II - GREATEST BRITISH ROCK BANDS

THESE ARE SOME OF THE TOP BRITISH ROCK ARTISTS/BANDS IN HISTORY:

FOR OTHER RANKINGS, YOU CAN ALSO CHECK https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/the-20-greatest-british-rock-bands-of-all-time-a3655391.html

50. Happy Mondays

Why: These staples of the “Madchester” scene taught us all how to rave in the ‘90s. You’re twisting my melon, man!

Hometown: Manchester

Essential track: “Step On”

 

49. Dizzee Rascal

Why: The grime pioneer seamlessly blends hip hop and dancehall elements to create a sound that demands to be grooved to.

Essential track: “Bonkers”

48.5. ELO Electric Light Orchestra
Why: Beautiful mix of rock and symphonic electric music
Essential track: "Last Train to London"

48.2. A Flock of Seagulls

Why: All the way back from 1980, this synth pop band has not abandoned our minds.
Essential track: "I Ran"

48. Mumford and Sons

Why: The Brits have a history of borrowing American sounds,
and only one album in these banjo-toting lads
managed to craft one of our favorite albums in a while.

Essential track: “Little Lion Man”

47. Pulp

Why: There are only a handful of frontmen who can truly speak to the class divisions that exist within the UK, and Jarvis Cocker can confront the aristocracy with the best of them.

Essential track: “Common People”

46. Richard Thompson (Fairport Convention)

Why: One of the best acoustic guitar players of all time,
Thompson was also one of the first to blend English folk
with electric elements in Fairport Convention.

Essential track: “1952 Vincent Black Lightning”

45. Gomez

Why: The band won a Mercury Prize for its debut album, Bring It On, in 1998 and has continued mixing experimental sounds with accessible melodies since then.

Essential track: “Airstream Driver”

44. Small Faces/The Faces

Why: It’s impossible to choose which incarnation of this mod group we prefer. Most bands would curl up and die after a talent like Steve Marriott passed away, but instead the Faces brought on Rod Stewart and Ron Wood and kept on rolling.

Essential track: “Lazy Sunday”

43. Gruff Rhys/Super Furry Animals

Why: The pride of Wales, this experimental group has managed to stay relevant for nearly two decades. They’re sometimes soulful, sometimes psychedelic, always super.

Essential track: “Juxtapozed With U”

42. The Waterboys

Why: Before Polyphonic Spree and I’m From Barcelona, Mike Scott’s Waterboys were overflowing stages around the world.  56 people have been able to call themselves members of this Scottish band since it began mixing Celtic music with rock ‘n’ roll 28 years ago.

Essential track: “Fisherman’s Blues”

41. The Buzzcocks

Why: They’re pop-punk pioneers who brought a little polish to the early anti-establishment scene.

Essential track: “Ever Fallen in Love”

40. Amy Winehouse

Why: The troubled neo-soul songstress’ hard-living ways echo throughout her music.
There have been dozens of copycats since she burst onto the scene,
but so far none have matched this talented heroine.

Essential track: “Rehab”

39x. The Animals
Why: This band marked British rhythm and blues and rock forever in the 1960s
Essential track: "House of the Rising Sun"

39. The Zombies

Why: Colin Blunstone’s airy vocals were a Summer of Love staple, and The Zombies’ dreamy psych-rock could turn even the squarest of square into groovy flower children.

Essential track: “She’s Not There”

38. Echo and The Bunnymen

Why: Post-punk icons that appeal to the angsty teens in all of us.
“Fate, up against your will” ranks among the best chorus openers you’ll ever hear.

Essential track: “The Killing Moon”

37. Nick Drake

Why: A legendary singer-songwriter who, before ultimately succumbing to his own demons, managed to craft some truly striking songs in his all-too-short career.

Essential track: “Day is Done”

36. M.I.A. 

Why: Mathangi Arulpragasam, or Maya as she’s known to the world, was born in London from Sri Lankan Tamil parents, and is as much the symbol of multi-cultural globalism as anyone, creating a sound and persona all her own.

Essential track: “Paper Planes”

35. Gang of Four

Why: Always political but never insufferable, this group’ll get you
thinking and dancing at the same time.

Essential track: “Damaged Goods”

34. New Order

Why: After Ian Curtis’ tragic suicide, everyone assumed Joy Division was over, but the remaining members bounced back to become an equally-stellar band.

Essential track: “Bizarre Love Triangle”

33. The Slits

Why: One of punk’s first leading ladies, Ari Up proved she could hang with the boys at the ripe old age of 14, incorporating reggae and ska influences into a sound that remains unique to this day.

Essential track: “Typical Girls”

32. Nick Lowe

Why: His material features some pop mastery of its own, but perhaps most impressive is the production work he did on Elvis Costello’s first five albums.

Essential track: “Cruel to be Kind”

31. PJ Harvey

Why: Polly Jean’s never been one to rest on her laurels. She’s constantly reinvented her sound, adding new instruments and styles along the way.

Essential track: “Dress”

30x. Black Sabbath
Why: Formed in 1968, we can safely call this band the father of Metal.
Essential track: "Changes"

30. Duran Duran

Why: These New Romantics from Birmingham helped lead the Second British Invasion in the ‘80s. Hey, good enough for Princess Diana, good enough for us, right?

Essential track: “Rio”

29. Damon Albarn (Blur/Gorillaz)

Why: Long before he was the mastermind behind the world’s greatest cartoon band, Damon Albarn fronted Britpop heavyweights Blur. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you Cool Britannia.

Essential track: “Girls and Boys”

28. Fleetwood Mac

Why: Okay, so they’re not completely from the UK or they’d be higher on this list, but before basking in the California sunshine, Lindsay Buckingham and company came out of the London blues scene. Besides, anyone who spells it “Rumours” has to be considered British, right?

Essential track: “Go Your Own Way”

27. The Specials

Why: These TwoTone titans were one of the first major multiracial acts in England, and they spearheaded the ska movement by melding together reggae and punk sounds.

Essential track: “Ghost Town”

26. Kate Bush

Why: Her unique voice made this delightful weirdo the most successful British female artist of all time.

Essential track: “Wuthering Heights”

Note: She's one of the greatest musical influences in your teacher's life

25. Roxy Music

Why: Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves to double-check that two legends like Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno were actually in the same band.

Essential track: “Love is the Drug”

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24x. Dexy's Midnight Runners
Why: Their soul influence and their look, and two unforgettable #1s
Essential track: "Come on Eileen"

24x. The Jam
Why: This mod revival/punk band was absolutely legendary!
Essential track: Beat Surrender

24. Belle and Sebastian

Why: Scottish greatness

Essential track: “The Blues Are Still Blue”

23. Arctic Monkeys

Why: Sheffield’s finest exploded onto the scene in 2006 with the fastest-selling debut album in UK history, and their brand of garage-fueled indie rock has been ringing in our ears ever since.

Essential track: “I Bet That You Look Good on the Dancefloor”

22. The Stone Roses

Why: Combining the trippiness of some of their Manchester contemporaries with a pop sensibility, Ian Brown, John Squire, Mani and Reni perfected the alt-rock output of their day.

Essential track: “I Am the Resurrection”

21. The Libertines

Why: They only released two albums before disbanding, but both managed to rank among the best of the past decade. They played in front of a backdrop declaring themselves the “future of rock & roll,” and we believed them. Now every time we hear Pete Doherty’s wail, we can only imagine what might have been had he been able to keep himself together.

Essential track: “Don’t Look Back Into the Sun”

20. Oasis

Why: Sure, Dig Out Your Soul was a disaster. That doesn’t change the fact that the Gallagher brothers managed to craft two of the most important albums of the ‘90s.

Essential track: “Wonderwall”

19. Elton John

Why: Sometimes all you need for magic to happen is a man and a piano.
....and the world’s greatest collection of sunglasses.

Essential track: “Your Song”

18. The Cure

Why: Robert Smith and company are goth greats who made sitting in your room pining over that certain someone who doesn’t know you exist sound like the coolest thing in the world.

Essential track: “Just Like Heaven”

17.5. Fairground Attraction
Why: Cool, timeless music with a beautiful female voice
Essential track: "Perfect"

17. Joy Division

Why: A group that manages to sound both industrial and pastoral.

Essential track: “Love Will Tear Us Apart”

16x. Eurythmics
Why: This Brit duo brought out the spirit of the 80s.
Essential track: "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"

16. T-Rex

Why: Marc Bolan’s fuzzy guitars and all-around glittery goodness are unparalleled.

Essential track: “Children of the Revolution”

15. Pink Floyd

Why: Psychedelia wouldn’t be the same without seminal works like  
Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall.

Essential track: “Wish You Were Here”

 

14. Van Morrison

Why: This Northern Irish soul man can do it all,  like belting out big numbers like “Gloria” or “Brown Eyed Girl,” or serenading us with understated beauty on "Astral Weeks".

Essential track: “Sweet Thing”

13. Eric Clapton

Why: A guitar god if ever there was one, Clapton’s lent his talents to
more legendary bands than we can talk about in this space.

Essential track: “Tears in Heaven”

12. Aztec Camera
Why: this Scottish band led by Roddy frame has hit some truly sweet moments of music
Essential tracks: "Oblivious"

11. The Smiths

Why: The DJ may say nothing to you about your life,
Morrissey, but you’re sure talking to us about ours.

Essential track: “Panic”

10x. Tears for Fears
Why: This band is the mix between England and Argentina. Two geniuses as representatives.
Essential Track: "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"

10. Led Zeppelin

Why: Back in the day Robert Plant was busy inspiring future generations with his trademark shriek.

Essential track: “Whole Lotta Love”

9. Elvis Costello

Why: One of our 100 greatest living songwriters, Costello is a New Wave wordsmith of the highest order. His songs are witty, political and romantic—and he was rocking wide-framed glasses before all you hipsters were even born.

Essential track: “Pump it Up”

8. David Bowie

Why: No one does space-rock quite like Bowie.

Essential track: “Life On Mars”

7.5. Talk Talk 
Why: Led by Mark Hollis, this band made sublime music.
Essential track: "Such a Shame"

7. The Sex Pistols

Why: Many have come before them, but no band shook the United Kingdom to its core quite like the Sex Pistols. A threat to the  monarchy if ever there was one.

Essential track: “Anarchy in the UK”

6. The Kinks

Why: Whether it’s through the satire of “Victoria” or the beauty of “Waterloo Sunset,” few can speak directly to the English soul like Ray Davies. His words and brother Dave’s unforgettable guitar riffs make these lads one of the most influential bands of the 20th century.

Essential track: “Waterloo Sunset”

5. The Clash

Why: London Calling is a masterpiece, and the group ranks among
the all-time greats — punk or otherwise.

Essential track: “London Calling”

4.5. Iron Maiden
Why: Ultimate classic rock. Heavy metal begins.
Essential track: "Run to the Hills"

4. The Who

Why: There’s more to The Who than smashed-up guitars and Roger Daltrey’s scream (although those are certainly reasons to love them). They’re behind two of the most well-executed concept albums of all time, and while they’re known for blowing out drumkits and eardrums alike, they can also do quiet and introspective with the best of them.

Essential track: “My Generation”

3.5. Queen

Why: Brian May’s soaring guitar and Freddie Mercury’s undeniable voice combined
with Roger Taylor's killer beats and John Deacon's unforgettable bass
 for the greatest glam rock the world has ever heard.

Essential track: “Bohemian Rhapsody”

3x. The The
Why: British post-punk at its finest
Essential track: Uncertain Smile

3. Radiohead

Why: Thom Yorke and friends always seem to have something new up their sleeves, whether it’s penning a ‘90s classic like “Creep,” producing one of the finest albums of the past decade (Kid A), or redefining the music industry with their “pay-what-you-will” stunt.

Essential track: “Fake Plastic Trees”

2. The Rolling Stones

Why: Rock ‘n’ roll’s original bad boys, the Stones started off as an unlikely blues band and wound up laying the groundwork for generations to follow. Their sound is drenched in Americana, but it never feels inauthentic.

Essential track: “Satisfaction”

2x. The Police

Why: Punk would not have reached the rest of the world without these three fantastic musicians and some of the finest songwriting ever (of course by Sting).

Essential track: "Synchronicity II"

1. The Beatles

Why: They changed everything.

Essential track: “In My Life”