When specifying “rock”, I feel you have to go all the way back to when it started. I also considered bands that defined aspects of Americana or somewhat defined a generation . This is a very hard list to create with everything considered. Here goes.
Bill Haley and the Comets (Rock Around The Clock)
The Four Seasons (Lots of hits, transitioned to 60s)
The Beach Boys (A distinct part of Americana)
Lynyrd Shynyrd (The absolute best IMHO)
The Doobie Brothers Longevity and tons of hits)
Chicago (Soft rock but played great as a band)
Jackson Browne (defined the early 80s)
Bon Jovi (They took the country by storm)
Van Halen (Mo comment needed)
The Eagles (America absolutely loved the Eagles)
Honorable mention to the following:
Boston
CCR
The Allman Brothers
ZZ Top
Guns N Roses
Dire Straits
America
Metallica
Journey
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Steely Dan
