Genre · Hard Rock, Prog & Early Metal
Hard Rock
Heavier riffs, bigger stages, tighter rhythm sections.
Hard Rock amplifies a Blues skeleton with distortion and drum impact—the arena rock of the seventies. It is Heavy Metal's direct ancestor; Grunge later rejects its guitar-hero stage persona.
Pioneer acts
Acts that opened or crystallized this sound—fused landmarks, not a separate encyclopedia.
Representative bands
- The Rolling StonesLondon, UK · 1962
- The KinksLondon, UK · 1963
- The WhoLondon, UK · 1964
- CreamLondon, UK · 1966
- The Jimi Hendrix ExperienceLondon, UK · 1966
- RushToronto, Canada · 1968
- Led ZeppelinLondon, UK · 1968
- Deep PurpleHertford, UK · 1968
- Black SabbathBirmingham, UK · 1968
- QueenLondon, UK · 1970
- WingsUK · 1971
- Van HalenPasadena, USA · 1972
- AC/DCSydney, Australia · 1973
- RainbowUK / USA · 1975
- MotörheadLondon, UK · 1975
- Red Hot Chili PeppersLos Angeles, USA · 1983
- SoundgardenSeattle, USA · 1984
- Guns N' RosesLos Angeles, USA · 1985
- Nine Inch NailsCleveland, USA · 1988
- Rage Against the MachineLos Angeles, USA · 1991
- Foo FightersSeattle, USA · 1994
- Queens of the Stone AgeCalifornia, USA · 1996
- Them Crooked VulturesUSA · 2009