35 of the Greatest and Most Influential Rock Bands in History

Published on 02/19/2020
ADVERTISEMENT

19. The Velvet Underground

This New York City band had a huge Impact on the music industry at large. Despite their the first Velvet Underground album only selling 10,000 copies, they inspired millions into forming their own band.

The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground

The band started out in 1965 under the management of artist Andy Warhol. Lou Reed, John Cale, Moe Tucker, and Sterling Morrison, consistently pushed the limits of the musical convention of the 1960s and 70s, giving live performances which resembled art shows more than any standard musical performances, all earning them a definite place on this list of best rock n’ roll bands.

ADVERTISEMENT

18. Fleetwood Mac

Not everyone knows that Fleetwood Mac actually formed in London in 1967 as a blues rock band, but it wasn’t until Americans Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined the band in late 1974, that Fleetwood Mac became the famous rockers we know them to be today.

Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac

This mix of Americans and English turned out to be a highly successful move, taking their music in a dramatic new direction, and commercially appealing to a wider audience. Their album, “Rumours”, released in 1977, with hits like “Go Your Own Way”, “The Chain”, and “Dreams”, really helped establish their musical legacy.

ADVERTISEMENT