10 Greatest Classic Rock Bands Of All Time

While Freddie Mercury, Brian May and the gang always had their fans, it took some time for them to receive the recognition as one of the all time great rock bands. But thanks in some part to a new generation of fans being introduced to the band via a lightweight comedy titled Wayne's World, their status as rock legends was gradually cemented.

While not afraid to infuse pop into their rock ballads, and with their lead man's flamboyant persona, the band soon became the leader in pop rock. The anthem style of their songs made them radio darlings, their ability to create a hit that had listeners clapping and singing along with the chorus making them a truly epic band.

1975's A Night at The Opera was the first true example of both their brilliance and adaptability, with radio friendly tracks like My Best Friend sitting alongside the manic magic of Bohemian Rhapsody. 1980's The Band was arguably the band's peak, the move to epic anthem territory very much fulfilled with the likes of Another One Bites the Dust and Save Me.

The band definitely went on well past it's peak, everything released after 1984's The Works not going anywhere near to matching their previous high standards, but they had already reached a level of brilliance by this stage to cement their legacy- with just a little help from a character called Wayne along the way.