5. Oasis
Brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher formed Oasis in 1991. Each of Oasis’s seven studio albums reach #1 in the UK. Their highest charting albums in the US were 1995’s (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (#4) and 1997’s Be Here Now (#2). Oasis has sold over 75 million records worldwide making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
4. Green Day
Formed in 1987, Green Day injected pop sensibilities into punk rock to revive the genre to mainstream success. Their third album and first major-label release Dookie (1994), yielded three #1 singles on the alternative charts. The album has sold 20 million copies worldwide. Overall, Green Day has sold roughly 75 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists.
3. Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam pioneered the Seattle grunge scene and has outsold and outlasted most. They’re considered one of the most influential and popular bands of the 1990s. Their 1991 debut album Ten stayed on the Billboard 200 chart for nearly 5 years. Pearl Jam is one of the best-selling bands of all time having sold more than 85 million albums worldwide.
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers
Formed in 1982, the Red Hot Chili Peppers saw their biggest success during the 1990s. Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) reached #3 on the charts and yielded the #2 single “Under the Bridge.” They broke the top ten again in 1999 with “Scar Tissue” (#9). Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold over 120 million records worldwide placing them among the best-selling artists in history.
1. Nirvana
Formed in 1987 in Aberdeen, Washington, Nirvana spearheaded the grunge movement with their alternative rock. Their second album Nevermind, (1991) pushed Michael Jackson out of the #1 spot and has sold 30 million copies to date. Their second album, In Utero (1993), (1993) has sold 15 million copies. The death of lead singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain ended Nirvana’s short career.
Read More: 20 Things Only 90s Kids Will Ever Understand
The 2000s
Rock music in the 2000s saw reinvention such as nu metal, and innovation such as the inclusion of DJs that added hip-hop and electronica. Indie and minimalist rock flourished. Here are the 20 best rock bands of the 2000s.
20. The White Stripes
The White Stripes was formed in 1997. They led a garage rock revival and were innovative with their minimalistic indie rock style. Mainstream success came with their fourth album Elephant (2003) reaching #6 with the song “Seven Nation Army” hitting #1 on the US alternative chart. Their next two albums only achieved gold, but charted better reaching #3 and #2 respectively.
