Effortlessly cool”Southern rock is a bit redundant,” joked Gregg Allman, a singer and keyboardist with the Allman Brothers Band. Saying “rock rock” is analogous to that. Allman made the point that the South is home to many of the earliest roots of rock & roll. After all, that area of the United States was home to early rock stars of the 1950s, including Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Bo Diddley, and Buddy Holly.
Thanks to influential bands like the Allmans, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and ZZ Top, southern rock emerged as a genre and brand in the 1970s. Southern rock’s sound was also shaped by acts from that decade, including the Marshall Tucker Band, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Black Oak Arkansas, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, Wet Willie, and The Outlaws. Anthems that are relatable. Hummable melodies and sincere vocals. Days of guitar greatness.
Even though heavy metal and new wave dominated rock in the 1980s, bands like 38 Special, Georgia Satellites, and Driving N Cryin kept Southern rock alive.
Later, during the grunge, alternative, and rap-rock-dominated 1990s, bands like Black Crowes, Brother Cane, Cry Of Love, Gov t Mule, and Drive-By Truckers kept things moving. Blackberry Smoke and Marcus King are two examples of Southern rock torchbearers this century.
Naturally, though, not all well-known Southern rock bands are Southern rock. Not at all. Ten important Southern rock acts that aren’t Southern rock are listed below. You’re not the only one. Only the beginning of a discussion.
[Note: Although the Heartbreakers were formed in Los Angeles, Tom Petty and the band’s principals, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, and Tom Petty, had previously bonded in the Gainesville, Florida band Mudcrutch.]
Mother s Finest
Atlanta
Funk-rock band Mother’s Finest probably opened a few arena shows in the Southeast in the 1970s, and they were a formidable act for headliners to follow.
The 1979 live rendition of “Baby Love” is an essential track.
R.E.M.
Georgia’s Athens
R.E.M.’s early art-house music served as a model for many independent bands before they became MTV sensations.
Essential song: “The One I Love” from 1987
Pantera
Arlington, Texas
Pantera began as glam metal and then evolved into thrashy lords.
Essential song: Cowboys from Hell, 1990s
Big Star
Memphis
The cult heroes of power pop Rock bands including R.E.M., Wilcoto Black Crowes, and Kiss frontman Paul Stanley were all influenced by Big Star.
Crucial song: September Gurls, 1974
Alabama Shakes
Alabama’s Athens
Alabama Shakes offered indie rock a much-needed dose of Southern soul in the 2010s.
Essential song: Hold On (2012)
Zebra
New Orleans
Before moving to Long Island, Zebra was the rock kings of New Orleans. Their Zep-meets-Yes style helped them achieve gold album sales, and they eventually became Johnny Lawrence’s favorite band.
Essential song: “Who’s Behind the Door” from 1983
Paramore
Nashville
The ebullient alt-rock of Paramore, led by frontwoman extraordinaire Haley Williams, has won Grammys, produced blockbuster albums and singles, and amassed billions of streams.
Essential song: “Ain’t It Fun” from 2013.
The Sword
Texas’s Austin
With these metal Jedis, the Dark Side of the Force—in this case, Black Sabbath—is powerful.
Crucial song: Iron Swan (2006)
Let s Active
North Carolina’s Winston-Salem
Mitch Easter, a singer and guitarist who also produced songs for R.E.M. and Pylon—the latter influential Athens, Georgia dance-punks who also deserve a place on this list—led the sublime underground jangle.
The Waters Part of 1984 is an essential track.
B-52s
Georgia’s Athens
People are lining up outside to get down, as Fred Schneider sung in the B-52s’ iconic tune, “Ain’t no party like a B-52s party.”
Crucial song: Roam (1989)
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