10 essential rock bands from South (that aren’t Southern rock)

Effortlessly cool Allman Brothers Band singer/keyboardist Gregg Allman once quipped, “’Southern rock’ is a bit redundant. It’s like saying ‘rock rock.’” Allman’s point was many of rock and roll’s deepest roots are in the South. After all, pioneering 1950s rockers like Little Richard , Elvis Presley , Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Bo Diddley and Buddy Holly hailed from that region of the U.S.

Southern rock became a genre and brand in the 1970s, thanks to cornerstone bands like the Allmans , Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top . That decade acts like Marshall Tucker Band , Atlanta Rhythm Section , Black Oak Arkansas, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, Wet Willie and The Outlaws also helped defined Southern rock’s sound. Relatable anthems. Heartfelt vocals with hummable melodies. Guitar awe