The Greatest Rock Bands Of All Time - December 5, 2025

In My Humble Opinion

The other day I was scrolling through my Twitter feed and I came across a post from Rolling Stone magazine that listed their top 24 bands of all time.  When it comes to music, these “Greatest Of All Time” lists always generate lots of debate and discussion about who made the list and why. They are very subjective, and usually based on the author’s own taste/favourites in music.  

This Rolling Stone magazine post got me thinking that while I advertise my Substack, “Pontifications From Paliwal”, as being about business, sports, music and politics, I have yet to write an article about music.  That is about to change with this post. Here you’ll find my top rock bands of all time, with some justification as to why these eleven bands made the list. I'll state right now that my list of bands included here and my ranking of them is indeed based on my own preferences in music. That being, harder edged rock music that features loud guitars and strong vocals.  I’m not into dance music, rap or hip-hop and so none of those genres of bands made into this list.  

Why a top eleven you ask? Because I came to the top ten without including the Irish band U2, and I didn’t feel right leaving U2 off the list. They've had a tremendous career, released some stellar music and feature some very talented musicians.  

I’m anticipating lots of debate and discussion around who made my list and who didn’t…please, bring it on!  Here is my list, in order: 

The Greatest Rock Bands Of All Time:

1. The Rolling Stones

2. The Beatles

3. Led Zeppelin

4. The Who

5. Van Halen 

6. Metallica

7. AC/DC

8. Queen

9. Rush

10. Guns N’ Roses

11. U2

Honourable Mention: Triumph, April Wine, Black Sabbath, Fleetwood Mac, The Police, Styx, Journey and The Eagles. 

Here is a brief write-up on each band that made my Top Eleven List:

1. The Rolling Stones 

Formed in 1962 in London England, the Rolling Stones are still touring 63 years later, with their two remaining principal songwriters, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, now over 80 years of age.  Over their seven decades’ long career the band has sold over 270 million albums, is estimated to have 4.5 billion digital streams of their songs and has had 25 million people attend their concerts, all while earning over $3 billion over their career.  They followed The Beatles out of the UK to lead the charge in introducing rock n’ roll music to the world. Over this lengthy career they’ve had eight number 1 hits on the music charts.  While The Beatles may have come first, The Rolling Stones are more of a pure rock band ,as their sound had a more aggressive tone to it than The Beatles and they changed the face of popular music for generations. For this reason they’ve earned the top ranking on this list. They are cited as the influence for countless bands that followed them in the 70s and 80s, including Aerosmith and The Black Crowes. Rolling Stone magazine ranked The Rolling Stones band as number 2 on their list of top bands.  

2. The Beatles 

The Beatles were first formed in 1960 in Liverpool, England, yet they recorded and performed as a band for only six years, from 1962-1966.  Yet during that short period they created such a frenzy with music fans worldwide, and changed the face of popular music, even more so that our number one band The Rolling Stones.  Two original members of the band are still with us, Paul McCartney and drummer Ringo Starr, both now in their eighties.  Even though The Beatles only toured for six years, their individual members performed for decades after the band broke up, and the remaining living members still perform occasionally.  That has led to the following statistics that define their career - the band is estimated to have sold over 575 million albums, and is estimated to have 6.5 billion digital streams of their songs; the estimated ticket sales for The Beatles concerts is unknown as detailed records of concert attendance wasn’t kept in the 1960s.  The Beatles are considered more of a pop-rock band, but because they really were the pioneers of rock n’ roll music and over their lengthy career they’ve had 20 number 1 hits on the music charts, they warrant the number two overall ranking on this list.  Incidentally, Rolling Stone magazine ranked The Beatles as #1 on their list. 

3. Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin were formed in 1968 in London, England by guitar virtuoso Jimmy Page, out of the ashes of super group The Yardbirds.  They disbanded as a band in 1980 when their drummer John Bonham died of a drug overdose.  They played a very heavy style of rock n’ roll music and are often cited as the originators of the “heavy metal” genre of rock music. Bass player/organist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham are considered virtuosos as well, and among the best ever to play their instruments in the rock genre of music.  Singer Robert Plant is considered one of the best rock singers of all time.  Over the years, Led Zeppelin have sold over 250 million albums, is estimated to have three billion digital streams of their songs and over their 12 years of touring they sold 12 million tickets to their concerts. During their career the band is estimated to have earned $2.2 billion.  Despite having many anthemic songs that are still heard on TV, radio, and in stadiums around the world, Led Zeppelin never had a number 1 hit song on the music charts.  That really is amazing when you consider their epic song, “Stairway To Heaven”, as one of the most recognized in the history of rock music. Ask any Gen X person what song they remember closing out school dances and they’ll all say “Stairway To Heaven”.  Led Zeppelin are my favourite of these four iconic British rock bands (The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and The Who) because of the hard edge, and thought-provoking lyrics and their songs.   Rolling Stone magazine also ranked Led Zeppelin as number 3 on their list of top bands.  

4. The Who

The Who were formed in 1964 in London, England by guitar hero Peter Townshend and singer Roger Daltrey.  The Who also played a harder style of rock music and included respected bass player John Entwistle among their ranks until his death in 2002, right before The Who were set to begin a world tour.  The Who were formed with maniacal and “sloppy” drummer Keith Moon, who was with the band until his death from a drug overdose in 1978.  The band continued touring with replacement drummer Kenny Jones until 1988. A series of replacement drummers has filled that spot since then, over the years.    Among the albums released by The Who was a rock n’ roll opera entitled “Tommy, a risky departure from the traditional rock songs released by The Who.  Over the period spanning their career, The Who have sold over 70 million albums, is estimated to have one billion digital streams of their songs and has had 7.5 million people attend their concerts. During their career the band is estimated to have earned $1.5 billion. Despite many memorable songs, including my personal favourite, “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, The Who have not had a single number 1 hit on the music charts.  Rolling Stone magazine ranked The Who as number 11 on their list of top bands, which I consider to be insanity.  

5. Van Halen 

Van Halen were formed in 1972 in the Los Angeles suburb of Pasadena, and released their first album in 1978, the epic and perhaps the greatest debut release of any rock n’ roll band, “Van Halen 1”. The band honed their craft at backyard parties in the Los Angeles area,  and at night clubs along the famous Sunset Strip of Los Angeles.  The band was formed and named after the Van Halen brothers Alex, who played drums, and Edward, who played guitar.  Edward is credited with popularizing guitar-playing techniques such as “tapping”, “hammer-ons” and “pull-offs”.  Edward also holds three United States patents in guitar design technology.  He is always in the conversation for the greatest rock guitar player ever.  Edward succumbed to a long battle with cancer in October 2020, effectively bringing an end to the band.  Over its’ career Van Halen  sold over 90 million albums, is estimated to have 1.4 billion digital streams of their songs and has had ten million people attend their concerts. During their career the band is estimated to have earned $900 million. The band achieved this success despite changing lead singers in 1985 when original singer David Lee Roth left the band and was replaced by veteran Sammy Hagar.  In fact the four albums to feature Sammy Hagar on lead vocals reach higher on the music popularity charts than each of the first six albums that featured David Lee Roth on vocals.  Van Halen is also credited with bringing an end to the dominance in the seventies of disco music and punk rock music, both of which dominated the radio airwaves before the arrival of Van Halen and other hard rock oriented bands in the late seventies and early eighties. Van Halen scored one number 1 hit with the song, “Jump”, which is ironic as Van Halen is known for their guitar sound, but “Jump” is driven by an ever memorable keyboard riff.  Rolling Stone magazine ranked Van Halen as number 21 on their list of top bands, which I personally take offense to, as Van Halen is my all-time favourite band, and even I set aside my personal affinity for this band and ranked them 5th…ranking them 21st is pure craziness.  

6. Metallica 

Metallica were formed in the San Francisco Bay area in 1981, by drummer Lars Ulrich and singer/guitarist James Hetfield.  Metallica’s sound drew heavily from the “thrash” genre of hard rock music and while cutting their teeth in the eighties, their 1990 release of self titled “Black Album” propelled them to broad mainstream appeal. On the back of the lead track, the haunting “Enter Sandman” and the epic ballad, “Nothing Else Matters” this album has sold 30 million copies worldwide.  Enter Sandman is a staple at arenas and stadiums during sporting events. Despite this, Metallica has not yet registered a number 1 hit on the music charts. Metallica is credited with maintaining a harder edge sound to rock music in the nineties, when the era was dominated by flannel wearing Alternative rock bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains.  Over its’ career Metallica have sold over 140 million albums, is estimated to have 1.8 billion digital streams of their songs and has had 17.5 million people attend their concerts.  During their career the band is estimated to have earned $2.2 billion. Metallica still releases albums today, most recently the 2023 release of “72 Seasons”; the band still tours to this day.   Rolling Stone magazine ranked Metallica as number 12 on their list of top bands.

7. AC/DC  

AC/DC are the only Australian band to make this list, having been formed in 1973 in Sydney.  The band was formed by guitar-playing brothers Angus and Malcolm Young.  Despite being on their third singer, Brian Johnson, the band continues to release albums and tour.   Over its’ career AC/DC have sold over 210 million albums, is estimated to have three billion digital streams of their songs and has had 17.5 million people attend their concerts. During their career the band is estimated to have earned $1.8 billion.  AC/DC toiled in relative obscurity, being  popular only in Australia and the UK, until the 1980 release of the album “Back In Black” which propelled them to super stardom worldwide and in particular in North America. Black In Black was a tribute to their second singer, Bon Scott, who died of a drug overdose, and was replaced by Brian Jonson.  Every song on Back In Black charted as a hit for AC/DC and is by far their best-selling album from their 17 album catalog.  AC/DC songs are also a staple at arenas and stadiums during spotting events, but despite this the band has yet to achieve a number 1 hit on the music charts. Rolling Stone magazine ranked AC/DC as number 13 on their list of top bands.

8. Queen

Queen were formed in 1970 in London, England by drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist/keyboard player Brian May.  They were joined by bassist John Deacon, who wrote one of their biggest hits, “Another One Bites The Dust”, that appeared on the band’s game-changing album released in 1980, “The Game”, and was one of two number 1 hits the band registered on the music charts.  John's final appearance with Queen was in 1992, at a tribute concert in honour of Queen singer Freddie Mercury, who died of AIDS in 1991.  John left Queen for good in 1997.  Singer Freddie Mercury is considered by many to be the greatest rock singer of all time, and his death in 1991 was mourned by fans the world over.  Freddie had incredible range and felt equally comfortable singing rock music, opera (as was evidenced in the Queen hit song, “Bohemian Rhapsody”), to rockabilly tunes such as “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”.  Queen continues to perform today with original members Roger Taylor and Brian May.  Queens toured in the 2000s with Free/Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers and more recently with American Idol contestant singer Adam Lambert.  Over its career Queen have sold over 250 million albums, is estimated to have four billion digital streams of their songs and has had 20 million people attend their concerts. During their career the band is estimated to have earned $2.2 billion. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Queen as number 5 on their list of top bands. 

9. Rush  

Rush were formed in Toronto, ON by bassist/keyboardist Geddy Lee and guitar player Alex Lifeson.  Rush marks the only Canadian band to make our top eleven list.  The band initially had drummer John Rutsey and with him scored a major hit entitled, “Working Man”.  Rutsey left Rush before their first major tour and was replaced by Neil Peart, considered to be one of the greatest rock n’ roll drummers of all time.  Peart was the primary lyricist for the band's songs with Rush until his death in January 2020.  Over its’ career Rush have sold over 50 million albums, is estimated to have 800 million digital streams of their songs and has had six million people attend their concerts. During their career the band is estimated to have earned $600 million. Despite radio and arena/stadium staples such as “Limelight”, "Spirit of Radio" and “Tom Sawyer”, Rush have not registered a single number 1 on the music charts.  Despite claiming that Neil Peart could never be replaced, in 2025 the band announced a headline tour in 2026 with previously unknown, replacement drummer, Anika Nilles. Rolling Stone magazine did not rank Rush on their list of top bands. 

10. Guns N’ Roses  

Guns N’ Roses, “GNR”, were formed in 1985 in Los Angeles by guitarist Tracii Guns and singer Axl Rose.  Guns left GNR before they toured or recorded and was replaced by Saul Hudson, better known as “Slash”, to form the classic lineup that went on to record multi-million selling albums and tour stadiums.  Tracii Guns went on to form L.A. Guns and had some success with that band, but it was nothing compared to the colossal success that GNR went on to be.  GNR’s debut album was released in 1987 and it went on to sell 30 million copies worldwide, including the epic track “Welcome To The Jungle”.  This song is about Axl and then rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin’s first trip to New York City, and tells the story of how Axl and Izzy were walking across one of the many bridges in New York, and were almost run over by a taxi cab.  As the cab passed by Axl and Izzy, the driver yelled at them. “Welcome to the jungle, baby…you’re gonna die!!”.  That incident became the basis for GNR’s biggest hit song.  Over the years a parade of musicians have been members of GNR, with singer Axl Rose being the only constant.  Slash and bassist Duff Mackagan  rejoined GNR in 2016 and the band has been steadily touring on the strength of mainstays Axl Rose, Slash and Duff Mackagan.  Over its career Guns N’ Roses have sold over 100 million albums, is estimated to have 1.8 billion digital streams of their songs and has had 12 million people attend their concerts. During their career the band is estimated to have earned $1.5 billion. Even though GNR have released many iconic singles over the years, including the rock classic, “Welcome To The Jungle”, the band has only charted one number 1 hit, being “Sweet Child O’ Mine”.  Rolling Stone magazine ranked Guns N’ Roses as number 23 on their list of top bands. 

11. U2  

U2 were formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1976 by drummer Larry Mullins Jr, and even though the band has now been operating for almost fifty years, and its most well-known member is lead singer Bono, the band is considered “Larry’s band”.  The lineup has remained consistent throughout that 50 year history, with “The Edge” on guitar and keyboards, and Adam Clayton on bass, rounding out the lineup.  U2’s first album, entitled “Boy” was released in 1980, and was a minor hit in the UK.  The band released two more studio albums, “October” in 1981, and “War” in 1983, which were also modest hits.  But it was the release of a live album, “Under A Blood Red Sky” in 1983 that brought the band attention in North American.  This album recorded their performance for the War album tour at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, CO.  Subsequent albums released in 1984 and 1987, “The Unforgettable Fire” and "Rattle N’ Hum” respectively propelled the band to global superstar status.  Rattle N’ Hum generated two number 1 hits for the band.   Over its career U2 have sold over 175 million albums, is estimated to have three billion digital streams of their songs and has had 25 million people attend their concerts. During their career the band is estimated to have earned $3.0 billion. Rolling Stone magazine ranked U2 as number 7 on their list of top bands. 

There you have it.  The top eleven rock bands of all time, from Pontifications From Paliwal.