29. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, originally hailing from Florida, with their longevity, consistency, and widespread popularity, have most certainly earned their rightful place on this list. This misfit band is popular amongst older and younger generations alike, and the late Tom Petty, the band’s frontman, is often named as one of the greatest US musicians ever.
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
The band had a unique rock n’ roll identity, where they combined elements of country music, blues, Southern rock, Bob Dylan vibes, and even soul music, to create their own sound; a kind of swampy Florida rock n’ roll vibe. With Mike Campbell on guitar, and Petty’s songwriting and frontman performances, this band certainly earned their place on this list with radio regular hits such as “Learning to Fly”, “American Girl,” and “Refugee”.
28. Def Leppard
Def Leppard has definitely earned their honorable mention for their place at the top of the 80s heavy metal pile. It was the British band’s third album which was really their breakthrough and saw their popularity soar, Pyromania had a bit more of a polished sound with some catchy choruses one could really rock to.
Def Leppard
The band has two diamond-certified albums, Pyromania and the follow-up which was released in 1987, Hysteria. While they were putting Hysteria together, drummer Rick Allen actually lost an arm in a terrible car accident, but that didn’t stop him drumming. It’s a metal baby, metal.
