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461 bands founded at United States

The Runaways - smll logo
The Runaways
United States
Classic Rock

Founded in: 1975

The Runaways, a groundbreaking all-female rock band, blazed a trail from 1975 to 1979. Born in the crucible of Los Angeles, they unleashed four studio albums and a fiery live record onto the world. Their iconic anthems, including "Cherry Bomb," "Hollywood," and "Queens of Noise," along with their blistering cover of the Velvet Undergrounds "Rock & Roll," resonated with a generation. While they didnt achieve massive US success, their electrifying performances, particularly "Cherry Bomb," ignited a sensation overseas, especially in Japan.

History:

Early Years: In early 1975, rock producer Kim Fowley conceived a radical idea: an all-female rock band. Guitarist Joan Jett recalls a landscape devoid of young women playing instruments. Fowley, encountering lyricist Kari Krome at an Alice Cooper party, hired her to scout talent. Krome discovered Jett, who impressed Fowley with a ukulele audition to a Sweet album, swiftly transitioning to guitar. In the Rainbow Bar & Grill parking lot, Fowley met Sandy West, who signed on as drummer. After Fowley had Jett and West rehearse at West`s Huntington Beach home, a phone audition with music journalist Ritchie Yorke secured their core. Further auditions, advertised through radio stations, landed them lead vocalist/bassist Micki Steele (later of The Bangles).

Dio - smll logo
Dio
United States
Classic Rock

Founded in: 1982

Ronnie James Dio, following his departure from Black Sabbath (a split fueled by disagreements over the Live Evil album mix), launched his eponymous heavy metal band in 1982. The shrewdly chosen name, already synonymous with the powerful vocalist, provided a strong commercial foundation. Dio`s initial lineup included former Sabbath bandmate Vinny Appice on drums, along with Jake E. Lee on guitar and Jimmy Bain on bass. Lee was quickly replaced by Vivian Campbell, solidifying a lineup that would soon make waves.

Over the next decade, Dio released ten studio albums, becoming a force in the metal world. However, the band experienced numerous lineup changes, with Dio himself remaining the sole constant member. A veritable who`s-who of guitarists passed through the ranks, including Vivian Campbell, Craig Goldy, Doug Aldrich, Warren DeMartini, Tracy G, Jake E. Lee, and Rowan Robertson. Despite this revolving door of musicians, the band maintained a distinct identity, fueled by Dio’s unmatched vocal prowess.

The bands legacy ended tragically in 2010 with the death of Ronnie James Dio from stomach cancer at age 67. His influence, however, remains undeniable, with over 50 million records sold worldwide, cementing Dios place as a heavy metal giant.

Ratt - smll logo
Ratt
United States
Heavy Metal

Founded in: 1976

RATT (stylized as RATT), the iconic American glam metal band, ruled the 1980s. Their albums achieved multi-platinum status, cementing their place in music history. The bands infectious hits, including the Billboard Top 40 smashes "Round and Round" (#12) and "Lay It Down" (#40), along with anthems like "Wanted Man," "Youre in Love," and "Dance," became staples of the era. Shoulder-to-shoulder with rivals like Mötley Crüe, RATT was pivotal in shaping the explosive Los Angeles glam metal scene—also known as hair metal or pop metal—of the early 1980s.

Though they continued touring and recording sporadically from the 1990s to 2021, enduring numerous lineup changes and extended hiatuses, their final studio album, Infestation, dropped in April 2010.

Early Years (1973-1982):

RATT`s story begins in 1973 Hollywood with the band Firedome, formed by vocalist Stephen Pearcy and friends. After Firedome disbanded in 1974, Pearcy formed Crystal Pystal, later evolving into Mickey Ratt in 1976, finally shortened to Ratt in 1977, setting the stage for their legendary rise.

Skid Row - smll logo
Skid Row
United States
Hard Rock

Founded in: 1986

Skid Row, the New Jersey hard rock titans, exploded onto the scene in 1986. Their classic lineup – Rachel Bolan (bass), Dave Sabo (guitar), Scotti Hill (guitar), Rob Affuso (drums), and the unforgettable Sebastian Bach (vocals) – forged a legacy of arena-rocking anthems. Their debut self-titled album (1989) and its follow-up, Slave to the Grind (1991), achieved multi-platinum status, with the latter hitting #1 on the Billboard 200. These albums spawned a string of iconic hits like "18 and Life," "I Remember You" (both Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits), "Youth Gone Wild," "Monkey Business," "Slave to the Grind," "Wasted Time," and "In a Darkened Room," solidifying their place in the 80s/90s hard rock pantheon. While their third album, Subhuman Race (1995), received critical acclaim, it couldnt replicate the phenomenal success of its predecessors. By 1996, the band had sold 20 million albums worldwide, but internal tensions led to Bach and Affusos departures, plunging Skid Row into a three-year hiatus.

Resurfacing in 1999 with Johnny Solinger replacing Bach, Skid Row continued, albeit with a rotating cast of drummers (most recently Rob Hammersmith). Solinger fronted the band on two studio albums, Thickskin (2003) and Revolutions per Minute (2006), as well as the United World Rebellion EPs (2013 & 2014), receiving a mixed critical response. Despite the lineup changes, Skid Row`s impact on hard rock remains undeniable, cemented by the enduring power of their early, classic-era material.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - smll logo
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
United States
Classic Rock

Founded in: 1976

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Gainesville, Florida-bred rock and roll institution, launched in 1976 with a classic lineup: Tom Petty (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Mike Campbell (lead guitar), Benmont Tench (keyboards), Stan Lynch (drums), and Ron Blair (bass). Blairs departure in 1982, due to touring fatigue, brought in Howie Epstein, who solidified the rhythm section for the next two decades. The bands evolution continued with the addition of multi-instrumentalist Scott Thurston in 1991 (primarily rhythm guitar and keyboards) and drummer Steve Ferrone in 1994, replacing Lynch. Blair notably rejoined in 2002, a year before Epstein`s passing.

Their decades-long reign yielded a string of iconic hits, including "Breakdown," "American Girl" (both 1976), "Refugee" (1979), "The Waiting" (1981), "Learning to Fly" (1991), and "Mary Janes Last Dance" (1993), establishing them as rock royalty. While Petty insisted on "rock and roll" as their sole genre descriptor, their sound resonated with both Southern rock and heartland rock sensibilities, placing them alongside giants like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, and John Mellencamp as pioneers of the latter. Even as heartland rocks mainstream popularity ebbed in the 1990s, the Heartbreakers remained a powerful touring force until Pettys death in 2017, marking the end of an era for one of rocks most enduring bands.

The Beach Boys - smll logo
The Beach Boys
United States
Classic Rock

Founded in: 1961

Hailing from Hawthorne, California, the Beach Boys exploded onto the music scene in 1961. The original lineup – brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine – quickly became a defining force in rock history. Their signature sound, a masterful blend of tight vocal harmonies, youthful lyrical themes, and innovative musical arrangements, cemented their legacy.

Drawing inspiration from doo-wop, 50s rock and roll, and R&B, the Beach Boys forged a unique style. Under Brian Wilson`s visionary leadership, they seamlessly integrated classical and jazz influences, pushing the boundaries of studio technology to achieve unparalleled sonic textures.

Starting as a garage band managed by their father, Murry Wilson, and fueled by Brians songwriting genius, the band’s 1963 hit "Surfin U.S.A." launched them to national stardom. A string of top-ten singles followed, capturing the essence of Southern California`s surf, cars, and romance – the iconic "California Sound." Remarkably, they weathered the British Invasion, maintaining their commercial success unlike many of their American contemporaries.

A pivotal shift occurred with 1965`s The Beach Boys Today!, marking a departure from surf-centric lyrics towards more introspective themes and ambitious orchestral arrangements. The 1966 masterpiece Pet Sounds and the groundbreaking single "Good Vibrations" solidified their status as rock innovators, achievements now widely recognized as monumental contributions to popular music. These works showcased a level of musical sophistication and ambition rarely seen before, significantly influencing generations of artists.

Lamb Of God - smll logo
Lamb Of God
United States
Metal

Founded in: 1999

Lamb of God, the Richmond, Virginia titans of heavy metal, exploded onto the scene in 1994 as Burn the Priest. This quintet – vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Art Cruz – are a cornerstone of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal.

Since their inception, they`ve unleashed a sonic onslaught across eleven studio albums (including two under their original moniker), culminating in their latest offering, Omens, released in October 2022. Their discography also boasts a live album, a compilation, three DVDs, two EPs, and a staggering twenty-eight singles. Their impact is undeniable, with nearly two million albums sold in the US alone, including two RIAA Gold-certified releases.

Grammy recognition arrived in 2010 and 2011 for tracks from their acclaimed 2009 album, Wrath, and again in 2016 for "512." Their legendary live performances have graced stages worldwide, including two Ozzfest appearances, Download and Sonisphere festivals (UK), Soundwave Festival (Australia), Mayhem Festival, and Gigantour. They shared the stage with metal giants, notably as part of Metallicas World Magnetic Tour (2008-2010) and Slayers final world tour (2018-2019). Lamb of God`s influence on the heavy metal landscape is undeniable, solidifying their status as true legends.

Tool - smll logo
Tool
United States
Progressive Rock

Founded in: 1990

Tool, the Los Angeles-based rock titans, exploded onto the scene in 1990. The lineup—vocalist Maynard James Keenan, guitarist Adam Jones, drummer Danny Carey, and bassist Justin Chancellor (who replaced Paul D`Amour in 1995)—has delivered a seismic impact on the music world. Their influence extends far beyond their four Grammy Awards and chart-topping albums; Tool has cultivated a fiercely loyal following through a combination of masterful musicianship and a fiercely independent spirit.

Initially emerging with the heavy metal heft of their 1993 debut, Undertow, Tool quickly transcended genre boundaries. Ænima (1996) solidified their position as alternative metal pioneers, a status further cemented by the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Lateralus (2001) and 10,000 Days (2006). These albums, along with their groundbreaking 2019 release Fear Inoculum, showcase the band`s commitment to musical experimentation, pushing the envelope of progressive rock, psychedelic rock, and art rock. Their meticulous approach, evident in the long gestation periods between albums, reflects a dedication to crafting sonic tapestries as intricate and visually compelling as their iconic stage shows.

With over 13 million albums sold in the US alone before Fear Inoculums release, Tools impact is undeniable. However, their complex, often lengthy compositions, coupled with their incorporation of visual arts and a deliberate resistance to industry pressures, has made them something of an enigma. Their relationship with the music industry has been marked by occasional clashes, reflecting the bands unwavering commitment to artistic integrity and fiercely guarded privacy. Ultimately, Tool represents a force that consistently challenges expectations and defies easy categorization, cementing their legacy as one of rocks most influential and enigmatic acts.

Dream Theater - smll logo
Dream Theater
United States
Heavy Metal

Founded in: 1985

Dream Theater, the progressive metal titans, emerged from Boston, Massachusetts in 1985. Initially formed as Majesty by Long Island natives John Petrucci (guitar), John Myung (bass), and Mike Portnoy (drums), the trio dropped out of Berklee College of Music to pursue their musical ambitions. Petrucci and Myung remain the band`s only constant members.

Portnoys powerful drumming defined the bands sound for years, until his departure in 2010 to explore other projects. He was replaced by Mike Mangini, only to sensationally rejoin the lineup in October 2023. Vocalist James LaBrie joined in 1991 after a brief period with Chris Collins and Charlie Dominici (who was let go shortly after the 1989 debut, When Dream and Day Unite). The keyboard chair saw Kevin Moore contribute to three albums before Derek Sherinian stepped in for a brief period in the mid-90s (recording one album and an EP). Jordan Rudess took over keyboard duties in 1999, solidifying the current lineup.

Dream Theater`s legacy is cemented by their sixteen studio albums, a testament to their enduring influence on progressive metal.

Megadeth - smll logo
Megadeth
United States
Heavy Metal

Founded in: 1983

Megadeth, the thrash metal titans, emerged from the Los Angeles scene in 1983, spearheaded by the visionary guitarist and vocalist Dave Mustaine. Instantly recognizable for their technically masterful musicianship and complex guitar work, they solidified their place as one of thrash`s "Big Four," alongside Metallica, Anthrax, and Slayer, significantly shaping and popularizing the genre. Their music is a whirlwind of intricate arrangements, blistering fast tempos, blistering dual guitar leads, and lyrics exploring themes of war, politics, religion, death, and the complexities of human relationships.

Their 1985 debut, Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, released on Combat Records, generated initial buzz, paving the way for a major label deal with Capitol. The subsequent release of Peace Sells... but Who`s Buying in 1986 catapulted them to underground metal stardom. While internal struggles, including substance abuse and band member conflicts, plagued Megadeth throughout the late 1980s, they persevered, achieving multiple platinum albums, including the landmark So Far, So Good... So What! Their legacy as a pioneering force in thrash metal remains undeniable.

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