Top 10 Greatest Band Reunions Ever
#10: The Beach Boys (2012)
To be fair, this iconic and hugely influential group never really broke up. But the various iterations that continued to tour in the years after their heyday never really felt like the real Beach Boys. That’s because Brian Wilson had always kind of been the heart and soul of the group. In 2012 however, something incredible happened that most fans never dared to hope for: a one-off reunion world tour featuring the last-surviving Wilson and the rest of the original band lineup. Even better than that however, we also got a new album, “That’s Why God Made the Radio,” which was generally well-received by critics and fans alike.
#9: Oasis (2025-)
It was a very good day, when the Gallaghers announced their long-awaited return to the rock scene, and finally meant it. Oasis reunited for a 2025 tour, sixteen years after their feud and subsequent breakup in 2009. New fans and lifers alike came out in droves to purchase tickets, with the initial United Kingdom and Ireland dates selling out rapidly. Based on the band’s opening performances, critics have noted that the brothers still appear to have visual tension between them on stage. But regardless of their relationship status, the resurrection of their iconic catalogue is worth the price of admission!
#8: My Chemical Romance (2019-)
Who doesn’t get emotional listening to “Welcome to the Black Parade?” After having taken a six-year break from their pop-punk endeavors, My Chemical Romance reconvened in 2019 for a reunion show in Los Angeles, at the Shrine Exposition Hall. But when that show sold out in mere minutes, the band decided a larger return was in order, and planned a worldwide tour for 2020. Unfortunately, the world had other plans. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they began their run in May of 2022. Regardless, this reunion made a major splash in the emo music community.
#7: Pixies (2004-)
Forgive us for sounding like a broken record, but this is another one that we’re still struggling to come to terms with. Although hugely successful in their own time, Pixies arguably became even more influential after they broke up, with a whole new generation of music lovers discovering their music. Over a decade after they broke up in 1993, they reunited in 2004, and fans young and old ecstatically lined up to see these modern alt-rock legends return to the stage. They even put out a new album in 2014.
#6: Fleetwood Mac (Various)
This iconic American-British rock band needs no introduction. Over the decades, they have remained active in various forms and with different members. But for many die hard fans of the band, it’s the lineup from their 1975 album “Rumours,” or nothing. And thankfully this lineup has graced us with more than one reunion over the years. First, they reformed for President Clinton’s inaugural ball in 1993. Then, in 1997, the Rumors era lineup officially reunited, touring and releasing the live album The Dance. Thankfully, this would not be the last time they got together - the 2014 On With The Show tour even saw the return of the long absent Christine McVie.
#5: Eagles (1994-2016; 2017-)
After a messy breakup in 1980, Don Henley of the Eagles was famously quoted as saying that they would play together again “when Hell Freezes over”. Thankfully, it never had to come to that. In 1994, almost a decade-and-a-half after the members went their separate ways, the Eagles did reunite. And in a knowing wink to Henley’s comment, they even named the live album “Hell Freezes Over.” It included four new tracks and was a massive success. The band had taken some much-needed time apart, but they were back and had a new lease on life. In 2007, we were even treated to an album of new material, “Long Road Out of Eden.”
#4: Guns N' Roses (2015-)
Few bands in the history of rock music have had a more publicly volatile relationship than this iconic, industry-changing group from Los Angeles. 1987’s “Appetite For Destruction” put them on the map and made them international stars. By the beginning of the 1990s, however, things were already falling apart. By the second half of the decade, the band’s lineup had become a revolving door of musicians. With Axl Rose as the only original member, Guns N’Roses felt like a band that was dead in everything but name. Then, in 2015, against insurmountable odds, the band reunited with Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan. GNR, the real GNR, was finally back together!
#3: Black Sabbath (1997-2006; 2011-17; 2025)
These founding fathers of metal might not have formally called it quits until 2006, but Black Sabbath never felt the same after frontman Ozzy Osbourne’s dismissal in 1979. And sure, he went on to carve out a career for himself as solo artist and personality, but most fans agree that he was similarly at his best as part of the band. Finally, in 1992, Ozzy joined his former bandmates onstage for a short set. It would be another five years before a proper reunion tour happened, delivering some great shows and an excellent farewell album in 2017. That is, until the original members reunited for a show in their native Birmingham, commemorating Osbourne’s retirement less than a month before his shocking death in 2025.
#2: The Police (2007-08)
You know what the nice thing is about being a three-piece band? It takes a lot less coordination and burying of hatchets to come back together. Regardless, after their disbandment in 1986, and decades apart, The Police seemed unlikely to ever share their talents on the stage again. Thankfully, in 2007, in honor of the 30th anniversary of the band, Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland reunited to remind listeners everywhere about how and why they became international icons. The reunion tour took them around the world; and it was glorious.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions
The Stone Roses (2011-17)
Fifteen Years After Breaking Up, the Madchester Leaders Got the World Moving Again
Sleater-Kinney (2014-)
The Indie Rock Pioneers Are Back & as Prolific as Ever
LCD Soundsystem (2015-)
The Dance-Punk Revivalists Revived for New Material & Tours
Blur (2009-15; 2023-)
After Two Reunions & Two Albums, the Britpop Pioneers Are Still Rocking
Blink-182 (2009-)
Despite Inconsistent Touring, These Punks Are Still Consistently Killer“
#1: Led Zeppelin (1985, 1988 & 2007)
To see these rock legends together onstage is a bucket list item that will go unfulfilled for many. There’s sadly no seeing the full lineup, as John Bonham’s passing in 1980 broke up Led Zeppelin in the first place. With that being said, it was great seeing Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones take the stage with Bonham’s son Jason. That’s still a rock reunion the likes of which few can compete. Two such reunions have occurred, in 1988 and 2007, following a first reunion in 1985 Live Aid performance featuring guest drummers. Oh, to have been in the crowd at any one of these shows.
What are some other worthy reunions of iconic bands? Let us know in the comments.
