Aerosmith and more: Here are 5 of the most successful bands from MA. Do you know them all?

The Commonwealth is home to many music talents.

From James Taylor's soothing tones to Rob Zombie's metal melodies, Massachusetts has had many talented vocalists and musicians call the Bay State home.

Likewise, Massachusetts has also birthed many popular musical groups, such as "The Cars," and more obscure ensembles like "Either/Orchestra." The state's Berklee College of Music is the one of the most sought-after schools for musicians; it only makes sense that students of music would congregate and form their own bands.

But which ones are the most successful? Which bands have transcended state lines and reached rock stardom?

Here are the five most successful bands from Massachusetts.

Killswitch Engage

Killswitch Engage may not be the band you may have been expecting when you clicked on this article; however, their achievements should not be taken lightly.

This metal ensemble coming from Westfield, Massachusetts, began playing together in 1999 and have remained active for a little over 25 years.

In their 25 years of music, despite cycling through different band members, they remained relevant within the American Metal scene and sold millions of records.

Their album "As Daylight Dies" even hit certified platinum in 2006, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.

Pixies

"Pixies" is currently made up of four members: Black Francis, Joey Santiago, David Lovering and Emma Richardson. Their album "Doolittle" hit certified gold in the United States in 1995.

While not as commercially successful in the United States as the other groups on this list, this alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, has an artistic legacy that went on to influence great minds in music like Kurt Cobain of "Nirvana" and Thom Yorke of "Radiohead."

"When I was at college, it was the Pixies and R.E.M that changed my life," Yorke said.

Dropkick Murphys

Dropkick Murphys are the quintessential Massachusetts band. The Quincy punk rock group is led by singer Ken Casey and has been going strong since 1996.

The band's most well-known song "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" hit number one on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100, was featured in Martin Scorcese's Oscar-winning film, "The Departed," and sold over one million copies.

Boston

"Boston," obviously enough, was formed in Boston, Massachusetts. Tom Scholz leads the band these days, as former lead singer Brad Delp died in 2007.

According to the RIAA website, "Boston" has sold 31 million albums in the United States.

It wouldn't unreasonable to say that "Boston" is the epitome of classic rock, if it wasn't for one band.

Aerosmith

Originating in Boston, Aerosmith formed in 1970 and played their first concert at what is now called Miscoe Hill Middle School in Mendon.

The current line-up is comprised of Steven Tyler on vocals, Tom Hamilton on bass, Joey Kramer on drums, and Joe Perry and Brad Whitford on guitar.

They have collected several Grammys and other music awards, performed at the Super Bowl and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. According to the RIAA website, they have sold 69.5 million albums in the United States.

Tyler and his bandmates have all called the South Shore home. Guitarist Joe Perry sold his Duxbury mansion in 2022. At one point, Tyler, Kramer and Whitford all lived in Marshfield. Bassist Tom Hamilton was the outlier, living in Boston and Cape Cod. Tyler and Perry even owned a music club, Mount Blue, in Norwell in 1997.

Tyler is still a part-time Marshfield resident.

Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com.