There have been hundreds of rock bands both big and small over the decades that have had an impact on the music industry. While dozens of lead singers, guitarists, bassists and drummers have entertained crowds, there are a few rock bands out there that have had an outsize influence on fans. These bands have released incredible music that has resonated with fans, and they’ve also inspired other artists to create music of their own.
A number of rock and metal bands have had an influence not only on fans but also on the fashion and gaming industries. Many mainstream retail stores now sell a variety of band t-shirts while games like Guitar Hero have also proved very popular with fans. There are even online games and mobile casino games that have been influenced by music too.Â
Metallica
Since the band was formed in 1981, Metallica have gone on the become one of, if not THE, most successful metal bands of all time. While they were initially popular in the underground music scene, their third album, Master of Puppets, helped them to reach new levels of success.
The band is known for combining fast tempos with long instrumental sections. The lyrics of their songs are often highly personal and socially conscious. Bands that have been influenced by Metallica include Pantera, Disturbed and Avenged Sevenfold. Metallica’s music has also been covered by many other artists in other genres, including Snoop Dogg.
Queen
British rock band Queen have released countless hit songs including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are the Champions” and ‘”We Will Rock You.” While the band has created more experimental rock, they eventually transitioned to music that was more radio-friendly. Queen have sold an estimated 300 million records worldwide.
The band’s lead singer, Freddie Mercury, passed away in 1991. Since then, the band has continued to tour with other vocalists, like Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert. Countless bands have named both Queen and Freddie Mercury as an influence, including Judas Priest, The Smashing Pumpkins and My Chemical Romance. Queen has also been a major influence for pop artists like Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga. Last year, the story of the legendary singer and band was brought to the big screen with Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).
Black Sabbath
English rock band Black Sabbath was formed in Birmingham, England in 1968. Their music helped to define the rock genre thanks to the success of major releases like Master of Reality and Paranoid. They have also won multiple Grammys and sold more than 70 million records across the globe.
Black Sabbath’s original lead singer, Ozzy Osbourne, gained a great deal of notoriety on his own. Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath in 1976 and was replaced by Ronnie James Dio. Black Sabbath reunited with Osbourne in 1997 for a live album, and the band released their final album, 13, in 2013.
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd are one of the world’s most influential rock bands out there. Since the band formed in 1965, they’ve sold more than 250 million records. While their first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, was very successful, it’s albums like The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall that helped put them on the map.
Pink Floyd are known for producing psychedelic rock that features lots of sonic experimentation and philosophical, fantasy-inspired lyrics. They are considered to be the godfathers of progressive rock and have been a major influence on bands like Dream Theater, Radiohead and Air.
Guns N’ Roses
Hard rock band Guns N’ Roses have been a major success since their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, was released in 1987. The album had several hit singles, including “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Sweet Child o’Mine,” and “Paradise City.” Since then, the band has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Guns N’ Roses take influence from many different genres, including punk rock, blues, and heavy metal. The band is known for its power ballads. They’ve had a major influence on many bands, including Fallout Boy, The Strokes and Hinder.
Iron Maiden
Veteran rock band Iron Maiden have reached levels of success that most bands can never dream of. Five of their albums have reached number one on the charts, and they’ve played sold-out arenas in countries all over the world. They’ve also sold more than 100 million albums worldwide.
The band is especially famous for its live performances, which often feature pyrotechnics. They’ve played more than 2,000 live shows over the course of their career. When the band plays live shows, they bring along their mascot, Eddie the Head. Eddie has appeared on all of the band’s album covers, and he frequently appears on their merchandise as well.
