14 best greatest rock bands

Progressive rock is a genre of music known for its complex and innovative compositions, often featuring virtuosic musicianship and thought-provoking lyrics. While opinions on the "greatest" rock bands in this genre may vary, here are some notable progressive rock bands and a brief overview of their contributions:

  1. Pink Floyd: Pink Floyd is perhaps one of the most iconic progressive rock bands. Their albums, such as "The Dark Side of the Moon" and "Wish You Were Here," are considered classics of the genre. They were known for their experimental soundscapes, extended instrumentals, and thought-provoking lyrics.

  2. Yes: Yes is known for their intricate and symphonic style of progressive rock. Albums like "Close to the Edge" and "Fragile" are celebrated for their complex compositions and virtuosic musicianship.

  3. Genesis: Genesis evolved from a progressive rock band into a more pop-oriented group, but their early albums, particularly those with Peter Gabriel as the lead singer, like "Selling England by the Pound," are highly regarded in the genre.

  4. Rush: Rush is known for their technical prowess and unique blend of progressive rock and hard rock. Albums like "2112" and "Moving Pictures" showcase their intricate songwriting and instrumental skills.

  5. King Crimson: King Crimson's music is characterized by its constant evolution and experimentation. Albums like "In the Court of the Crimson King" are landmarks in the progressive rock genre.

  6. Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP): ELP was known for their fusion of rock with classical music.Their virtuoso musicians, including Keith Emerson on keyboards, Greg Lake on vocals and bass, and Carl Palmer on drums, produced albums like "Brain Salad Surgery."

  7. Jethro Tull: Jethro Tull blended rock with elements of folk and classical music. Their album "Aqualung" is a classic in the progressive rock canon.

  8. Dream Theater: A more modern addition to the genre, Dream Theater is known for their technical prowess and intricate compositions. Albums like "Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory" are considered modern classics of progressive metal.

  9. Tool: Tool's music is often classified as progressive metal, but it incorporates many elements of progressive rock. Albums like "Lateralus" are known for their complex rhythms and deep lyrics.

  10. Porcupine Tree: Porcupine Tree, led by Steven Wilson, is known for its modern take on progressive rock. Albums like "Fear of a Blank Planet" are lauded for their blending of rock, metal, and ambient elements.

These bands have made significant contributions to the progressive rock genre and have left a lasting impact on the world of music. Their albums, often available on both CDs and vinyl, continue to be cherished by fans and collectors alike.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best greatest rock bands on the market
  

Gold: Classic Rock [2 CD]

Hip-O

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2 CDs chronicling the golden age of classic rock. Almost every track is a top 50 pop radio hit. Featured artists are Santana, Elton John, Guess Who & The Cars. Hip O. 2005.

The Steve Miller Band: Greatest Hits, 1974-78 [Vinyl]

Capitol

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Vinyl LP repressing of this classic collection from the Rock guitarist. Features the absolute biggest hits from his mid to late '70s period including 'Rock 'N Me', 'The Joker', 'Jungle Love' and many more. Capitol. 2008.

Playlist: The Very Best of '80s Metal: Now Hair This!

Legacy

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Greatest Hits: "We Will Rock You" Edition

One Source Disticor

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For the first time, ALL their biggest American hits on one disc! On August 16 one of biggest hits in the history of London's West End, the musical based around Queen's music WE WILL ROCK YOU, will open at the Paris/Las Vegas. For the first time, a major production is being brought directly to Las Vegas for its' American premiere & it's going to be BIG. Co Produced by Robert DeNiro & his Tribeca Productions, English comedy legend Ben Elton (THE YOUNG ONES) & Queen. In conjunction with that extravaganza, one of the perennially best selling rock albums in existence, Queen's GREATEST HITS, is being released in an entirely new version. "We Will Rock You" edition. Remastered by Queen producer/engineer Justin Shirley Smith! New liner notes by the band! Track by track insights by the people who were at creation! An entirely new package featuring previously unreleased photos by rock legend Mick Rock! The original performances! Includes three bonus tracks: "I'm In Love With My Car" (as heard in the Jaguar campaign, Previously unreleased version), "Under Pressure" (Previously Unreleased Live from ON FIRE AT THE BOWL), & "Tie Your Mother Down" (Previously Unreleased Live from ON FIRE AT THE BOWL).

Ultimate Hits: Rock And Roll Never Forgets

Seger, Bob

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2011 two CD compilation from the Rock singer, songwriter and icon. For the first time, all of Bob Seger's top hits have been gathered for a career-spanning double disc set. The 26-track collection includes "Night Moves," "Turn The Page," "Hollywood Nights," "Mainstreet," "Old Time Rock And Roll," "Like A Rock," "Her Strut," "We've Got Tonight," "Against The Wind," "Still The Same," and many other classics, as well as the Detroit rocker's two #1 radio singles from this year, "Downtown Train" and his current #1 Classic Rock hit, "Hey Hey Hey Hey (Going Back To Birmingham)." All songs on the album have been meticulously remastered from the original master tapes, including the original mono version of Seger's first hit "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man" and Seger's timeless rendition of the holiday classic "Little Drummer Boy."

The Best Of Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame + Museum Live

Time Life

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Product description

Soft Pack 3CD Case, featuring recordings from the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame LIVE collection (pre-2009)

Queen Rock Montreal + Live Aid

DVD International

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The special edition version includes a second disc featuring the full Queen Live Aid performance, never before seen full performance footage of Queen rehearsing for Live Aid: Bohemian Rhapsody + Radio Gaga + Hammer To Fall and previously unreleased Live Aid interview with the whole band.

Tracklisting: 1. Intro 2. We Will Rock You (fast) 3. Let Me Entertain You 4. Play The Game 5. Somebody To Love 6. Killer Queen 7. I'm In Love With My Car 8. Get Down Make Love 9. Save Me 10. Now I'm Here 11. Dragon Attack 12. Now I'm Here (reprise) 13. Love Of My Life 14. Under Pressure 15. Keep Yourself Alive 16. Drum & Timpani Solo 17. Guitar Solo 18. Crazy Little Thing Called Love 19. Jailhouse Rock 20. Bohemian Rhapsody 21. Tie Your Mother Down 22. Another One Bites The Dust 23. Sheer Heart Attack 24. We Will Rock You 25. We Are The Champions 26. God Save The Queen

Bonus Features * Brand new audio commentary by Brian May and Roger Taylor * The full Queen Live Aid performance * Never before seen full performance footage of Queen rehearsing for Live Aid: Bohemian Rhapsody + Radio Gaga + Hammer To Fall * Previously unreleased Live Aid interview with the whole band * 1982 news feature from US TV series PM Magazine * "Before & After" restoration comparison * Weblink to microsite

The Complete Greatest Hits - Hotel California - The Eagles 2 CD Album Bundling

Various

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Product description

This is a bundling of two eagles cds. Including a best of Eagles compilation with two discs The Complete Greatest Hits and the Eagles cd Hotel California.

100 Hits: The Best Rock Album / Various

100 Hits

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UK five CD set featuring the defining tracks of '50s and '60s rock 'n' roll. Includes songs from Buddy Holly, Bill Haley & his Comets, Bobby Vee, Chuck Berry, Brenda Lee, Fats Domino, Gene Vincent & Hi sBlue Caps, the Marvelettes, Dion & the Belmonts, and many others.

Greatest Hits by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band

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Bob Seger Greatest Hits

Capitol

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For over 40 years, Bob Seger has been one of America's best mainstream rock & rollers, crafting an impressive body of catchy, hard-rocking songs. Compiled here are some of Bog Seger and the Silver Bullet Band's greatest hits, including, 'Old Time Rock & Roll,' 'Turn the Page,' 'Hollywood Nights,' and his breakout hit, 'Night Moves.' Part of a two release collection alongside Bob Seger's Greatest Hits Vol. 2, this album is sure to satisfy Bob Seger fans old and new alike.

Bob Seger has racked up a lot of worthy tracks over the years, but it took until 1994 for a greatest hits package to appear. Voilà. The bad news: We're missing an awful lot of songs here. Night Moves is Seger's crit-pick album, and a great place to start if you don't have any Seger at all. Next in the rankings is Stranger in Town. Otherwise, his highs are pretty scattered, which would make any best-of package a worthy investment. But if you want to get comprehensive, "Rock & Roll Never Forgets," "Fire Down Below," "Horizontal Bop," "Her Strut," "Betty Lou's Getting Out Tonight," and "Katmandu" aren't on this CD--and you'll have to go to the original albums to secure them. --Gavin McNett

Journey: Greatest Hits 1978-1997

Sony

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A compilation of the band's top music videos, also including live footage.

It will be many years before Journey's music will be known as anything but soupy '70s arena rock and embarrassingly overwrought '80s pop. But that day will come: the songs and the playing are just too good for the scorn and ridicule to endure forever. Journey: Greatest Hits DVD 1978-1997 will do little, however, to hasten the band's salvation. In fact, if it weren't such a gift to those who love the music, a case could be made for suppressing the disc's video content, so unimaginative is most of the directing and so damning is the attire (or lack thereof).

But even if sweaty guys running around in tight jeans and no underwear isn't really your thing, the disc has its treats. There's MTV nostalgia, pure and simple--"Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)," with its mimed quayside performance and strutting high-heeled model, is perhaps the quintessential "What were they thinking?" video. We also get exciting glimpses of the early band (with keyboardist Gregg Rolie passing the lead-vocal torch to newcomer Steve Perry) kicking out classics like "Feeling That Way," "Lights," and "Just the Same Way." Many of the songs feature live audio as well as video, and it's here, most notably in "Who's Crying Now" and "Stone in Love," that lead guitarist Neal Schon cuts loose with some extended licks. An unexpected pleasure is 1996's heartfelt ballad "When You Love a Woman." The guys are aging gracefully, Steve Smith's drumming is better than ever, and the video itself boasts the most tasteful production of the bunch. --Michael Mikesell

Rock The Night - The Very Best Of Eu Rope

Epic Europe

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Product description

32 digitally remastered tracks, spanning the pop-metal act's entire career, including eight previously unreleased tracks plus 12-page booklet with unique photos & liner notes. Sony. 2004.

Greatest Hits

Queen

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Product description

To celebrate 40 years since Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor formed the band, Queen's Greatest Hits has been digitally re-mastered for 2011 by Bob Ludwig. New cover art completes the package. Universal. 2010.

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