Earlier this month BBC Radio 2 listeners were granted with the power to vote for their ‘Ultimate British Group’ ahead of this year’s National Album Day on October 19. The initial long list featured nearly over 100 artists but was whittled down to a final list of 54 acts by a panel of various Radio 2 presenters, featuring Jo Whitley, Vernon Kay, Sara Cox and Scott Mills.
For an act to qualify, a British group was defined as an “act containing two or more members that is made-up wholly of, or where the majority are, people who were or, live or hold British citizenship”. With that being said, the shortlisted groups span multiple decades, 1960s-2010s, and diverse genres. The selection process was compiled from the top timeless tracks played on Radio 2 throughout the years and the most Successful British Groups on the Official Albums Chart.
The top 20 groups were announced on October 11 by Mark Goodier and recorded for the release of a special episode broadcast on Radio 2 on October 19 at 1-3pm.
The results to the poll are almost unsurprising given the amount of legacy acts from the UK. As votes came in in their thousands, Radio 2 fans crowned The Beatles as their ‘Ultimate British Group’.
The second spot was earned by Queen, the third by The Rolling Stones, the fourth by Pink Floyd and the fifth by Fleetwood Mac. It is apparent Radio 2 listeners are partial to their mid-twentieth century classic-rock.
The Liverpudlian four-piece topped the poll ahead of many iconic bands from the UK, but this is no surprise given their continued legacy in the twenty-first century. Formed in 1960 comprised of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon, The Beatles remain one of the best-selling music acts of all time, along with one of the most successful and influential groups.
Remembered for their legendary hits, ‘Here Comes The Sun’, ‘Let It Be’, ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Yesterday’, to name a few, The Beatles became a household name across the world for their success’ influence in the transformation of fan culture, with Beatlemania in 1960s America, along with their punchy socially-conscious tunes which dominated the charts.
The Beatles have 16 UK Number 1 albums, more than any other UK act, and 18 UK Number 1 singles. Their legacy is ever-present to Radio 2 listeners and music enjoyers, not only does Paul McCartney still perform Beatles hits during his latest ‘Got Back’ tour, but their last single ‘Now and Then’, released in November 2023, climbed to Number 1 on the UK Official Single Chart within a week of its release. Its release set a new record for The Beatles, with the longest time span between an artist’s first and last Number 1, ‘Now and Then’ gained its Number 1 spot on the Official Chart 60 years and 6 months after The Beatles’ first Number 1 track, ‘From Me To You’ in May 1963.
The Radio 2 poll highlights the amount of eclectic acts which continue to remain prominent to music culture in the UK. The top 20 featured other notable acts including Oasis, Take That, The Cure and The Jam.
The Radio 2 poll reveals The Beatles remain a significant timeless band which continue to captivate multi-generational audiences.
The top 20, as voted for by Radio 2 listeners:
- The Beatles
- Queen
- The Rolling Stones
- Pink Floyd
- Fleetwood Mac
- Led Zeppelin
- That That
- Coldplay
- Oasis
- Electric Light Orchestra
- The Who
- Depeche Mode
- The Jam
- Radiohead
- The Smiths
- Genesis
- Pet Shop Boys
- The Cure
- Duran Duran
- Madness
