get ready for some bluesy licks greasy riffs and a whole lot of southern pride
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten southern rock bands
for this list will be ranking the most
for this list will be ranking the most popular and influential bands from the
popular and influential bands from the
popular and influential bands from the southern rock genre in other words we’ll
southern rock genre in other words we’ll
southern rock genre in other words we’ll be taking a look at groups who
be taking a look at groups who
be taking a look at groups who originated in the southern United States
originated in the southern United States
originated in the southern United States and who are often looked to as
and who are often looked to as
and who are often looked to as ambassadors for the style around the
ambassadors for the style around the
ambassadors for the style around the world
we’ll be manning the swampy roots rock
we’ll be manning the swampy roots rock of Creedence Clearwater Revival however
of Creedence Clearwater Revival however
of Creedence Clearwater Revival however as John Fogerty and the boys were
as John Fogerty and the boys were
as John Fogerty and the boys were actually based out of El Cerrito
actually based out of El Cerrito
actually based out of El Cerrito California
hailing from the hearts of Georgia the
hailing from the hearts of Georgia the Black Crowes first burst onto the music
Black Crowes first burst onto the music
Black Crowes first burst onto the music scene back in 1989 and released their
scene back in 1989 and released their
scene back in 1989 and released their debut shake your moneymaker in the
debut shake your moneymaker in the
debut shake your moneymaker in the winter of the following year fans soon
winter of the following year fans soon
winter of the following year fans soon flocked to the Black Crowes and they’re
flocked to the Black Crowes and they’re
flocked to the Black Crowes and they’re accessible take on southern rock which
accessible take on southern rock which
accessible take on southern rock which incorporated old-school blues and hard
incorporated old-school blues and hard
incorporated old-school blues and hard rock into a chart-topping musical
rock into a chart-topping musical
rock into a chart-topping musical formula
add to this the black roses infectious
add to this the black roses infectious energy on the live stage and you have
energy on the live stage and you have
energy on the live stage and you have one hard rockin band who wear a love of
one hard rockin band who wear a love of
one hard rockin band who wear a love of the south proudly on their sleeve
the drive-by truckers may not be one of
the drive-by truckers may not be one of the originators of southern rock but
the originators of southern rock but
the originators of southern rock but they sure have served as a driving force
they sure have served as a driving force
they sure have served as a driving force for the genre in the years since first
for the genre in the years since first
for the genre in the years since first hitting the scene in 1998 with their
hitting the scene in 1998 with their
hitting the scene in 1998 with their debut album gangsta Billy there’s a
debut album gangsta Billy there’s a
debut album gangsta Billy there’s a sense of melancholy and true southern
sense of melancholy and true southern
sense of melancholy and true southern style of Blues in much of the Bands
style of Blues in much of the Bands
style of Blues in much of the Bands material the sort of sad honky Tonk vibe
material the sort of sad honky Tonk vibe
material the sort of sad honky Tonk vibe which can make even the toughest rockers
which can make even the toughest rockers
which can make even the toughest rockers want to cry lonely tears into their mug
want to cry lonely tears into their mug
want to cry lonely tears into their mug of beer at other times drive-by truckers
of beer at other times drive-by truckers
of beer at other times drive-by truckers hit hard with some impressively strong
hit hard with some impressively strong
hit hard with some impressively strong guitar work passionate vocals and a
guitar work passionate vocals and a
guitar work passionate vocals and a progressive songwriting sensibility
progressive songwriting sensibility
progressive songwriting sensibility exemplified by their ambitious 2001
exemplified by their ambitious 2001
exemplified by their ambitious 2001 double album southern rock opera
number eight Alabama Shakes aha there’s
number eight Alabama Shakes aha there’s not hard-hitting blues and righteous
not hard-hitting blues and righteous
not hard-hitting blues and righteous soul are just two of the immediate
soul are just two of the immediate
soul are just two of the immediate markings which make up the musical
markings which make up the musical
markings which make up the musical landscape of Alabama Shakes this group
landscape of Alabama Shakes this group
landscape of Alabama Shakes this group strikes with power and passion on songs
strikes with power and passion on songs
strikes with power and passion on songs I hold on and don’t want to fight
both of which which represent Alabama
both of which which represent Alabama Shakes as a vital and energetic new
Shakes as a vital and energetic new
Shakes as a vital and energetic new force for modern southern rock much of
force for modern southern rock much of
force for modern southern rock much of the success is thanks to the charismatic
the success is thanks to the charismatic
the success is thanks to the charismatic presence and impressive musical talents
presence and impressive musical talents
presence and impressive musical talents of frontwoman Brittany Howard who leads
of frontwoman Brittany Howard who leads
of frontwoman Brittany Howard who leads Alabama Shakes as one of the most
Alabama Shakes as one of the most
Alabama Shakes as one of the most promising bands and years to fly the
promising bands and years to fly the
promising bands and years to fly the southern rock fly
sure you may be more familiar with
sure you may be more familiar with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Freebird but have you
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Freebird but have you
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Freebird but have you heard the other famous southern rock
heard the other famous southern rock
heard the other famous southern rock epic if not then get ready for the
epic if not then get ready for the
epic if not then get ready for the 10-minute majesty which is green grass
10-minute majesty which is green grass
10-minute majesty which is green grass and high tides by the outlaws
the group formed in the late 60s and
the group formed in the late 60s and quickly earned a reputation as one of
quickly earned a reputation as one of
quickly earned a reputation as one of the most musically dexterous bands
the most musically dexterous bands
the most musically dexterous bands around while enjoying a career as one of
around while enjoying a career as one of
around while enjoying a career as one of the most popular contenders for the
the most popular contenders for the
the most popular contenders for the southern rock crown
smooth vocals driving drums and lead
smooth vocals driving drums and lead guitar to die for are just a few of the
guitar to die for are just a few of the
guitar to die for are just a few of the elements which makes the outlaws
elements which makes the outlaws
elements which makes the outlaws southern rock legends
is there any other southern rock band
is there any other southern rock band out there with a visual style as
out there with a visual style as
out there with a visual style as defining as that of ZZ Top the dark
defining as that of ZZ Top the dark
defining as that of ZZ Top the dark sunglasses and long beards of lead
sunglasses and long beards of lead
sunglasses and long beards of lead vocalist Billy Gibbons and bassist dusty
vocalist Billy Gibbons and bassist dusty
vocalist Billy Gibbons and bassist dusty Hill matched with the less scruffy
Hill matched with the less scruffy
Hill matched with the less scruffy rhythm section of Frank beard just
rhythm section of Frank beard just
rhythm section of Frank beard just evokes an immediate mental image inside
evokes an immediate mental image inside
evokes an immediate mental image inside the listeners head of what ZZ Top is all
the listeners head of what ZZ Top is all
the listeners head of what ZZ Top is all about the band have also possessed the
about the band have also possessed the
about the band have also possessed the musical chops to back up their MTV
musical chops to back up their MTV
musical chops to back up their MTV friendly image thanks to a diet of
friendly image thanks to a diet of
friendly image thanks to a diet of classic blues and an arsenal of killer
classic blues and an arsenal of killer
classic blues and an arsenal of killer riffs from Gibbons
they’re Texas’s finest power trio often
they’re Texas’s finest power trio often imitated but never duplicated they are
imitated but never duplicated they are
imitated but never duplicated they are ZZ Top
number five the Marshall Tucker Band
number five the Marshall Tucker Band long ago
long ago
long ago boy smooth soulful and contemplative
boy smooth soulful and contemplative
boy smooth soulful and contemplative this is a sound of the Marshall Tucker
this is a sound of the Marshall Tucker
this is a sound of the Marshall Tucker Band one of South Carolina’s finest
Band one of South Carolina’s finest
Band one of South Carolina’s finest exports to the world of southern rock
exports to the world of southern rock
exports to the world of southern rock the group has seen revolving door
the group has seen revolving door
the group has seen revolving door members over the years since first
members over the years since first
members over the years since first forming back in 1972 while in the
forming back in 1972 while in the
forming back in 1972 while in the process laying much of the groundwork
process laying much of the groundwork
process laying much of the groundwork over what would define southern rock in
over what would define southern rock in
over what would define southern rock in their wake the soothing tone of Gerry
their wake the soothing tone of Gerry
their wake the soothing tone of Gerry Eubanks and his flute are just one of
Eubanks and his flute are just one of
Eubanks and his flute are just one of the elements which make the Marshall
the elements which make the Marshall
the elements which make the Marshall Tucker Band stand out from their fellow
Tucker Band stand out from their fellow
Tucker Band stand out from their fellow southern rockers combined with the
southern rockers combined with the
southern rockers combined with the group’s incorporation of slide guitar
group’s incorporation of slide guitar
group’s incorporation of slide guitar and smooth country soul into their sound
the results are a refreshing and
the results are a refreshing and sensitive alternative in the often
sensitive alternative in the often
sensitive alternative in the often traditional world of old-school southern
traditional world of old-school southern
traditional world of old-school southern rock
call me a written chicory kanata am but
call me a written chicory kanata am but these things going on that may have been
these things going on that may have been
these things going on that may have been too cool
too cool
too cool there are few southern rock musicians
there are few southern rock musicians
there are few southern rock musicians out there with a resume or pedigree as
out there with a resume or pedigree as
out there with a resume or pedigree as impressive as that of Charlie Daniels
impressive as that of Charlie Daniels
impressive as that of Charlie Daniels this North Carolina native has done it
this North Carolina native has done it
this North Carolina native has done it all from performing as a session
all from performing as a session
all from performing as a session musician with the likes of Bob Dylan to
musician with the likes of Bob Dylan to
musician with the likes of Bob Dylan to writing songs for Elvis Presley see the
writing songs for Elvis Presley see the
writing songs for Elvis Presley see the way
yet the man’s biggest hit surely must be
yet the man’s biggest hit surely must be the karaoke classic the Devil Went Down
the karaoke classic the Devil Went Down
the karaoke classic the Devil Went Down to Georgia the Devil Went Down Georgia
to Georgia the Devil Went Down Georgia
to Georgia the Devil Went Down Georgia he was looking for so steal he was in a
he was looking for so steal he was in a
he was looking for so steal he was in a bag he was way behind he was willing to
bag he was way behind he was willing to
bag he was way behind he was willing to make a deal the 1970 track makes
make a deal the 1970 track makes
make a deal the 1970 track makes excellent use of Daniels is evocative
excellent use of Daniels is evocative
excellent use of Daniels is evocative speaking voice as he narrates a musical
speaking voice as he narrates a musical
speaking voice as he narrates a musical battle between a man and the devil with
battle between a man and the devil with
battle between a man and the devil with a man’s soul hanging in the balance
the devil’s in the House of the Rising
the devil’s in the House of the Rising Sun the Charlie Daniels bad wasn’t a
Sun the Charlie Daniels bad wasn’t a
Sun the Charlie Daniels bad wasn’t a one-hit wonder however as he continued
one-hit wonder however as he continued
one-hit wonder however as he continued to compose the at Racal southern rock
to compose the at Racal southern rock
to compose the at Racal southern rock throughout the 80’s 90’s and beyond
number three 38 specials southern rock
number three 38 specials southern rock for the 1980s this phrase does a good
for the 1980s this phrase does a good
for the 1980s this phrase does a good job of describing the career arc of the
job of describing the career arc of the
job of describing the career arc of the Floridian group known as 38 special
Floridian group known as 38 special
Floridian group known as 38 special which was formed back in 1974 by
which was formed back in 1974 by
which was formed back in 1974 by southern rock royalty so this is love
Doni Van Zandt brother of Lynyrd
Doni Van Zandt brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ronnie van zant combined his
Skynyrd’s ronnie van zant combined his
Skynyrd’s ronnie van zant combined his southern rock roots with a smart and
southern rock roots with a smart and
southern rock roots with a smart and memorable accessibility one which was
memorable accessibility one which was
memorable accessibility one which was tailor-made for the arena rock and hair
tailor-made for the arena rock and hair
tailor-made for the arena rock and hair metal scenes that were popular during
metal scenes that were popular during
metal scenes that were popular during the time
38 special remain a timeless southern
38 special remain a timeless southern rock act thanks to such enduring radio
rock act thanks to such enduring radio
rock act thanks to such enduring radio hits as hold on loosely second chance
hits as hold on loosely second chance
hits as hold on loosely second chance and caught up in you
guitars guitars and more guitars ask any
guitars guitars and more guitars ask any fan of the Allman Brothers Band and they
fan of the Allman Brothers Band and they
fan of the Allman Brothers Band and they will likely point to this aspect as the
will likely point to this aspect as the
will likely point to this aspect as the group’s most important selling point
Duane Allman and dickey betts were
Duane Allman and dickey betts were Wizards on the fret board trading fiery
Wizards on the fret board trading fiery
Wizards on the fret board trading fiery licks and epic harmonies one minute
licks and epic harmonies one minute
licks and epic harmonies one minute before cooling it down for some soul
before cooling it down for some soul
before cooling it down for some soul stripping emotional blues were the
stripping emotional blues were the
stripping emotional blues were the Allman Brothers Band incorporated
Allman Brothers Band incorporated
Allman Brothers Band incorporated everything from jazz country and soil
everything from jazz country and soil
everything from jazz country and soil into their musicals to developing a
into their musicals to developing a
into their musicals to developing a powerful sound which came across even
powerful sound which came across even
powerful sound which came across even better in the live arena
better in the live arena
better in the live arena sadly the band would suffer a tragic
sadly the band would suffer a tragic
sadly the band would suffer a tragic loss when Duane Allman was killed in the
loss when Duane Allman was killed in the
loss when Duane Allman was killed in the 1971 motorcycle accident but they will
1971 motorcycle accident but they will
1971 motorcycle accident but they will always be remembered with an eternal
always be remembered with an eternal
always be remembered with an eternal spot in the southern rock history
welcome back before we unveil our number
welcome back before we unveil our number one pick here are a few honorable
one pick here are a few honorable
one pick here are a few honorable mentions magnetic family my back betting
mentions magnetic family my back betting
mentions magnetic family my back betting family down
family down
family down Oh
number one Lynyrd Skynyrd it may not
number one Lynyrd Skynyrd it may not surprise anyone that Florida’s Lynyrd
surprise anyone that Florida’s Lynyrd
surprise anyone that Florida’s Lynyrd Skynyrd tops our list of southern rock
Skynyrd tops our list of southern rock
Skynyrd tops our list of southern rock rates but it’s also no secret that the
rates but it’s also no secret that the
rates but it’s also no secret that the group were one of the hardest-working
group were one of the hardest-working
group were one of the hardest-working and hardest partying bands of their day
blazing guitars ultra accomplished
blazing guitars ultra accomplished songwriting and the anthemic vocals of
songwriting and the anthemic vocals of
songwriting and the anthemic vocals of Ronnie Van Sant all led to Skynyrd’s
Ronnie Van Sant all led to Skynyrd’s
Ronnie Van Sant all led to Skynyrd’s domination throughout the 1970s and
domination throughout the 1970s and
domination throughout the 1970s and beyond
tragically a plane crash would claim the
tragically a plane crash would claim the lives of Van Zandt guitarist Steve
lives of Van Zandt guitarist Steve
lives of Van Zandt guitarist Steve Gaines his sister Cassie and road
Gaines his sister Cassie and road
Gaines his sister Cassie and road manager Dean Kilpatrick in October of
manager Dean Kilpatrick in October of
manager Dean Kilpatrick in October of 1977 I just want to be the magic of
1977 I just want to be the magic of
1977 I just want to be the magic of Lynyrd Skynyrd would not be forgotten in
Lynyrd Skynyrd would not be forgotten in
Lynyrd Skynyrd would not be forgotten in the years to follow and the surviving
the years to follow and the surviving
the years to follow and the surviving members and fans continue to celebrate
members and fans continue to celebrate
members and fans continue to celebrate the band’s music to this day so do you
the band’s music to this day so do you
the band’s music to this day so do you agree with our list which southern rock
agree with our list which southern rock
agree with our list which southern rock band do you think deserves top honors
for more hard-hitting top 10 list
for more hard-hitting top 10 list published every day be sure to subscribe
published every day be sure to subscribe
published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com
”
Be First to Comment