Becoming a classic rock band doesn’t happen by accident; it takes hard work, and a plethora of hits. For some, their longevity allows them to achieve an even greater feat of releasing more than 10 albums. This incredible accomplishment is held by the most elite artists, as seen in the heavy metal genre, where musicians such as Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio have been part of achieving this astonishing milestone.
In the classic rock genre, some of the legendary bands to reach this mark include KISS, AC/DC, and the Rolling Stones. These are icons of not just rock, but music in general. In fact, they broke through into pop culture by accomplishing as much as they have. It truly is astonishing what some artists have been able to do when they give their maximum effort. Sometimes factors have prevented what could have been even greater success, but even through the turmoil, the talents of these musicians have helped them rise above.
10
Van Halen
12 Studio Albums
When bands that have overcome turmoil are discussed, Van Halen is one that often comes up in the conversation. Lasting from 1973 until 2020, the band had three different lead singers, but what truly mattered to the fans was having both of the Van Halen brothers, with Alex on drums and Eddie on guitar. This was a family band at its core. It also helped that Eddie was one of the greatest guitarists to ever live.
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To their credit, Van Halen released one of the greatest debut albums ever, as it is diamond-certified in the United States due to the multitude of hits it features. Although they persevered for the longest time, the issues they encountered with their lead singers led to a prolonged break in the 2000s. The period from 1998 until their last album in 2012 was the longest stretch the band went without releasing a record. Still, it did not lessen fans’ desire for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band.
9
The Who
12 Studio Albums
Known for their hits such as “Baba O’Riley,” “Who Are You,” and “My Generation,” The Who have become one of the most influential bands of all time. Beginning back in 1964, the band led by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend helped develop rock opera. Along the way, they influenced many genres, such as hard rock, power pop, and punk. After going strong for 20 years, the band experienced many starts and stops throughout the ’80s and ’90s.
It was these periods that prevented them from releasing even more music than they did. They went from 1982, all the way until 2006 before releasing another record. After that, it took them until 2019 for a follow-up, and it seems this record may be their last. If so, the band had an incredible recording career, and left enough hits for fans to enjoy. Still, it doesn’t stop music pundits from pondering how many records they could have released if they stayed at a consistent pace.
8
Journey
15 studio albums
The name Journey is very apropos for a band that has had to undergo changes to reach their iconic status in music history. For their first couple of albums, they were a jazz rock band just trying to make it. Eventually, when they added Steve Perry on vocals for their fourth studio album in 1978, everything changed for them. With Perry at the helm, the band released their biggest hits, including one of the most well-known songs ever, “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
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Unfortunately, Perry didn’t remain in the band past the ’90s. Since then, Journey has gone through a couple more lead singers, but they have managed a few more records along the way. This is impressive for a band that already had a Hall of Fame-worthy career by the mid-1980s, yet they were never content. For decades, they have entertained fans with some of the biggest songs in rock history, and proved anything is possible if you just keep going.
7
Queen
15 Studio Albums
Between 1973 and 1995, Queen released 15 studio albums, making them one of the most consistent bands of their era. They transitioned from being influenced by rock and metal, to becoming a more radio-friendly band. Once they set their sights on being stadium rock, they were able to become larger than life. Songs like “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Don’t Stop Me Now” were tracks fans wanted to see live and scream at the top of their lungs.
Once they set their sights on being stadium rock, they were able to become larger than life.
The band has also become synonymous with sports, as their song “We Are the Champions” can be heard basically every time a team wins a title. Beyond the songs, the most legendary aspect of the band was the person who sang them. Freddie Mercury is iconic and one of the most beloved entertainers ever. Even after he died in 1991, he still gave fans one last album. Since his passing, fans have still been able to see the band live, reliving their greatest hits and celebrating their remarkable legacy.
6
Aerosmith
15 Studio Albums
Some call Aerosmith “the Bad Boys from Boston,” while others refer to them as “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Any praise they have received was earned through an incredible career that saw them release at least a couple of albums each decade, all the way up until their last release in 2012. Throughout their discography, the band created absolute classics like “Dream On,” “Crazy,” and “Sweet Emotion.”
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They also had one of the greatest collaborations ever when they teamed up with Run-D.M.C. to remix their song “Walk This Way.” Beyond that, they found further success on the silver screen, as their song “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” became the backbone of the 1998 movie Armageddon. Over the course of 50 years, they played upwards of 2,000 shows worldwide, making them global rock icons.
5
ZZ Top
15 Studio Albums
Beginning in 1969, ZZ Top worked their way up to becoming one of the staples of the blues rock genre. Together, Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons were able to establish a renowned touring act by the mid-1970s. Throughout that decade, the band released six studio albums. As time went on, different commitments and personal lives slowed them down, but they sprinkled in a few albums here and there, with their latest one arriving in 2012.
Many thought the band would be over after the death of Dusty Hill in 2021, but to honor his wishes, Billy Gibbons carried on. The world has continued celebrating their legacy, and Gibbons has even teased that new music could be forthcoming. Nonetheless, the band has cemented their legacy with songs like “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” leading them all the way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
4
Fleetwood Mac
18 Studio Albums
It took many years for Fleetwood Mac to find their true voice, but by 1975 they had the addition of Lindsey Buckingham on guitar and Stevie Nicks on vocals. However, before this happened, the band was still grinding and releasing album after album, trying to gain recognition. Of course, the biggest success they would find was with Nicks at the helm for their 1977 album, Rumours, which was certified 21x platinum in the United States.
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Although their last album was in 2003, they continued to perform live, with the latest being in 2019. Sadly, after the death of Christine McVie in 2022, it appears they are over for good, but their legacy carries on. The band has surpassed over 120 million records sold worldwide, making them one of the best-selling groups of all time. They proved what was possible with hard work and a fearless attitude toward taking risks.
3
AC/DC
18 Studio Albums
To become one of the greatest rock bands in history, AC/DC had to overcome adversity, but they did it smoother than perhaps any act ever. The band that was founded by Angus and Malcolm Young was fronted by Bon Scott during their rise. They created hits such as “Highway to Hell” and “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.” It felt like nothing could slow them down, but the unexpected death of Scott halted things only momentarily.
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Within months, the band brought in Brian Johnson to be the new lead singer, and they quickly released what would become one of the best-selling albums in history, Back in Black. Following the 1980 release, they put out 11 more records with Johnson, proving they made the right decision in hiring him. With over 200 million records sold, their legacy is cemented, and the turmoil they have overcome has shaped who they are.
2
KISS
20 Studio Albums
KISS is one of the most recognizable bands ever. Their iconic face paint and onstage outfits have made them one of the most must-see acts. Their concerts are true events and, for over 50 years, they entertained the world. KISS released the bulk of their albums between 1970 and 1990. Following that, they released a few in the ’90s and a couple in the 2000s, but in the later part of their career, they focused more on touring the world.
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With a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and over 100 million records sold worldwide, KISS is cemented as music legends. Their stage presence and marketing are unmatched. They truly made their band a brand and ensured that the name would continue on. Although regular touring may be over, fans are still hopeful of seeing the band make some appearances in the future. The work they put in may be too great for them to ever disappear completely.
1
The Rolling Stones
31 Studio Albums
Having been together for over six decades is an astonishing achievement for the Rolling Stones. During that time, the band had the work to match with 31 studio albums to their credit, and plenty of other projects for fans to enjoy as well. For many decades, they have ranked in the top 10 for best-selling tours and have shown many times what rock stardom is all about. They have never been afraid to take risks and incorporate different genres into their music along the way.
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With over 250 million records sold worldwide, a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a legacy that is untouchable, you would think they would slow down, but the band has managed to continue on. With their latest album having been released in 2023, the band still priorizes their fans. For all they’ve accomplished, the word iconic may not be strong enough, but it is the best way to describe them.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
