1980s
55 artists
Nirvana
Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl. Smells Like Teen Spirit killed hair metal overnight. Never...
Metallica
James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich founded the band. The Black Album sold 30 million copies. Napster law...
Depeche Mode
Over 100 million records sold. Violator was their commercial peak. Dave Gahans stage presence is mes...
The Smiths
Morrissey and Johnny Marr created the template for indie rock. Only together for 5 years but influen...
Radiohead
OK Computer predicted the alienation of the digital age. Kid A divided fans but proved they would ne...
R.E.M.
Pioneers of alternative rock. Losing My Religion was their biggest hit despite having no chorus. Ove...
Blur
Damon Albarn later created Gorillaz. Parklife defined Britpop. The rivalry with Oasis was called the...
Guns N Roses
Axl Rose and Slash created the last great rock band. Appetite for Destruction sold 30 million copies...
Whitney Houston
The Voice. I Will Always Love You is one of the greatest vocal performances ever. Over 200 million r...
Jay-Z
Over 140 million records. 24 Grammy Awards. First hip-hop billionaire according to Forbes. Reasonabl...
Eminem
Over 220 million records. The Marshall Mathers LP sold 1.76 million copies in its first week. Won an...
Tupac Shakur
Over 75 million records. All Eyez on Me was the first double hip-hop album. Died at 25 in a still-un...
Dr Dre
Founded NWA, then Aftermath Entertainment. Discovered Eminem and 50 Cent. The Chronic defined G-funk...
New Order
Formed from the ashes of Joy Division. Blue Monday is the best-selling 12-inch single ever. Over 15 ...
Sonic Youth
Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore were the art-punk power couple. Over 10 million records. Alternative t...
Fugazi
Ian MacKaye founded Dischord Records and refused to sign to a major label. Over 2 million records. N...
Nine Inch Nails
Trent Reznor is the only permanent member.. The Downward Spiral was recorded at the Sharon Tate murd...
Soundgarden
Chris Cornell had one of the greatest voices in rock. Over 30 million records. Black Hole Sun was th...
Alice in Chains
Layne Staleys haunting vocals defined the dark side of grunge. Over 30 million records. Dirt is thei...
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Anthony Kiedis and Flea are the only constant members. Over 100 million records. Blood Sugar Sex Mag...
Green Day
Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, Tre Cool. American Idiot sold 16 million copies and became a Broad...
Motley Crue
The Dirt autobiography is one of the wildest rock books ever. Over 100 million records. Tommy Lee an...
Bon Jovi
Over 130 million records. Livin on a Prayer is the ultimate stadium anthem. Slippery When Wet sold 2...
Pantera
Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed on stage in 2004.. Cowboys from Hell defined groove metal. Walk ...
Slayer
Reign in Blood is the most extreme album ever released on a major label.. Angel of Death controversy...
Megadeth
Dave Mustaine was fired from Metallica and formed Megadeth in revenge. Over 50 million records. Symp...
Sade
Sade Adu voice is instantly recognizable. Over 75 million records. Smooth Operator and No Ordinary L...
Pixies
Black Francis and Kim Deal. Over 15 million records. Quiet-loud-quiet dynamic influenced Nirvana. Wh...
Smashing Pumpkins
Billy Corgan is the creative force. Over 30 million records. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness ...
Beck
Loser was a slacker anthem that he hated. Over 15 million records. Morning Phase won Album of the Ye...
Radiohead detail
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Soundgarden detail
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Stone Temple Pilots
Scott Weiland was a magnetic but troubled frontman. Over 35 million records. Plush won a Grammy. Int...
Run DMC
Rev Run, DMC, Jam Master Jay.. Walk This Way with Aerosmith created rap rock. The first rap artists ...
LL Cool J
Mama Said Knock You Out was a comeback at age 22.. I Need Love was the first hip-hop ballad. Went on...
Public Enemy
Chuck D and Flavor Flav.. Fight the Power was the Do the Right Thing anthem. The S1W security team a...
NWA
Straight Outta Compton defined gangsta rap. Over 10 million records. Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, MC Re...
A Tribe Called Quest
Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad. Over 10 million records. The Low End Theory is a hip-hop ma...
De La Soul
The Daisy Age of hip-hop. 3 Feet High and Rising was produced by Prince Paul. Over 10 million record...
Mariah Carey
Over 200 million records. 19 number one hits, the most for a solo artist. All I Want for Christmas I...
Whitney Houston detail
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Celine Dion
Over 250 million records. My Heart Will Go On from Titanic is one of the biggest songs ever. The Las...
Ricky Martin
La Copa de la Vida was the 1998 World Cup anthem. Over 70 million records. Livin La Vida Loca launch...
Slash
The top hat and sunglasses are iconic. Over 30 million records with GNR. The Sweet Child O Mine riff...
Poison
Every Rose Has Its Thorn is the quintessential 80s ballad.. Talk Dirty to Me defined glam metal. Bre...
Motley Crue detail
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Bon Jovi detail
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Aphex Twin
Richard D James is electronic musics greatest eccentric. Over 5 million records. Selected Ambient Wo...
Massive Attack
Invented trip-hop in Bristol.. Teardrop is the House theme. Unfinished Sympathy is one of the greate...
Underworld
Born Slippy .NUXX from Trainspotting is iconic. Over 5 million records. Karl Hyde lyrics are stream ...
The Chemical Brothers
Block Rockin Beats defined big beat. Over 15 million records. Hey Boy Hey Girl is a festival anthem....
Moby
Play sold 12 million copies and licensed every song to films and ads.. Porcelain and Natural Blues a...
Phish
Trey Anastasio is the heir to Jerry Garcia. Over 10 million records. The improvisational live shows ...
Garth Brooks
The biggest selling solo artist in US history with over 160 million records. Friends in Low Places i...
Shania Twain
Come On Over is the best-selling country album ever at 40 million copies. Over 100 million records. ...