Being a band with an enduring legacy requires musical talent and much more. Photo by Josh Sorenson 

Classic rock is called classic rock for a reason, with that reason being the fact that the music in the genre has stood the test of time. But there are some acts that have done a better job of standing the test of time than others, with some bands having brands that have endured better than their peers. These acts, in particular, have done an incredible job of making their presence felt for years, even as the world around them has changed.

KISS

When it comes to building a brand that has endured in the classic rock world, nobody has done a better job than KISS. Their place in the landscape from a musical perspective can be debated to no end, but one thing that cannot be debated is the fact that they have done an incredible job of being hard to forget over the years. This group that is coming to the PPL Center in February 2020 has a look that cannot possibly be replicated, with their face paint and signature style that other groups couldn’t even attempt to outdo.

And KISS’ brand has gone far beyond making music and having a distinct look. KISS has kept themselves at the top of the minds of music lovers with tons of merchandise and even a professional football team at one point in the history of the now-defunct Arena Football League. Given their ability to put on a show better than most thanks to their brand savvy, KISS will forever live in the hearts of those who associate classic rock with the ability to entertain and amaze.

Guns N Roses

There are plenty of reasons that classic rock groups can have brands that last forever. For Guns N Roses, their reason happens to be the fact that they were simply incredibly talented and had star power to make them stand out among all of the other great acts that were out there. With Slash and his signature top hat and skill on the guitar along with Axl Rose and his distinctive voice, there were plenty of reasons for people to feel an attachment to Guns N Roses that many still feel to this day.

Guns N Roses’ back catalog is still incredibly popular, but they have managed to stay popular even with people who have never listened to their music through their licensing efforts. Through cool looking merchandise like their own band-themed slot mobile game, fans now can listen to the soundtrack of their biggest hits while striking a chord with the legendary rock band. Guns N Roses have made themselves accessible to a generation that wasn’t around when they were at the peak of their popularity.

While showmanship is important, pure musical talent never hurts. Photo by Yabee Eusebio 

Queen

If there was ever a band that was the perfect combination of brilliant musical ability and the ability to resonate with people, it was Queen. Led by the great Freddie Mercury, Queen was incredible at making music that told a story, music that made people feel good, and music to accomplish a number of other emotional goals. And with one of the best performers of all-time in Mercury to lead them, there is no doubt that people remember the music of Queen.

Perhaps just as important is the fact that people have had a hard time forgetting the performances that Queen put on. Mercury was never shy about dressing in a number of attention-grabbing looks that perfectly encapsulated the freedom of expression that made the genre as beloved as it was to many. And with Mercury and his infectious personality being immortalized in biopics, people of all ages have had the opportunity to learn all about Queen and what made them so important to the development of not just rock and roll but music and performing as a whole.

All of these artists have one thing in common that have helped them live forever in the world of classic rock, that being their willingness to be different in the best possible ways. Despite the music industry becoming increasingly corporate over the years, acts who are unapologetically themselves in the future give themselves a great chance to be remembered in a similar fashion.