3 Bands That Could’ve Been Bigger The Beatles But Failed

The Beatles were, without a doubt, the most popular band of the 20th century. Even now, their influences are heard in music, entertainment, and even fashion. However, a few iconic bands appeared on the verge of becoming just as memorable throughout time. Let’s look at three of them—and explore why they didn’t quite overtake the Fab Four.

The Rolling Stones: Close, But a Little Too Wild

The Rolling Stones have always been compared to The Beatles, and for good reason. They came up around the same time and were massively popular. But when it came to overall record sales, The Beatles came out on top.

It’s not hard to see why. While both bands were talented, The Stones were a bit edgier—think Mick Jagger’s wild stage presence and their hard-partying reputation. Meanwhile, The Beatles kept things just tame enough to charm fans of all ages, all around the world.

Nirvana: A Lost Future

It might seem bold, but some believe Nirvana had the potential to rival The Beatles—at least in influence, if not in sales. By the time In Utero dropped, the band was shifting toward a more radio-friendly sound while keeping their grunge edge.

Sadly, the tragic loss of Kurt Cobain in 1994 stopped everything. Nirvana was just reaching the peak of their popularity. We’ll never know just how big they might have become.

Queen: A British Powerhouse

Queen had all the ingredients: talent, charisma, and unforgettable songs. Freddie Mercury’s voice alone was legendary, and guitarist Brian May gave the band a signature sound. In many ways, they picked up where The Beatles left off.

They even beat The Beatles in some respects. But overall sales still leaned toward the Fab Four. Maybe, just maybe, if Freddie had more time, things could have been different. So, while no one has quite dethroned The Beatles, these bands gave it a real shot—and left their own mark on music history.