25 Best California Rock Bands of All Time

Dream of Californication

Rock bands from the United Kingdom—The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, et al.—often top the lists of the greatest rock bands in history. But, rock bands from California should poll just as well. If you don’t think that’s true, check out the following list and maybe you’ll change your tune.

All of these fabulous bands started their recording careers in California, which has two primary spawning grounds for rock and roll: the San Francisco Bay Area and the greater Los Angeles metro area.

With such a diverse pool of talent to choose from, it makes sense that so much incredibly good music has come from the Golden State. For many musicians, California has been the "Land of Opportunity."

Please give this list a go!

25. The Tubes

San Francisco-based, The Tubes, formerly named the Radar Men from Uranus, have been a glam rock sensation since they produced such hits as “White Punks on Dope,” “Don’t Touch Me There,” “Mondo Bondage,” “What Do You Want from Life” and “She’s a Beauty,” an MTV hit, and their highest charting single in the US.

The band’s outrageous live performances have titillated audience with their quirky parodies, tongue-in-cheek antics, satirical lyrics and theatrical pomposity, all of which from point of view of folks living in the post-hippie underground of SFO and resembling somewhat in style, appearance and content to Saturday Night Live and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Comprising a lineup of as many as 24 musicians and performers, The Tubes eventually spawned one of the most entertaining live acts in show business. Unfortunately, creating such impressive productions was very expensive, and the band ended up so heavily in debt to A&M Records, they had to sell their recording rights. But the band survives to the present day, although at times their performances may only include musicians!

24. Huey Lewis and the News

Huey Lewis and the News is a mainstream brass rock band which, after releasing two mediocre albums, finally hit the big time when they dropped Sports (1983), which climbed to #1 on the US Billboard 200 and included five hit singles, including “I Want a New Drug” and “If This Is It,” frontman Huey Lewis’ favorite tune with the band. Then the band released Fore! (1986), which featured the hit singles “Power of Love,” “Hip to be Square” and Jacob’s Ladder,” written for the band by Bruce Hornsby.

Notably, “Power of Love,” nominated for an Academy Award, as well as “Back in Time,” were used in the soundtrack for the movie Back to the Future. Interestingly, until 1994, Huey Lewis and the News used Tower of Power’s horn section in their touring band.

Although not coming close to their meteoric success in the eighties, Huey Lewis and the News has continued performing and releasing albums through the 1990s and into the 2020s. Their latest studio album, Weather (2020), stepped to #71 on the US Billboard 200.

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23. Jane’s Addiction

Hailing from L.A. and leading the way from 1980s’ hard rock to alternative rock in the 1990s, Jane’s Addiction found critical and commercial success—as well as an avid fan base—with the release of their first three albums—Jane’s Addiction (1987), Nothing’s Shocking (1988) and Ritual de lo Habitual (1990).

Led by frontman Perry Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro and bassist Eric Avery —and inspired by Jane Bainter, Farrell’s housemate (hence the band’s name)—Jane’s Addiction became a sensation while performing at Scream, a prominent L.A. club, and then toured the world with various famous rock bands, and notably headlined the first Lollapalooza.

After a number of breakups, personnel changes, reunions and members partying too much at times, or ailing from COVID-19, Jane’s addiction eventually became one of the most influential bands in alternative music, rivaling others such as Smashing Pumpkins, Rage against the Machine and Incubus. Still going strong in the 2020s, Jane’s Addiction plans to continue performing and touring.

22. Cold Blood

Originating from San Francisco's East Bay, Cold Blood is an R&B soul and funk band who helped pioneer the “East Bay Grease” sound of the late 1960s. Along with Tower of Power, Chicago and Blood Sweat and Tears, CB was a heavy funk band incorporating a sizable horn section.

Lydia Pense, lead singer and lone original member of CB, was born in San Francisco and has a voice likened to Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin. At present, the band is called Lydia Pense & Cold Blood.

CB’s most recent album is Cold Blue Heart (2023). Some of CB’s greatest hits are “You Got Me Hummin’,” “I’m a Good Woman,” "I Just Want to Make Love to You" and “Funky on My Back.”

21. The Runaways

Formed by drummer Sandy West and guitarist Joan Jett in April 1975, the group soon recruited bassist/singer Micki Steele, guitarist Lita Ford, lead singer Cherie Currie, and bassist Jackie Fox.

Though often billed as a punk rock band in their early days on the L.A. club circuit, The Runaways were closer in sound to Aerosmith. They signed a recording deal with Mercury Records in 1976, and their self-titled debut LP followed soon thereafter.

The Runaways is best known for “Cherry Bomb,” which became their signature song, particularly in Japan, where they became a sensation. The Runaways produced a total of four studio albums between 1976–78, as well as 1977's Live in Japan.

After the band broke up in 1979, Jett formed Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and started Blackheart Records, making her the only female rocker with a recording label.

In the 1980s, Lita Ford also went solo, producing such hit singles as “Kiss Me Deadly” and “Close My Eyes Forever.”

20. Little Feat

Formed in Los Angeles in 1969, Little Feat was one of the greatest rock bands of the 1970s, having an eclectic sound few bands could match. The band was led by guitarist/singer/songwriter Lowell George, who wanted to join the Mothers of Invention, but Frank Zappa told George he was too talented to be a sideman. He needed to form his own band, which George promptly did.

Little Feat released its self-titled debut album in 1971, which featured the country rock hit “Willin’.” The band rocked onward through the '70s, changing personnel and sound, going from the rootsy rock 'n' roll of Sailin' Shoes (1972) and Dixie Chicken (1973) to the more sophisiticated jazz-funk of Waiting for Columbus (1978).

George passed away suddenly from a heart attack in 1979, ending Little Feat for several years. In 1987, the band reformed with Craig Fuller on guitar, and released the album Let It Roll the following year. These days, Little Feat still tours with a few original members, having produced numerous studio and live albums over the years.

19. The Mothers of Invention

Led by singer/guitarist/composer Frank Zappa, The Mothers of Invention—later shortened to just The Mothers—sprang from La La Land in 1964. Their credo was, as Zappa put it, “We’re satirists, and we are out to satirize everything.”

Their music incorporated sonic collages, scintillating jazz-fusion guitar riffs, comedic interludes and what Zappa called “electrical chamber music.” The Mothers excelled at being amusing and unpredictable.

Their debut album was Freak Out! (1966), a countercultural hoot and one of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” according to Rolling Stone in 2003. Other cutting-edge LPs by The Mothers were Absolutely Free (1967), We’re Only in It for the Money (1968), 200 Motels (1971) and Just Another Band from L.A. (1972).

18. Sly and the Family Stone

San Francisco had a ton of awesome psychedelic rock bands in the 1960s, but Sly and the Family Stone stood out by pioneering psychedelic soul. Fronted by brilliantly eccentric singer/multi-instrumentalist Sly Stone, the group also included brother Freddie Stone (guitar/vocals) and sister Rose Stone (keyboards/vocals), hence The Family Stone name.