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Happy National Florida Day – Ten Great Rock Bands From The Sunshine State

By Meltdown

Florida is known for its sprawling beaches, flat geography, sunshine and more. But there’s been some pretty decent bands that have come from there. Here’s ten of the best, in my opinion.

  • Shinedown

    From the Jacksonville area, the boys broke through with their debut album in 2003. This is their latest single ‘The Dead Don’t Die’.

  • Limp Bizkit

    Say what you want about this Jacksonville rock band, but Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water was an awesome album!

  • Tom Petty

    I’m not a huge Tom Petty fan, but you can’t deny the impact he had on rock music. Born in Gainesville in 1950, we lost the legend on October 2, 2017 at the age of 66.

  • Lynyrd Skynyrd

    Also from Jacksonville, they formed in 1964 under the name Mr. Backyard. They changed their name in 1969 and the rest is history.

  • Creed

    These guys were huge near the turn of the century. They broke up, Scott went his way, and the rest of the guys formed Alter Bridge.

  • Alter Bridge

    Even though Mark Tremonti grew up in the Motor City – and Alter Bridge was also here – his musical career started in Florida after moving there as a kid. The band’s hometown in Orlando.

    This song is soooo good.

     

  • Molly Hatchet

    I’ll be honest, anytime I drop these guys on my turntable, it reminds me of how good they were. Also, they had the most killer album covers. Formed in 1971, also from Jacksonville, they played stadiums throughout the 70s.

  • Trivium

    Also from the Orlando area, they formed in 1999. Singer, Matt Heafy is such a quality dude. Check them out.

  • Savatage

    Another band some would say should’ve been bigger. Hailing from Tarpon Springs, they were formed in the late 70s by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva. I suppose this was their only ‘hit’, but this is a band you should check out if you’re into more progressive rock.

  • Cannibal Corpse

    Originally from Buffalo, NY, they’ve called Tampa home for decades. Florida has a massive underground metal scene, led by these guys.

    Who couldn’t forget this scene with them in Ace Ventura. Great stuff!

Hopefully this makes you feel a little warmer, here on this blustery January day.

-Meltdown-

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