While a band’s name is the most important step on the way to fame, the logo is perhaps just as important. Whether a logo is used for marketing, merchandising or graffiti, it has to be distinctive and memorable. To explore these iconic pieces of pop culture, today we’re counting down the 10 coolest band logos of all time.
10. Prince’s Love Symbol
An unique, unpronounceable symbol, designed by the artist himself that has not only been emblazoned on album covers and made into custom shaped guitars, but was even his name for a period of time when he was in dispute with his record label.
9. Grateful Dead’s Steal Your Face
Not only a recognizable symbol for the cult following the band, but legend has it, that the symbol was originally painted on all the band’s gear to keep their guitars from being stolen during festival shows.
8. Nine Inch Nail
Patches, t-shirts, hoodies, in the 90’s this band logo was everywhere. The simple letter design and border were designed in part by Trent Reznor, the man behind the band.
7. The Ramones
It isn’t a single symbol like Prince or simple letters like NIN, but nothing portrays an all American band like the presidential seal surrounded by the monikers of the New York rockers.
6. Aerosmith
Founding guitarists, Ray Tabano drew up the winged A that became this band’s highly recognizable logo. He didn’t stick around long enough to see it appeared on the 1974 LP ‘Get Your Wings.’
5. AC/DC
This legendary logo was designed by the band’s Atlantic Records label and first appeared on an international release of their album ‘Let There Be Rock.’ Now the iconic image is so associated with rock music that its design is often duplicated for other satirical and comical purposes.
4. Kiss
The simple black and white letters and stylized lightning bolt S’s of this logo were first drawn by Lead guitarist Ace Frehley and appeared on their ‘Hotter Than Hell’ album.
3. The Who
This mod logo wasn’t even designed by anyone invested in the band. It was designed for a flier to advertise the band playing a gig in London’s Marquee club. The image took off from there until almost everyone owned or at least recognized the logo on badges and pins.
2. The Beatles
This iconic lettered logo also has simple origins. It was designed by the music store owner who sold Ringo Starr his drums. A local shop stenciled it on the bass drum and the rest as they say, is history.
1. Rolling Stones
Contrary to legend, these iconic lips and tongue were not designed by Andy Warhol, but by British graphics designer by the name of John Pasche and was inspired in part by lead singer Mick Jagger’s famous mouth.
As this list proves, it’s not the sound and the name a band needs to be remembered in musical history. A great emblem can last longer than the songs.
The market is flooded with business and making a name for yourself has become increasingly difficult. Avery Petersen, a branding strategist, helps companies find the right logo designer and marketing strategy to get seen by their market.