Music Matters

Music plays a role in everyone’s lives; whether it's pop, classical, or rock, we can all find joy, sadness, and excitement through it. It accompanies us on our travels, in our work, and in our personal lives. However, there is one specific music genre that revolutionized our understanding of guitar, drums, and vocals through its kick-start in the mid-1950s. From Elvis Presley to Paul McCartney, rock and roll music burst into international consciousness, and some of its authors remain the most famous musicians in the world. From music awards to sold-out concerts, here are the 10 rock bands that broke world records.

Top 10 History-Makers

1. Pink Floyd
 
Breaking world records can include awards, tours, and records sold. Pink Floyd was included in the Guinness Book of World Records after spending over 14 years in the Billboard Top 200. In 2001, Billboard announced that the band had been in the top charts for over 24 years. The band has been globally recognized for its progressive rock music since its creation in 1965, with 250 million records sold worldwide. Their albums each attained gold, platinum, or diamond certifications. The band was ranked as one of the top 3 best-selling bands of all time, winning Grammy Awards, BAFTA Awards, and more.
 
2. KISS
 
KISS rose to fame in the 1970s with its distinctive outfits, makeup and hard rock music style. It is one of the best-selling bands of all time, with more than 100 million records sold globally. KISS also achieved a record as an American band by becoming the first and only band to have 30 Gold-certified albums. The group's founding members entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and several magazines ranked the band as the best hard rock band of all time. With 35 tours since 1973, the group still performs globally, continuing its unparalleled legacy as one of the best hard rock bands in history.
 
3. Aerosmith
 
Aerosmith also broke several world records, including being the all-time best-selling American hard rock band with over 150 million records sold globally. The band, formed in 1970, holds 21 Billboard Top 40 hits, with a number one hit in 1998. Aerosmith also remains one of the most influential hard rock bands in the world, with bands such as Mötley Crüe, Guns N’ Roses, and Metallica finding inspiration in the group’s revolutionary rock and roll style. Their 15 albums have earned the band 5 Grammy Awards. The band was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
 
4. Foo Fighters
 
Foo Fighters was created in 1994 by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl and immediately became an international rock success. The group’s 10 studio albums have earned them over 10 Grammy Awards. They remain the first and only winners of the Global Icon Award, first presented at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2021. The group was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame within its first year of eligibility in 2021. The band has also held 11 number one hits since its creation and sold over 32 million albums.
 
5. AC/DC
 
AC/DC is an Australian rock band that was created in 1973. It is known for its mix of three distinct music styles, heavy metal, hard rock, and blues rock, although the band has always stated that its style was pure rock and roll. With 18 studio albums, AC/DC has completed 20 tours over a span of nearly 45 years. Additionally, the band has sold more than 200 million albums worldwide, with their album ‘Back in Black’ selling 50 million.

6. U2

Similarly to the Foo Fighters, U2 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility in 2005. The band has also won more Grammy Awards than any other band, with 22 wins since its creation in 1976. U2 has sold over 150 million albums worldwide, making it one of the best-selling groups in the history of rock and roll. U2 is also the third-best number one ranking band, with 8 albums being ranked at number one.
 
7. The Beatles

The Beatles remain one of the most popular bands in the world, with over 1 billion tapes and discs sold globally. The group earned the title of the best-selling group by Guinness World Records for over 177 million album sales in the United States alone; this is only one of the band's 25 Guinness World Records. The Beatles also have one of the highest numbers of number one hits in the history of music, with 20 number ones.
 
8. Queen

Estimates of Queen's album sales range between 170 and 300 million, placing them among the best-selling bands of all time. For half a century, the band has remained a lasting influence on progressive rock, arena rock, and pop rock music. The song 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004 after being voted the UK's favorite hit of all time by Guinness World Records in 2002. The legendary band has also won several nominations and awards for their albums.

9. The Rolling Stones
 
The Rolling Stones also hold an undeniable legacy in rock and roll history, earning the title of the world’s most successful music tour by Guinness World Records in 2007. The band is still active after its creation in 1962, having won numerous awards, including 4 Grammy Awards and an induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The Rolling Stones have an estimated 240 million albums sold.
 
10.  Led Zeppelin
 
With over 300 million album sales, Led Zeppelin remains one of the best-selling bands and artists in history. With 5 diamond-certified albums in the United States, the group made rock music history since it was created in 1968 in England. Its success, influence, and innovation earned Led Zeppelin an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, amongst many other awards and recognitions.