Wow. This was the hardest list yet. I sat and pondered how to narrow down so many fantastic rock and roll bands to just five.
Rock and roll music is absolutely my favorite type of music. But you can look at a really broad landscape of music styles even within this genre. At the end of the day, I looked at groups with music that I don’t think I would ever get sick of, groups that have songs that are so recognizable that just about anyone can join you in singing the lyrics.
Just to know how hard this list was, I left off groups that I really love like AC/DC, Metallica, the Who, the Eagles, and the Steve Miller Band. Let’s get going with the surely controversial picks!
Number Five: Named after their lead singer, Bon Jovi lands in this spot. Jon Bon Jovi has led this group from New Jersey since 1983. They really hit the mainstream in 1986 with their album Slippery When Wet. Those of us who were in middle or high school at that time probably had most of the songs on that cassette tape memorized.
Here’s evidence of how big a group this is. Any time you’re working on something or traveling somewhere and you are near the midway point, just say, “Well, we’re halfway there.” How long before someone near you starts singing, “Livin’ on a prayer!”? That was a number one hit from that album along with “You Give Love a Bad Name.”
Bon Jovi has adjusted their style over time, and music from them in the 90s and beyond sounds different from some of their early work, but it’s a nice adjustment to what’s popular at that time while still sounding distinctly like Bon Jovi.
Number Four: Of all the hard rock bands I considered, I finally decided on Guns ‘n’ Roses to take this spot. If you want to head bang, GnR is the group for you.
How many professional sporting events use “Welcome to the Jungle” as part of their game music selections? As we contemplate using more music at our high school events, I always land on that song as working well for a team named the Panthers. But the surprising thing is that only “Sweet Child o’ Mine” reached number one as a single.
The lineup of this group has changed over time, but most people think of Axl Rose and Slash when remembering the classic years. This group has a greatest hits album that is one of those I could listen to day after day; when I do have it on, the volume is cranked up.
Number Three: Here’s another group that was off and on the list, but once I really thought about it, Aerosmith deserved to be recognized. This group, led by Steven Tyler, has been making amazing music since 1970. One wonders just how long they can go, but like other groups, they keep reinventing themselves with each new generation.
With songs like “Sweet Emotion,” “Dream On,” and “Walk This Way” in the 1970s, Aerosmith quickly showed that they had their own unique sound. I was familiar with these songs, but there I was in the late 80s, in my formative years, hearing music like “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” and “Love in an Elevator.” Wow. I started paying closer attention to Aerosmith’s older material and realized how epic it all was.
Their music in the last 10-15 years has been hit and miss, but I give them credit for trying different things and thinking outside the box. It’s just amazing that they have been performing for 50 years now.
Number Two: I’m sure many people would have the Beatles at #1. I thought about it, but personal preference kept them here. I love the Beatles, and I recognize everything they did for rock music. They fell just short in my eyes.
The Beatles were only together for about a decade, but John, Paul, Ringo, and George revolutionized the genre. They’ve sold over 600 million albums worldwide, number one all-time in that regard. Songs like “Let It Be,” “Yellow Submarine,” and “Hey, Jude” rank among the best songs of all time. A greatest hits compilation of the Beatles is a must-have for everyone.
The only thing that kept them from #1 on my list? At times, their songs sound a little alike. They repeat the same words and lines so many times in some songs that there doesn’t seem to be as much depth to them. Still, I would have loved to have been alive for Beatlemania!
Number One: So if not the Beatles, then who? The top spot goes to Queen. Freddie Mercury helped form this group about the time the Beatles were breaking up. This is a group that experimented with many different styles, never afraid to try something outlandish, and that’s what separates them from the pack.
Here’s the thing about Queen: their older music finds new ways to be rediscovered and used all the time. “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions” are now and will always be used at sports events. “Bohemian Rhapsody” keeps finding its ways into different movies and has been remade by various other groups, including the Muppets.
This is music that will last forever and be enjoyed, no matter what else about music changes. Queen has a song for everyone; if you don’t like one album, you’ll likely change your mind by listening to another since it’s a whole different experience.
Controversial, indeed! Do me a favor, and go listen to your personal favorite group. Music, like laughter, helps soothe the soul, and we can all use plenty of that!
Word of the Week: This week’s word is pogonip, which means a dense winter fog with ice particles, as in, “The driver was thankful for the loud music playing as he tried to focus to see through the pogonip in front of him.” Impress your friends and confuse your enemies!