Rock This Way

A lot of water has flowed under the Mass. Ave. Bridge since the Standells cranked out their immortal three-chord ditty. Lovely, raunchy water, infected with a garage guitar spirit — Aerosmith, the Lemonheads, Dropkick Murphys. But while Boston's soul is long and truly pledged to rock, that's only one side of the iPod. Our city has been the cradle of folk singers and disco divas, metalheads and hip-hop stylists. And, of course, boy bands.

With all respect to the Handel and Haydn Society, the symphony, and the good people of the Regattabar and Wally's, here are 15 acts that have defined the city's musical past or are blazing their way onto today's TRL countdown. A few may surprise (who the hell is Godsmack?), some omissions may be controversial (no James Taylor? no Throwing Muses?), and you already know about Aerosmith. Whatever your taste, this is our pick of the rest of the best of the Boston Sound. Plus, check out the 50 greatest Boston songs of all time, and get free music from some of the city's hottest bands.

15 all-time Boston Musicians we love*
*Obviously, In no particular order — and not including Aerosmith.

1. Boston
Formed in — surprise — Boston in the early 1970s with a lineup of Tom Scholz, Fran Sheehan, Brad Delp, Barry Goudreau, and Sib Hashian, the group staked its claim in the classic rock sound: powerful vocals, drums, bass, and lead guitar. Powerful everything, come to think of it. High Point: Boston's debut release, in 1976, sold more than 16 million copies thanks to songs like "More Than a Feeling." Low POINT: In the mid-'80s, after Sheehan, Hashian, and Goudreau left the group, Scholz won the right to record and tour under the Boston name. His old bandmates sued him. Legacy: One of the great classic-rock acts of all time.

2. Mission of Burma
Art-punk smarty-pantses Roger Miller, Peter Prescott, Clint Conley, and Martin Swope united in 1979 to make a joyful, jittery noise. Their debut single, "Academy Fight Song," made them darlings of the American underground scene. High Point: Despite Burma's relative obscurity, the EP Signals, Calls, and Marches and the album Vs. inspired myriad post-punk outfits, including REM. Low POINT: Burma disbanded in 1983 after Miller developed painful tinnitus. Legacy: Critic Michael Azerrad's book Our Band Could Be Your Life trumpeted Burma's importance, and the band reunited in 2002. Obscure no more, Burma performed to large audiences before releasing 2004's On Off On. A follow-up is in the works.

3. Donna Summer
The Queen of Disco was born LaDonna Andre Gaines and grew up in Mission Hill. She sang in the church choir, developing the vocal range that powered her X-rated moaning on "Love to Love You Baby," her very first hit in America. High Point: In 1979 Summer became the first woman to ever have three songs hit number one in the same year. Bad Girls, her double album, also topped the charts that year. Low POINT: In the mid-'80s, the born-again Summer reportedly said the AIDS epidemic was God's punishment for gays. She has always denied making the comment. Legacy: Apart from the odd ironic theme night, disco is long since dead and buried. Still, Summer has a reputation as a skilled songwriter, and as a lasting talent in the genre.