BBC Radio Listeners Crown Ultimate British Band and It’s Exactly Who You’d Expect

BBC Radio 2 listeners in the U.K. have named their Ultimate British Band, along with 29 others, to celebrate National Album Day, which falls on October 19. National Album Day 2024 is celebrating British bands, and a BBC Radio poll asked listeners to name their favorites. Unsurprisingly, The Beatles came out on top.

The beloved foursome received hundreds of thousands of votes, according to the BBC. Coming in at No. 2 is Queen, then The Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd. Fleetwood Mac made the No. 5 spot, considering that many of their members were either born or lived in the U.K.

BBC Radio will broadcast the top 30 artists on October 19, but the playlist is available now as well on BBC Sounds. There’s also the playlist Your Ultimate British Group: The Extras, which is comprised of chart positions 30 through 54. This collection is also available on BBC Sounds.

“We have absolutely loved seeing the Radio 2 listeners cast hundreds of thousands of votes for their Ultimate British Group, and this Top 30 chart reflects some of music’s biggest-selling, most loved and established British artists who have achieved incredible success globally across the decades,” said Head of Music for BBC Radio 2, Jeff Smith.

[RELATED: The Beatles’ Song Paul McCartney Couldn’t Remember Writing (But He Probably Did)]

The Beatles’ John Lennon Would Have Been 84 This Year; Friends, Sons Share Memories

October 9 was John Lennon’s birthday, and he would have been 84. Friends and family paid their respects to the late musician on social media, while around the world tributes and homages rolled in. Sean Ono Lennon released meditative mixes of his father’s 1973 song “Mind Games,” announcing the vinyl box set as well. Additionally, Paul McCartney and Lennon’s eldest son Julian paid their respects.

McCartney posted a photo of himself at one of his concerts, performing with an image of Lennon performing during The Beatles’ famous rooftop concert projected behind him on the screen. “Happy Birthday, John. Thanks for being there,” he added simply. That image comes from an interesting segment of McCartney’s live shows. He will play the Beatles song “I’ve Got a Feeling” as a virtual duet with Lennon, using footage from the rooftop.

Sean also shares an October 9 birthday with his father, and his older brother Julian shared photos of them together on his Instagram. George Harrison’s social media page also acknowledged Sean and John’s birthday, posting photos of them side by side.

Featured Image by Universal Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images; John Rodgers/Redferns