Mainstream Rock (chart)
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{short description|Music chart in Billboard magazine}}
Mainstream Rock is a music chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations in the United States. It is an administrative category that combines the "active rock" and "heritage rock" formats. The chart was launched in March 1981 as Rock Albums & Top Tracks. The name changed multiple times afterwards: first to Top Rock Tracks, then to Album Rock Tracks, and finally to its current Mainstream Rock in 1996. The first number-one song on this chart was "I Can't Stand It" by Eric Clapton on March 21, 1981.
History
The "Rock Albums & Top Tracks" charts were introduced in the issue of Billboard that the parent company published on March 21, 1981.Joel Whitburn. Joel Whitburn Presents Rock Tracks 1981–2008. Hal Leonard Corporation, 2008. [https://books.google.com/books?id=_pbECYPYlZcC&pg=PA6 p. 6] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803100828/https://books.google.com/books?id=_pbECYPYlZcC&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&lpg=PP1&pg=PA6 |date=August 3, 2020 }}. {{ISBN|9780898201741}} The 50-slot based and 60-slot based positional charts ranked airplay on album rock type radio stations in the United States.{{cite magazine | url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/958877/album-rock-charts-celebrate-anniversaries | title = Album, Rock Charts Celebrate Anniversaries | first = Gary | last = Trust | magazine = Billboard | date = March 23, 2010 | access-date = June 13, 2013 | url-status = live | archive-url = http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20140826141823/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/958877/album-rock-charts-celebrate-anniversaries | archive-date = August 26, 2014 }} Because album-oriented rock stations often focused on playing tracks from entire albums rather than specifically released singles, these charts were designed to measure the airplay of any and all tracks from an album, regardless of context. Rock Albums was a survey of the top albums on American rock radio, while Top Tracks listed the top individual songs being played. Mike Harrison of Billboard explained that when major artists release albums, more than one song from the album can become popular at the same time. The first number-one song on the Top Tracks chart was "I Can't Stand It" by Eric Clapton. "I Can't Stand It" was from Clapton's album Another Ticket with its single having the track "Black Rose" on its alternate side.https://x.com/billboard/status/447028131485220864
On September 15, 1984, the Rock Albums chart was discontinued and Top Tracks was renamed Top Rock Tracks.{{cite book | first=Joel | last=Whitburn | author-link=Joel Whitburn | year=2002 | title=Rock Tracks | isbn=0-89820-153-5 | page=9| publisher=Record Research }} It reduced from a 60-song tally to 50 songs on October 20, 1984, following a major revamp to the magazine. Coinciding with an increase in its reporting panel of album rock stations in the United States, the name of the chart was changed again with the issue dated April 12, 1986, to Album Rock Tracks.{{cite magazine |date=April 12, 1986 |title=Billboard Announces Expanded Album Rock Chart Panel |magazine=Billboard |volume=98 |issue=15 |pages=10, 16 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7yQEAAAAMBAJ |access-date=June 13, 2013 |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222184150/https://books.google.com/books?id=7yQEAAAAMBAJ |url-status=live }}
On November 23, 1991, instead of reporting panels, Billboard changed its methodology of measuring airplay by using monitored airplay as provided by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems to compile many of its charts. As a result, this data showed that many songs could spend months to over a year on the Album Rock Tracks chart. Billboard decided to drop to a 40-position chart on the week of June 27, 1992 (still its current format), and songs that fell out of the top 20 and after spending 20 weeks on the chart were moved to a new 10-position recurrent chart.{{cite magazine |date=June 27, 1992 |title=Album Rock Chart Changes |magazine=Billboard |volume=104 |issue=26 |pages=67 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wBAEAAAAMBAJ |access-date=June 13, 2013 |archive-date=December 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204023607/https://books.google.com/books?id=WBAEAAAAMBAJ |url-status=live }} The recurrent chart was discontinued two years later, but not the methodology.
To differentiate between classic and alternative album rock radio formats, Billboard changed the name of the chart to Mainstream Rock Tracks beginning with issue dated April 13, 1996.{{cite magazine |date=April 13, 1996 |title=Name Changed on Album Rock Tracks |magazine=Billboard |volume=108 |issue=15 |pages=6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_gwEAAAAMBAJ |access-date=June 13, 2013 |archive-date=May 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520020429/https://books.google.com/books?id=_gwEAAAAMBAJ |url-status=live }} The Mainstream Rock Tracks chart did not appear in the print edition of Billboard from its issue dated August 2, 2003,{{cite magazine |date=August 2, 2003 |first=Keith |last=Girard |title=The Evolution Continues |magazine=Billboard |volume=115 |issue=31 |pages=10 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MhEEAAAAMBAJ |access-date=June 13, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016203709/https://books.google.com/books?id=MhEEAAAAMBAJ |url-status=live }} being accessible only through the magazine's subscription-based website, Billboard.biz. In late 2013, the chart was reintroduced to its primary website and magazine.
When R&R ceased publication in June 2009, Billboard incorporated its rock charts, Active Rock and Heritage Rock into its own publication. The radio station reporters of the two charts combine to make up the Mainstream Rock chart.{{cite magazine |date=June 20, 2009 |first=Keith |last=Caulfield |title=Dave Matthews Band Rolls Ahead of Rock Parade |magazine=Billboard |volume=121 |issue=24 |pages=41 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wBeEDJhw110C |access-date=June 13, 2013}} In the United States, Active rock stations concentrate on current hits over classic rock standards while heritage rock stations put a greater emphasis on classic rock with a few newer tracks mixed in.{{cite news|title=The Metamorphosis and Splitting of the Rock Music Format|first=Brian|last=Cole|work=Examiner.com|publisher=Clarity Digital Group|date=July 15, 2012}} The individual Active Rock and Heritage Rock components were discontinued by Billboard at the end of November 2013, due to a growing lack of difference between the two charts.{{cite magazine |first=Gary |last=Trust |title=Chart Moves: A Great Big Jump for a Great Big World, Christina Aguilera; Volbeat's Victorious at Rock; Howard Jones Notches First Top 10 in 21 Years |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/5812232/chart-moves-a-great-big-jump-for-a-great-big-world-christina-aguilera |magazine=Billboard |date=November 29, 2013 |access-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203065053/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/5812232/chart-moves-a-great-big-jump-for-a-great-big-world-christina-aguilera |archive-date=December 3, 2013}}
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the chart, in June 2021, Billboard released two charts ranking the top songs and artists in the history of the chart. "Touch, Peel and Stand" by Days of the New was the number-one song on the Greatest of All Time Mainstream Rock Songs and Shinedown was named the number-one artist on the ranking of Greatest of All Time Mainstream Rock Artists.{{cite magazine|first=Kevin|last=Rutherford|title=Shinedown & Days of the New Rule Greatest of All Time Mainstream Rock Charts|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9581948/shinedown-days-of-the-new-top-greatest-of-all-time-mainstream-rock-charts/|access-date=June 3, 2021|archive-date=June 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603220935/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9581948/shinedown-days-of-the-new-top-greatest-of-all-time-mainstream-rock-charts/|url-status=live}}
The current number-one song on the chart is "I Will Not Break" by Disturbed.*{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/2025-04-19/|title=Mainstream Rock Songs |date=April 19, 2025|magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 17, 2025}}
Chart achievements
=Artists with the most number-one songs=
These are the artists with at least 8 songs that topped the Mainstream Rock chart.
=Acts who have reached number one in at least three decades=
== Four decades ==
:Metallica (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
== Three decades ==
Source:{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ac-dc/chart-history/rtt/|title=AC/DC Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 15, 2023}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/aerosmith/chart-history/rtt/|title=Aerosmith Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 2, 2021|archive-date=November 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117175902/https://www.billboard.com/artist/aerosmith/chart-history/rtt/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/alice-in-chains/chart-history/rtt/|title=Alice in Chains Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/breaking-benjamin/chart-history/rtt/|title=Breaking Benjamin Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chevelle/chart-history/rtt/|title=Chevelle Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/disturbed/chart-history/rtt/|title=Disturbed Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/foo-fighters/chart-history/rtt/|title=Foo Fighters Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/godsmack/chart-history/rtt/|title=Godsmack Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/green-day/chart-history/rtt/|title=Green Day Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/linkin-park/chart-history/rtt/|title=Linkin Park Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-offspring/chart-history/rtt/|title=The Offspring Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ozzy-osbourne/chart-history/rtt/|title=Ozzy Osbourne Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/papa-roach/chart-history/rtt/|title=Papa Roach Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/red-hot-chili-peppers/chart-history/rtt/|title=Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/seether/chart-history/rtt/|title=Seether Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/shinedown/chart-history/rtt/|title=Shinedown Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/staind/chart-history/rtt/|title=Staind Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/theory-of-a-deadman/chart-history/rtt/|title=Theory of a Deadman Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/three-days-grace/chart-history/rtt/|title=Three Days Grace Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2025}}
:AC/DC (1990s, 2000s, 2020s)
:Aerosmith (1980s, 1990s, 2000s)
:Alice in Chains (1990s, 2000s, 2010s)
:Breaking Benjamin (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
:Chevelle (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
:Disturbed (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
:Foo Fighters (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
:Godsmack (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
:Green Day (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
:Linkin Park (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
:The Offspring (1990s, 2010s, 2020s)
:Ozzy Osbourne (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
:Papa Roach (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
:Red Hot Chili Peppers (1990s, 2000s, 2010s)
:Seether (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
:Shinedown (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
:Staind (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
:Theory of a Deadman (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
:Three Days Grace (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)
=Artists with the most consecutive number-one songs=
=Artists with the most cumulative weeks at number one=
Bands with at least 40 weeks at #1 on the Mainstream Rock charts
= Albums With the Most Weeks at #1 =
Albums whose singles have spent at least 15 weeks at #1 on the Mainstream Rock charts
| class="wikitable" | |
| Total cumulative weeks
!Album !Year !Weeks at #1 !Singles ! Artist | Reference |
|---|---|
| rowspan="3" | 33
| rowspan="3" |The Better Life | rowspan="3" |2000 |9 |"Kryptonite" | rowspan="3" | 3 Doors Down | {{Cite web |title=3 Doors Down Kryptonite Chart History |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/3-doors-down/chart-history/rtt/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225181905/https://www.billboard.com/artist/3-doors-down/chart-history/rtt/ |archive-date=December 25, 2024 |access-date=May 22, 2025 |website=Billboard}} |
| 21
|"Loser" | |
| 3
|"Duck and Run" | |
| rowspan="3" |27
| rowspan="3" |One-X | rowspan="3" |2006 |7 | rowspan="3" |Three Days Grace | | |
| 13
|"Pain" | |
| 7
| | |
| rowspan="2" |26
| rowspan="2" |Days of the New | rowspan="2" |1997 |16 | rowspan="2" |Days of the New | |
| 10 | |
| rowspan="4" |23
| rowspan="4" |The Southern Harmony | rowspan="4" |1992 |11 |"Remedy" | rowspan="4" |The Black Crowes | |
| 2
|"Sting Me" | |
| 4
|"Thorn in My Pride" | |
| 6
|"Hotel Illness" | |
| rowspan="5" |21
| rowspan="2" |Human Clay | rowspan="2" |1999 |17 |"Higher" | rowspan="2" |Creed | |
| 4
| | |
| rowspan="3" |Life Starts Now
| rowspan="3" |2009 |11 |"Break" | rowspan="3" |Three Days Grace | |
| 5
| | |
| 5
| | |
| rowspan="3" |20
|2001 |20 | |
| rowspan="2" |Contraband
| rowspan="2" |2004 |11 | rowspan="2" |Velvet Revolver | |
| 9
|"Slither" | | |
| rowspan="3" |19
| rowspan="3" |Silver Side Up | rowspan="3" |2001 |13 | rowspan="3" |Nickelback | |
| 3
|"Too Bad" | | |
| 3
|"Never Again" | | |
| rowspan="2" |18
| rowspan="2" |Hail to the King | rowspan="2" |2013 |11 | rowspan="2" |Avenged Sevenfold | |
| 7
| | |
| rowspan="15" |17
|2002 |17 | |
| rowspan="4" |When Legends Rise
| rowspan="4" |2018 |5 |"Bulletproof" | rowspan="4" |Godsmack | | |
| 5
| | |
| 2
| | |
| 5
| | |
| rowspan="2" |American Idiot
| rowspan="2" |2004 |14 | rowspan="2" |Green Day | |
| 3
|"Holiday" | | |
| rowspan="3" |Come Clean
| rowspan="3" |2001 |10 | rowspan="3" |Puddle of Mudd | |
| 6 | |
| 1
|"She Hates Me" | |
| rowspan="2" |Purple
| rowspan="2" |1994 |2 |"Vasoline" | rowspan="2" |Stone Temple Pilots | |
| 15 | |
| rowspan="3" |Achtung Baby
| rowspan="3" |1991 |12 | rowspan="3" |U2 | |
| 2
|"One" | | |
| 3
|"Even Better than the Real Thing" | | |
| rowspan="10" |16
| rowspan="2" |Black Gives Way to Blue | rowspan="2" |2009 |8 | rowspan="2" |Alice in Chains | |
| 8 | |
| rowspan="2" |Sonic Highways
| rowspan="2" |2013 |13 | rowspan="2" |Foo Fighters | |
| 3
| | |
| rowspan="4" |72 Seasons
| rowspan="4" |2023 |11 |"Lux Æterna" | rowspan="4" |Metallica | |
| 2
|"72 Seasons" | | |
| 1
| | |
| 2
| | |
| rowspan="2" |Amaryllis
| rowspan="2" |2012 |12 |"Bully" | rowspan="2" |Shinedown | |
| 4
|"Unity" | | |
| rowspan="10" |15
| rowspan="3" |Collective Soul | rowspan="3" |1995 |9 |"December" | rowspan="4" |Collective Soul | | |
| 4
| | |
| 2
| | |
| Dosage
|1999 |15 |"Heavy" | |
| rowspan="3" |Evolution
| rowspan="3" |2018 |8 | rowspan="3" |Disturbed | | |
| 3
| | |
| 4
|"No More" | | |
| rowspan="3" |Transit of Venus
| rowspan="3" |2012 |13 | rowspan="3" |Three Days Grace | |
| 1
| | |
| 1
| |
=Artists with the most top-ten songs=
=Artists with the most charted songs=
=Songs with the most weeks on the chart=
These are the songs that have spent at least one year (52 weeks) on the Mainstream Rock chart.
=Songs with ten or more weeks at number one=
See also
{{Portal|United States}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks Current Billboard Mainstream Rock chart]
{{US Rock chart}}
{{Billboard charts}}