The 5 most successful bands of all time: a journey through music history

Modern pop and rock music is a universal language that connects, inspires and touches people around the world. For decades there have been very special bands that inspire millions of fans with their songs, break records and write music history.

But what bands are the most commercially successful ever? What criteria can you create for this? The answer is not easy because there are many factors that can be used to assess the success of a band, for example the number of recordings sold, the prices and awards received, the chart placements, the popularity of the live appearances or the cultural importance of the best bands of all time.

In this article, we present five exceptional groups that are unlikely to be among the most successful bands in the world. We focused on three main criteria:

• Sold record
• Grammy awards and
• Number 1 hits in the US charts.

These criteria reflect both the commercial success and the artistic recognition of a band. Of course, this list is not complete and can vary depending on your personal taste.

1st place: The Beatles - joy of experimentation at the highest artistic level

With more than 600 million plates sold worldwide, the Beatles are the most successful music group ever. They conquered the world in the storm with their single "I want to hold your hand" , which came out in 1963 and sold twelve million times. Between 1963 and 1970 her songs were at the top of the hit lists almost everywhere on the globe.

The most important key data and facts about the success of the Beatles at a glance:

Their original music fascinated the masses. No other band or artists have ever triggered so much enthusiasm and hysteria. According to their record company EMI, the Beatles sold between 1.3 and 1.6 billion singles and 177 million albums in the United States, more than in any other country. In April 1964 they had a historical record when they took the first five places on the US charts. In Germany, the Beatles were also very popular with 12 number-one singles.

The band broke into internal conflicts in 1970. The four members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr then continued as a solo artist. The Beatles were not only commercially, but also very successful.

You won 11 Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. You also made 20 number 1 hits in the US charts, more than any other band or solo artist.

Her most famous songs include "Hey Jude" , "Yesterday" , "Let It Be" , "Help!" , "A Hard Day's Night" , "She Loves You" and many more. The Beatles, of which only two members live today, are considered one of the most formative groups of rock and pop music and have influenced many other musicians.

Our recommendations for Beatles fans:

The legendary Red & Blue Compilations of the Beatles on record

The legendary Red & Blue Compilations of the Beatles have been an indispensable part of every music collection for over five decades and inspire lovers around the world. On November 10, 2023, exciting new editions of these classics appeared on the occasion of the new Beatles song "Now and then" , which have extended tracklists in the modern stereo mix.

This new song builds on a demo by John Lennon from the 1970s and gets an impressive rounding off through fresh recordings by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr and old guitar parts from the 90s.

Beatles - All songs: The stories behind the tracks

This work combines stories, reports of creation to songs and albums, deep analyzes as well as insights from the recording studios and concert tours. 672 pages full of joy for every fan of the Beatles.

2nd place: U2-versatile live show giant with charismatic front man

U2 are a rock band that was founded relatively late. They started their musical career in Dublin, Ireland . The band consists of Bono (Paul David Hewson), The Edge (David Howell Evans), Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen junior. They had many number one hits in different countries.

The most important key data and facts about the success of U2 at a glance:

 

Her debut album "Boy" came out in 1980. It was received very positively by the music scene and fans. The plate often ran on the radio and sold more than five million times. After a slow start, they really started in the 1980s and brought out five other albums.

The boys made their international breakthrough with the album "The Joshua Tree" in 1987, which was sold over 18 million times worldwide. The single "With or Without You" became her first number 1 hit in the USA. Other successful albums followed, such as "Attention Baby" (1991), "Zooropa" (1993), "All that You Can't Leave Behind" (2000) or "How to Dismantle an atomic Bomb" (2004).

U2 have sold over 175 million records to date and are one of the most popular live bands in the world. You have done several world tours that have set records of visitors and income.

The 360 ​​° tour from 2009 to 2011 is considered the most successful tour ever with over 7.3 million viewers and sales of over $ 736 million. U2 are also one of the most excellent bands of all time. They won a total of 22 Grammy Awards, more than any other band.

U2 are regarded in the area of ​​live entertainment as the most successful band in your era. During their career, U2 have sold around 29 million tickets to date. Only the Rolling Stones exceed this number because they sold around 30 million tickets in the same period.

They also had two number 1 hits in the US charts, "With or Without You" and "I Still Haven't Found what i'M looking for" . Her best -known songs include "One" , "Beautiful Day" , "Pride (in the Name of Love)" , "Sunday Bloody Sunday" , "Where the Street Have No Name" and many more. U2 are known for their social and political commitment and support for various humanitarian organizations.

3rd place: Abba-unforgettable catchy tunes in pop perfection

Abba is one of the most successful pop bands ever. The Swedish troop consisted of the two couples Agnetha Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus as well as Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson. The name ABBA is an acronym from the initial letters of your first names.

The most important key data and facts about the success of ABBA at a glance:

 

The band was founded in 1972 and achieved international celebrity after winning the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Waterloo" This was the beginning of an unprecedented career that made ABBA a global phenomenon.

Abba sold over 380 million records worldwide and are the second most successful band according to the Beatles. You have reached nine number 1 albums in different countries, including six in the UK. You also had nine number 1 singles in the UK charts, more than any other band except the Beatles.

Her best -known songs include "Dancing Queen" , "Mamma Mia" , "The Winner Takes It All" , "Knowing Me, Knowing You" , "Take a Chance on Me" , "Fernando" and many more.

Abba have received a variety of highly doped and popular awards. In 2012 they received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. From 1982 the band paused indefinitely after both couples separated.

Since then there has always been speculation about a possible comeback, which initially did not come about. Until in September 2021, two new ABBA songs were : “I still have faith in you” and “Don't Shut Me Down” , followed by a brand new album.

The new ABBA songs are not only available as an audio, but also as a video. The band created digital avatars of itself, which they show in their young version. The avatars are based on motion capture recordings of the real ABBA members, which were processed by a team of specialists.

The trick figures in London can be experienced live in a revolutionary concert show. Title of the show is the same as the album published in 2021: “Abba Voyage”. The fans can look forward to a unique experience that brings the music and magic of Abba back to life.

4th place: Queen - musical brilliance and extravagance

Queen is one of the most legendary rock bands ever. The British band was founded in London in 1970 and for decades consisted of singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, player John Deacon and the drummer Roger Taylor.

The band is characterized by its versatile music style , which combined elements from hard rock, glam rock, progressive rock, pop, opera and other genres. The band is also known for their spectacular live shows, which delighted the audience with lighting effects, pyrotechnics and theatrical interludes.

The most important key data and facts about Queen's success at a glance:

 

The Brit rockers have sold over 300 million records worldwide and are therefore one of the "best-selling" bands in the world. They have released 18 number 1 albums in different countries, including four in Germany. In addition, they reached number 1 of the single charts in the United Kingdom 18 times, more than any other band apart from the Beatles and Abba.

Her most famous songs include "Bohemian Rhapsody" , "We are the Champions" , "We will rock you" , "Don't Stop Me Now" , "Another One Bites the Dust" , "Under Pressure" and many more.

The band a lot of awards , such as four Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. In addition, the rockers reached four number 1 hits in the US charts, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" , "Another One The Dust" , "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Under Pressure" . Queen are primarily known for their charismatic front man Freddie Mercury, who one of the best singers and performers of all time .

He died in 1991 from the consequences of AIDS. The band continued their career with various guest singers , such as Paul Rodgers or Adam Lambert. In 2018, the film "Bohemian Rhapsody" , which tells the life of Freddie Mercury and the story of Queen, was released. The strip was also a huge success and won four Oscars.

Our recommendations for Queen fans:

Queen I (Limited Super Deluxe Edition 6cd+LP)

The self -titled debut album of Queen was published in a newly mixed version under the title "Queen I". This revised version shines in a completely new light because it is the first and only album from Queen that was re-mixed from the original multi-track masters. 

The album was originally recorded in 1972. With the iconic singles "Keep Yourself Alive" and "Liar", it achieved gold status in both the UK and the USA, which quickly established itself as a timeless classic among Queen supporters.

The Collector's Edition includes impressive 6 CDs and an LP and is supplemented by a 108-page, bound book. 

5th place: The Rolling Stones - Living Legends

The Rolling Stones are one of the most legendary rock bands ever. The British cult band was founded in London in 1962 and consists of singer Mick Jagger and the guitarist Keith Richards and Ron Wood. Until his death in 2021, the drummer and co -founder of the band Charlie Watts also belonged to the group.

 

The performers are characterized by their rebellious style of music, which combined elements from blues, R&B, rock'n'roll and other genres. The band was and is also known for its provocative texts, its extravagant outfits and their scandalous appearances.

The Stones have sold over 240 million recordings worldwide. You have reached 13 number 1 albums in the USA, more than any other band except the Beatles. They also placed nine number 1 singles in the US charts, including "(i Can't Get No) Satisfaction" , "Honky Tonk Women" , "Brown Sugar" , "Angie" and "Miss You" .

Her best -known songs include "Sympathy for the Devil" , "Paint It Black" , "Gimme Shelter" , "Jumpin 'Jack Flash" , "Start Me Up" and many more. The Rolling Stones are still on tour regularly and show no signs of weakness.

In addition to three Grammy awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1986, the boys were also able to look forward to a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994. The band was included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. their new album "Hackney Diamonds" in 2023 .

The Rolling Stone described the album as the best album in the band since "Exile on Main St." . The author Arne Willander praised the diversity and quality of the songs, which combine all talents, styles and trademarks of the Rolling Stones. He wrote:

You don't want sovereign Rolling Stones. You want to be carried away. Picked up. And nobody picks up like Mick Jagger. ”

He called “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” , a duet with Lady Gaga , the longest and most beautiful song in the album. He also mentioned that the album was the epitaph for Charlie Watts , who still played the drums in two pieces and gave the album five out of five stars.

Best -selling albums of music history

We conclude this musical journey through time through the past decades of legendary pop and rock music with statistics on the best-selling albums in music history (all genres). Only the Beatles made it into this ranking from our top 5 bands.

Conclusion on the most successful rock bands ever

In this article we introduced five bands that are among the most successful of all time. We focused on three main criteria: sold records, Grammy Awards and number 1 hits in the US charts.

Of course there are many other bands that are also very successful or were, such as LED Zeppelin, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pink Floyd, Metallica, AC/DC or Coldplay , which are also characterized by their millions sold.

We hope that you found this article interesting and maybe discovered some new or old favorite songs of the most popular bands ever. If you like to listen to music from past times, then Black Forest Dradio highly recommended to them. It is one of the most popular oldie radio in Germany and worldwide.

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