Ranked: All Bands with 5+ No.1 Albums in the US
In this post, we take a look at the elite dozen bands with the most No.1 albums in the US, specifically on the iconic Billboard 200 chart. From rock pioneers to genre-blending legends, these bands have dominated the charts and helped shape the musical landscape for generations.
This list includes studio, live, and compilation albums, but not extended plays (EPs) or mixtapes. For instance, while the South Korean boyband Stray Kids has six chart-toppers on the Billboard 200, but most of those are EPs and a mixtape, so they’re not included here. This ranking is all about full-length albums that topped the main Billboard LPs chart.
Let’s dive in and see which legendary bands have the most No.1 albums in the United States.
12. Pearl Jam – 5 No.1 Albums
Pearl Jam emerged in the early ’90s as one of the leading voices of the grunge movement and quickly became one of the most influential rock bands of their era.
Known for their intense live shows, deep lyrical content, and Eddie Vedder’s unmistakable voice, they built a loyal fanbase that followed them long after the peak of grunge. Their chart-topping success reflects both their mainstream appeal and their staying power.
No.1 Albums: “Vs.”, “Vitalogy”, “No Code”, “Backspacer”, “Lightning Bolt”
11. Van Halen – 5 No.1 Albums
Van Halen’s blend of hard rock, pop hooks, and Eddie Van Halen’s revolutionary guitar work helped them redefine rock in the late 1970s and 1980s. Whether fronted by David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar, the band delivered hit after hit and packed stadiums for decades. Their Billboard success highlights their wide appeal and iconic status.
No.1 Albums: “5150”, “OU812”, “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge”, “Balance”, “Best Of – Volume I”
10. Pink Floyd – 5 No.1 Albums
Pink Floyd pushed the boundaries of progressive and psychedelic rock, crafting experimental and concept albums that became cultural landmarks.
With Roger Waters and Syd Barret‘s deeply philosophical lyrics and groundbreaking soundscapes created by David Gilmour, Rick Wright, and Nick Mason, they turned albums into immersive experiences.
No.1 Albums: “The Dark Side of the Moon”, “Wish You Were Here”, “The Wall”, “The Division Bell”, “Pulse”
9. Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass – 5 No.1 Albums
Before rock dominated, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass ruled the charts with a fresh fusion of jazz, pop, and Latin styles. Their breezy, brassy sound dominated an era and appealed to a broad audience. Herb Alpert remains one of the few artists to top the Billboard 200 as both a soloist and part of a group.
No.1 Albums: “Whipped Cream & Other Delights”, “Going Places”, “What Now My Love”, “The Beat of the Brass”, “Sounds Like…”
8. Paul McCartney & Wings – 5 No.1 Albums
After The Beatles, Paul McCartney formed Wings and carved out a new chapter in his already legendary career. With his wife Linda McCartney and guitarist Denny Laine, Wings were a big commercial success throughout the 1970s.
Their blend of melodic rock and pop was a reliable hitmaking formula that allowed them to score multiple No.1 albums in the US.
No.1 Albums: “Red Rose Speedway”, “Band on the Run”, “Venus and Mars”, “Wings at the Speed of Sound”, “Wings Over America”
7. Linkin Park – 6 No.1 Albums
Linkin Park exploded onto the scene with a unique mix of nu-metal, rap, and electronic influences that resonated with a generation. Their emotionally charged lyrics and genre-blending sound gave them commercial success, critical respect, and a massive global following, making them one of the biggest acts of the 2000s.
No.1 Albums: “Meteora”, “Minutes to Midnight”, “A Thousand Suns”, “Living Things”, “Collision Course”, “One More Light”
6. The Eagles – 6 No.1 Albums
The Eagles captured the spirit of the American West with their smooth harmonies and laid-back country-rock sound. From soft rock ballads to guitar-driven anthems, they became one of the best-selling bands in history.
Their timeless appeal is clear in both album sales and Billboard 200 dominance. After all, who doesn’t love masterful storytelling accompanied by beautiful musicianship?
No.1 Albums: “One of These Nights”, “Hotel California”, “The Long Run”, “Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)”, “Hell Freezes Over”, “Long Road Out of Eden”
5. Bon Jovi – 6 No.1 Albums
Bon Jovi‘s mix of anthemic rock and pop sensibility made them arena-filling superstars not only in their prime in the 1980s but for decades beyond. With frontman Jon Bon Jovi’s charisma and a knack for writing radio hits, they’ve remained chart-relevant for decades.
With 32 years between their first and last No.1 album in the US, they proved their staying power and chart dominance.
No.1 Albums: “Slippery When Wet”, “New Jersey”, “Lost Highway”, “The Circle”, “What About Now”, “This House Is Not for Sale”
4. Dave Matthews Band – 7 No.1 Albums
The Dave Matthews Band built their success through relentless touring, musicianship, and a fiercely devoted fanbase that adores their jam-band style. And with a sound that blends rock, jazz, funk, and folk, they’ve earned critical praise and commercial success alike.
And the most remarkable feat of the DMB is that all of their seven chart-toppers have been consecutive number one debuts on the Billboard 200.
No.1 Albums: “Before These Crowded Streets”, “Everyday”, “Busted Stuff”, “Stand Up”, “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King”, “Away from the World”, “Come Tomorrow”
3. Led Zeppelin – 7 No.1 Albums
Led Zeppelin revolutionized rock music with thunderous riffs, mystical lyrics, and epic live shows that cemented Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham as the rock Gods of the ’70s.
Though they were initially snubbed by some critics, they became one of the most influential bands of all time. Their Billboard success mirrors their global impact on hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal.
No.1 Albums: “Led Zeppelin II”, “Led Zeppelin III”, “Houses of the Holy”, “Physical Graffiti”, “Presence”, “In Through the Out Door”, “How the West Was Won” (one of the 18 live LPs to hit No.1 in the US)
Read: 10 Interesting Facts About Led Zeppelin
2. The Rolling Stones – 9 No.1 Albums
The Rolling Stones have been rock and roll royalty for over six decades, with a relentless drive and an unmatched catalog of hits. From bluesy roots to arena rock anthems and disco hits, they’ve adapted across eras while staying true to their rebellious spirit. Their nine No.1 albums in the US show how they’ve consistently delivered across generations.
No.1 Albums: “Out of Our Heads”, “Sticky Fingers”, “Exile on Main St.”, “Goats Head Soup”, “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll”, “Black and Blue”, “Some Girls”, “Emotional Rescue”, “Tattoo You”
1. The Beatles – 19 No.1 Albums
No surprise here, The Beatles top the list by a wide margin. Their unprecedented cultural impact and musical innovation changed the course of popular music forever.
From the British Invasion to psychedelic masterpieces, they dominated the charts like no other band in history. With 19 No.1 albums on the Billboard 200, they set a record that may never be broken.
No.1 Albums: “Meet the Beatles!”, “The Beatles’ Second Album”, “A Hard Day’s Night”, “Beatles ’65”, “Beatles VI”, “Help!”, “Rubber Soul”, “Yesterday and Today”, “Revolver”, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, “Magical Mystery Tour”, “The Beatles (White Album)”, “Abbey Road”, “Let It Be”, “1”, “Anthology 1”, “Anthology 2”, “Anthology 3”, “1967–1970 (Blue Album)”
Read next: Bands with the most No.1 singles in the US
Final Thoughts
From grunge pioneers and classic rock legends to genre-blending innovators, these bands didn’t just top charts, they helped define entire generations of music. Having 5 or more No.1 albums on the Billboard 200 is no small feat, especially in an industry as competitive as the US music scene.
While musical trends change, the impact of these chart-topping bands remains constant. And for better or worse, these records might stay unbroken for decades to come unless we see a band revival era anytime soon.