Alternative Rock: Top 100 Acts

Alternative Rock: Top 100 Acts

Alternative rock is one of the most difficult genres to define. It emerged most prominently in the 1990s in the wake of the grunge movement and the subsequent embracing of more rock-oriented acts. The alternative rock genre can be traced to the beginnings of experimental rock in the 1960s with the Velvet Underground and the 1970s with David Bowie. By the end of the decade, punk (Sex Pistols, Ramones, The Clash) created an audience for more left-of-center music. While it was more guitar-driven, the synthesizer-driven new wave (Elvis Costello, The Police, The Cars, Duran Duran) movement also gained attention. By the early ‘80s, college radio (R.E.M., U2, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Simple Minds) launched multiple acts into the mainstream while also embracing an array of British artists who gained little attention otherwise in the U.S. (The Smiths, New Order, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Jesus & Mary Chain). In the ‘90s, the explosion of grunge (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains) gave voice to more guitar-oriented rock that was, at the very least, grunge-adjacent (Smashing Pumpkins, Stone Temple Pilots, the Offspring) and fairly mainstream rock (Dave Matthews Band, Weezer, Foo Fighters). The UK responded with Britpop (Oasis, Blur, Manic Street Preachers) and more experimental rock (Radiohead). The 21st century saw emo rock (Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco, My Chemical Romance), garage rock revival (The White Stripes, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys), and more folk-rock/Americana-driven acts (Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers) become successful. In addition, a wave of left-of-mainstream acts (Death Cab for Cutie, Vampire Weekend, Cage the Elephant) arose as well. This list was created by aggregating nearly 50 lists focused on alternative rock. Those acts featured on 6 or more lists were then re-ordered by overall status in Dave’s Music Database. See other lists of Acts/Music Makers by Genre. 1. David Bowie 2. The Police / Sting 3. U2 4. Velvet Underground / Lou Reed 5. R.E.M. 6. The Smiths / Morrissey 7. Nirvana 8. Radiohead 9. Pearl Jam 10. Elvis Costello 11. The Clash 12. Joy Division / New Order 13. Red Hot Chili Peppers 14. The Cure 15. Oasis 16. Green Day 17. Coldplay 18. Sex Pistols / Public Image Ltd. 19. Roxy Music / Bryan Ferry 20. Talking Heads 21. Beastie Boys 22. Blondie 23. Depeche Mode 24. Ramones 25. Tears for Fears 26. Alanis Morissette 27. Foo Fighters 28. Beck 29. Simple Minds 30. Smashing Pumpkins 31. The White Stripes 32. INXS 33. Pixies 34. Patti Smith 35. Duran Duran 36. The Cars 37. Blur 38. Dave Matthews Band 39. Arctic Monkeys 40. Pretenders 41. Nine Inch Nails 42. Sinéad O’Connor 43. The Jam / Paul Weller 44. Imagine Dragons 45. Alice in Chains 46. Sonic Youth 47. Kate Bush 48. Weezer 49. Arcade Fire 50. Soundgarden 51. The Strokes 52. Nick Cave 53. Kings of Leon 54. Stone Temple Pilots 55. Muse 56. The Replacements 57. PJ Harvey 58. Rage Against the Machine 59. The Stone Roses 60. Björk 61. Live 62. The Black Keys 63. Manic Street Preachers 64. Wilco 65. Violent Femmes 66. Linkin Park 67. The B-52’s 68. Mumford & Sons 69. The Killers 70. Hüsker Dü / Bob Mould 71. Goo Goo Dolls 72. Fall Out Boy 73. Gorillaz 74. Twenty One Pilots 75. Queens of the Stone Age 76. Jane’s Addiction 77. Bush 78. Counting Crows 79. Blink-182 80. XTC 81. The Cranberries 82. The Offspring 83. Franz Ferdinand 84. Tool 85. No Doubt 86. Faith No More 87. Florence + the Machine 88. Echo & the Bunnymen 89. Siouxsie & the Banshees 90. Vampire Weekend 91. The Lumineers 92. Garbage 93. 3 Doors Down 94. Television 95. The Jesus & Mary Chain 96. Death Cab for Cutie 97. Cage the Elephant 98. Panic! At the Disco 99. The Flaming Lips 100. Modest Mouse Resources/Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: Lists of Acts/Music Makers by Genre Dave’s Music Database: The Top 100 Alternative Rock Albums Dave’s Music Database: The Top 100 Alternative Rock Songs First posted 9/8/2017; last updated 3/14/2026.

 

Dave’s Faves: Songs of the Year

Dave’s Faves: Songs of the Year, 1900-2024

These are my personal favorite songs for each year from 1900 to present. Click here to see other Dave’s Faves song lists. 2024: Shaboozey “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” 2023: Noah Kahan & Post Malone “Dial Drunk” 2022: Lyle Lovett “12th of June” 2021: John Mellencamp with Bruce Springsteen “Wasted Days” 2020: Fish “This Party’s Over” 2019: Sheryl Crow with Johnny Cash “Redemption Day” 2018: Lady Gaga with Bradley Cooper “Shallow” 2017: Keala Settle with the Greatest Show Ensemble “This Is Me” 2016: Sturgill Simpson “In Bloom” 2015: Michael Franti & Spearhead with Sonna Rele “Once a Day” 2014: The War on Drugs “Under the Pressure” 2013: Charles Bradley “Changes” 2012: Willie Nelson with Lukas Nelson “Just Breathe” 2011: Gotye with Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know” 2010: Michael Franti & Spearhead “The Sound of Sunshine” 2009: Pearl Jam “Just Breathe” 2008: John Mellencamp “If I Die Sudden” 2007: Crowded House “Silent House” 2006: Dresden Dolls “Sing” 2005: Sandi Thom “I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker with Flowers in My Hair” 2004: Beck “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime” 2003: Michael Franti & Spearhead “Everyone Deserves Music” 2002: Michael Andrews & Gary Jules “Mad World” 2001: Alan Jackson “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning” 2000: Eminem with Dido “Stan” 1999: Bruce Springsteen “American Skin (41 Shots)” 1998: Lyle Lovett “Step Inside This House” 1997: Marillion “Estonia” 1996: K’s Choice “Not an Addict” 1995: Melissa Etheridge with Bruce Springsteen “Thunder Road (live)” 1994: Frente! “Bizarre Love Triangle” 1993: Israel Kamakawiwo’ole “Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” 1992: Shawn Colvin “I Don’t Know Why” 1991: Tori Amos “Me and a Gun” 1990: Toy Matinee “There Was a Little Boy” 1989: Indigo Girls “Closer to Fine” 1988: Kate Bush “This Woman’s Work” 1987: R.E.M. “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” 1986: David + David “Welcome to the Boomtown” 1985: Marillion “Kayleigh” 1984: U2 “Bad” 1983: Marillion “Script for a Jester’s Tear” 1982: The Alan Parsons Project “Old and Wise” 1981: Squeeze “Tempted” 1980: Peter Gabriel “Biko” 1979: The Police “Message in a Bottle” 1978: Styx “Renegade” 1977: Styx “Come Sail Away” 1976: Eagles “Hotel California” 1975: Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody” 1974: Harry Chapin “Cat’s in the Cradle” 1973: Eagles “Desperado” 1972: Lou Reed “Walk on the Wild Side” 1971: Led Zeppelin “Stairway to Heaven” 1970: Derek & the Dominos “Layla” 1969: The Rolling Stones “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” 1968: Otis Redding “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” 1967: The Beatles “A Day in the Life” 1966: Four Tops “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” 1965: The Rolling Stones “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” 1964: Sam Cooke A Change Is Gonna Come 1963: The Beatles “I Want to Hold Your Hand” 1962: The Contours “Do You Love Me” 1961: Ben E. King “Stand by Me” 1960: Chubby Checker “The Twist” 1959: Wilbert Harrison “Kansas City” 1958: Harry Simeone Chorale “The Little Drummer Boy” 1957: Buddy Holly & the Crickets “That’ll Be the Day” 1956: Elvis Presley “Hound Dog” 1955: Little Richard “Tutti Frutti” 1954: Bill Haley & His Comets “We’re Gonna Rock Around the Clock” 1953: Hank Williams “Your Cheatin’ Heart” 1952: Gene Kelly “Singin’ in the Rain” 1951: Bing Crosby “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” 1950: Nat “King” Cole “Mona Lisa” 1949: Gene Autry & the Pinafores “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” 1948: Art Mooney “I’m Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover” 1947: Hank Williams “Move It on Over” 1946: Nat “King” Cole “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” 1945: Vaughn Monroe “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” 1944: Woody Guthrie “This Land Is Your Land” 1943: Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters “Jingle Bells” 1942: Bing Crosby with the Ken Darby Singers & the John Scott Trotter Orchestra “White Christmas” 1941: Glenn Miller with Tex Beneke & the Four Modernaires “Chattanooga Choo Choo” 1940: Cliff Edwards “When You Wish Upon a Star” 1939: Billie Holiday “Strange Fruit” 1938: Ella Fitzgerald with Chick Webb & His Orchestra “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” 1937: Seven Dwarfs “Whistle While You Work” 1936: Robert Johnson “Cross Road Blues (aka ‘Crossroads’)” 1935: Bing Crosby “Silent Night” 1934: Guy Lombardo “Winter Wonderland” 1933: Ethel Waters “Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All the Time)” 1932: Fred Astaire “Night and Day” 1931: Rudy Vallee “As Time Goes By” 1930: Ben Selvin “Happy Days Are Here Again” 1929: Nick Lucas “Tip Toe Through the Tulips” 1928: Helen Kane “I Wanna Be Loved by You” 1927: Gene Austin “My Blue Heaven” 1926: Gene Austin “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue” 1925: Louise Homer “America the Beautiful” 1924: Isham Jones “It Had to Be You” 1923: Isham Jones “Who’s Sorry Now” 1922: Ben Selvin “Chicago (That Toddlin’ Town)” 1921: Marion Harris “I Ain’t Got Nobody” 1920: Al Jolson “Swanee” 1919: Orpheus Quartet “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” (as “Bring Back My Bonnie to Me”) 1918: Ernestine Schumann-Heink “Danny Boy” 1917: American Quartet “Over There” 1916: Prince’s Orchestra “The Star Spangled Banner” 1915: John McCormack “It’s a Long, Long Way to Tipperary” 1914: Arthur Collins & Bryon G. Harlan “The Aba Daba Honeymoon” 1913: Walter Van Brunt “And the Green Grass Grew All Around” 1912: American Quartet “Moonlight Bay” 1911: Arthur Clough & the Brunswick Quartet “Down by the Old Mill Stream” 1910: Billy Murray with the Haydn Quartet “By the Light of the Silvery Moon” 1909: Arthur Pryor’s Band “1812 Overture” 1908: Billy Murray with the Haydn Quartet “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” 1907: Frank Stanley “Auld Lang Syne” 1906: Billy Murray “You’re a Grand Old Flag (aka “The Grand Old Rag”)” 1905: Billy Murray “Yankee Doodle Boy” 1904: Billy Murray “Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis” 1903: Haydn Quartet “In the Good Old Summertime” 1902: Arthur Collins “Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home” 1901: Harry MacDonough & Grace Spencer “Tell Me, Pretty Maiden” 1900: Vess Ossman “The Old Folks at Home (Swanee River)” Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Dave’s Faves: Song Lists” Dave’s Music Database: “Dave’s Faves: Albums/Works” Dave’s Music Database: “Dave’s Faves: Top 100 Acts” Dave’s Music Database: Other Best-of Song Lists Last updated 1/1/2025.

Grammy Hall of Fame: Albums

Grammy Hall of Fame: Albums, 1973-2025

From the Grammy Hall of Fame website: “The GRAMMY Hall of Fame was established by the Recording Academy's National Trustees in 1973 to honor recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance that are at least 25 years old. Inductees are selected annually by a special member committee of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts.” Dave’s Music Database has listed all the recipients from 1973 to present on two separate pages, one for songs and one for albums. Click here to see songs which have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Check out other Hall of Fame-style album awards here. Year of Induction: Performer Album (year released) A 2013: AC/DC Back in Black (1980) 1999: Cannonball Adderley Live in San Francisco (live, 1959) 2021: Cannonball Adderley Mercy Mercy Mercy! Live at 'The Club' (live, 1967) 1999: The Allman Brothers At Fillmore East (live, 1971) 2020: The Allman Brothers Band Eat a Peach (studio/live, 1972) 2006: Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg, & Herbert Stothart (composers) The Wizard of Oz (soundtrack, 1939) 2012: Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer (composers) St. Louis Woman (cast, 1946) 2010: Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy (1954) 2001: Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald Porgy and Bess (1958) 1999: Fred Astaire & the Oscar Peterson Quintet The Astaire Story (1952) B 1978: Johann Sebastian Bach (composer)/Leopold Stowoski (conductor)/Philadelphia Orchestra (performer) Toccata and Fugue for Organ in D Minor (classical, composed 1708; performed 1927) 1998: Johann Sebastian Bach (composer)/Joseph Szigeti (performer) Violin Sonata No. 1 (classical, composed 1720; performed 1931) 1985: Johann Sebastian Bach (composer)/Pablo Casals (performer) Cello Suites (6) (classical, composed 1719-1723; performed 1936-39) 1983: Johann Sebastian Bach (composer)/Glenn Gould (performer) Goldberg Variations (classical, composed 1741, performed 1956) 1986: Johann Sebastian Bach (composer)/Wanda Landowska (performer) Goldberg Variations (classical, composed 1741, performed 1945) 1977: Johann Sebastian Bach (composer)/Wanda Landowska (performer) The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I (classical, composed 1742; performed 1949-54) 2011: Joan Baez Joan Baez (1960) 1998: The Band Music from Big Pink (1968) 1999: The Band The Band (1969) 2007: Samuel Barber (composer)/Leonard Bernstein (conductor)/New York Philharmonic with Isaac Stern (performers) Violin Concerto Op. 14 (classical, composed 1940; performed 1964) 2008: Lionel Bart (composer) Oliver! (cast, 1960) 1987: Béla Bartók (composer)/Juilliard Quartet (performer) The String Quartets (classical, composed 1908-39; performed 1950) 1989: Béla Bartók (composer)/Joseph Szigeti/Benny Goodman (performers) Contrasts for Violin, Clarinet, & Piano (classical, composed 1940; performed 1940) 1998: Béla Bartók (composer)/Fritz Reiner (conductor)/Chicago Symphony Orchestra (performer) Concerto for Orchestra (classical, composed 1943; performed 1956) 1998: The Beach Boys Pet Sounds (1966) 2021: Beastie Boys Licensed to Ill (1986) 2001: The Beatles Meet the Beatles! (1964) 2000: The Beatles A Hard Day’s Night (1964) 2000: The Beatles Rubber Soul (1965) 1999: The Beatles Revolver (1966) 1993: The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) 2000: The Beatles The Beatles (aka “The White Album”) (1968) 1995: The Beatles Abbey Road (1969) 1996: Ludwig van Beethoven (composer)/Jascha Heifetz/Arturo Toscanini (conductors)/NBC Symphony Orchestra (performer) Violin Concerto in D Major (classical, composed 1806; performed 1940) 2008: Ludwig van Beethoven (composer)/Arthur Nikisch (conductor)/Berlin Philharmonic (performer) Symphony No. 5 (classical, composed 1808; performed 1914) 1989: Ludwig van Beethoven (composer)/Artur Schnabel (piano)/Malcolm Sargent (conductor)/London Symphony & London Philharmonic (performers) Piano Concertos (5) (classical, composed 1797-1811; performed 1955) 2008: Ludwig van Beethoven (composer)/George Szell (conductor)/Cleveland Orchestra (performer) Piano Concertos (5) (classical, composed 1797-1811; performed 1959-61) 2007: Ludwig van Beethoven (composer)/Arturo Toscanini (conductor)/New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra (performer) Symphony No. 7 (classical, composed 1812, performed 1936) 1975: Ludwig van Beethoven (composer)/Artur Schnabel (performer) Piano Sonatas (32) (classical, composed 1795-1822; performed 1932-38) 1977: Ludwig van Beethoven (composer)/Arturo Toscanini (conductor)/NBC Symphony Orchestra (performer) The Symphonies (9) (classical, composed 1800-1824; performed 1950-53) 1981: Ludwig van Beethoven (composer)/Budapest String Quartet (performer) String Quartets (16) (classical, composed 1798-1826; performed 1952) 2015: Harry Belafonte Calypso (1956) 1999: Harry Belafonte At Carnegie Hall (1959) 2008: George Benson Breezin’ (1976) 1990: Alban Berg (composer)/Dimitri Mitropoulos (conductor)/New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Mack Harrell, Eileen Farrell (performers) Wozzeck (classical, composed 1922; performed 1952) 1998: Irving Berlin (music & lyrics) Annie Get Your Gun (cast, 1946) 1998: Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim/Richard Wilbur (composers) Candide (cast, 1956) 1991: Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim (composers) West Side Story (cast, 1957) 2004: Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim (composers) West Side Story (soundtrack, 1961) 2019: Leonard Bernstein (composer) Mass: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players, and Dancers (classical, composed 1971) 2007: Big Brother & the Holding Company Cheap Thrills (1968) 2025: Big Star #1 Record (1972) 2008: Georges Bizet (composer)/Fritz Reiner (conductor)/RCA Victor Orchestra et al (performers) Carmen (opera, composed 1873-74; performed 1951) 1999: Blackwood Brothers Quartet Favorite Gospel Songs and Spirituals (1951) 2000: Art Blakey Quintet A Night at Birdland (1954) 1998: Marc Blitzstein (composer) The Cradle Will Rock (cast, 1938) 1999: Ernest Bloch (composer)/Leopold Stokowski (conductor)/Philadelphia Orchestra (performer) Schelomo (classical, composed 1916; performed 1940) 1999: Blood, Sweat & Tears Child Is Father to the Man (1968) 1998: Jerry Bock/Sheldon Harnick (composers) Fiddler on the Roof (cast, 1964) 1999: David Bowie The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972) 1999: Johannes Brahms (composer)/Jascha Heifetz/Emanuel Feuermann/Artur Rubinstein (performers) Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major (classical, composed 1854; performed 1942) 1998: Lord Benjamin Britten (composer) War Requiem (1962) 1999: Clifford Brown and Max Roach Clifford Brown and Max Roach (1954) 1998: James Brown Live at the Apollo Volume 1 (live, 1962) 2019: Jackson Browne Saturate Before Using (aka Jackson Browne) (1972) 2009: Dave Brubeck Time Out (1959) 2000: The Byrds Sweetheart of the Rodeo (1968) C 2010: George Carlin Class Clown (comedy, 1972) 1999: Walter Carlos Switched on Bach (1969) 2021: The Cars The Cars (1978) 2018: Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison (live, 1968) 2004: Johnny Cash At San Quentin (live, 1969) 1999: Ray Charles In Person (live, 1959) 1997: Ray Chares The Genius of Ray Charles (1960) 2011: Ray Charles Genius + Soul = Jazz (1961) 1999: Ray Charles Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (1962) 2011: Clifton Chenier Bogalusa Boogie (1976) 2014: Chicago Chicago Transit Authority (1969) 2004: Frédéric Chopin (composer)/Artur Rubinstein (performer) Nocturnes (21) for Piano (classical, composed 1846; performed 1965) 1998: Frédéric Chopin (composer)/Dinu Lipatti (performer) Waltzes (14) (classical, composed 1847; performed 1952) 2006: Frédéric Chopin (composer)/Artur Rubinstein (performer) Waltzes (14) (classical, composed 1847; performed 1965) 2003: Frédéric Chopin (composer)/Artur Rubinstein (performer) Mazurkas (58) (classical, composed 1830-49; performed 1967) 1998: Frank Churchill (composer) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (soundtrack, 1938) 2000: Derek & the Dominos Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970) 2007: The Clash London Calling (1979) 1999: Reverend James Cleveland Peace Be Still (1962) 2021: Joe Cocker Mad Dogs and Englishmen (live, 1970) 2015: Leonard Cohen The Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967) 2020: The King Cole Trio The King Cole Trio (1945) 2015: Ornette Coleman The Shape of Jazz to Come (1959) 1999: John Coltrane Blue Train (1957) 2016: John Coltrane Lush Life (1961) 2008: John Coltrane Ballads (1962) 2013: John Cotrane and Johnny Hartman John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman (1963) 1999: John Coltrane A Love Supreme (1965) 2007: Aaron Copland (composer)/Antal Dorati (conductor)/Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (performer) Symphony No. 3 (classical, composed 1846; performed 1951) Aaron Copland (composer/conductor)/Boston Symphony (performer) Appalachian Spring (ballet, composed 1944; performed 1959) 2012: Bill Cosby I Started Out as a Child (comedy, 1964) 2007: Elvis Costello My Aim Is True (7/22/77) 1999: Cream: Disraeli Gears (1967) 2014: Creedence Clearwater Revival Cosmo’s Factory (1970) 1999: Crosby, Stills & Nash Crosby, Stills & Nash (1969) 2012: Crosby, Stills & Nash/Neil Young Déjà Vu (1970) 2025: J.D. Crowe & the New South J.D. Crowe & the New South (1975) D 1982: Miles Davis Birth of the Cool (recorded 1949-50, released 1957) 2014: Miles Davis Relaxin’ (1956) 2019: Miles Davis Round About Midnight (1957) 1994: Miles Davis & Gil Evans Miles Ahead (1957) 2004: Miles Davis Milestones (1958) 2000: Miles Davis & Gil Evans Porgy and Bess (1958) 1997: Miles Davis & Gil Evans Sketches of Spain (1960) 2016: Miles Davis Miles Smiles (1966) 1999: Miles Davis Bitches Brew (1970) 1998: Claude Debussy (composer)/Walter Gieseking (performer) Préludes (24) for Piano, Books I & II, L117/123 (classical ballet, composed 1909-13; performed 1953-55) 2024: De La Soul 3 Feet High and Rising (1989) 2020: Devo Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo (1978) 2018: Dr. Dre The Chronic (1992) 2021: Dr. John In the Right Place (1973) 1998: Antonin Dvorák (composer)/Pablo Casals/George Szell (conductor)/Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (performer) Cello Concerto in B minor (classical, composed 1895; performed 1938) 2006: Bob Dylan Bringing It All Back Home (1965) 1999: Bob Dylan Blonde on Blonde (1966) 2016: Bob Dylan & The Band The Basement Tapes (archives, recorded 1967-68, released 1975) 2015: Bob Dylan Blood on the Tracks (1975) E 2000: Eagles Desperado (1973) 2008: Eagles Hotel California (1976) 2004: Earth, Wind & Fire That’s the Way of the World (soundtrack, 1975) 2007: Edward Elgar (composer)/London Symphony Orchestra (performer) Violin Concerto (classical, composed/performed 1932) 2004: Duke Ellington At Newport (live, 1956) 1999: Duke Ellington Far East Suite (recorded 1966, released 6/67) 2007: Bill Evans Trio Portrait in Jazz (1959) 2011: Bill Evans Trio Sunday at the Village Vanguard (live, 1961) 1998: Bill Evans Trio Waltz for Debby (recorded 1961) 2000: Bill Evans Conversations with Myself (1963) F 2000: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book (covers, 1956) 1999: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers and Hart Songbook (covers, 1956) 2016: Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Ella & Louis (1957) 1999: Ella Fitzgerald In Berlin (1960) 2010: Ella Fitzgerald & Count Basie Ella and Basie! (1963) 2019: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook (1959) 2016: Roberta Flack First Take (1972) 2012: Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs Foggy Mountain Jamboree (1957) 2013: Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs Foggy Mountain Banjo (1961) 2016: Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac (1975) 2003: Fleetwood Mac Rumours (1977) 2020: Peter Frampton Frampton Comes Alive! (live, recorded 1975, released 1976) 2009: Aretha Franklin I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967) 1999: Aretha Franklin Amazing Grace (live, 1972) 1999: Stan Freberg Presents the United States of America (comedy, 1961) G 2021: Peter Gabriel So (1986) 1998: Judy Garland Judy at Carnegie Hall (live, 1961) 1999: Erroll Garner Concert by the Sea (live, recorded 1955) 1998: Marvin Gaye What’s Going On (1971) 2004: Marvin Gaye Let’s Get It On (1973) 1990: George Gershwin (composer)/Oscar Levant/Eugene Ormandy (conductors)/Philadelphia Orchestra (performer) Rhapsody in Blue (classical, composed 1924; performed 1945) 2002: George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin/Dubose Heyward (composers) Porgy and Bess (opera/musical, composed 1935) 1990: George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin/Dubose Heyward (composers) Porgy and Bess (cast album, recorded 1940-42) 2006: George & Ira Gershwin (composers) An American in Paris (classical, soundtrack, 1951) 1999: Stan Getz Focus (1961) 2010: Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd Jazz Samba (1962) 1999: Stan Getz & João Gilberto Getz/Gilberto (1963) 1975: Benny Goodman The Complete Legendary Carnegie Hall Concert (live, recorded 1938) 1999: Grateful Dead Workingman’s Dead (1970) 2016: Grateful Dead American Beauty (1970) 2007: Vince Guaraldi A Charlie Brown Christmas (TV soundtrack, 1965) 2024: Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction (1987) 1998: Woody Guthrie Dust Bowl Ballads (1940) H 2017: Merle Haggard Okie from Muskogee (1970) 2007: Marvin Hamlisch & Edward Kleban (composers) A Chorus Line (cast recording, stage debut: 1975) 1999: Herbie Hancock Maiden Voyage (1999) 2009: Herbie Hancock Head Hunters (1973) 2025: Emmylou Harris Wrecking Ball (1995) 2012: Roy Harris (composer)/Serge Koussevitzy (conductor)/Boston Symphony Orchestra (performer) Symphony No. 3 (classical, composed 1939, performed 1940) 2014: George Harrison All Things Must Pass (1970) 2021: Isaac Hayes Hot Buttered Soul (1969) 1999: The Jimi Hendrix Experience Are You Experienced? (1967) 2006: The Jimi Hendrix Experience Axis: Bold As Love (1967) 2018: Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys (live, recorded 12/31/69 to 1/1/70, released 1970) 2024: Lauryn Hill The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998) 1998: The Hi-Lo’s The Hi-Lo’s and All That Jazz (1958) 2017: Billie Holiday The Lady Sings the Blues (1956) 2000: Billie Holiday Lady in Satin (1958) 2013: Whitney Houston Whitney Houston (1985) I-J 2008: Michael Jackson Off the Wall (1979) 2008: Michael Jackson Thriller (1982) 1999: Harry James Trumpet Blues and Cantabile (1942) 2011: Keith Jarrett The Köln Concert (live, 2011) 2025: Jay-Z Reasonable Doubt (1996) 1999: Jefferson Airplane Surrealistic Pillow (1967) 1998: Gordon Jenkins Manhattan Tower (1956) 2007: Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser, & Jessi Colter Wanted! The Outlaws (1976) 2008: Billy Joel The Stranger (9/29/77) 2013: Elton John Elton John (1970) 1973: Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) 2008: Etta Jones Don’t Go to Strangers (1960) 2010: Janis Joplin Pearl (1971) K 2008: John Kander/Fred Ebb (composers) Cabaret (soundtrack, 1972) 1991: Jerome Kern (music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) Show Boat (cast, 1927) 1999: Aram Khachaturian (composer)/Wlliam Kapell with Serge Koussevitzky (conductor)/Boston Symphony Orchestra (performer) Concerto for Piano & Orchestra (classical, composed 1936, performed 1943) 1999: Albert King Born Under a Bad Sign (1967) 2006: B.B. King Live at the Regal (live, recorded 1964, released 1965) 1998: Carole King Tapestry (1971) 2008: Erich Wolfgang Korngold (composer)/Jascha Heifetz with Alfred Wallenstein (conductors)/Los Angeles Philharmonic (performer) Violin Concerto (classical, composed 1945) 2015: Kraftwerk Autobahn (1974) 2014: Kris Kristofferson Kristofferson (aka “Me and Bobby McGee”) (1970) 2025: Fela Kuti Zombie (1977) L 1998: Lambert, Hendricks & Ross Sing a Song of Basie (1957) 1998: Burton Lane (composer) Finian’s Rainbow (cast, 1947) 1998: Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter Negro Sinful Songs (1939) 2004: Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin I (1969) 1999: Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV (1971) 2009: Mitch Leigh & Joe Darion (composers) Man of La Mancha (cast, 1965) 2011: Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe (composers) Brigadoon (cast, 1947) 1977: Alan Jay Lerner/Frederick Loewe (composers) My Fair Lady (cast, 1956) 1998: Alan Jay Lerner/Frederick Loewe (composers) Gigi (soundtrack, 1958) 2006: Frederick Loewe/Alan Jay Lerner (composers) Camelot (cast, 1960) 2008: Franz Liszt (composer)/Vladimir Horowitz (performer) Piano Sonata in B Minor (classical, composed 1853, performed 1932) 2013: Little Richard Here’s Little Richard (1957) 1998: Frank Loesser (composer) Guys and Dolls (cast, 1950) 2012: Los Panchos Mexicantos (1945) 2008: Love Forever Changes (1967) M 2006: Galt MacDermot (music) with Gerome Ragni & James Rado (lyrics) Hair (cast, 1967) 2020: Taj Mahal Taj Mahal (1968) 1999: Gustav Mahler (composer)/Dimitri Mitropoulos (conductor)/Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (performer) Symphony No. 1 in D major (“Titan”) (classical, composed 1884-88, performed 1941, performed 1963) 2008: Gustav Mahler (composer)/Otto Klemperer (conductor)/Philharmonia Orchestra (performer) Symphony No. 2 in C minor “Resurrection” (classical, composed 1894) 1998: Gustav Mahler (composer)/George Solti (conductor)/Chicago Symphony (performer) Symphony No. 8 in E Flat major (The Symphony of a Thousand) (classical, composed 1907, performed 1972) 1981: Gustav Mahler (composer)/Bruno Walter (conductor)/Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Kathleen Ferrier/Julius Patzak (performers) Das Lied Von Der Erde (The Song of the Earth) (classical, composed 1909, performed 1952) 2002: Gustav Mahler (composer)/Leonard Bernstein (conductor)/New York Philharmonic/London Symphony (performers) The Complete Symphonies (10) (classical, composed 1887-1910, performed 1967) 1998: Henry Mancini The Music from Peter Gunn (soundtrack, 1959) 2010: Bob Marley & the Wailers Catch a Fire (1973) 2006: Bob Marley & The Wailers Exodus (1977) 2021: John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton (1966) 1998: Curtis Mayfield Superfly (soundtrack, 1972) 2013: Paul McCartney & Wings Band on the Run (1973) 1998: Felix Mendelssohn (composer)/Fritz Kreisler/Leo Blech (conductor)/Berlin State Opera Orchestra (performer) Concerto for Violin in E Minor (classical, composed 1838-45, performed 1926) 2012: Sergio Mendes Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (1966) 2013: Charles Mingus Ah Um (1959) 1999: Charles Mingus Mingus Dynasty (1960) 2020: Joni Mitchell Clouds (1969) 1999: Joni Mitchell Blue (1971) 2004: Joni Mitchell Court and Spark (1974) 2003: Thelonious Monk Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 1 (recorded 1947, released 1951) 2003: Thelonious Monk Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 2 (1952) 1999: Thelonious Monk Brilliant Corners (1956) 2007: Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane (1957) 1999: Wes Montgomery The Incredible Jazz Guitar of… (1960) 2000: Lee Morgan The Sidewinder (1963) 2009: Ennio Morricone (composer) The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (soundtrack, 1968) 1999: Van Morrison Astral Weeks (1968) 1999: Van Morrison Moondance (1970) 1980: Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton Library of Congress Recordings: The Saga of Mr. Jelly Lord (1950) 1978: Edward R. Murrow/Fred W. Friendly I Can Hear it Now, Vols. 1-3 (radio news broadcasts, 1933-45) 1998: Modest Mussorgsky (composer)/Rafael Kubelik (conductor)/Chicago Symphony Orchestra (performer) Pictures at an Exhibition (Tableaux d’une Exposition) (classical, composed for piano in 1874, reworked for orchestra in 1922, performed 1951) 1999: Modest Mussorgsky (composer)/Vladimir Horowitz (performer) Tableaux d'une Exposition (Pictures at an Exhibition) (classical, composed for piano in 1874, reworked for orchestra in 1922, performed 1951) N-O 2015: Willie Nelson Stardust (1978) 2007: Bob Newhart The Button-Down Mind of… (comedy, 1960) 2016: Randy Newman Randy Newman (1968) 2018: Nirvana Nevermind (1991) 1998: The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Will the Circle Be Unbroken (1972) 2017: N.W.A. Straight Outta Compton (1989) 1999: Laura Nyro Laura Nyro (1966) 2018: Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells (1973) P-Q 1989: Charlie Parker Ornithology (1946) 1988: Charlie Parker Bird with Strings (1950) 2021: Dolly Parton with Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris Trio (1987) 2019: Jaco Pastorius Jaco Pastorious (1976) 2021: Pearl Jam Ten (1991) 2019: Tom Petty Full Moon Fever (1989) 1999: Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon (1973) 2008: Pink Floyd The Wall (1979) 2009: The Police Synchronicity (1983) 1998: Cole Porter (composer) Kiss Me, Kate (cast, 1949) 2016: Pretenders Pretenders (1979) 1999: Louis Prima & Kelly Smith The Wildest (1957) 2008: Prince 1999 (1982) 2011: Prince & the Revolution Purple Rain (1984) 2017: Prince Sign ‘O’ the Times (1987) 2015: John Prine John Prine (1972) 2009: Sergei Prokofiev (composer/performer)/Pierro Coppola (conductor)/London Symphony Orchestra (performer) Piano Concerto No. 3 (classical, composed 1921, performed 1932) 2009: Sergei Prokofiev (composer)/Serge Koussevitzky (conductor)/Boston Symphony Orchestra (performer)/Richard Hale (narrator) Peter and the Wolf (classical, composed 1936, performed 1939) 2013: Richard Pryor That Ni**er’s Crazy (comedy, 1974) 2020: Public Enemy It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988) 2000: Giacomo Puccini (composer)/Sir Thomas Beecham (conductor)/de Los Angeles/Bjöerling/Merrill/Tozzi/Amara (performers) La Bohème (The Bohemian Life) (opera, composed 1896, performed 1956) Giacomo Puccini (composer)/Victor DeSabata (conductor)/Orchestra & Chorus of Teatro Alla Scala et al (performers) Tosca (opera, composed 1900, performed 1953) Q 2018: Queen A Night at the Opera (1975) li>1995: The Quintet (Charlie Parker/Dizzy Gillespie/Bud Powell/Charles Mingus/Max Roach) Jazz at Massey Hall (1953) R 2004: Sergei Rachmaninov (composer/pianist)/Leopold Stowoski (conductor)/Philadelphia Orchestra (performer) Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor (classical, composed 1901, performed 1929) 2004: Sergei Rachmaninov (composer)/Eugene Ormandy (conductor)/Vladimir Horowitz/Philharmonic Orchestra (performer) Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor (classical, composed 1909, performed 1978) 1979: Sergei Rachmaninov (composer/performer)/Leopold Stokowski (conductor)/Philadelphia Orchestra (performer) Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (classical, composed/performed 1934) 2015: Bonnie Raitt Nick of Time (1989) 2007: Ramones Ramones (1976) 2008: Maurice Ravel (composer)/Charles Munch (conductor)/Boston Symphony Orchestra (performer) Daphnis et Chloé (ballet, composed 1912, performed 1955) 1992: Maurice Ravel (composer/conductor)/Lamoreux Orchestra (performer) Boléro (ballet, composed 1928, performed 1937) 2021: Maurice Ravel (composer)/Leonard Bernstein & the Philharmonia Orchestra of London (conductor/performers) Piano Concerto in G Major (classical concerto, composed 1931, performed 1948) 1999: Carl Reiner & Mel Brooks 2000 and Thirteen (comedy, 1973) 2020: Joshu Rifkin Piano Rags by Scott Joplin (1970) 1980: Paul Robeson Ballad for Americans (1940) 1976: Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II (composers) Oklahoma! (cast, 1944) 1998: Richard Rodgers (music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) Carousel (cast, 1945) 1987: Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II (composers) South Pacific (cast, 1949) 2000: Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II (composers) The King and I (cast, 1951) 1998: Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II (composers) The Sound of Music (soundtrack, 1965) 1999: The Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet (1968) 2005: The Rolling Stones Let It Bleed (1969) 1999: The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers (1971) 2012: The Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street (1972) 1999: Sonny Rollins Saxophone Colossus (1956) 2015: Sonny Rollins The Bridge (1962) 2018: Linda Ronstadt Heart Like a Wheel (1975) 2021: Linda Ronstadt Canciones de Mi Padre (Songs of My Father) (1987) S 2012: Santana Santana (1969) 1999: Santana Abraxas (1970) 2025: Supernatural (1999) 2007: Arnold Schoenberg (composer)/Leopold Stokowski (conductor)/Philadelphia Orchestra (performer) Gurre-Lieder (classical, composed 1900-10, performed 1932) 2021: Arnold Schoenberg (composer) / Kolisch String Quartet (performers) Four String Quartets (classical, composed 1905-1937, performed 1937) 2011: Robert Schumann (composer)/Sergei Rachmaninov (performer) Carnaval Op. 9 (classical, composed 1834-35, performed 1929) 1999: Pete Seeger We Shall Overcome: Complete Carnegie Hall Concert (live, 1963) 1998: Andreas Segovia (composer) Music of Albéniz & Granados (classical, 1944) 1999: Andreas Segovia (composer) An Evening with… (classical, 1954) 2015: The Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977) 2014: Richard M. Sherman/Robert B. Sherman (composers) Mary Poppins (soundtrack, 1964) 2007: Dmitry Shostakovich (composer)/Leonard Bernstein (conductor)/New York Philharmonic (performer) Symphony No. 5 in D minor (classical, composed 1937, performed 1959) 2003: Dmitry Shostakovich (composer)/David Oistrakh/Dimitri Mitropoulos (conductor)/New York Philharmonic (performer) Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 99 (classical, composed 1948, performed 1956) 2008: Dmitry Shostakovich (composer)/Eugene Ormandy (conductor)/Philadelphia Orchestra et al (performers) Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 107 (classical, composed 1959, performed 1960) 1999: Horace Silver Song for My Father (1964) 1999: Simon & Garfunkel Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme (1966) 2000: Paul Simon Still Crazy After All These Years (1975) 2012: Paul Simon Graceland (1986) 1984: Frank Sinatra In the Wee Small Hours (1955) 2000: Frank Sinatra Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! (1956) 2004: Frank Sinatra Come Fly with Me (1957) 1999: Frank Sinatra Only the Lonely (1958) 1999: Frank Sinatra September of My Years (1965) 2019: Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim Francis Albert Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim (1967) 2015: Sly & the Family Stone Stand! (1969) 1999: Sly & the Family Stone There’s a Riot Goin’ On (1971) 2021: Patti Smith Horses (1975) Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Company (cast, 1970) 1999: Phil Spector (producer)/various artists (performers) A Christmas Gift for You (1963) 2001: Dusty Springfield Dusty in Memphis (1969) 2021: Bruce Springsteen Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (1973) 2003: Bruce Springsteen Born to Run (1975) 2012: Bruce Springsteen Born in the U.S.A. (1984) 2003: Steely Dan Aja (10/8/77) 2006: Max Steiner (composer) Gone with the Wind (soundtrack, 1939) 2025: Cat Stevens Tea for the Tillerman (1970) 2004: Leopold Stokowski (conductor)/Philadelphia Orchestra (performer) Fantasia (soundtrack, 1940) 2008: Richard Strauss (composer)/Serge Koussevitzky (conductor)/Boston Symphony Orchestra (2008) Also Sprach Zarathustra (classical, composed 1896, performed 1935) 2008: Richard Strauss (composer)/Robert Heger (conductor)/Vienna State Opera Chorus/Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra et al (performers) Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of the Rose) (classical, composed 1911, performed 1933) 2008: Richard Strauss (composer)/Herbert von Karajan (conductor)/Philharmonia Orchestra et al (performers) Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of the Rose) (classical, composed 1911, performed 1957) 1999: Igor Stravinsky (composer)/Ernest Ansermet (conductor)/L’Orchestre de La Suisse Romande (performer) Pétrouchka (aka “Petrushka”) (ballet, composed 1910-11, performed 1950) 2000: Igor Stravinsky (composer/conductor)/Columbia Symphony Orchestra (performer) Pétrouchka (aka “Petrushka”) (ballet, composed 1910-11, performed 1961) 1993: Igor Stravinsky (composer)/Pierre Monteux (conductor)/Boston Symphony (performer) The Rite of Spring (Le Sacre Du Printemps) (ballet, composed 1913, performed 1951) 2000: Igor Stravinsky (composer/conductor)/Columbia Symphony Orchestra (performer) The Rite of Spring (Le Sacre Du Printemps) (ballet, composed 1913, performed 1961) 2006: Barbra Streisand The Barbra Streisand Album (1963) 2000: Jule Styne (composer) Bells Are Ringing (cast, 1957) 1998: Jule Styne (music) & Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) Gypsy (cast, 1959) 2004: Jule Styne/Bob Merrill (composers)/Barbra Streisand (performer) Funny Girl (cast, 1964) T 1978: Art Tatum Then Geinus of…Vols. 1-13 (1955) 1998: Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky (composer)/Vladimir Horowitz/Arturo Toscanini (conductor)/NBC Orchestra (performer) Piano Concerto No. 1 (classical, composed 1875, performed 1943) 2002: Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky (composer)/Van Cliburn/Kiril Kondrashin (conductor)/RCA Symphony Orchestra (performer) Piano Concerto No. 1 (classical, composed 1875, performed 1958) 1998: Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky (composer)/Antal Dorati/Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (performer) 1812 Overture/Capriccio Italien (classical, composed 1880, performed 1956) 1999: Traffic Mr. Fantasy (1967) 2021: A Tribe Called Quest The Low End Theory (1991) 2013: Lennie Tristano Crosscurrents (1949) U-V 2014: U2 The Joshua Tree (1987) 2025: Luther Vandross Never Too Much (1981) 1999: Sarah Vaughan Sarah Vaughan (1954) 2021: Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble Texas Flood (1983) 2008: Velvet Underground & Nico Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) 2008: Giuseppe Verdi (composer)/Arturo Toscanini (conductor)/NBC Symphony et al (performers) Otello (opera, composed 1887, performed 1953) 2003: Antonio Vivaldi (composer)/Louis Kaufman (performer) The Four Seasons (classical, composed 1725, performed 1949) W 1988: Richard Wagner (composer)/Wilhelm Furtwängler (conductor)/Philharmonia Orchestra et al (performers) Tristan Und Isolde (opera, composed 1857-59, performed 1953) 2003: Richard Wagner (composer)/George Solti (conductor)/Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra et al (performers) The Ring Cycle (Der Ring Des Nibelungen) (opera, composed 1848-1874, performed 1958-67) 2014: Doc Watson Doc Watson (1964) 2011: Weather Report Heavy Weather (1977) 1998: The Weavers At Carnegie Hall (live, 1957) 1994: Kurt Weill (composer)/Theatre De Lys Production with Lotte Lenya (performers) Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera) (opera, composed 1928, performed 1954) 2013: Kurt Weill/Maxwell Anderson (composers) Lost in the Stars (cast, 1949) 2008: Junior Wells with Buddy Guy Hoodoo Man Blues (1965) 1998: The Who Tommy (1969) 2007: The Who Who’s Next (1971) 2007: John Williams (composer) Star Wars IV: A New Hope (soundtrack, 1977) 2020: Mary Lou Williams Zodiac Suite: Town Hall Concert (live, 1945) 1998: Meredith Willson (composer) The Music Man (cast, 1957) 1999: Stevie Wonder Talking Book (1972) 1999: Stevie Wonder Innervisions (1973) 2002: Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life (1976) X-Y-Z 2014: Neil Young After the Gold Rush (1970) 2015: Neil Young Harvest (1972) 1999: Frank Zappa/The Mothers of Invention Freak Out! (1966) Various Artists 2012: various artists (performers)/ Harry Smith (compiler) Anthology of American Folk Music (box set, recorded 1923-32, released 1952) 2024: various artists Buena Vista Social Club (1997) 2008: various artists (Jimmy Cliff et al) The Harder They Come (soundtrack, 1972) 2012: various artists (Bee Gees et al) Saturday Night Fever (soundtrack, 1977) 2014: various artists Woodstock: Music from the Original Soundtrack and More (live soundtrack, 1969) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Grammy Hall of Fame: Songs” Dave’s Music Database: other Hall of Fame-style album awards Grammy Hall of Fame (official site with all albums and songs listed alphabetically by the title of the work) Grammy.com (12/21/2020). “GRAMMY Hall of Fame Welcomes 2021 Inductions” First posted 1/20/2020; last updated 2/13/2025.

Grunge: Top 25 Albums

Grunge: The Top 25 Albums

Grunge was a fusion of punk and heavy metal which originated out of Seattle via bands such as Nirvana, Pearl, Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains. The movement developed in the latter half of the ‘80s and peaked in the early ‘90s. While its rise and fall was quick, it birthed a revival of interest in guitar-based, alternative rock. 23 best-of lists focused on grunge were aggregated and then any of those albums cited by 3 or more sources were eligible for this list. They were then resorted by overall points on Dave’s Music Database. Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here. 1. Nirvana Nevermind (1991) 2. Pearl Jam Ten (1991) 3. Nirvana In Utero (1993) 4. Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream (1993) 5. Nirvana MTV Unplugged in New York (recorded live 1993, released 1994) 6. Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995) 7. Soundgarden Superunknown (1994) 8. Pearl Jam Vs. (1993) 9. Alice in Chains Dirt (1992) 10. Hole Live Through This (1994) 11. Pearl Jam Vitalogy (1994) 12. Stone Temple Pilots Core (1992) 13. Nirvana Bleach (1989) 14. Stone Temple Pilots Purple (1994) 15. Alice in Chains Jar of Flies (EP, 1994) 16. Bush Sixteen Stone (1994) 17. Soundgarden Badmotorofinger (1991) 18. Singles (soundtrack, 1992) 19. Temple of the Dog Temple of the Dog (1991) 20. Mother Love Bone Apple (1990) 21. Mudhoney Superfuzz Big Muff (EP, 1988) 22. Bush Razordblade Suitcase (1996) 23. Smashing Pumpkins Gish (1991) 24. Alice in Chains Facelift (1990) 25. Green River Dry As a Bone (EP, 1987) / Rehab Doll (EP, 1988) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Grunge: Top 50 Songs” Dave’s Music Database: other best-of-genre lists First posted 9/2/2024.

Dave's Music Database Hall of Fame: Music Maker Inductees (June 2022)

Top 10 Alternative Rock Acts Originally posted 6/22/2022. January 22, 2019 marked the 10-year anniversary of the DMDB blog! To honor that, Dave’s Music Database announced its own Hall of Fame. This fourteenth class of music maker inductees is comprised of the top alternative rock acts (see the full top 100 list here). These are the top 10 from that list, minus previous inductee David Bowie. See the full list of music maker inductees here.

Elvis Costello (1954-) Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

New wave/punk rock singer/songwriter born in London in 1954. Inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. “Alison” ranks as one of Rolling Stone magazine’s top 200 songs of all time. “Radio Radio” ranks as one of the top 50 punk rock songs of all time. “Pump It Up” and “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding” are both in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s top 500 songs of all time. “Veronica” and “The Other Side of Summer” both topped the alternative rock chart. My Aim Is True, This Year’s Model, Armed Forces and Imperial Bedroom rank in the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.

Nirvana (active 1987-1994) Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

Pioneering grunge group formed in Aberdeen, Washington, by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain with bassist Krist Novoselic and eventual drummer Dave Grohl. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era and the Grammy Hall of Fame. That song, “Come As You Are,” and “All Apologies” rank in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. They charted 13 times on the mainstream and/or alternative rock chart, including five #1’s. Nevermind is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century and is in the Grammy Hall of Fame and National Recording Registry. That album, In Utero, MTV Unplugged in New York, and their self-titled 2002 greatest-hits collection rank in the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.

Pearl Jam (active 1990-) Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

Grunge band formed in 1990 in Seattle, Washington by singer Eddie Vedder, bassist Jeff Ament, and guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. “Alive” and “Jeremy” rank in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. They reached the mainstream and/or alternative rock chart 46 times from 1992 to 2020, including seven #1’s. Ten is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century and is in the Grammy Hall of Fame. That album, Vs., and Vitalogy all rank in the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.

The Police (active 1977-1986) / Sting Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

Singer/bassist Sting, guitarist Andy Summers, and drummer Stewart Copeland formed The Police formed in Newcastle, England, in 1977. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Sting has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. “Roxanne,” “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” and “Every Breath You Take” rank in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. The latter is in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era and won the Grammy for Song of the Year. The Police reached the mainstream rock chart 11 times, including three #1’s. Sting reached the mainstream and/or alternative rock chart 17 times, including 4 #1’s. All five of the Police’s studio albums rank in the top 1000 albums of all time, as does Sting’s first solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles. Synchronicity is also featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century and is in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Read more.

Radiohead (active 1985-) Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

The experimental rock group formed in Oxford, England, in 1985 with singer Thom Yorke, brothers Johnny Greenwood (guitar) and Colin Greenwood (bass), guitarist Ed O’Brien and drummer Phil Selway. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. “Creep” and “Paranoid Android” rank in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. The Bends and OK Computer are featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century. The latter is also in the National Recording Registry. Those albums as well as Kid A, Hail to the Thief, and In Rainbows also rank the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.

R.E.M. (active 1980-2011) Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

Rock group formed in Athens, Georgia, by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry. The band have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. “Radio Free Europe,” “The One I Love,” “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine),” “Everybody Hurts,” and “Losing My Religion” rank in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. The latter is also featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era. They reached the alternative rock and/or mainstream rock chart with 39 songs, including nine #1’s. Murmur and Automatic for the People are featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century. They have five more albums that rank in the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.

The Smiths (active 1982-1987) / Morrissey (1959-) Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

Rock group formed in 1982 in Manchester, England, by singer Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce. “How Soon Is Now?” ranks in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. It’s one of four of their songs that rank in the DMDB’s top new wave/college rock songs. The Queen Is Dead is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century. As a solo act, Morrissey reached the alternative rock chart a dozen times, including #1 with “Tomorrow” and “The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get.” Read more.

U2 (1976-) Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

Rock group formed in Dublin, Ireland, by Bono (vocals), The Edge (guitar), Adam Clayton (bass), and Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums). Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and a Kennedy Center Honoree. Charted on the mainstream rock and/or alternative rock chart with 60 songs, including 14 #1 songs. They have seven songs in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs, including “With or Without You,” which is also featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era, and “Beautiful Day,” which is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Digital Era and won Grammys for Song and Record of the Year. They have 12 albums that rank in the top 1000 albums of all time, including The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby, which are featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century. Read more.

The Velvet Underground (active 1965-1970) / Lou Reed Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

The Velvet Underground and Lou Reed have both been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Velvet Underground also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. VU’s songs “Heroin” and “Sweet Jane” are on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll list. Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” ranks in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. he also topped the alternative rock chart with “Dirty Blvd.” and “What’s Good.” Velvet Underground & Nico is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century. All four of the band’s studio albums rank in the top 1000 albums of all time, as do Reed’s albums Transformer and Berlin. Read more.