20 – MGMT (Andrew VanWyngarden, Ben Goldwasser)
Formed at Wesleyan University in 2004,
MGMT is a psychedelic rock band from Connecticut, but they’re not the Grateful Dead. MGMT created
some of the catchiest and most sincere music in rock and roll history. Their
major label debut, Oracular Spectacular,
led by singles “Time to Pretend” and “Kids,” is widely
recognized as one of the greatest rock albums ever made. They’re not just
Best Song: Siberian Breaks
19 – X Japan (Toshi, Yoshiki)
Japan’s answer to Guns N Roses, X Japan
started off playing hard rock/heavy metal before softening up and penning some
of the best arena ballads ever written. Each member’s solo career and side
projects have contributed to making X Japan one of the most recognizable music
brands in the world. The death of guitarist hide (best known to US audiences as
the frontman for Zilch) doesn’t stop the band from introducing
him as a member of the band. If only Sublime had shown that same respect when in
Rome…
Best Song: Kurenai
18 – Blink-182 (Tom DeLonge, Travis Barker)
During the days of TRL, Blink -182
delighted the world with catchy pop punk tracks over hilarious send ups of MTV
music videos. The band briefly split, as Barker turned to hip-hop, DeLonge
fronted alternative rock band Angels & Airwaves, and Mark
Hoppus became a producer for various bands. Everyone from Fall Out Boy to Mumford &
Sons to Japandroids has cited Blink-182 as a musical influence.
Best Song: Dammit
17 – Weezer (Rivers Cuomo, Patrick Wilson)
Starting in the mid 90’s Weezer jumped
to the forefront of the alternative rock scene, and they’ve released classic
album after classic album ever since. They practically invented hipster
fashion. Aside from being responsible for some of the most addictive guitar
licks and hooks in music (“Pork & Beans,” “Beverly Hills”), Cuomo has
worked with a variety of musical acts, including Crazy Town, B.o.B, and Miranda
Cosgrove.
Best Song: Say It Ain’t So
16 – Marilyn Manson (Marilyn Manson, Twiggy Ramirez)
Marilyn Manson first reached the mainstream
public consciousness with their industrial metal cover of The Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams” and the
accompanying music video. Everything in their lyrics, videos, stage shows, and
merchandise screamed (usually literally) sex, drugs, violence, and rock &
roll. Known for intentionally outlandish and gruesome imagery and antics,
Manson is one of the last true artists in rock.
Best Song: Coma White
15 – Guns N Roses (Axl Rose, Slash)
Although current incarnations of GnR
formed by lead singer Rose (who owns the rights to the band) have been mostly
disappointing (fans largely ignored Chinese
Democracy), their work in the late 80’s and early 90’s stands
as some of the most poignant hard rock in history. Slash’s legendary guitar
solos set the standard for would be guitar heroes, and Axl’s legendary scream
raised the bar for metal musicality.
Best Song: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
14 – Aerosmith (Steven Tyler, Joe Perry)
Before Steven Tyler became the creepy old man on American Idol who fawned over the female
contestants, he was a charismatic crooner whose operatic voice led one of
rock’s most iconic bands. Aerosmith’s signature sound is a blues-based rock.
From teaming up with legendary rappers Run DMC to penning one of the best soundtrack songs
ever made (“Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” from Armageddon), Aerosmith has topped various charts in
four separate decades.
Best Song: Angel
13 – Linkin Park (Chester Bennington, Mike Shenoda)
Linkin Park made their mark on musical
history by bending genres. They started out blending rap and rock into a
radio-friendly nu metal sound. After delving deeper into hip-hop with the Jay-Z
mashup collab, Collision Course, and their Reanimation project, LP began branching
their sound further out into the rock genre. Linkin Park is a reminder of what
rock should be: an exploration of artistic expression and reinvention.
Best Song: In The End
12 – Rage Against the Machine (Zack de la Rocha, Tom Morello)
Many musicians consider themselves
rebels. Alt metal band Rage Against the Machine is one of the few bands that
lives up to their name. From student riots in Mexico to Occupy Wall Street,
these guys love getting in the thick of things. Their politically motivated
lyrics and driving beats create the perfect soundtrack for a revolution.
Best Song: Guerilla Radio
11 – Fleetwood Mac (Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks)
Although Fleetwood Mac has gone through band
members like a woman does shoes, they’ve managed to adapt their signature blues
rock sound to appeal to both sides of the pond. Stevie Nicks is the standout
star from the group, earning a name for herself as a solo star as well. From “Go Your Own Way” to “Black Magic
Woman,” Mac’s music is the soundtrack for a generation.
Best Song: Dreams
10 – Foo Fighters (Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel)
After Kurt
Cobain’s death, Nirvana drummer Grohl started a one man side project.
Foo Fighters hit the airwaves with a happy, upbeat sound that stood in stark
contrast to Nirvana’s signature sadness. The Foo Fighters have contributed hit
after memorable hit to rock & roll. Whether on stage, in the studio, or
through music videos, Grohl is always on point.
Best Song: Everlong
9 – U2 (Bono, The Edge)
Known for their exciting stage shows and
melodic songs, U2 is the Irish version of The
Beatles. Bono is known as an annoyingly dedicated philanthropist. The
Edge is one of the most accomplished guitarists in the world. Their powers
combined have elevated U2's stadium extravaganzas into the stratosphere of rock royalty. U2 is a better live band than the Grateful Dead will ever be.
Best Song: One
8 – The Smashing Pumpkins (Billy Corgan, Nicole Fiorentino)
The grunge era was in full effect by the
time The Smashing Pumpkins hit the scene with their gothic electronic metal
take on the genre. Hauntingly melancholic melodies provide the perfect
background for Corgan’s high pitched voice. Although Corgan found temporary
glee with Zwan, the legacy of
Pumpkins will never die.
Best Song: Today
7 – Creedence Clearwater Revival (John Fogerty, Doug Clifford)
Not only is CCR responsible for some of
the most amazing songs in music history, John
Fogerty is an icon of artist’s rights. When he embarked on a solo
career, he butted heads with label Fantasy Records over whether or not his work
sounded too much like his work for Creedence. Fogerty showed up to an LA
copyright court in torn jeans, whipped out his guitar on the stand, and gave a
music lesson to the judge, court, and anyone else who would listen.
Best Song: Have You Ever Seen The
Rain?
6 – Nirvana (Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic)
Sometimes a band plays loud to make up
for their lack of musical technicality or artistic creativity. This wasn’t the
case with Nirvana. Kurt Cobain knew what he was doing, and that became clear
during the legendary MTV Unplugged
acoustic set in New York. Nirvana is one of the most iconic legends in music.
Even Courtney Love is smarter and more talented than she looks.
Best Song: Come As You Are
5 – The Beach Boys (Brian Wilson, Mike Love)
The Beach Boys are the band The Beatles
wish they were…literally. The Lennon/McCartney-led foursome constantly chased
the shadow of the Wilson/Love machine (Pet Sounds inspired Sgt Pepper’s
Lonely Heart Club Band). Singing seemingly simple songs, The Boys stretched
not only musical boundaries, but the limits of recording technology.
Best Song: Sloop John B
4 – The White Stripes (Jack White, Meg White)
Today’s electronic era is similar to
disco, featuring garish overproduction and synthetic glamour. The White Stripes
are a shining star in the artistic black hole that scenario can create. Staying
true to the true roots of rock, Jack & Meg hit every nail on the head.
Their trademark red and white themes, candy cane drums, Lego music videos, these artists are pure
artistic genius. There will never be another like these gems.
Best Song: Dead Leaves &
Dirty Ground
3 – Rolling Stones (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards)
The Rolling Stones kept rock and roll
real for decades with their signature blues rock sound. Jagger may have made a
few questionable artistic decisions (his glam rock pairing with David Bowie),
but no one can touch Exile on Main Street. It’s one of the
few perfect albums on record. Richards isn’t just a legendary guitarist, he’s
the inspiration for Captain Jack Sparrow.
The Stones are the total package, sharing their namesake with one of the most
influential journalistic magazines in pop culture history.
Best Song: Paint It Black
2 – Chess Records (Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters)
Much like Rodney Dangerfield, the roster
at Chess Records gets no respect. Chuck Berry invented rock and roll. Muddy
Waters wielded the blues. Etta James has a voice even Mariah Carey envies. Every legendary band
from the 60s, 70s, and beyond has been influenced by this crew of artists. Led
Zeppelin, The Beatles, etc. have been sued for stealing music from the Chess
archives. Chess may be a record label, but its contributions to rock & roll
history outnumber anything any mere band has ever released.
Best Song: Johnny B. Goode
1 – The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)
What can be said about The Beatles? They’re
simply the best…band…ever-They’re bigger than Jesus. The White Album contains
more applicable life lessons than The Bible. Not every moment in their
history was the cream of the crop, but even at their lowest moments, these
boundary-bending musicians cemented their place in the annals of music history.
There will never be a group of musicians who will top the achievements of these
British musicians.
Best Song: My Guitar Gently Weeps
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