Who is the hardest working band in show bizness?

[Sleek]

Using setlist.fm as a barometer, out of all the bands listed on this page, Buckcherry leads with 36 concerts during the first 5 months of 2025. Everyone else is below that, with Def Leppard at 3 shows so far this year. Meanwhile, Napalm Death did 82 shows in the first five months of this year. Guys in their 50s, playing grindcore in small clubs (they recently completed a two month US tour).

I've done 27 so far this year...kicking Def Leppard's ass.

[Van Ailin']

Cory Wong, by far.

[Zinny]

Steve Harris!
In between Iron Maiden tours he tours with his band British Lion.

[Van Ailin']

George Lynch

[Hellsinkey]

That Adam Bomb guy.

Could be. At the moment he's here in Finland playing. He opened a show for Scorpions in an arena, otherwise he's playing clubs here. Tomorrow in Helsinki.

[GoodJudge]

A musician, not a band (albeit he collaborates with others): Buckethead. From Wiki: "Buckethead's extensive solo discography currently includes 31 studio albums. In 2011, Buckethead began releasing albums in the "Pike" series, mini-albums usually around 30 minutes in length, each with a sequential number similar to a comic book. As of October 2024, Buckethead has released 662 Pike albums, including almost 300 live recordings."

I've never heard any, nor any great desire to, but the work ethic speaks for itself.

[Bono Nettencourt]

He's definitely cultivated a cult that he's been able to make a living from.

[Ryan81]

Taking all things into account, like age and need to work hard I’m gonna give it to Metallica. I haven’t really cared much for them post ‘91, but they have always tried new things, toured their asses off and never seem to really call it in. They have been one of the most innovative bands out there over the years and I only wish I was more of a fan because if I was I wouldn’t not be disappointed in what they bring in the way of box sets, tours, etc. I’m sure they could have all kicked back and loved the easy/good life years and years ago but still remain on top of their game.

I would agree. Those guys have toured their asses off! The tour for the Black Album was damn near two full years wasn't it? From '88 thru '94 they have gotta be the band that played the most shows. Mind you on the Black Album tour they were doing damn near 3 hour sets as well and a lot of the songs they were playing were the good ones from the first four albums that required some stamina to play. They were my first concert on the Black tour and I was really surprised about how hard those guys worked onstage.

The post that I quoted above does a better job of explaining it than I did.

[Bono Nettencourt]

Using setlist.fm as a barometer, out of all the bands listed on this page, Buckcherry leads with 36 concerts during the first 5 months of 2025. Everyone else is below that, with Def Leppard at 3 shows so far this year. Meanwhile, Napalm Death did 82 shows in the first five months of this year. Guys in their 50s, playing grindcore in small clubs (they recently completed a two month US tour).

I've done 27 so far this year...kicking Def Leppard's ass.

270 more and you might match their take-home from one show

[jens]

He's definitely cultivated a cult that he's been able to make a living from.

Like a VV with work ethic.

[TravisBicklesMohawk]

ICP
Scorpions
Various K-Pop bands

[kingbrian74]

Sevendust

This used to be the answer....but they have definitely slowed down in recent years.

[Tommy]

Didn't Sevendust get screwed on a record deal or something?

[thebends]

Tesla
La guns
Faster pussycat.


How much can they be making?

[DangerZone]

I’ve always thought it was KISS

[DemonFilth2001]

Mandy Lion

[Wiseacre]

Didn't Sevendust get screwed on a record deal or something?

Weren’t they managed by Jay Jay French?

[Nobodyspecial]

Night Ranger

[CrankerBait]

Bryan Adams doesn't need the money, but he continues to release albums and always seems to be on the road, whether with his band or doing one man shows. Plays everywhere - North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, South America, South Africa - and doesn't dial it in.

[kingbrian74]

Didn't Sevendust get screwed on a record deal or something?

Weren’t they managed by Jay Jay French?

I don't know about getting screwed on the record deal, but I am pretty certain they were managed by Jay Jay French when the first album was released.

[MOON]

Buckcherry is up there for sure...

11 Studio Albums since 1999

Buckcherry (1999)
Time Bomb (2001)
15 (2005)
Black Butterfly (2008)
All Night Long (2010)
Confessions (2013)
Rock 'n' Roll (2015)
Warpaint (2019)
Hellbound (2021)
Vol. 10 (2023)
Roar Like Thunder (2025)

And... subsequent touring supporting all!

They're out every year, every summer, on at least a few different runs!

------------------------

Wednesday 13 is the same... that guy is non-stop!

10 Studio (solo) albums in 20 years... plus 5 EP's, and 6 Live and Compilations, that's 21 total in 20 years!

Plus the Murderdolls releases (2), Bourbon Crow (6), Frankenstein Drag Queens (6) and some other stuff.

He's been on between 40 and 50 releases, and he's not even 50 yet... def a road warrior as well!

And, he tours yearly, not only in the U.S., but England, Australia and all over Europe.

-----------------------

Let's also add... Alice Cooper... that guy is closing in on 80, and tours year round, and is golfing every morning too! Damn!

8 Studio albums with the OG band, and 22 studio albums with his solo band. And I am sure there are grip of EP's, Live, etc...


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Honorable mention... Chip Z'Nuff... he's on the road non-stop... and EZN have a catalog a mile long too!


$tEvil

Came here to say Buckcherry too!

[Bono Nettencourt]

Bryan Adams doesn't need the money, but he continues to release albums and always seems to be on the road, whether with his band or doing one man shows. Plays everywhere - North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, South America, South Africa - and doesn't dial it in.

As a closeted gay, the road life suits him.

[DangerZone]

Bryan Adams doesn't need the money, but he continues to release albums and always seems to be on the road, whether with his band or doing one man shows. Plays everywhere - North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, South America, South Africa - and doesn't dial it in.

As a closeted gay, the road life suits him.

he is?

[demolition23]

The Melvin’s have released twenty plus albums this century, and played over 50 shows so far this year.

Guided by Voices probably more prolific recording wise.

[Bono Nettencourt]

Bryan Adams doesn't need the money, but he continues to release albums and always seems to be on the road, whether with his band or doing one man shows. Plays everywhere - North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, South America, South Africa - and doesn't dial it in.

As a closeted gay, the road life suits him.

he is?

[cowpins]

Night Ranger

Maybe not the hardest in terms of amount of shows, although, a lot, but def in terms of the hardest working every time they hit the stage.