Contests

LISTEN LIVE

14 Classic Rockers from the Midwest

Some of classic rock’s biggest names and influencers we know and love hail from the Midwest.

Robin Zander of Cheap Trick performs onstage.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Some of classic rock's biggest names and influencers we know and love hail from the Midwest.

From Cheap Trick being the pride of Rockford, Ill. to John Mellencamp's deep roots in Indiana, rock and roll isn't just born on the coasts. You can find it in what some might dub "flyover country," but these names prove this area of the United States should be anything but ignored.

Scroll below to see just a sample of the incredible rock and roll talent that came from the Midwest.

John Mellencamp

463231812-scaled.jpgAdam Bettcher/Getty Images

Seymour, Indiana


John Mellencamp

463231812-scaled.jpgAdam Bettcher/Getty Images

Seymour, Indiana


John Varvatos & Sony Present The 35th Anniversary Of Cheap Trick At Budokan

167734071.jpgPhoto by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for John Varvatos

Cheap Trick - Rockford, Illinois

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander and Tom Petterson of the band Cheap Trick perform on stage during the 35th Anniversary of Cheap Trick at Budokan at the John Varvatos Bowery NYC store on April 28, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for John Varvatos)


John Varvatos & Sony Present The 35th Anniversary Of Cheap Trick At Budokan

167734071.jpgPhoto by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for John Varvatos

Cheap Trick - Rockford, Illinois

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander and Tom Petterson of the band Cheap Trick perform on stage during the 35th Anniversary of Cheap Trick at Budokan at the John Varvatos Bowery NYC store on April 28, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for John Varvatos)


John Mellencamp

463231812-scaled.jpgAdam Bettcher/Getty Images

Seymour, Indiana


John Mellencamp

463231812-scaled.jpgAdam Bettcher/Getty Images

Seymour, Indiana


136971837

136971837.jpgPhoto by Skip Bolen/Getty Images

Styx - Chicago, Illinois


136971837

136971837.jpgPhoto by Skip Bolen/Getty Images

Styx - Chicago, Illinois


John Varvatos & Sony Present The 35th Anniversary Of Cheap Trick At Budokan

167734071.jpgPhoto by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for John Varvatos

Cheap Trick - Rockford, Illinois

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander and Tom Petterson of the band Cheap Trick perform on stage during the 35th Anniversary of Cheap Trick at Budokan at the John Varvatos Bowery NYC store on April 28, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for John Varvatos)


John Varvatos & Sony Present The 35th Anniversary Of Cheap Trick At Budokan

167734071.jpgPhoto by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for John Varvatos

Cheap Trick - Rockford, Illinois

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander and Tom Petterson of the band Cheap Trick perform on stage during the 35th Anniversary of Cheap Trick at Budokan at the John Varvatos Bowery NYC store on April 28, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for John Varvatos)


REO Speedwagon

103068307-scaled.jpgEthan Miller/Getty Images

Champaign, Illinois


REO Speedwagon

103068307-scaled.jpgEthan Miller/Getty Images

Champaign, Illinois


136971837

136971837.jpgPhoto by Skip Bolen/Getty Images

Styx - Chicago, Illinois


136971837

136971837.jpgPhoto by Skip Bolen/Getty Images

Styx - Chicago, Illinois


Three Members Of Guns N' Roses

53324725.jpgPhoto by Scott Harrison/Getty Images

Izzy Stradlin (far right) - Lafayette, Indiana

Three members of the American rock and roll group Guns N' Roses in front of a Hard Rock Cafe banner, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1992. From left, Duff McKagan, Gilby Clarke, and Izzy Stradlin. (Photo by Scott Harrison/Getty Images)


Three Members Of Guns N' Roses

53324725.jpgPhoto by Scott Harrison/Getty Images

Izzy Stradlin (far right) - Lafayette, Indiana

Three members of the American rock and roll group Guns N' Roses in front of a Hard Rock Cafe banner, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1992. From left, Duff McKagan, Gilby Clarke, and Izzy Stradlin. (Photo by Scott Harrison/Getty Images)


REO Speedwagon

103068307-scaled.jpgEthan Miller/Getty Images

Champaign, Illinois


REO Speedwagon

103068307-scaled.jpgEthan Miller/Getty Images

Champaign, Illinois


Guns N' Roses Perform In Sydney

107323373.jpgPhoto by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Axl Rose - Lafayette, Indiana

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 04: Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses performs following the V8 Supercar Grand Finale at ANZ Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)


Guns N' Roses Perform In Sydney

107323373.jpgPhoto by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Axl Rose - Lafayette, Indiana

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 04: Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses performs following the V8 Supercar Grand Finale at ANZ Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)


Three Members Of Guns N' Roses

53324725.jpgPhoto by Scott Harrison/Getty Images

Izzy Stradlin (far right) - Lafayette, Indiana

Three members of the American rock and roll group Guns N' Roses in front of a Hard Rock Cafe banner, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1992. From left, Duff McKagan, Gilby Clarke, and Izzy Stradlin. (Photo by Scott Harrison/Getty Images)


Three Members Of Guns N' Roses

53324725.jpgPhoto by Scott Harrison/Getty Images

Izzy Stradlin (far right) - Lafayette, Indiana

Three members of the American rock and roll group Guns N' Roses in front of a Hard Rock Cafe banner, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1992. From left, Duff McKagan, Gilby Clarke, and Izzy Stradlin. (Photo by Scott Harrison/Getty Images)


The Billboard Touring Awards

497930324.jpgPhoto by Mike Coppola/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Musician Bob Seger speaks onstage during the 2015 Billboard Touring Awards at The Roosevelt Hotel on November 19, 2015 in New York City.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Musician Bob Seger speaks onstage during the 2015 Billboard Touring Awards at The Roosevelt Hotel on November 19, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)


The Billboard Touring Awards

497930324.jpgPhoto by Mike Coppola/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Musician Bob Seger speaks onstage during the 2015 Billboard Touring Awards at The Roosevelt Hotel on November 19, 2015 in New York City.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Musician Bob Seger speaks onstage during the 2015 Billboard Touring Awards at The Roosevelt Hotel on November 19, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)


Guns N' Roses Perform In Sydney

107323373.jpgPhoto by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Axl Rose - Lafayette, Indiana

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 04: Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses performs following the V8 Supercar Grand Finale at ANZ Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)


Guns N' Roses Perform In Sydney

107323373.jpgPhoto by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Axl Rose - Lafayette, Indiana

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 04: Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses performs following the V8 Supercar Grand Finale at ANZ Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)


Iggy Pop

494800994.jpgKevin Winter/Getty Images

Ypsilanti, Michigan


Iggy Pop

494800994.jpgKevin Winter/Getty Images

Ypsilanti, Michigan


The Billboard Touring Awards

497930324.jpgPhoto by Mike Coppola/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Musician Bob Seger speaks onstage during the 2015 Billboard Touring Awards at The Roosevelt Hotel on November 19, 2015 in New York City.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Musician Bob Seger speaks onstage during the 2015 Billboard Touring Awards at The Roosevelt Hotel on November 19, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)


The Billboard Touring Awards

497930324.jpgPhoto by Mike Coppola/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Musician Bob Seger speaks onstage during the 2015 Billboard Touring Awards at The Roosevelt Hotel on November 19, 2015 in New York City.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Musician Bob Seger speaks onstage during the 2015 Billboard Touring Awards at The Roosevelt Hotel on November 19, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)


17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards - Show

136948873.jpgPhoto by Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Bob Dylan - Born in Duluth, Minnesota. Grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota.

HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 12: Musician Bob Dylan onstage during the 17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards held at The Hollywood Palladium on January 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for VH1)


17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards - Show

136948873.jpgPhoto by Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Bob Dylan - Born in Duluth, Minnesota. Grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota.

HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 12: Musician Bob Dylan onstage during the 17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards held at The Hollywood Palladium on January 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for VH1)


Iggy Pop

494800994.jpgKevin Winter/Getty Images

Ypsilanti, Michigan


Iggy Pop

494800994.jpgKevin Winter/Getty Images

Ypsilanti, Michigan


Chuck Berry In Concert - January 1, 2011

GettyImages-107850233.jpgPhoto by Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images

CHICAGO - JANUARY 01: Chuck Berry performs at the Congress Theater on January 1, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

CHICAGO - JANUARY 01: Chuck Berry performs at the Congress Theater on January 1, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images)


Chuck Berry In Concert - January 1, 2011

GettyImages-107850233.jpgPhoto by Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images

CHICAGO - JANUARY 01: Chuck Berry performs at the Congress Theater on January 1, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

CHICAGO - JANUARY 01: Chuck Berry performs at the Congress Theater on January 1, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images)


17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards - Show

136948873.jpgPhoto by Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Bob Dylan - Born in Duluth, Minnesota. Grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota.

HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 12: Musician Bob Dylan onstage during the 17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards held at The Hollywood Palladium on January 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for VH1)


17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards - Show

136948873.jpgPhoto by Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Bob Dylan - Born in Duluth, Minnesota. Grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota.

HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 12: Musician Bob Dylan onstage during the 17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards held at The Hollywood Palladium on January 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for VH1)


Chrissie Hynde

458780556-scaled.jpgTerry Wyatt/Getty Images

Akron, Ohio


Chrissie Hynde

458780556-scaled.jpgTerry Wyatt/Getty Images

Akron, Ohio


Chuck Berry In Concert - January 1, 2011

GettyImages-107850233.jpgPhoto by Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images

CHICAGO - JANUARY 01: Chuck Berry performs at the Congress Theater on January 1, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

CHICAGO - JANUARY 01: Chuck Berry performs at the Congress Theater on January 1, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images)


Chuck Berry In Concert - January 1, 2011

GettyImages-107850233.jpgPhoto by Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images

CHICAGO - JANUARY 01: Chuck Berry performs at the Congress Theater on January 1, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

CHICAGO - JANUARY 01: Chuck Berry performs at the Congress Theater on January 1, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images)


Joe Walsh

521716086-scaled.jpgMike Windle/Getty Images

Born in Wichita, Kansas. Lived in Columbus, Ohio as a kid.


Joe Walsh

521716086-scaled.jpgMike Windle/Getty Images

Born in Wichita, Kansas. Lived in Columbus, Ohio as a kid.


Chrissie Hynde

458780556-scaled.jpgTerry Wyatt/Getty Images

Akron, Ohio


Chrissie Hynde

458780556-scaled.jpgTerry Wyatt/Getty Images

Akron, Ohio


The 7th Annual Little Kids Rock Benefit

493525676.jpgPhoto by Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Steve Miller - Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Steve Miller performs onstage during The 7th Annual Little Kids Rock Benefit at Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom on October 20, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Little Kids Rock)


The 7th Annual Little Kids Rock Benefit

493525676.jpgPhoto by Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Steve Miller - Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Steve Miller performs onstage during The 7th Annual Little Kids Rock Benefit at Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom on October 20, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Little Kids Rock)


Joe Walsh

521716086-scaled.jpgMike Windle/Getty Images

Born in Wichita, Kansas. Lived in Columbus, Ohio as a kid.


Joe Walsh

521716086-scaled.jpgMike Windle/Getty Images

Born in Wichita, Kansas. Lived in Columbus, Ohio as a kid.


Glenn Frey

GettyImages-98899438-scaled.jpgAlberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Born in Detroit, Michigan. Grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan.


Glenn Frey

GettyImages-98899438-scaled.jpgAlberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Born in Detroit, Michigan. Grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan.


The 7th Annual Little Kids Rock Benefit

493525676.jpgPhoto by Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Steve Miller - Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Steve Miller performs onstage during The 7th Annual Little Kids Rock Benefit at Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom on October 20, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Little Kids Rock)


The 7th Annual Little Kids Rock Benefit

493525676.jpgPhoto by Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Steve Miller - Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Steve Miller performs onstage during The 7th Annual Little Kids Rock Benefit at Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom on October 20, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Little Kids Rock)


Glenn Frey

GettyImages-98899438-scaled.jpgAlberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Born in Detroit, Michigan. Grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan.


Glenn Frey

GettyImages-98899438-scaled.jpgAlberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Born in Detroit, Michigan. Grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights