The 50 best band logos of all time

August 6, 2008 1:26 p.m. by Andrew Winistorfer

Today in most ridiculous list news, Gigwise has compiled a list of the 50 best band logos of all time. In what has become an unsurprising element of Gigwise’s lists, British acts feature prominently.

Who even knew Jamiroquai had a logo, or a career beyond this? The Sex Pistols don’t really have a logo, more like an interesting typeface. Aphex Twin at 14 over the Grateful Dead? How is that even possible? Plus they call Prince a midget in the list. Come on Gigwise, it’s little people now.

The top ten is a little screwy (HIM, aka Bam Margera’s favorite band at number six?) but the top three is pretty solid (The Who at three, Ramones at two, and the Stones at one).

Click here for the full list.

10 Responses

August 6, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.

Daba

Black Flag at #39? w.0

I hate how they always get lots of page views from me with their lists.

August 6, 2008 at 2:33 p.m.

babussolini

I would rather they do an anatomy of that one guy in every high school who covers his black hoodie with embroidered patches he buys at head shops; where else would bands like Sponge and Toadies be remembered and even celebrated?

August 6, 2008 at 9:47 p.m.

brandon

Actually a lot of good ones on this list. But I agree: Black Flag's logo should be up there higher.

August 7, 2008 at 1:31 a.m.

EStan

I'm pretty sure Spinner did a similar list like, 2 months ago.
Also, with all the hype given to the Germs biopic, where's Darby Crash's cricle?

August 7, 2008 at 10:02 a.m.

Annie

It's actually a British website so it's unsurprising there are a few British bands in the list. Jamiroquai was pretty big in England and the logo the band used was very prominent here at the time. FYI.

I thought it was quite informative as lists go actually - quite thought provoking as to how bands employ marketing techniques similar to those of large corporations in order to promote themselves. I guess that's a little too highbrow for the above commentators though.

August 11, 2008 at 8:03 p.m.

Bev

HIM should be number one. They ARE number one.

August 12, 2008 at 7:24 p.m.

Neil

I love the Jamiroquai logo. At least it was designed by Jay and not in a record label 'creative' department

August 12, 2008 at 8:22 p.m.

Ronnie

Glad to see the Hieroglyphics logo on here. Easily the greatest Hip Hop logo of all time, sorry Wu

August 12, 2008 at 8:23 p.m.

Daba

Good point about Hiero Ronnie. I agree.

August 12, 2008 at 9:39 p.m.

But you can throw the "W" up at shows... you cant throw the heiro logo up. Lots of love to the Heiroglyphics, but the "W" is greater.

You can rotate it and make it a "G" for gza... you can stretch it out and make it a mask for shîtty ass "La the Darkman" all the different bastardizations of the original logo, yet it still maintains its presence. Did I also mention that you can throw it up at shows?