The most iconic American rock bands - America is fueled by rock 'n' roll. Through the years, the musical stylings and stage performances of rock bands became the cornerstone of American entertainment. From old-school legends to modern greats, check out this list of the most iconic American rock bands.

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Creedence Clearwater Revival - CCR was a prominent American rock band in the late 1960s through the early 1970s and has remained a staple of the genre ever since.

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The Eagles - One of the most iconic rock bands of all time, The Eagles formed in Los Angles in 1971 and went on to sell more than 150 million records. 

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The Doors - One of the most influential rock bands in the US, The Doors formed in 1965 in Los Angeles and became a staple of entertainment counterculture.

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Aerosmith - Nicknamed "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band," Aerosmith rose to popularity in the 1970s and made history by becoming the best-selling band in US entertainment.

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Lynyrd Skynyrd - The biggest name in southern rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd is most known for their iconic hit 'Sweet Home Alabama.'

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Van Halen - This American hard rock band achieved international success for their distinct stage presence and hit songs.

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Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - At the forefront of the heartland rock genre, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have become a staple of American entertainment. The band toured regularly up until Petty's death in 2017.

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Metallica - This American heavy metal band has consistently ranked as one of the world's most commercially successful bands. They are also highly regarded as one of the pioneering artists of thrash metal.

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The Beach Boys - This innovative rock band manufactured a unique sound and easy listening lyrics. Rising to critical acclaim, The Beach Boys have been dubbed one of the most influential bands of all time.

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Nirvana - Formed by lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain, Nirvana became known as one of the most standout alternative rock bands in the US.

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ZZ Top - Formed in 1969 in Houston, TX, ZZ Top is known for humorous lyrics and their blues-inspired rock melodies.

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Guns N' Roses - A hard rock band out of Los Angeles, Guns N' Roses gained a rebellious persona that dubbed them "the most dangerous band in the world."

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Pearl Jam - A staple band in the grunge movement, Pearl Jam is often referred to as one of the most popular bands of the '90s.

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Fleetwood Mac - Fleetwood Mac is a British-American rock band that formed in 1967. They were known equally for their iconic hits and devastating inner-band relationships.

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Boston - A rock band from Massachusetts, Boston is one of the best-selling music groups of the US.

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Journey - This American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1973. Journey is most known for their iconic sing-along anthems such as 'Don't Stop Believin'.'

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Grateful Dead - This iconic rock band is known for its seamless blend of musical styles. Grateful Dead rose to fame during during the 1960s and became an instrumental voice of counterculture.

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Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band - Known for raspy vocals and blue-collar-themed lyrics, Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band is one of the most standout heartland rock bands in the US.

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Red Hot Chili Peppers - This iconic funk rock band is one of the most commercially successful groups in the industry. The Red Hot Chili Peppers hold the record for most number one singles on the radio.

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Steve Miller Band - A staple of the classic rock genre, Steve Miller Band formed in San Francisco in 1966.

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The Allman Brothers Band - Formed by brothers Duane and Gregg Allman in 1969, this iconic rock group was most known for their "jam band" stage presence.

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Santana - A Latin music rock band, Santana rose to international prominence after their performance at Woodstock. They have sold more than 100 million records worldwide.  

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R.E.M. - Formed in Georgia in 1980, R.E.M. is noted for being one of the first major alternative rock bands.

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Ramones - Known for playing an important role in defining the punk rock sound, the Ramones were dubbed by Spin Magazine as the the second greatest rock band of all time, just behind The Beatles.

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Alice Cooper - A rock band out of Arizona,  Alice Cooper is famed for their elaborate theatrical performances.

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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Nicknamed "The Boss," Bruce Springsteen is known for his poetic lyrics and high-energy stage presence. 

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Soundgarden - An instrumental band in the grunge movement, Soundgarden formed in Seattle in 1984.

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KISS - Known equally for their makeup and stage costumes as for their wild screaming vocals, KISS is one of the best-selling bands in the history of rock music.

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Foo Fighters - Former drummer for Nirvana, Dave Grohl started the Foo Fighters after Kurt Cobain's death. Their style is categorized as post-grunge and they have reached international acclaim.

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The Doobie Brothers - Rising to prominence in the 1970s, The Doobie Brothers have been an active and influential rock band for five decades. 

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Blondie - Famed for being a massive influence on the new wave and punk rock genres, Blondie has sold over 40 million records worldwide and is still actively performing.

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Steely Dan - Known for blending musical genres into their rock style, Rolling Stone once dubbed Steely Dan as "the perfect musical antiheroes for the Seventies."

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