| Classic rock is a fundamental part of | | | | the acoustic guitar. Hendrix embraced the |
| American history. Many of today's leading | | | | uniqueness of the electric guitar and showed |
| bands can trace their styles back to the | | | | his appreciation for it to the rest of the |
| influence of certain musicians. While every | | | | world. |
| song made available to the world has had an | | | | |
| impact on the music industry, there are | | | | Pink Floyd |
| certain performers who will eternally stand | | | | |
| at the forefront of music. | | | | Easily considered the greatest band of all |
| | | | time, Pink Floyd's unique style and |
| From folk rock to psychedelic rock, there | | | | showmanship defined psychedelic rock. Their |
| have been many groundbreaking sounds and | | | | concept albums were thematic masterpieces |
| voices. Here are the top ten most influential | | | | that appealed to countless audiences. The |
| classic rock bands in history. | | | | Dark Side Of The Moon, Animals, and The Wall |
| | | | each still stand out today as great Rock |
| Elvis Presley | | | | masterpieces. |
| | | | |
| While Elvis is not traditionally viewed in | | | | The Who |
| the classic rock genre, it is impossible to | | | | |
| ignore his influence on the world of | | | | Also known for their thematic records, The |
| Rock-n-Roll. As the first to expose | | | | Who pioneered the idea of rock opera. Most |
| mainstream America to something other than | | | | famous for their collaborative efforts with |
| traditional family music, he faced a | | | | every major musical figure of their time, |
| tremendous amount of opposition from the | | | | Tommy The Rock Opera ensured the longevity of |
| mainstream. | | | | the band into the future. |
| | | | |
| Despite the extreme racism exhibited during | | | | Their success and fame were not limited to |
| the 1950's, Elvis never hesitated to give | | | | their unique approach to concept albums. |
| appropriate credit to his inspirations. | | | | Their musical skills are still highly |
| Mainly African-American performers influenced | | | | regarded in both mainstream circles and in |
| Elvis' sound and style. Southern radio disc | | | | the entertainment industry. Their music is |
| jockeys originally refused to play Elvis' | | | | currently being used as the theme song for at |
| singles, because they sounded "too Negro" for | | | | least three of the most popular show on TV on |
| white stations to air. | | | | the air today. |
| | | | |
| It was not just Elvis' sound, but also his | | | | The Rolling Stones |
| performance, that drew controversy. The | | | | |
| movement of his hips in a suggestive manner | | | | The Rolling Stones have easily maintained |
| sparked an entire decade of debate. | | | | their position as one of the longest lasting |
| | | | bands in recording history. Like most popular |
| Despite the firestorm of criticism that | | | | rock bands of the age, they were an |
| surrounded Elvis' reign, his continuing | | | | England-based band that was more than happy |
| popularity has ensured that Elvis' crown as | | | | to take on America. |
| the King of Rock and Roll would remain valid | | | | |
| for decades, even decades after his death. | | | | Their grungy unkempt image became so popular; |
| | | | many artists are still attempting to master |
| The Beatles | | | | it. Their unique sound and high quality |
| | | | lyrics have kept them at the top of the |
| As the best selling musical act of all-time, | | | | charts for almost 40 years. |
| it is hard to deny the influence of the | | | | |
| Beatles, not only on the musical culture of | | | | Cream |
| America, but also on every aspect of human | | | | |
| life. The Beatles included John Lennon, Paul | | | | Cream, featuring guitarist Eric Clapton, was |
| McCartney, Ringo Star, and George Harrison. | | | | one of the most technically advanced music |
| | | | groups of their time. Their instrumental |
| Their innovative style defined the music of | | | | techniques became legendary and paved the way |
| the 1960's -- twice. They began their career | | | | for other bands to focus on developing their |
| in England, and when they came to America, | | | | instrument techniques, in addition to their |
| they were already a huge success in the | | | | lyrics. |
| United States. In their early years, they had | | | | |
| defined pop music for a new generation. | | | | The Doors |
| | | | |
| As the hippy days of the late 1960's began to | | | | The Doors have always been one of the most |
| take hold of America's young people, the | | | | controversial bands that had ever existed. |
| Beatles redefined their music again, with | | | | Jim Morrison's wild behavior set the tone for |
| another new style of music lauded by the | | | | the countless musical bad boys that would |
| masses. Their very loud stance on drug use | | | | follow in his footsteps. |
| and war made them a controversial group, but | | | | |
| their popularity never wavered. Although the | | | | The poetic lyrics of The Doors, as well as |
| Beatles retained the loyalty and admiration | | | | their outrageous behavior, made them a crowd |
| of their late 1960's audiences until the | | | | favorite. |
| group broke up, the touring days of the | | | | |
| Beatles ended in 1966 when John Lennon | | | | Led Zeppelin |
| proclaimed, "The Beatles were more popular | | | | |
| than Jesus Christ." | | | | The road to heavy metal was paved by Led |
| | | | Zeppelin. Their first album was pivotal in |
| Bob Dylan | | | | its inclusion of distorted amplification |
| | | | techniques. Over the years, their |
| Dylan has one of the most easily recognizable | | | | experimentation included mixing acoustic and |
| voices in the world. Raspy and full of | | | | electric sounds, with the addition of |
| passion, Bob Dylan's sound is distinctive. | | | | synthesized melodies. The success of Led |
| His songs are amazing and defined a | | | | Zeppelin helped establish a strong base for |
| generation obsessed with the themes of social | | | | the development of metal music. |
| unrest, an anti-war stance, and encouragement | | | | |
| for the civil rights movement. | | | | Few people of their generation or the current |
| | | | generation realize that like Elvis, Led |
| A traditional folk singer, Dylan's works | | | | Zeppelin took most of their inspiration from |
| transcended all genres and appealed to | | | | African-American performers. As a lifelong |
| countless young Americans. His sincere lyrics | | | | fan of Led Zeppelin, it is was oddly |
| spoke to many and made it possible to | | | | fascinating to listen to some of the |
| empathize with his many causes. | | | | not-so-famous African-American |
| | | | rhythm-and-blues performers of the 1930's, |
| Jimi Hendrix | | | | and to be able to hear the Led Zeppelin songs |
| | | | we have loved for years in a whole new way. |
| As the undisputed master of the electric | | | | |
| guitar, Jimi Hendrix is a classic rock | | | | Final Thoughts |
| foundation. The self-taught guitar player | | | | |
| refused to be limited by many of the | | | | Clearly, these ten bands had a significant |
| conventional views of guitar players. | | | | impact on the evolution of Rock-n-Roll music |
| | | | through the generations, but it is more |
| Prior to Jimi Hendrix's development as a | | | | difficult to put them into an ordered list of |
| guitar player, the electric guitar was | | | | important groups. Let's just agree that most |
| considered to merely be a louder version of | | | | of us love all ten bands on this list. |