I know what you're thinking. How can a group be a classic rock band if you've never heard of it? By my own definition, a band has to have had a large following in order to be considered classic rock.
There is, I believe, a legitimate subset of bands that were well known in a particular region or country but not, for whatever reason, in the US. Allow me to present, then, my list of the top classic rock bands that you may have never heard, but should!
Tucky Buzzard
Castle US
Under the tutelage of former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman (who produced and played on two of their albums) Brit hard rock band Tucky Buzzard developed a decent following in eastern Europe but never caught on in the US. Three of the band's members defected from psychedelic rock band, The End, another of Wyman's pet projects. During their five-year (1969-1974) life they released four albums and toured, often opening for Deep Purple. An album of "rare recordings" was released in 2005.
Cat Mother and the All Night News Boys
Polydor Records
This New York City band formed in 1967. By 1969, Cat Mother and the All Night Newsboys had a record deal with Polydor, and a debut album that was produced by Jimi Hendrix. The band opened for Hendrix on tour, and by 1973 had released three more albums. They continued touring for a few more years, before disbanding, having had only one charting single, a medley of covers of 50s pop hits called "That Good Old Rock and Roll." Their albums are scarce, generally only to be found on the used market.
Watch a 1968 Cat Mother and the All Night Newsboys performance of "That Good Old Rock and Roll"
Ram Jam
Phantom Sound and Vision
If you know anything by Ram Jam it is probably their raucous rendition of "Black Betty" from 1977. They were most popular in Australia, where their debut album reached the Top 40. They released just two albums and three singles, but they are still a fixture on Classic Rock radio. Their signature song was featured on the soundtrack of the 2001 movie, Blow. Band members included Bill Barlett of The Lemon Pipers and Howie Arthur Blauvett, who was in two groups (The Hassles and El Primo) with Billy Joel.
Moxy
Unidisc Records
This Canadian hard rock band was active from 1974 to 1983, during which time they released five studio albums. Their debut album featured Tommy Bolin, who had left the James Gang and was headed to Deep Purple. Moxy toured extensively in Canada, and to a much lesser degree in the southern US. The three surviving original members reunited in 2000.
The Human Beinz
Collectables Records
They parlayed success as a local Youngstown, Ohio band into a deal with Capitol Records that produced their only album, Evolutions in 1968. The Human Beinz were a big hit in Japan, where they had chart and tour success. Their biggest success in the US was with the single "Nobody But Me" which still shows up in movie soundtracks like 2004's Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and 2006's The Departed.
Lothar and the Hand People
See for Miles UK
Everything about the band was slightly surreal: the name, the look, the music. Formed in Denver in 1965, Lothar and the Hand People became a fixture on the New York underground circuit, jamming with Jimi Hendrix, and opening for The Lovin' Spoonful. They were pioneers in electronic music, making use of a synthesizer -- specifically, the theremin. They recorded two albums and as the '60s ended, so did the band. There has been a resurgence of interest from new fans who have discovered their eccentric style.
