Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
AC/DC's mammoth power-chord roar became one of the most influential hard rock sounds of the '70s. In its own way, it was a reaction against the pompous art rock and lumbering arena rock of the early '70s. AC/DC's rock was minimalist -- no matter how huge and bludgeoning the guitar chords were, there was a clear sense of space and restraint.... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
One of rock's most underrated guitarists (both from a technical and compositional point of view), Gary Moore remains relatively unknown in the U.S., while his solo work has brought him substantial acclaim and commercial success in most other parts of the world -- especially in Europe. Born on April 4, 1952, in Belfast, Ireland, Moore became... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
Judas Priest was one of the most influential heavy metal bands of the '70s, spearheading the New Wave of British Heavy Metal late in the decade. Decked out in leather and chains, the band fused the gothic doom of Black Sabbath with the riffs and speed of Led Zeppelin, as well as adding a vicious two-lead guitar attack; in doing so, they set the... [+] Read More
Genre: Hard Rock/Metal
Decades Active: 90s, 00s
*Now known as simply "Slough Feg"
'The Lord Weird Slough Feg', whose name is derived from a character in ancient Irish mythology, originates from Central Pennsylvania.
The band relocated to San Francisco, California in 1990 in hopes
of resurrecting the ailing 'true metal' scene in the United States.
The band quickly...
[+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
AC/DC's mammoth power-chord roar became one of the most influential hard rock sounds of the '70s. In its own way, it was a reaction against the pompous art rock and lumbering arena rock of the early '70s. AC/DC's rock was minimalist -- no matter how huge and bludgeoning the guitar chords were, there was a clear sense of space and restraint.... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
Known for such powerful hits as "Two Minutes to Midnight" and "The Trooper," Iron Maiden was and is one of the most influential bands of the heavy metal genre. The often-imitated band existed for over 20 years, pumping out wild rock similar to Judas Priest. Iron Maiden has always been an underground attraction; although failing to ever obtain... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 80s, 90s, 00s
By playing pure and simple rock & roll without making an explicit issue of her gender, Joan Jett became a figurehead for several generations of female rockers. Jett's brand of rock & roll is loud and stripped-down, yet with overpowering hooks -- a combination of the Stones' tough, sinewy image and beat, AC/DC chords, and glam rock hooks. As the... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
Rooted in the campy theatrics of Alice Cooper and the sleazy hard rock of glam rockers the New York Dolls, Kiss became a favorite of American teenagers in the '70s. Most kids were infatuated with the look of Kiss, not their music. Decked out in outrageously flamboyant costumes and makeup, the band fashioned a captivating stage show featuring dry... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 80s, 90s, 00s
Metallica was easily the best, most influential heavy metal band of the '80s, responsible for bringing the music back to Earth. Instead of playing the usual rock star games of metal stars of the early '80s, the band looked and talked like they were from the street. Metallica expanded the limits of thrash, using speed and volume not for their own... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 70s
One of the first American-bred hard rock groups to challenge British supremacy in the early '70s, Montrose is still remembered as, if not the most successful, certainly one of the most influential bands of the era. In fact, many of the personalities responsible for the group's legendary, self-titled debut (producer Ted Templeman, engineer Don... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
The Scottish hard rock quartet Nazareth had a handful of hard rock hits in the late '70s, including the proto-power ballad "Love Hurts." Formed in 1968, the band featured vocalist Dan McCafferty, guitarist Manny Charlton, bassist Pete Agnew, and drummer Darrell Sweet. The band had relocated to London by 1970, and they released their self-titled... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 80s, 90s
Featuring ex-Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Brad Gillis and former Montrose keyboardist Alan Fitzgerald, Night Ranger was one of the most popular mainstream hard rock bands of the mid-'80s. The group formed in the early '80s in San Francisco; in addition to Gillis and Fitzgerald, the members included Jack Blades (vocals, bass), Jeff Watson (guitar),... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
Over the course of their decades-spanning career, the Canadian power trio Rush emerged as one of hard rock's most highly regarded bands; although typically brushed aside by critics and although rare recipients of mainstream pop radio airplay, the group nonetheless won an impressive and devoted fan following while their virtuoso performance... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
After spending several years as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the mid-'70s hard rock band Montrose, Sammy Hagar began a solo career that produced several hits and made him an album rock favorite. Hagar became a true star once he joined Van Halen in 1985, but he was a popular hard rocker ever since his first album with Montrose.
Genre: Rock/Pop
Captain Midnight creates Hard-Rock-Soul music for the mind, booty, and spirit. The Mississippi-born guitarist/singer/songwriter/imagineer combines Hard Rock with RNB Groovage to form a funky foundation for thought-provoking, visual lyrics with a touch of "blue" poetry. Enjoy!
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
Combining a love for British guitar pop songcraft with crunching power chords and a flair for the absurd, Cheap Trick provided the necessary links between '60s pop, heavy metal, and punk. Led by guitarist Rick Nielsen, the band's early albums were filled with highly melodic, well-written songs that drew equally from the crafted pop of the... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson were the creative spark behind Heart, a hard rock group who initially found success in the mid-'70s, only to reach greater heights after engineering a major comeback a decade later. The daughters of a Marine Corps captain, Ann (born June 19, 1950) and Nancy (born March 16, 1954) grew up in both Southern California... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s
Few bands embodied the pure excess of the '70s like Queen. Embracing the exaggerated pomp of prog rock and heavy metal, as well as vaudevillian music hall, the British quartet delved deeply into camp and bombast, creating a huge, mock-operatic sound with layered guitars and overdubbed vocals. Queen's music was a bizarre yet highly accessible... [+] Read More