Steven Tyler Reveals His Pick For The Greatest Rock Band In The World
Steven Tyler in the Howard Stern show - The Howard Stern Show / Youtube
Everybody has a different view about which rock bands are the best of all time. But let’s be honest: bands get to the top of the list because of their impact, timeless hits, album sales, and “wow” effect. Consider bands such as the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, the Beatles, and Led Zeppelin. Their enduring records and iconic sounds have helped them stand the test of time.
Though we might argue endlessly about who should be at the top, it’s pretty obvious that certain bands are just better than others.
Steven Tyler Shows Some Humble Love
You’d expect a guy like Steven Tyler—frontman of one of rock’s biggest bands, Aerosmith—to toot his own horn when asked about the greatest bands. But nope. He kept it real and humble in a 2012 interview with Time magazine. When someone brought up AC/DC, Tyler didn’t hesitate to give credit where it’s due.
“Best rock and roll band on the planet,” Steven said, referring to AC/DC. “Well, short of the Stones. I wouldn’t even put us in that category.”
That’s high praise for both bands, especially coming from someone who’s rocked sold-out arenas for decades. Tyler went on to say that the Rolling Stones had always been a big influence on him, and he made it clear just how much they meant to him.
Stranded on a Desert Island? Tyler Knows What He’d Bring
In the same interview, Tyler was asked what music he’d take if he were stranded on a desert island. His picks weren’t surprising—AC/DC, the Rolling Stones, and the Beach Boys.
“If I were on an island, just for melody, because my father went to Juilliard, I would take albums by those two and the Beach Boys’ ‘Smiley Smile.’ Just for the melodic f*ck all.”
Melody Is the Magic Ingredient
It’s clear from his choices that Steven Tyler places a lot of value on melody. For him, the key to great music is more than just volume or swagger—it’s about unforgettable tunes that stick with you. And in his book, nobody does that better than the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and the Beach Boys.
