What is the best American music band of all time?

West Coast surf vibes, Midwest arena rock, and East Coast punk energy — American bands have shaped every corner of the genre. Cast your vote!

1

Nirvana

The Seattle grunge trio led by Kurt Cobain who defined alternative rock in the early 1990s.

2

Eagles

The Los Angeles rock band behind Hotel California, one of the best-selling albums of all time.

3

Aerosmith

The Boston hard rock band led by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, active since 1970.

4

R.E.M.

The Athens, Georgia alternative rock pioneers who defined college radio throughout the 1980s and 90s.

5

Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Los Angeles funk-rock band known for blending rock, funk, and hip-hop since 1983.

6

Pearl Jam

The Seattle grunge legends led by Eddie Vedder, one of the best-selling bands of all time.

7

The Beach Boys

The California pop icons whose harmony-driven surf rock made them one of America's most beloved bands.

8

Guns N' Roses

The Los Angeles hard rock band whose Appetite for Destruction is one of the best-selling albums ever.

9

Metallica

The Bay Area thrash metal legends who became one of the best-selling music acts of all time.

10

The Doors

The Los Angeles psychedelic rock band led by Jim Morrison, icons of 1960s counterculture.

11

Green Day

The Berkeley punk rock trio who brought punk to mainstream audiences with Dookie and American Idiot.

12

Beastie Boys

The New York hip-hop trio who pioneered rap-rock crossover and became one of the best-selling acts of all time.

13

Ramones

The Queens punk pioneers who invented punk rock with their raw, fast, three-chord approach starting in 1974.

14

Bon Jovi

The New Jersey hard rock band who became one of the world's best-selling acts with anthems like Livin' on a Prayer.

15

Foo Fighters

Dave Grohl's post-Nirvana rock band, one of the most successful and beloved rock acts since the 1990s.

16

The Velvet Underground

Andy Warhol's protégés and New York art-rock innovators who profoundly influenced generations of musicians.

17

Talking Heads

The New York new wave band led by David Byrne, known for blending art rock, funk, and world music.

18

The Grateful Dead

The San Francisco psychedelic rock band whose improvisational live shows spawned one of music's most devoted fanbases.

19

Lynyrd Skynyrd

The Jacksonville Southern rock band whose Free Bird and Sweet Home Alabama became anthems of American rock.

20

ZZ Top

The Texas blues-rock trio famous for their long beards, sharp suits, and MTV-era hits in the 1980s.