Appearing in The Simpsons is a surefire way to know your band has made it to the top. Recently we told you how Coldplay had just joined the illustrious ranks of Simpsons cameos.  But here a ten others who have been on the show, plus a little insight into  what happened….

1. Spinal Tap in “The Otto Show” (Season Three)

After he kills Spinal Tap in a bus crash, it’s revealed that Otto the bus driver doesn’t have a license, forcing him to lose his job and reevaluate his life. Tap bassist Derek Smalls is played by Harry Shearer, who does a ton of voices on The Simpsons, including Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner, Smithers and Ned Flanders.

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers in “Krusty Gets Kancelled” (Season Four)

After Krusty the Klown’s show gets canceled, the Simpsons recruit his celebrity friends, including The Chilis, to appear on a comeback special. In reference to their occasional nude antics, the band is shown in their underwear throughout the episode.

3. The Ramones in “Rosebud” (Season Five)

Mr. Burns discovers that his beloved childhood teddy bear Bobo, whom he lost years ago, has fallen into the possession of Maggie. He does everything in his evil power to get Bobo back from the baby. At the show’s opening, The Ramones play a birthday party for Mr. Burns, performing a punk rock version of “Happy Birthday to You.”

4. Smashing Pumpkins in “Homerpalooza” (Season Seven)

Determined to prove he’s still hip, Homer takes his kids to an alternative-rock festival show. His ability to survive being shot in the stomach with a cannon lands him a spot on the festival bill, where he befriends the Pumpkins.

5. U2 in “Trash of the Titans” (Season Nine)

Homer decides to run for sanitation commissioner. As part of his hapless campaign, he hijacks a U2 concert to get his message across. Spoofing his self-serious, socially-conscious persona, Bono demands that the band’s fans listen to Homer’s crackpot message because trash “affects the whole damn planet.” The Edge, looking annoyed, murmurs, “Oh, here we go …”

6. The Who in “A Tale of Two Springfields” (Season 12)

Angered that the city now has two area codes, Homer leads a rebellious faction that splits from Springfield, forming their own (poorly run) town known as New Springfield. As a way to make Springfield jealous, Homer tricks The Who into playing New Springfield.

7. R.E.M. in “Homer the Moe” (Season 13)

Moe decides his bar needs to be revamped into a snooty, upscale establishment. Annoyed, Homer starts his own bar in his garage, inviting REM to perform. In another great example of a band tweaking its image, Michael Stipe gets angry and breaks a bottle in half, preparing to use it as a weapon. The other band members restrain him, as guitarist Peter Buck says, “That’s not the R.E.M. way.” Embarrassed, Stipe replies, “You’re right. Let’s recycle those shards and get out of here.”

8. The Rolling Stones in “How I Spent My Strummer Vacation” (Season 14)

Depressed that his family has sucked the spontaneity from his life, Homer goes to a rock fantasy camp run by the Stones' Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. They get big laughs playing the aging-songwriting version of an adorable old married couple.

9. Metallica in “The Mook, the Chef, the Wife and Her Homer” (Season 18)

Metallica appearance had nothing to do with the actual plot: Otto drives by the band as they stand by their broken-down tour bus. When he offers them a lift, James Hetfield responds warily, “We don’t take rides from strangers.” Also, we learn that if you have ever waved a lighter during a Metallica concert, the band members will instantly recognize you and remember your exact seat number.

10. The White Stripes in “Jazzy and the Pussycats” (Season 18)

Bart becomes a world-class drummer, joining a jazz ensemble and hanging out with the White Stripes The rock showdown between Bart and the White Stripes mimics the group’s stop-motion video for “The Hardest Button to Button.”