There are several groups to choose from if you want to choose the most famous of all time or just one that you enjoy listening to. Deep Purple, The Beach Boys, and The Rolling Stones are just a few of the most well-known bands. The Pixies and American Idiot are two other bands to consider. Even if you're not familiar with them, there are plenty of bands out there who have made significant contributions to the world of music.
American Idiot
American Idiot, Green Day's debut album, was released about 17 years ago. With this record, the band got back to being themselves. The album was a concept record that attempted to represent the chaos that ensued in the wake of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. There was also a strong political message on the record.
There are tracks in American Idiot that focus on three different protagonists. The lonely "Jesus of Suburbia," the mysterious "Whatsername," and the hopeless romantic "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" are all characters in this story.
Dark Violet
Deep Purple's lineup has shifted several times throughout the years. Some of the replacements of "classic" era members have been poor choices, while others have been well received. As a consequence, the band has sold over 100 million albums throughout the world and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
Nick Simper on guitar, Roger Glover on bass, Bobby Woodman on drums, and Joe Lynn Turner on guitar were the original members of Deep Purple. In 1974, they dropped their debut record for the public. The first three years of Deep Purple's career were marked by moderate success. Over 250,000 people attended their concerts throughout the world.
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are one of the most iconic and significant rock bands of all time; their fame has spread far and wide thanks to radio, live performances, and a documentary about their history. They've been making music for almost 50 years, so it seems sense that they'd be popular. And over the decades thereafter, they have remained a must-see live act, packing stadiums all over the globe. They've put out well over a dozen albums and a ton of singles.
The phrase "world's greatest rock and roll band" has been used to describe them. Guitarist Keith Richards, lead vocalist Mick Jagger, and drummer Charlie Watts have all been with the band since its inception in London in 1960.
Temptations
The moniker "The Temptations" is synonymous with the twentieth century. They were one of the first African American bands to achieve widespread success in the United States, and they went on to become a musical legend in their own right. The band has been honored with a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has left a musical footprint in the form of several top twenty hits in the United States.
Over the years, there have been a number of lineup changes for the band. During their most successful Psychedelic Soul era, they shared lead vocal duties between two members. Dennis Edwards and Louis Price were the two men. Ali-Ollie Woodson and Theo Peoples are two more ex-Distants members.
Pixies
Pixies have become one of the most influential bands of the contemporary period despite having only recorded seven studio albums. Many other bands, such as Nirvana and Idles, have been heavily influenced by their sound.
The Pixies' music is very recognizable. The band didn't put out their debut album until 1988 despite forming in Boston, Massachusetts that year. Surfer Rosa, their first album, is widely regarded as a classic of the indie rock genre. There are a few more songs on Surfer Rosa besides the title tune, such as "Where is My Mind?" and "Bone Machine."
The Pixies have never had a commercially successful single, but they have a dedicated fan base. The group's songs were radio staples in the late '80s, when Modern Rock was at its peak. The band's biggest hit was the seductive "Caribou." The guitar solo in this tune is outstanding. The guitar solo is particularly scathing, and the song also has a tambourine and an infectious chorus.
Soundgarden
Soundgarden, formed by Kim Thayil and Chris Cornell, was a Seattle band that combined punk rock with metal and heavy metal. Soundgarden is one of the best-selling bands of all time, having sold over 30 million CDs throughout the world.
Ultramega OK, Soundgarden's debut album, successfully fused heavy metal and hard rock. It lacked polish and sophistication yet included some catchy riffs and speedy yells. Badmotorfinger, an EP by the band, was released in 1991.
The 1994 album Superunknown by Soundgarden was their most commercially successful effort. Many of its songs became radio staples, and the album itself debuted at the top of the Billboard 200. It also produced some songs that went on to win Grammys.
"The Beach Boys"
Over 70 million records have been sold by The Beach Boys, making them the best-selling band in history. The band has become emblematic of a certain era and setting in American popular music: the beach.
In 1961, in Hawthorne, California, Brian Wilson, his cousin Mike Love, and Al Jardine established the band. Their debut single, "Surfin'," was a success in their home territory. In 1962, the band got a deal with Capitol Records.
There are a total of 61 studio albums and 11 live albums by The Beach Boys. They entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the late '80s. They won a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 2001.
