I was inspired by Oldies(not thanks lol jk)
So just list them?Mine is not in order.

MeatLoaf
Ratt
Twisted Sister
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Triumph
Alice Cooper
Jimi Hendrix
Dio
Pat Benatar!!!!
Joan Jett
Lead a Ford
White Snake
David Bowe
Def Lepard
Billy Idol
The Who
Beatles
QUEEN!!!
Motley Crue


and I know I forgot quite a few people,but I'll remember

Rush, Yes, King Crimson... Led Zeppelin was intentionally omitted, so I don't name it.
And I'd take some off the list.
But that's later.

         > Iszil

This is in order. For me. Please excuse the lowness of the Beatles on this list.

Zeppelin
Deep Purple
Queen
Doors
The Who
Hendrix
Chicago
Steppenwolf
Beatles
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Pink Floyd

good post idea

 order is lost towards the bootom of the list

zeppelin
pink floyd
radiohead
the jimi hendrix experience
the beatles
Chilli peppers
Queen
Muse
Black Sabbath
Deep Purple
Simon and Garfunkel
abba
REM
Bowie
Nirvana
The Mars volta
jethro tull
clapton and bluesbreakers
Ocean colour scene

etc

Elvis Presley
Zeppelin
EDIT: oops goes right here:  CCR Creedence Clearwater Revival
Deep Purple
PinkFloyd
Hendrix
Beatles
Yardbirds/Cream/Clapton
Black Sabbath
ACDC
Van Halen
Aerosmith
Queen
Superramp
Triumph
Rush
Doors
Judas Priest
Iron Maiden
The Who
Lynard Skynard
Robin Trower
Allman Brothers
Doobie Brothers
Rick Derringer
Trex
Eagles
Steve Miller

I have to make a post here,


   only to say, I see Black Sabbath listed here, but we need to be more specific, because Black Sabbath was good with Ozzy at the helm, and with Dio but after that they sucked rotten eggs...

 Dont forget the Kingston Trio  

deep purple
elp
simply red
oslo gospel choir
and the backing band touring with joe cocker in the 90s

ok here some of my favorites
The Stooges
MC5
AC/DC
The Kinks
The Rolling Stones(can't believe I'm the first one to state the obvious! ahah)
Crosby Still Nash and Young
Depeche Mode
Dr Feelgood
The Smiths
Joy Division
The Beach Boys
The Clash
Noir Desir (France best rock band)
The Jam
Pulp
The Ramones
Talking Head
The Televisions
......

What amazes me is that anyone can actually come up with a list of what the "best bands" are.  I mean, by what is this accolade measured?
If, as I suspect, people are saying what their favourite bands are then it makes more sense.  In that I can provide a short list

Aerosmith
Steely Dan
Queen
Pink
Dream Theater
Yes
Pink Floyd
Peter Gabriel

There.... that'll do for now

da beatles
cream
zeppy
blink182 for a newer influence

I agree 200 % Jim!!
Mine changes according to what I'm into playing.

Jethro Tull                                           
Camel
UK(Allan Holdsworth)
King Crimson
Primus
Kansas
Boston
Yes
Rush
Pink Floyd
Thin Lizzy
Dream Theater
Pantera
Black Sabbath(Oz)
Ozzy(Randy)
Van Halen
UFO
Blue Oyster Cult
The police
Cheap trick
Journey(Perry)
ELO
ELP
list goes on and and on and on.............
Thats not even including Disco,funk,Salsa,Nueva Trova,Fusion,Jazz,new age,etc.....

hmmmm....just bands - not individual artists....in alphabetical order.......

Beatles
Beastie Boys
Beck
Electric Light Orchestra
Grateful Dead
Jane's Addiction
Jethro Tull
Led Zeppelin
Nine Inch Nails
Pixies
Primus
Offspring
Rage Against the machine
R.E.M.
Weezer