Top 10 Rock Performers of All Time

Talk about a subjective list. Don't look for hip-hop. And we're not talking jazz or Motown. These are the best rock 'n' roll performers who somehow affected the way we view pop culture.

10. Nirvana
They changed the musical landscape, ushering out '80s keyboard-layered bands like Duran Duran, Flock of Seagulls and A-Ha and establishing the grunge trend for the '90s. They gave Generation X an anthem band and a tragic legendary front man in Kurt Cobain. Had it not been for Cobain, you wouldn't have Hole in your CD collection.

9. Janis Joplin
Clearly the inspiration for women rockers, a tough, guttural blues singer who blazed her own trail in a male-dominated industry. She made it OK for women to be brash and bold, to sweat and have a little fun onstage. Singers like Melissa Etheridge, Chrissie Hynde and Ann Wilson were obviously influenced. Pearl was her own Lilith Fair.

8. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
They set the standard for a live performance, routinely playing four-hour shows night after night. In his heyday, Springsteen was the hard-working, working-class lyricist who left his heart onstage in a pool of passion. With the E Street Band, live performances were magic. In the recording studio, Springsteen was willing to toss out successful formulas, releasing introspective albums like "Nebraska" and "The Ghost of Tom Joad."

7. Bob Dylan
His gravely voice and beatnik poetry defined the '60s, resonating through the Greenwich Village coffeehouse scene and into every baby boomer's bedroom. The fact that "Time Out of Mind" won the 1997 Grammy for Album of the Year is a credit to this legend's creative longevity. No writer's block for this Minnesota boy.

6. The Grateful Dead
Devoted fans? Dead Heads' faithfulness to Jerry Garcia make Parrot Heads' passion for Jimmy Buffett seem as genuine as Ben's devotion to J-Lo. The Dead created the tie-dyed culture and their fans were willing to follow the band around the country, creating a subculture never seen before. The Dead were gifted musicians, spending hours practicing and churning out different set lists night after night.

5. The Rolling Stones
Longevity is why they belong on this list. Lyrically inferior to The Who and no musical match for Led Zeppelin, this is a party band that has endured for almost 40 years. Their catalog of music is impressive, with more than 30 albums and dozens of memorable singles. To see Mick Jagger move like he does today and Keith Richards move at all is a testament to dirty living.

4. Elvis Presley
No one had seen anything like this kid from Memphis, who defined rock star charisma. Like Frank Sinatra, Elvis crossed entertainment genres, finding success in movies as well as music. His charming voice and sexy moves drove women crazy. With the slew of impersonators still making money today, Elvis is perhaps the biggest rock star whose candle burned out long before the legend ever will.

3. Led Zeppelin
From their blues-inspired self-titled debut to the posthumous "Coda," Zeppelin brought a different sound to each record. Jimmy Page is arguably the best rock guitarist of all time—on par with Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore and Eric Clapton—but what made Zeppelin stand out was the dynamic voice of Robert Plant and the percussion of the late John Bonham.

2. The Who
The best of the late '60s British invasion, with rock's most honest songwriter in Pete Townshend and the quintessential charismatic front man in Roger Daltrey. Add the steady bass work of John Entwistle and the no-holds-barred drumming of Keith Moon (check out the drumming on "Quadrophenia") and no one could touch this band on album or onstage. "Tommy," one of the band's three concept albums, was reproduced onstage and screen and is considered a landmark achievement.

1. The Beatles
They set the musical direction of the '60s and redefined the word "mania." Each of the four band members could sing and write music. How many bands feature four different lead vocalists? The John Lennon-Paul McCartney songwriting team is the best ever. With more than 40 albums and dozens of top 10 singles, their place in history is unmatched.

Comments

[joe]

it is great
can you please send me some info on the beatles?
your sincerely
joe

[John Gurd]

Where the fuck are Pink Floyd, you intelectually inane person??

[Derek VanVeller]

It's an all right list you have here. I like seeing The Who around the top and Led Zeppelin. However, I think AC/DC and Pink Floyd need a spot on the list. Maybe instead of the Grateful Dead or Janis Joplin

[Matej]

OK where the fuck are THE DOORS and PINK FLOYD.

[Lachster]

Where in the hell is AC\DC, they are the best bloody band of all time.

Get your act straight

[Lachster (AGAIN)]

The list seriously needs changing.

These should be the top 5

1.AC/DC

2.The Beatles

3.Led Zeppelin

4.The Rolling Stones

5.Black Sabbath

[Dan]

I love AC/DC, but they just didn't make my top 10. AC/DC was one of the first concerts I ever saw, back in 1976. I knew then they would be a powerhouse and they've proven me right. Rock on.

http://steelkaleidoscopes.typepad.com/steel_kaleidoscopes/2005/06/and_you_thought.html

[bad funny retard]

i hate limp biskit they f-ing suck

[errol]

its not bad but i think guns n roses and pink floyd and queen need a place

I love Guns 'n' Roses (too bad Axel burned out), Queen and Pink Floyd. Syd Barrett was a genius and Brian May is an underrated guitarist. Tough to pick a top 10 list, though. Lots of good music out there, especially from the '70s.

[Caiminatrix]

don't forget jimi

[ted]

bruce springsteen no #1 all the way

[Dan]

Bruce Springsteen is clearly one of the best live performers who ever stepped on stage.

[steve]

The list needs to be increased. I agree with some of your top ten. However, I've seem most of the performers you have mentioned. Bob Seger has to be somewhere there, the best I ever seen live!

[Mick]

Wilson Pickett, Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, blues players like Elmore James, Freddie King and those that came earlier.

Why should Janis Joplin be on the list and not Etta James? Etta sang with a band that had guitars and drums, that fits into your "classic rock" scheme doesnt it? Not if youre marketing it to white suburbia.

Its a shame kids have to grow up seeing the above bands deified and talked about to the point that the origins of the music are obscured.

In short dont stop at what the radio has to offer you.

[Dan]

I never saw Bob Seger live but I'm sure he's good. I wouldn't consider him a 'Top 10' performer.

Agreed on the radio comment as well. I'm sure there are bands I've never heard of that are terrific. Joni Mitchell wrote about this: "He Played Real Good For Free."

But a list is a list and this is where I stand ... for now.

Dan

[Vinay Lohar]

Here's my list -

10 U2 - The band has one of the best vocalist (Bono), the most talented guitarist (Edge) and a superb presence onstage.

9 The Grateful Dead - A bunch of really talented musicians who could cast a spell on the audiences with their performance.

8 AC/DC - Have a look at the number of people who attend their concerts !

7 Iron Maiden - I have to say the one thing that really impressed me was Bruce Dickinsons persona and his presence onstage. And of course when he is on stage - he rules.

6 Dire Starits - Some of the best classic performances in concert to date. 'Vintage Performances'is what I would say.

5 The Beatles - Not my favorite band but yeah I give them lot of credit for inspiring bands.

4 The Doors - Ask the Gals. Most of them I know are still obsessed.

3 Led Zeppelin - The charishma of Robert Plant with the talent of Jimmy Page and sheer power of John Bonham is what it takes to be one of the most inspiring rock bands ever.

2 Metallica - Superb stage presence. They have the biggest fan following in Metal history.

1 Pink Floyd - P.U.L.S.E is all I can say. There's nothing better than those concerts.

[Dan]

Great list, Vinay. I will definitely check out P.U.L.S.E.

[Susjan]

Once more ; where the fuck is pink floyd ?????

[Dan]

Mother do you think they'll drop the bomb?

[Vinh]

Dave Matthews Band.... ??? Come on...

[bob]

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND SUCKS@!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

[Tayla]

OMG ppls get some real music not ppl like bob dylan and really old singers

[Jane]

Where the hell is Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd? Like I get some of this list but Jimi and Pink definitely have to do with a lot of what's happening in music today. Seriously

[david]

how is queen not on this list? no one put on a show like freddy. when people perform they want imitate him.

[Dan]

Freddie Mercury was terrific. But when you only have 10 choices, it's tough.

[Music]

Jimi hendrix should be here and meatloaf and guns 'n' roses

[JIMMY MACK]

Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler.......all those who follow try to be them.They are energy, they are rock!!The new ANGRY bald singers of the millenium are never going to change that,even if they do have big lips.Sorry.

[anonymous]

people are always going to complain about lists like these.
Some people would complain if it was changed and some people would disagree with YOUR opinions. If it bothers you all so much...MAKE YOUR OWN LIST!

[anonymous]

people are always going to complain about lists like these.
Some people would complain if it was changed and some people would disagree with YOUR opinions. If it bothers you all so much...MAKE YOUR OWN LIST!

[Scott Concol]

Everyone just agree on one thing and stop swearing because most schools in the world haven`t blocked this site and little kids could learn bad words off you guys and put Ac/Dc up the top

[Ya mum]

This is from all ya mum`s go find a better hobbie abdb get off the internet and find a guy/girl and start a life ima out catch ya`s cheers pppfff ROCK'N'ROLL!!!!!!!!!

[Jayjay]

WHERE ON EARTH IS JIMI HENDRIX .....
YOU MUST BE INSANE....HE WAS GREATEST ON STAGE PRESENCE EVER..
YOU PEOPLE...god sake!!!!
JUST WATCH!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5BOf-8vHoY&feature=related