The Doors

The Doors were active for only eight years, from 1965 to 1973, but they quickly became one of the most influential bands of the counter-culture era, as well as a largely controversial band due to Jim Morrison's erratic behavior. Every decade has seen a revival of interest in the band and the addition of new fans as a result of cover songs becoming popular, the use of their songs in hit movies, movies about them, and so on.

Their first album The Doors re-entered the Billboard charts 14 years after its initial release as did their greatest hits and "best of" albums. Their legacy will live on this way forever, it seems, as it should. They even created a brand new song in 2012 with Skrillex of all people, called "Breakn' a Sweat."

8.U2

U2

U2 began as a group of friends in secondary school in Dubiln, Ireland, before any of them had any real musical abilities. They signed a record deal four years later. By their fifth album, they had become a worldwide sensation. To date, they have won 22 Grammy Awards, more than any other band.

Part of their success stems from the fact that whenever they encounter controversy or boredom from their fan base, they evolve and revolutionize their sound. They're big experimenters, and The Edge's guitar pedal array is a prime example.

7.The Who

The Who

The Who has a huge following due to their pop art and mod subculture influences, and even more so due to the success of their rock opera Tommy. I enjoy concept albums in general, and theirs is excellent. The tours were massive and exciting, which added to the buzz surrounding them.

It's more than just their music. They aided in the development of the Marshall stack, the use of synthesizers in rock, the use of large PA systems, and even the use of power chords on guitar. Musicians value them more than fans and frequently cite them as a top influence, and fans must respect the opinions of their favorite artists.

6.Nirvana

Nirvana

Kurt Cobain was Nirvana's breakout star, and since his death and the band's breakup in 1994, Dave Grohl has gone on to be a musical great, playing drums, bass, and singing vocals for countless bands and collaborations. In 1991, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" catapulted them to fame.

It didn't take long for them to win all of the music awards in quick succession, and they were even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, their first year of eligibility. It took the strength of their Nevermind album to finally dethrone Michael Jackson's Dangerous on the Billboard charts.

5.Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin

Having a broad appeal is an important part of reaching a large audience. Led Zeppelin made music in the blues rock and folk rock genres, but they are also regarded as forefathers of heavy metal. Their single Stairway to Heaven is one of the most influential and popular songs in rock history. Every time, these guys delivered big.

The number of people who attended the concerts set new records. Their albums are among the best-selling albums of all time. Each of their nine studio albums charted in the top ten, with six reaching number one. They've won every music award available. Their impact on musicians and fans alike will be felt for the rest of their lives.

4.Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd's impact as a defining force in rock culture cannot be overstated. And it's not just about how many records they've sold. You can read pages of statistics about The Dark Side Of The Moon's success, but that doesn't explain why that album – both the music and the album sleeve – from 1973 became an icon for a generation.

They've released 15 albums and toured in support of each one over the course of their six-decade career. They also composed film scores for a number of lesser-known films. Two of their albums, The Wall and The Dark Side of the Moon, are among the best-selling albums in history. Dark music like theirs will never be considered pop, but it has just as many fans and a longer shelf life.

3.AC/DC

AC/DC

As with many of the bands on this list, there have been both good and bad times. The biggest shock was the untimely death of vocalist Bon Scott in 1980. After Scott's death, it was Angus and Malcolm who kept AC/DC together – until, 34 years later, Malcolm succumbed to dementia and died in 2017.

AC/music DC's hasn't changed much over the years, and that single-minded vision has served the
m well, with more than 200 million records sold. The basic blueprint that AC/DC established on their early albums with Bon Scott – hard, no-nonsense, riff-driven rock'n'roll – has seen them through to the present day. May it continue indefinitely.

2.The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are so well-known that the solo careers of their members, such as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, are equally well-known. They began in 1962 and were at the vanguard of the British Invasion. This band has four of the top five highest-grossing tours.

Part of their success can be attributed to their sticking to safe foundational genres such as R&B, soul, and rock. They were even nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album just a few months ago. When pop music evolves and changes so quickly, consistency is essential, which is why they're still at the top after nearly 60 years.

1.The Beatles

The Beatles

The Beatles only lasted ten years, from 1960 to 1970, but they are still by far the best-selling artists of all time. If you include their solo albums and side projects, they'll have that record for the rest of their lives. They began young and led the British Invasion of pop and rock into the United States, and their fans grew up with them, purchasing each album as it came out.

These guys won every award, starred in and produced films, and even hold records such as having the most covered song of all time. The songwriting partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney is the most successful in history. They had pop appeal, rock appeal, evolved through the hippy era's interests... they're some of the best musicians who ever lived. Hipsters think it's cool to despise them because they're so good.