The Yardbirds

If they existed solely as the breeding ground for the soundly influential triumvirate of Page, Beck and Clapton, the Yardbirds would be still be constantly memorialized. The fact that they were, on their own, one of the few British Invasion bands that mattered makes praise absolutely essential. Known primarily for hits like "For Your Love" and "Heart Full of Soul," the Yardbirds were an amalgamation of feedback, Chicago Blues, amplification, and psychedelia. They were rock's first Hard Rock band (just listen to "Stroll On"). Of course we know Clapton split early, Beck eventually went nuts, and Page took to wearing cloaks onstage. But before all that, the Yardbirds were "Smokestack Lightning" and knowing that white boys could play the blues.