In the vast landscape of music history, success is often measured by chart-topping hits. However, some of the most iconic and influential musicians have surprisingly never reached the coveted No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite their immense talent, these rock legends found their glory in album sales, sold-out stadiums, and critical acclaim rather than in the singles charts. Let’s explore the stories of 40 music legends who, despite their undeniable impact on the industry, never had a No. 1 hit.
AC/DC
Known for their electrifying performances and massive album sales, AC/DC’s highest-charting U.S. single, “Moneytalks,” peaked at No. 23 in 1990.
Bad Company
Despite six Top 20 songs, Bad Company’s highest-charting hit on the Billboard Hot 100 was their debut single, “Can’t Get Enough,” which reached No. 5.
Black Sabbath
Legendary metal pioneers Black Sabbath achieved a No. 4 hit in the U.K. with “Paranoid” but only reached No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Iron Man” in 1971.
Bruce Springsteen
Although “The Boss” wrote a No. 1 single for Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, his own hits like “Dancing in the Dark” peaked at No. 2 in 1984.
The Clash
The Clash, masters of punk and rock, reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their biggest hit, “Rock the Casbah.”
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Despite being rock’s consistent bridesmaids, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s highest-charting hits, including “Proud Mary” and “Bad Moon Rising,” peaked at No. 2.
Bob Dylan
The folk legend Bob Dylan came close to No. 1 twice in the mid-’60s with “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35,” both reaching No. 2.
Crosby, Stills, and Nash
Even with Neil Young, CSN’s highest-charting hit was “Just a Song Before I Go,” which peaked at No. 7 in 1977.
Deep Purple
“Smoke on the Water” and “Hush” reached No. 4 for Deep Purple, but they never surpassed that on the Billboard Hot 100.
Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)
ELO, known for their symphonic rock, peaked at No. 4 with “Don’t Bring Me Down” in 1979.
Grateful Dead
Before “Touch of Grey” hit No. 9 in 1987, the Grateful Dead’s highest-charting song was “Truckin'” at No. 64 in 1970.
Green Day
Despite their punk rock anthem “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” Green Day’s highest-charting hit was a No. 2 in 2004.
Don Henley
Boasting six Top 10 solo hits, Don Henley’s highest-charting single, “Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough,” reached No. 2 in 1992.
Jefferson Airplane / Jefferson Starship
Jefferson Airplane’s highest-charting hit was the No. 5 “Somebody to Love” in 1967, while Jefferson Starship reached No. 3 with “Miracles” in 1975.
Jimi Hendrix
Despite his enduring legend, Jimi Hendrix’s highest-charting single, “All Along The Watchtower,” reached No. 20 in 1968.
Journey
Contrary to popular belief, “Don’t Stop Believin'” only reached No. 2, making it Journey’s best-ever Billboard Hot 100 finish.
Judas Priest
Surprisingly, Judas Priest’s only charting single was “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” which reached No. 67 in 1982.
Kansas
While “Carry On Wayward Son” and others reached the Top 20, Kansas peaked at No. 6 with “Dust in the Wind” in 1978.
The Kinks
Legendary tracks like “You Really Got Me” were out-charted by No. 6 hits “Tired of Waiting for You” (1965) and “Come Dancing” (1983).
Kiss
With nine Top 10 albums, Kiss’s highest-charting single was “Beth,” reaching No. 7 in 1976.
Led Zeppelin
Despite four Top 20 hits, Led Zeppelin’s highest-charting single was “Whole Lotta Love,” peaking at No. 4 in 1969.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Sweet Home Alabama” only reached No. 8, and “Free Bird” barely cracked the Top 20 for Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Metallica
Their iconic “Enter Sandman” finished at No. 16, while “Until It Sleeps” peaked at No. 10 in 1996.
The Moody Blues
While “Go Now” went to No. 1 in the U.K., The Moody Blues’ highest-charting single in the U.S. was “Nights in White Satin,” reaching No. 2 in 1972.
Nirvana
“Smells Like Teen Spirit,” a signature single, stopped at No. 6 in December 1991.
Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy’s highest-charting single was “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” peaking at No. 28 in 1992.
Pearl Jam
Despite their career-making songs, none of Pearl Jam’s hits got higher than No. 79. “Last Kiss” peaked at No. 2 in 1999.
Pat Benatar
While “Love Is a Battlefield” and “We Belong” were No. 5 hits, Pat Benatar never claimed the No. 1 spot.
Ramones
Their highest-charting single, “Rockaway Beach,” stalled at No. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Despite three No. 2 hits, including “Under the Bridge,” Red Hot Chili Peppers never reached No. 1.
R.E.M.
Indie favorites R.E.M. had four Top 10 singles between 1987-91, with “Losing My Religion” reaching No. 4 in 1991.
Rush
Rush’s highest-charting single was “New World Man,” finishing at No. 21 in 1982.
Steely Dan
With five singles reaching No. 11 or higher, Steely Dan’s highest-charting song was “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number,” peaking at No. 4 in 1974.
Sting
Sting’s best-performing solo song, “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free,” reached No. 3 in 1985.
Supertramp
While Supertramp placed six songs in the Top 15, “The Logical Song” was their highest-charting hit at No. 6 in 1979.
Talking Heads
“Burning Down the House,” a No. 9 hit, remains Talking Heads’ highest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100.
Tom Petty
Despite a string of No. 1 songs on the rock chart, Tom Petty’s highest-charting on the Billboard Hot 100 was “Free Fallin’,” reaching No. 7 in 1989.
Van Morrison
Classics like “Brown Eyed Girl” couldn’t surpass No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 for Van Morrison.
The Who
“I Can See for Miles” reached No. 9 in 1967, making it The Who’s highest-charting single.
Yardbirds
“For Your Love” peaked at No. 6, becoming the Yardbirds’ best-finishing Billboard Hot 100 single.