What is it about California that makes the state produce so many amazing musical artists? There must be something in the water in The Golden State that keeps the rock music production line churning out legendary bands. Long may it continue.

Some of the world’s biggest, most successful rock bands of all time hail from California. They achieved critical acclaim, won countless awards, and traveled the world, bringing joy to the masses. Who are your three biggest Californian rock bands?  Here are 3 of ours:

The Eagles

The Eagles are not only arguably the greatest Californian rock band ever, but they are one of the most iconic bands of all time, period. They enjoyed five number-one singles, six number one albums, won six Grammy Awards and five American Music Awards. You can bet your bottom dollar if there were legal sports betting in California when the Eagles were in their prime, they would be the favorites in the betting whenever the major music awards came around.

You have to go all the way back to 1971 to find when The Eagles formed. Singer Linda Ronstadt sought a backup band and enlisted Glenn Fry and Don Healey. Little did they know then that this was the foundation for true greatness.

The group recorded their eponymous debut album in the United Kingdom in February 1972. Released on June 1, 1972, Eagles put the band on the music map, yielding three Top 40 singles, including the now world-famous “Take It Easy.”

Other massive hits followed over the years, including “Witchy Woman,” “Tequila Sunrise,” “Desperado,” and “Hotel California.”

The band decided to go on hiatus in 1980, one that ultimately lasted 14-years. They returned in 1994 and began touring again in 2001. The Eagles sacked member Don Felder in February 2001, which resulted in Felder filing two lawsuits for damages amounting to $50 million. The case was settled out of court six years later.

The Eagles continue to tour this very day, albeit with only three of the original members. Do whatever you can to see the Eagles live if the chance comes around.

Van Halen

Van Halen is another legendary Californian rock band formed in the 1970s, 1974 to be exact. Few rock bands put on such energetic shows as Van Halen did when they first began touring.

Industry experts credited Van Halen with restoring hard rock to the forefront of the music scene, and we have to agree, as do the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which inducted Van Halen in 2007.

Eddie Van Halen was a fantastic lead guitarist, one of the best of all time. He and his drummer brother Alex Van Halen, along with Mark Stone (bass) and singer David Lee Roth, former Van Halen in Pasadena, California.

The band toured the world and was one of the most successful rock acts in the 1980s, thanks, in part, to iconic songs such as “Jump,” which was Van Halen’s only number one U.S. single.

Van Halen disbanded in late 2020 following the death of Eddie Van Halen. The legendary rock star had suffered ill-health for more than a decade since 2007 and died of throat cancer.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are the most successful band in the long history of alternative rock. They hold the record for most top-ten songs (25), most number-one singles (13), and the most cumulative weeks at number one (85). The band also has six Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

If you only listen to one Red Hot Chili Peppers album, choose their seventh studio album. Entitled Californication, the 1999 release, sold 16 million copies worldwide and is regarded as one of music’s finest albums.