Asking what band is “the greatest of all time” will provoke an answer that is merely subjective. That’s why we asked ChatGPT to give us the facts, to use the World Wide Web’s-worth of data and find out the long-disputed answer to an age-old question: What is the greatest rock band of all time?
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The artificial intelligence chatbot gave us several options, laying out the reasoning behind its choices based on data collected within seconds. The answer, at the end of the day, is still a subjective one, but the program offered up some pretty good options, even listing off top songs as examples of each band’s genius. Take a look at AI’s top 5 rock bands of all time and let us know if you agree.
5. Queen
The glam rock outfit Queen was ChatGPT’s top 5 pick, commending them for having “blended rock with theatricality and created anthemic, genre-defying hits.” The program added it is the band’s “distinctive sound and larger-than-life performances” that make them a contender for the title of greatest rock band of all time.
We agree that Queen is up there with the greats. For more than 50 years, the band has made rock and roll an art form. They turned convention on its head, making giant operatic rock productions radio-friendly staples.
4. Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd came in fourth on AI’s list. The chatbot praised the psych-rock group for their “immersive and conceptually-driven albums,” adding that it was their “experimentation and sonic exploration” that has set them apart in the genre.
The members of Pink Floyd truly were, and are still today, rock’s biggest trailblazers. They defined prog rock and continue to carry a torch for the sub-genre still. The band without a doubt deserves a place on this list.
3. The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones made No. 3 on the list with ChatGPT calling the band and its members “enduring icons” and applauding their “bluesy sound and energetic performances.”
We have no bones about it. The Rolling Stones have rocked for six decades and have shown no signs of stopping. They continue to give off a hard-driving rock sound and exude an infectious stage presence that turns every live performance into an event.
2. Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin was the chatbot’s runner-up. The program noted how the band “pushed the boundaries of rock music and influenced countless artists in the process,” making them a worthy addition to a top 5 list of greats.
Led Zeppelin is a solid choice. In the late 1960s through the 1970s, the band had it all – the sound, the look, the attitude. The quartet was the embodiment of the harder side of the genre; and today, they stand out as the faces of classic rock.
1. The Beatles
It’s no surprise that ChatGPT chose the Beatles for the top spot. They were a great band and could quite possibly be regarded as the greatest. AI explained the band’s “innovative songwriting and experimentation helped shape the future of rock and pop music,” cementing its decision for the No. 1 pick.
The Beatles is an apropos choice for the greatest rock band of all time, but is it an obvious one? Either way, our overall consensus is that AI has a thing for British rock bands.
Photo by David Redfern/Redferns
