beatles or Led Zeppelin will always be included in the discussion but others are sadly ignored. Some are overlooked for the simple reason that they do not actually exist. So, to give these sorely under-appreciated bands some recognition, here are the Top Ten Fictional Bands of all time.

10

Scrantonicity

The Office

Notable Members: Kevin Malone
Style: Cover Band
Essential Listening: Roxanne, You Were Meant for Me

Originally a Steve Miller tribute band known as “Jokers and Tokers,” Scrantonicity now plays covers of The Police (though they have been known to cover other artists at live shows). The band has recently gone through a huge upheaval as Kevin Malone- the band’s lead vocalist and drummer- left the group. He has gone on to form a new band Scrantonicity II. Immediately the two bands began an intense rivalry that continues to this day.

9

Dr. Funke’s Band

Arrested Development

Notable Members: Tobias Funke, Lindsay Funke, Maeby Funke
Style: Folk
Essential Listening: Teamocil

“Dr. Funke’s 100% Natural Good Time Family Band Solution” was a 1990’s folk trio consisting of the family of Tobias and Lindsay Funke and their daughter, Maeby. The group was underwritten by the Natural Life Food Company, a division of Chem-Grow, an Allen Crayne acquisition, which was part of the Squimm Group. As a result the group’s songs tended to focus upon the various drugs the company offered. Nevertheless, the band gained a very small but very devoted following. The band eventually split up due to growing tensions within the family. A reunion show at a Los Angeles wellness convention ended with Lindsay and Maeby storming offstage leaving Tobias to finish the show with the help of an eager fan. [The clip above is a tribute to the show itself as none of the music clips could be found.]

8

Autobahn

The Big Lebowski

Notable Members: Uli Kunkel
Style: Electronica
Essential Listening: Hit and Run, Faking It

German techno-pop pioneers Autobahn released only one album entitled “Nagelbett” in the late seventies. They are perhaps the best example of a band being “ahead of its time.” Though they are now recognized as great innovators in the world of techno, their album was almost universally disparaged by both critics and audiences alike. Utter demoralized, the band dissolved. All of its members fell on hard times with band leader Uli Kunkel even resorting to the adult film industry before disappearing from the public eye completely.

7

The Be-Sharps

The Simpsons

Notable Members: Homer Simpson, Barney Gumble, W. Seymour Skinner, Apu de Beaumarchais
Style: Barbershop Quartet
Essential Listening: Baby On Board, Number 8

A barbershop quartet hailing from Springfield, USA, The Be-Sharps experienced a meteoric rise to fame following the release of their first album “Meet the Be-Sharps” which featured the unlikely hit “Baby on Board.” Success, however, was fleeting. By the time their sophomore effort “Bigger Than Jesus” the band was divided by creative differences which lead the group splitting up. In recent years they reunited only once for a concert atop Moe’s Cavern, though reunion tour rumors continue to abound.

6

Jesse and the Rippers

Full House

Notable Members: Jesse Katsopolis
Style: Rock
Essential Listening: Forever

Jesse and the Rippers came roaring out of the San Francisco rock scene when they recorded a cover of the classic Beach Boys tune “Forever.” The song became a surprise hit with both fans and the Beach Boys themselves. In fact, three of the Beach Boys even appeared as the band’s back-up singers in the official video. The band split shortly after their first tour. The break-up was primarily due to lead vocalist and guitarist Jesse Katsopolis’s unwillingness to put the band ahead of his family. (He was helping raise his dead sister’s three daughters in addition to his own twin sons.) Since then the members have gone on to various other projects. Most notably Katsopolis’s new band Hot Daddy and the Monkey Puppets.

5

The Beets

Doug

Notable Members: Monroe Yoder, Wendy Nespott, Chap Lippman, Flounder
Style: Pop Rock
Essential Listening: Killer Tofu, I Need Mo’ Allowence

After their first single “I Sneezed On My Face” dropped in the mid-nineties, The Beets were an unstoppable force in pop music releasing such modern pop classics as “Where’s My Sock?”, and “You Gotta Shout Your Lungs Out.” Hit after hit resulted in a huge fan base and a declaration of “Beet Mania” by the press. Eventually the band members decided to go their separate ways but not before releasing their masterful final LP, “Let it Beet.” Each of The Beets has now gone on to a solo career leaving fans only dreaming of a reunion.

4

DriveShaft

Lost

Notable Members: Charlie Pace, Liam Pace
Style: Pop Rock
Essential Listening: You All (Everybody)

DriveShaft exploded onto the modern music scene in 1999 with their infectious single “You All (Everybody).” That single rose all the way to number one in both the UK and the US. Following the monumental success of their first album, the band experienced a great deal of difficulty in recording a follow-up. When it was finally released “Oil Change” found little popularity with critics or the public. The group disbanded shortly after. Charlie Pace, the band’s bassist and main songwriter, expressed interest in reforming the group in the fall of 2004. Sadly, Pace was among those who died on September 22, 2004 in the crash of Oceanic Flight 815. His death, however, sparked renewed interest for the band. Now, Charlie Pace is widely appreciated as songwriter by the critics and fans who once wrote him off as a one-hit wonder.

3

Disaster Area

Restaurant at the End of the Universe

Notable Members: Hotblack Desiato
Style: Loud
Essential Listening: Only The End Of The World Again

The band Disaster Area is commonly cited as being the loudest band in the universe, and in fact the loudest sound of any kind, anywhere. Their legendary live shows are generally considered to be best when experienced at a safe distance of thirty seven miles away from a well-built concrete bunker. Their most recent shows have featured a segment in which an actual spaceship is crashed into the nearest sun. This stunt resulted in the planet of Kakrafoon being transformed from a harsh desert planet into a tropical paradise. A spokesman for the band commented that it was “a good gig.” The band is currently touring in spite of the fact that photon-ajuitar player Hotblack Desiato is currently spending a year dead for tax purposes.

2

Stillwater

Almost Famous

Notable Members: Jeff Bebe, Russell Hammond
Style: Classic Rock
Essential Listening: Fever Dog, Love Comes and Goes

Hailing from Troy, Michigan, Stillwater is still known as one of the wild and raucous bands of the 1970’s both on-stage and off. After stints opening for such legends as Black Sabbath and the Allman Brothers Band, the group embarked on its now notorious Almost Famous Tour in support of their second album ‘Farrington Road.” Sex, drugs and every other rock ‘n roll excess permeated the tour which culminated in a Rolling Stone cover. The tour also caused tension between the band’s core members Jeff Bebe and Russell Hammond resulting in the band dissolving after only one more album.

1

Spinal Tap

This is Spinal Tap

Notable Members: Derek St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, Derek Smalls
Style: Heavy Metal
Essential Listening: Sex Farm, Lick My Love Pump, Big Bottom

In the history of rock ‘n roll, there has never been a career more unlikely than that of Spinal Tap. Dubbed “England’s Loudest Band” the group has gained far-reaching popularity unrivaled by its musical contemporaries. This is undoubtedly due to the Marty DeBergi documentary “This is Spinal Tap” which chronicled the group’s 1982 tour which was plagued by band in-fighting and poor ticket sales. Following the film’s release the band’s fan base greatly expanded and the group went on to become one of the most beloved in the history of rock. They recently reunited for a show at Wembley Stadium in London as a part of Live Earth where they unveiled a new song “Warmer than Hell.”

Contributor: kowzilla

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