The landscape of music has seen a pantheon of new artists and groups emerge with each passing year. From the 1970s through the 2010s, these decades have been defined by bands that brought fresh sounds, innovative techniques, and a new layer of cultural influence, imprinting their mark on the history of music. Let’s delve into the best new band for each year across these prolific four decades.

1970 – Black Sabbath

In an era when rock was evolving in various directions, Black Sabbath emerged with its self-titled debut album. The British band is often credited as pioneers of heavy metal.

1971 – Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)

Formed by Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood, ELO combined rock and classical music, which would lead to a string of hits throughout the ’70s and ’80s.

1972 – Eagles

This American band quickly became one of the world’s best-selling groups of all time with their harmonious rock sound that defined West Coast music.

1973 – Aerosmith

Aerosmith burst onto the scene in 1973, often referred to as “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band,” introducing a style that blended rock with rhythm and blues.

1974 – Bad Company

Formed by former members of Free, Mott the Hoople, and King Crimson, Bad Company would become renowned for their hard rock anthems.

1975 – AC/DC

The Australian hard rock band brought a raw energy that would influence countless musicians and remains an indelible force in rock music.

1976 – Boston

Boston’s debut album became one of the best-selling records of all time, thanks to their polished rock sound and masterful production.

1977 – The Clash

Known for their unique blend of punk, reggae, and rockabilly, The Clash were important figures in shaping punk culture.

1978 – Van Halen

With Eddie Van Halen’s unprecedented guitar techniques and David Lee Roth’s showmanship, Van Halen reinvented hard rock.

1979 – The Police

Melding rock with reggae rhythms, The Police would leave an indelible mark on both genres’ worlds with their sophisticated soundscapes.

1980 – U2

This Irish band rose to fame with their passionate musical approach and politically charged lyrics, becoming one of the most influential bands in history.

1981 – Metallica

A leader among thrash metal bands that emerged in the early ’80s, Metallica’s aggressive style energized the metal genre.

1982 – R.E.M.

R.E.M.’s jangly guitar pop was a precursor to alternative rock’s ascension in the American music scene during subsequent decades.

1983 – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Fusing funk punk and psychedelic rock created a distinctive sound that propelled Red Hot Chili Peppers into an integral part of rock history.

1984 – Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi’s brand of anthemic rock placed them firmly among the icons of ’80s glam metal and beyond.

1985 – Guns N’ Roses

With a debut album that took things back to basics with raw energy and stage presence to match when many others were experimenting with synthesizers and overly polished production.

1986 – Pixies

Their dynamic shifts between quiet verses and loud choruses predated what would become a hallmark of ’90s alternative rock.

1987 – Death

Death is often cited as one of the principal developers of death metal genre itself with their highly influential sound characterized by complex song structures.

1988 – Nirvana

Though they would only become internationally famous with 1991’s “Nevermind