The timeframe is over NME’s lifespan, so that’d be the last 60 years!
I don’t know how exactly this is going to end up, but as of about 9 PM EST, the readership of NME has assembled a singularly fantastic playlist:

(Click to enlarge)
The only band on their twice? The Smiths, because The Smiths were a great band.
I kindof just want to make this playlist, additionally.
You can vote over at NME.