Howard Stern Reveals His Top 3 Rock Band Picks
via Nicki Swift / YouTube
Few media personalities have managed to remain both relevant and unpredictable across decades quite like Howard Stern. With a career that has spanned radio dominance, bestselling books, a feature film, and even late-night TV shockwaves, Stern has built his legacy by turning controversy into currency—and doing it all on his own terms. Beyond the headlines and his infamous interviews, there’s a deep current of passion running through his work, especially when it comes to music.
Stern’s connection to rock and roll is more than casual admiration; it’s a lifelong obsession. He doesn’t just listen—he dissects, celebrates, and defends the bands he loves with a kind of fervor that’s hard to fake. While his views on politics and celebrity often spark debate, his music takes are delivered with a level of sincerity and nostalgia that even his harshest critics rarely challenge.
So when Stern recently shared his top three rock band picks, it wasn’t just another throwaway list—it was a window into the soundtrack of his life. Whether you agree with his choices or not, one thing is certain: the man has taste, and it’s as bold as everything else he does.
The Beatles
Howard Stern doesn’t hesitate when it comes to naming the greatest band in history. “The Beatles are the number one band of all time,” he declares—a sentiment he’s echoed numerous times throughout his career. His admiration runs so deep that he’s even compared Paul McCartney to “a modern-day Beethoven,” highlighting not only the band’s influence but their artistic genius.
For Stern, The Beatles represent more than just a collection of iconic songs. They symbolize an era of transformation—musically, culturally, and emotionally. Their ability to evolve from the charming pop of Please Please Me to the introspective brilliance of Abbey Road is something Stern clearly reveres. Their catalog became the blueprint for countless bands that followed, but it also remains unmatched in its scope and creativity.
What makes Stern’s pick resonate is how personally he connects to their music. It’s not about nostalgia—it’s about legacy. The Beatles’ impact still pulses through every genre they touched, and Stern knows that greatness like theirs doesn’t fade. His praise isn’t just fanfare; it’s a recognition of enduring brilliance.
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The Rolling Stones
Stern’s second choice comes with equal conviction: “The Rolling Stones! Because The Rolling Stones did something so unique, they built off a blues foundation, and they created masterpieces.” His emphasis on their originality and mastery makes it clear that, for him, The Stones aren’t just rock icons—they’re innovators.
While The Beatles may have polished their way to perfection, The Stones carved a different path—gritty, raw, and unapologetically rebellious. Stern seems to respect how they stayed true to their blues roots while still pushing rock forward with albums like Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main St. He values the authenticity in their music, the way it growls and swaggers with a kind of dirty elegance.
Stern’s appreciation also lies in their longevity. Few bands have managed to evolve across decades without losing their edge, and The Stones are the exception. Through shifting musical trends and personal turmoil, they’ve remained resilient, and in Stern’s eyes, that’s the kind of fire that defines true greatness.
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Led Zeppelin
The final spot in Stern’s rock pantheon goes to Led Zeppelin, and his enthusiasm is unmistakable. “These riffs that Jimmy Page came up with, John ‘Bonzo’ Bonham on drums and Robert Plant’s vocal were insane,” he recalls with awe. Stern isn’t just complimenting a band—he’s revisiting a moment when rock music exploded into something bigger, louder, and more mythical.
Zeppelin wasn’t just about sound; they were about presence. Stern and his co-host Robin Quivers both agree that music was never quite the same after they arrived. From the haunting acoustics of Led Zeppelin III to the thundering majesty of Physical Graffiti, they fused blues, folk, and hard rock into something elemental. Stern’s praise captures that seismic shift.
What Stern admires most seems to be their chemistry—the alchemy of four musicians at their peak, creating something that felt ancient and futuristic at once. It wasn’t just music to him; it was a movement. In Zeppelin, Stern found a band that didn’t just play rock—they redefined it, and that’s why they’ve earned their place in his top three.
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