While Tom Brady is known primarily for his legendary career and record-breaking success in the NFL as quarterback of the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he has also shown himself to be a fan of rock music over the years. Through his social media posts, interviews, and fashion choices, we’ve gotten glimpses into some of the rock bands that Brady particularly enjoys listening to as he prepares for games and unwinds after them. Though he hasn’t explicitly ranked his top favorites, there are three rock bands that consistently seem to stand out the most for the 7-time Super Bowl champion – AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, and Metallica. Let’s take a deeper look at why each of these bands resonates so strongly with the G.O.A.T.

**AC/DC**

Of Brady’s favorite rock bands, AC/DC appears to be number one. The Australian hard rock legends have been a staple in his pre-game playlists and wardrobe for many years. He’s frequently spotted wearing vintage AC/DC t-shirts, including at his post-Super Bowl celebration parties. Brady has also shared videos to his social media stories of him listening to AC/DC songs like “Thunderstruck” and “Back in Black” in the locker room before big games.

In a 2021 interview with Men’s Health, when asked about his pump-up music, Brady immediately named AC/DC, saying “Thunderstruck” is a song that always gets him focused and energized. He clearly has a deep appreciation for their high-octane brand of blues-based rock.

Some key things about AC/DC that resonate with Brady include their no-frills approach to hard rock, relying on driving rhythms, roaring guitars and Brian Johnson’s raspy vocals. They create the perfect soundtrack for an athlete like Brady looking to channel intensity and aggression on the field. Their lyrics also fit his competitive mindset, with songs celebrating perseverance (“Hell’s Bells”) and not giving up (“Hells Bells”).

Brady has now been listening to AC/DC for decades, having grown up with their music in the 1970s/80s. They were a staple on rock radio and MTV during his formative years, so their sound is undoubtedly nostalgic and motivational for him as well. With over 200 million records sold worldwide, AC/DC is also one of the most popular and influential rock bands ever. Their widespread admiration and staying power over 45+ years undoubtedly appeals to Brady’s competitive nature and drive for excellence.

**Guns N’ Roses**

Another band that seems to be high on Brady’s list is Guns N’ Roses. Like AC/DC, he frequently wears GNR merchandise in his downtime and has shared their songs to Instagram stories over the years. Brady clearly connects with frontman Axl Rose’s powerful vocals and the band’s unbridled energy.

In a 2016 Rolling Stone interview, when asked about his favorite lead singers, Brady immediately named Axl Rose as someone with a truly special voice. He praised Rose’s ability to channel emotion and intensity through his singing. For Brady as an athlete, having that type of visceral music to motivate him makes a lot of sense.

Guns N’ Roses’ blend of swaggering hard rock and punk attitude also likely appeals to Brady’s competitive spirit. Their songs celebrate themes of defiance (“Welcome to the Jungle”), pushing limits (“Paradise City”), and never surrendering (“Sweet Child O’ Mine”). Their rebellious image also contrasts Brady’s buttoned-up reputation, showing he’s not afraid to embrace rock bands that court controversy.

As with AC/DC, Brady has been a fan of Guns N’ Roses since their 1980s heyday. Their Appetite for Destruction album from 1987 is one of the best-selling debuts ever and had a massive influence on the rock and metal world. Growing up with such a seminal band undoubtedly sparked Brady’s fandom. Even in their later years delivering sprawling rock epics, GNR continues to put on spectacular live shows, keeping them relevant for Brady.

**Metallica**

Rounding out Brady’s big three is Metallica. Though he doesn’t overtly promote them as frequently as AC/DC or Guns N’ Roses, Metallica still holds an important place in his pre-game routine. In a 2019 interview with ESPN, Brady mentioned that hearing “Enter Sandman,” Metallica’s iconic closer from their self-titled 1991 album, is part of his must-do ritual before walking onto the field.

The song’s ominous guitar intro and driving rhythm clearly gets Brady’s mind right where it needs to be. Its lyrics about facing opponents (“Hush little baby, don’t say a word”) and emerging victorious (“Exit light, enter night”) line up perfectly with an athlete’s competitive mindset. No wonder it’s been his walk-up song for years now.

Beyond “Enter Sandman,” Metallica’s blend of precision thrash instrumentation, soaring dual guitar solos, and James Hetfield’s gritty vocals provide the perfect high-octane soundtrack for an athlete. Songs like “Sad But True” and “Master of Puppets” pulse with aggressive energy, the type of music that gets blood flowing and adrenaline spiking.

Like the other bands, Metallica’s classic era in the 1980s likely first turned Brady onto their music. Albums Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, and …And Justice for All are still considered some of the most influential metal releases ever and helped define the genre. Their enduring popularity, even after 30+ years, shows how they’ve resonated across generations – including Brady’s.

**Beyond the Big Three**

While AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, and Metallica appear to be Brady’s clear Mount Rushmore of favorite rock bands, it’s worth noting he’s expressed admiration for other legendary artists too. He’s worn shirts and jerseys representing The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Bruce Springsteen over the years.

The Boss in particular seems to be someone Brady connects with. Springsteen’s brand of heartland rock and working-class lyrics about struggle and perseverance likely appeal to Brady’s own background story of growing up in San Mateo as a 6th round draft pick who went on to prove everybody wrong.

Brady has also mentioned enjoying classic rockers like The Who, as well as modern hard rock/metal like Avenged Sevenfold and Five Finger Death Punch. His tastes continue evolving as his career progresses. But the consistent threads are his affinity for iconic bands with anthemic sounds who create high-energy music to channel intensity and aggression.

In Summary

While Tom Brady keeps much of his personal life private, through the years we’ve gotten glimpses of his passion for rock music. The bands he seems to return to most are Australian hard rockers AC/DC, the swaggering Guns N’ Roses, and genre-defining metal titans Metallica.

Their epic sounds, defiant attitudes, and motivational lyrics have clearly resonated with Brady on deep levels and provided him with powerful pump-up music throughout his historic NFL career. Even as he pushes further into his 40s, these bands from his formative years in the 1970s-80s still energize and inspire him. Brady’s love of rock serves as another example of how music can deeply impact elite athletes and their performances.