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