Who was the best AMERICAN rock band ever?

[boldaslove1977]

Me and the guy I sit next to at work are debating the best AMERICAN bands of all time... based on amount of hits and longevity. We are trying to come up with a top 5...

The names being tossed around so far...

Van Halen
Aerosmith
Metallica
The Doors
Allman Brothers
Skynyrd
The Eagles
Bon Jovi
Kiss
Pearl Jam
RHCP
The Beach Boys
Nirvanna
Soundgarden
Alice in Chains
REM
The Ramones

Bruce & The E Street Band is the source of debate... my co-worker insists Bruce is a solo artist... I told him he's a moron... Tom Petty is a source of debate too...

What do you think? Top 5 American bands of all time.... have at it...

[rwe333]

CCR?

[earferbluz123]

+1 on CCR

[bjjp2]

You missed the answer even with that big list. Creedence.

[fazendeiro]

Spirit

Edit: re-read the op, will withdraw my hasty post.

[boldaslove1977]

ahhh... we felt stupid for forgetting CCR.

The Dead just came up too...

And we said G-N-R should have been on this list... but they crapped out waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too soon...

[Jeff Michael]

All your candidates are neck and neck for second best. But best American band ever is easy: NRBQ.

JAM

[nater9]

We have to define "Hits", and "longevity". The Beatles (I know they're british, not american, but I'm just illustrating a point) only recorded for like 8 years, but you could surely say they have/had longevity. Longevity can be because the band is physically together a long time, or it could mean that their songs will live a long time. Also, some "hits" were big at one point, but are almost laughed at years later, take for instance "Ice Ice Baby", or any Milli Vanilli song.

Having said that, I think you need to consider Journey.

[IGuitUpIGuitDown]

Pat Metheny Group

[rreiser]

NRBQ ! And don't forget THE BAND

[Telebluze]

The Heartbreakers (backed-up Tom Petty and Dylan)

The Band (formerly known The Hawks when backing-up Ronnie Hawkins.....they also back-up Dylan on what some consider to be one of the most pivital tours in rock history.....when Dylan "plugged-in")

Peace,
Ken

[Don P.]

There is only one top 40 hit between the three of them:
Los Lobos
Wilco
The Replacements

[rwe333]

And don't forget THE BAND

All Canadians save for Levon...

[pickaguitar]

One of these...

Van Halen
Aerosmith
The Doors
The Eagles
Pearl Jam
The Beach Boys
Nirvana
Soundgarden
REM

[MBreinin]

Well, it is tough...in terms of longevity or in terms of quality music?

ZZ Top
Aerosmith
Van Halen
KISS
Allmans

These are still out there, rocking. However, not all of the above are the best in terms of musical quality, like KISS for example...and Aerosmith has not made decent music in quite some time (and are apparently broken up, now).

For me, it comes down to ZZ or VH as my all time faves.

Mike

[Telebluze]

All Canadians save for Levon...

Definitely thought of as an American band......I mean, c'mon.....The Night They Drove Ol Dixie Down????

[Telebluze]

Well, it is tough...in terms of longevity or in terms of quality music?

ZZ Top
Aerosmith
Van Halen
KISS
Allmans

These are still out there, rocking. However, not all of the above are the best in terms of musical quality, like KISS for example...and Aerosmith has not made decent music in quite some time (and are apparently broken up, now).

For me, it comes down to ZZ or VH as my all time faves.

Mike

Well said.....I can't believe I forgot ZZ......one of my absolute All-Time Favs!!!

[winstabull]

My top 5 would be

The Dead
Allmans
Eagles
Petty
Van Halen

The Dead could either be #1 or #5 on that list. They clearly had the fewest hits but are tops on longevity. The 'intangible' being that they played every style of American music over the course of their career so that diversity gives them the #1 in my book.

[hippiebob]

I vote for ABB

[small axe]

the beach boys

[IGuitUpIGuitDown]

Definitely thought of as an American band......I mean, c'mon.....The Night They Drove Ol Dixie Down????

And, Neil Young wrote "Southern Man."

Toronto, right?

[nmiller]

Another vote for CCR, though Petty and the Heartbreakers are a solid second.

[Release]

These two are definitely up there:
Metallica
The Ramones

I know metal and punk isn't hugely popular here but the influence that these 2 bands have is absolutely staggering. Nearly every band today that plays heavy music can be traced back to either of these bands.

[bgood]

CCR
Aerosmith

[Phoebe]

Not really a rock band, but The Lovin' Spoonful has always been my favorite american band (save for one Canadian).

Remember:

Do You Believe in Magic?
Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?
Younger Girl
Summer in the City
Daydream
You Didn't Have to Be So Nice
Nashville Cats
Jug Band Music
Darlin' Be Home Soon

Mr. Sebastian is one heck of a songwriter in my book!

[loudboy]

The Byrds
CCR
Allman Bros.
TP and Heartbreakers
ZZ Top

[fenderball]

original allman brothers
grateful dead
dixie dregs

there, that covers it for me

[re-animator]

the beach boys by a HUGE margin. and that's no disrespect to bands like the eagles, the byrds, etc.

[roknfnrol]

Dylan

[timryan257]

NRBQ
Los Lobos
Talking Heads
Little Feat
Sly and the Family Stone

[Laced Senses]

Naturally, the answer will depend on taste and criteria.

My choice would be either Sonic Youth or The Flaming Lips.

[FeloniousBishop]

Skynyrd

[karmadave]

Grateful Dead
Allman Brothers Band

[bjjp2]

Not for longevity obviously, but The Jimi Hendrix Experience?

[Plague Dog]

TOOL without a question...


Me and the guy I sit next to at work are debating the best AMERICAN bands of all time... based on amount of hits and longevity. We are trying to come up with a top 5...

The names being tossed around so far...

Van Halen
Aerosmith
Metallica
The Doors
Allman Brothers
Skynyrd
The Eagles
Bon Jovi
Kiss
Pearl Jam
RHCP
The Beach Boys
Nirvanna
Soundgarden
Alice in Chains
REM
The Ramones

Bruce & The E Street Band is the source of debate... my co-worker insists Bruce is a solo artist... I told him he's a moron... Tom Petty is a source of debate too...

What do you think? Top 5 American bands of all time.... have at it...

[Eskimo_Joe]

ahhh... we felt stupid for forgetting CCR.

The Dead just came up too...

And we said G-N-R should have been on this list... but they crapped out waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too soon...


CCR lasted 3 years. GNR lasted over twice that.

[EJW]

Wrecking Crew, Funk Brothers, or Booker T & the MGs

[gstan]

Little Feat is my favorite American band, but earning respect isn't the same as platinum and gold or radio play or iconic status ...
Skynyrd, ABB, Aerosmith, Eagles, KISS, these groups are the ones with the long careers, hits, consistent radio presence, and relatively broad appeal.
I'd guess the Eagles are at the top when it comes to hits and sales.
The merchandising prize and the award for inspiring a horrible trend of style over substance goes to KISS.:eek:

Chicago? Lots of albums. I only bought the first one.
Heart?
CSN(Y)?
Steely Dan? My second favorite but I think it's a stretch calling the Dan a "band".

The Doors were gone too quick, the Dead too much of a cult following without commercial success.

Nirvanna, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, REM, The Ramones, Pearl Jam, RHCP,??? All third tier, limited appeal/commercial success.
I tend to discount bands whose primary market appears to coincide with the market for "substances", spending mom and dad's money and being alienated/profound/significant/malaised/existential/nihilistic/disaffeced/anomied/isolated,:bong that state of being that tends to resolve when one is faced with the issue of having to provide one's own food and shelter.:thud

I think you have to include Springsteen and Petty if you are going to include Van Halen, and Bon Jovi, the logic to exclude Bruce and Tom would seem to apply to Van Halen and Bon Jovi as well. How about Bob Segar and Steve Miller?

And as much as I hate to mention them, from a comparative commercial/longevity view an argument can be made to consider Journey and Styx.:barf

[Laced Senses]

Not for longevity obviously, but The Jimi Hendrix Experience? I thought about this one, but only one out of three members were American. It's hard to top Jimi.

[AJ Love]

Hits and Longevity is an interesting criteria. And in your first post you said both "American rock band" and "American band"

Chuck Berry
and
Prince

with their backing bands

but seriously, the greatest American band of all-time would be

The Duke Ellington Orchestra
or
Charlie Parker, Max Roach, Dizzy Gillepsie and Thelonious Monk
or
Muddy Waters Band with Little Walter

[bjjp2]

NRBQ
Los Lobos
Talking Heads
Little Feat
Sly and the Family Stone

You know I forgot to mention Talking Heads. They don't seem to get much love around here (not much of a guitar band), but consistently brilliant and ground breaking. Their first 5 or 6 albums are all unique and all masterpieces IMO.

[michael patrick]

And we said G-N-R should have been on this list... but they crapped out waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too soon...

Not if you count all the years that went into the making of Chinese Democracy. That should be a record of longevity for a single album...

[Ephi82]

This is an "old guys" assessment:

-Petty and Heartbreakers (a great "band" with longevity, success, songs that will endure)
-Bruce and E St. (best "band" is the definition, anyone argue they are not a band and an outstanding one at that?)
-CCR
-Doobies
-Allmans

[comatose.jones]

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and it's not even close.
Me and the guy I sit next to at work are debating the best AMERICAN bands of all time... based on amount of hits and longevity. We are trying to come up with a top 5...

The names being tossed around so far...

Van Halen
Aerosmith
Metallica
The Doors
Allman Brothers
Skynyrd
The Eagles
Bon Jovi
Kiss
Pearl Jam
RHCP
The Beach Boys
Nirvanna
Soundgarden
Alice in Chains
REM
The Ramones

Bruce & The E Street Band is the source of debate... my co-worker insists Bruce is a solo artist... I told him he's a moron... Tom Petty is a source of debate too...

What do you think? Top 5 American bands of all time.... have at it...

[comatose.jones]

Thinking of the Band as American doesn't make them any less Canadian.

Definitely thought of as an American band......I mean, c'mon.....The Night They Drove Ol Dixie Down????

[bigdaddy]

Using # of hits as a measurement of the quality of music is sure to lead to absolute garbage. Let's face, the most popular is rarely, if ever, the most musical - which is how i would begin to define best. The market rarely rewards quality. The examples of this are too numerous to list.

The Grateful Dead top my list. Reasons: as stated before, they manifested every style of American music; blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll, country and classical. as for
the Dead too much of a cult following without commercial success. Check some data. They were the top grossing touring act, or in the top 3, for almost a decade ('87 on). That's commercial success.

Bob Dylan is a close second. While he is primarily considered a folk artist he toured with a rock band since the days of The Rolling Thunder Review. Bob captured so many aspects of what it meant to be American throughout his career. His music really has been a soundtrack to the lives of several generations.

Bruce is not a solo artist, he's been with essentially the same band for a loooong time. He also has been a soundtrack to life in America. Gotta be near the top.

The ABB makes my list for longevity and musicality.

I can't label Skynrd, The Eagles or Bon Jovi as the best anything...

[Deacon]

I'd toss a vote in for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

[tnvol]

I'd say either Aerosmith or Van Halen.

[lhallam]

Arguably not rock, but basically a rock oriented audience:

Frank Zappa, bar none.

[jimmybcool]

Well, I know who MY favorite all time American R&R band is. Allman Brothers. Not really a question. But I can respect alternative opinions. BTW, I am assuming individuals ala Hendrix and SRV aren't considered "bands" and as such not listed here or they would also make my top 5.

When I read this thread and started listing my favorite bands I was stunned to realize how many of them are not American,

Beatles
Stones
Led Zeppelin
Pink Floyd
Cream


All came from that little island nation in the atlantic ocean off the coast of Europe.

How could we have created R&R and been so one upped by such a tiny country :stir

[twinrider1]

Hard to argue with Van Halen and Metallica for duration and steady hits.

[fusion58]

I've given this question a lot of thought, and for a while I had The Allman Brothers Band in a dead heat with Aerosmith.

Now I've decided I have to give The Allman Brothers my vote.

To me, the band embodies all the roots of rock and roll and American music while embracing all things progressive.

[teleman1]

Doors, CC&R, Chicago,(the original band only), Bruce & the E-street band, I'm not that great of a fan but I'd have to say The Greatful Dead.

I didn't read but one or two posts and closed my eyes and thought what American bands had the heaviest imprint. The Doors could easly be number one. All these bands have ridiculous potentcy in a live situtation. And each has laid something down on vinyl that are just mind blowing performances,( not necessarily their whole catolog). Again the Doors win casue almost every album is a trip in itself. I'm convince John Fogerty had no clue how good he was, or he would have done better.John needed a more prolific band, even a songwriter to challange him more. As good as John is, I think we would have got something more from him.
Jim Morrison was the quintessetial rock star and had the balls to prove it.

Cansomeone pontificate on the Dead!?

[russiancrowe]

The Grateful Dead
The Allman Brothers Band
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Aerosmith
The Black Crowes (the musicianship in the Crowes is amazing, they play all types of different music from folk to country to rock, they have been around 20 years, they still record great albums, and they among the top live bands I've ever seen)

[NashVox]

Anyone for The Pixies?

[gstan]

The Grateful Dead top my list. Reasons: as stated before, they manifested every style of American music; blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll, country and classical. as for
Check some data. They were the top grossing touring act, or in the top 3, for almost a decade ('87 on). That's commercial success.



I also qualified my position on the DEAD by asserting that they primarily had a cult following. I think your point about the Corporate Dead makes my point. During those years the real money was in record sales, royalties and airplay. They literally had to tour to make money because the ways in which everybody else was making money weren't working for them. They had a different business model and it worked. But they weren't putting out records other than bootlegs of concerts. Radio play other than on college stations? The other interesting thing about the Dead's tours is the large percentage of the crowd that would be at consecutive dates if they were within driving distance. I know a couple of DeadHeads and they would go to every show within a 400 mile radius when the Dead would come thru the South. They said that often from one show to the next it seemed that half of the crowd had come from the last show. I know that's anecdotal, but I've also read articles about the Dead that mention this.

[SwedeRacer]

Definitely thought of as an American band......I mean, c'mon.....The Night They Drove Ol Dixie Down????I would definitely argue that they are the most American Sounding band of all time, even if most of them are canadians. I defy anyone to find a band that combined folk, blue grass, blues and a general sense of American history better then The Band did. You listen to them and you can't help relate to the struggles of the heartland, or connect to past events, etc. Their lyrics cover everything from city living to the civil war to union strikes.

In contrast most other American bands are far more region specific. Listen to ZZ Top if you want to know how people play blues down in Texas, or Skynyrd if you want to drink whiskey and pork chicks in the south.

edit: The dead are probably a close second to the band in the 'Americana' aspect

[ronmail65]

I think this question is about long-term success and iconic status. In my book that has to be Aerosmith. Think about the longevity, their catalog of music, their lasting fame, their break-thru material (starting from '69). They're an iconic household name and, with the exception of a break in the '80's, they're still the same band.

I'd put Kiss, the Eagles, ZZ Top, and maybe Ted Nugent right behind them. There are other bands that are approaching that status such as VH, Metallica, ... If these bands are around in another 10-15 years, are still iconic, and are still putting out great music... well, then I'd add them to that list.

Still some bands' music has acheived legendary status well beyond the life of the band...Skynyrd, Allman Bros., CCR, The Ramones, or The Doors.

[70's Hard Rock]

...Aerosmith

[B_of_H]

the allman brothers or the grateful dead

[gstan]

The Top, I knew I was forgetting one.

[GA19RVT]

If you go by RIAA sales. the top 10 are


Eagles
Aerosmith
Metallica
Van Halen
Fleetwood Mac
Journey
Alabama
Guns N Roses
Chicago
Foreigner
If you go by MY opinion, which is a much better and more accurate measurement, it's

CCR

[B_of_H]

ccr is a great choice as well.

[Tiny Montgomery]

I would definitely argue that they are the most American Sounding band of all time, even if most of them are canadians. I defy anyone to find a band that combined folk, blue grass, blues and a general sense of American history better then The Band did. You listen to them and you can't help relate to the struggles of the heartland, or connect to past events, etc. Their lyrics cover everything from city living to the civil war to union strikes.

In contrast most other American bands are far more region specific. Listen to ZZ Top if you want to know how people play blues down in Texas, or Skynyrd if you want to drink whiskey and pork chicks in the south.

edit: The dead are probably a close second to the band in the 'Americana' aspect

re: your edit-Robert Hunter's historical references were accurate, to boot.;)

[geetarboy]

Pearl Jam

[indyrocker]

Shocked that it took 57 posts to see the Black Crowes mentioned. They are in my top 5.

Skynyrd. Too bad they are so overplayed, but they are probably the best, IMO.

Not sure if it is rock, but The Marshall Tucker Band is one of the finest group of musicans ever...

[furry]

obviously subjective, but it's hard to argue with the Eagles by most standards...

My personal choice would be Jefferson Airplane, but that's just how I roll...

[small axe]

2nd posting.....the beach boys

[bigdaddy]

but it's hard to argue with the Eagles by most standards...

unless your standard is music that doesn't suck. I know it's subjective, but I had a rough night and I hate the f*^cking eagles, man!

he had a tough time securing the rights to Townes Van Zandt's cover of the Rolling Stones (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rolling_Stones)' "Dead Flowers", which plays over the film's closing credits. Former Stones manager Allen Klein (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_Klein) owned the rights to the song and wanted $150,000 for it. Burnett convinced Klein to watch an early cut of the film and remembers, "It got to the part where the Dude says, 'I hate the ****in' Eagles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagles), man!' Klein stands up and says, 'That's it, you can have the song!' That was beautiful".

[Crimson Queen]

The Allman Brothers Band is the greatest american band for my money.

And no, y'all cannot claim The Band. Sorry. Robbie was just reading a lot of books on the Civil War and wrote some songs. They're still canucks!

[deluxemeat]

the hellacopters from stockholm, sweden.

[mikelaw]

All your candidates are neck and neck for second best. But best American band ever is easy: NRBQ.

JAM

Q or J Geils band without question. And the Allmans.

I can't belive I was the first to mention J Geils Band. One of the best frontmen EVER. Noone ever gives him credit but they all stole his moves.

[FenderBigot]

Pearl Jam is probably tops for me... Followed closely by:

The Allman Brothers Band
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
CSN (without Y as he is Canadian)
The Grateful Dead
The Black Crowes
The Eagles

[Ephi82]

Damn,

Forgot the Byrds/CSN/Buffalo Springfield....

Must be on the list

[winstabull]

I also qualified my position on the DEAD by asserting that they primarily had a cult following. I think your point about the Corporate Dead makes my point. During those years the real money was in record sales, royalties and airplay. They literally had to tour to make money because the ways in which everybody else was making money weren't working for them. They had a different business model and it worked. But they weren't putting out records other than bootlegs of concerts. Radio play other than on college stations? The other interesting thing about the Dead's tours is the large percentage of the crowd that would be at consecutive dates if they were within driving distance. I know a couple of DeadHeads and they would go to every show within a 400 mile radius when the Dead would come thru the South. They said that often from one show to the next it seemed that half of the crowd had come from the last show. I know that's anecdotal, but I've also read articles about the Dead that mention this.

There is some truth to that but it is largely overstated. In no way was it half the crowd when they were playing stadiums/arenas. A Dead show was also a huge party that did attract a lot of people who weren't fans, some became fans, some did not.

Clearly the Dead do not measure up on the 'hits' criteria. Thats why I briefly touched on the 'intangibles' that cannot be measured. I'll expand on that -
They were truly inspired by and played all types of American music.
It could be argued they were the first 'indie' band in that they had a DIY mentality to spread their influence without corporate marketing/radio play.
They spawned an entire genre of music, a genre that is one of the most vibrant and diverse in American music today which thrives despite no corporate marketing/radio.
Bonnaroo, one of the biggest festivals in America, can be directly traced back to the Dead as a primary influence.
Several musical instrument/manufacturers (alembic, modulus graphite, Hard Truckers) seemingly (i could be wrong on this) owe their success to the dead playing their instruments.
They were respected by and played with many of the other greats listed in this thread and came to symbolize the 60's counter culture.
Over time many of their songs have become instantly recognizeable even if they weren't chart topping hits at the time they were released.

[scelerat]

CCR. The hits, the lyrics, the beat, the twang, it's all there.

I was gonna say Beach Boys but they're more pop. Same goes for Eagles in my mind.

Pre-Elton John Guns and Roses has to be up there.

I don't understand the hating on late '80s/early '90s Seattle bands. They blew apart nancy poseur lipstick pop metal with Marshalls, Fenders and flannel, defining a sound and an era. What do people mean by rock if not the energetic middle finger of the breakout grungers?

It's really a stacked question. Rock was mostly defined within a ten year window, after which any "rock" band, is inevitably compared to predecessors. The term loses meaning as time goes on and more and more music is written.

[chrisr777]

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[B_of_H]

greatest band imo should be judged by how good you were live and how devoted your fans were to attending concerts rather than other criteria.

[Blues Rocker]

It would have to be the Doobie Brothers or the ABB. If you include the number of hits, then the Doobies get the vote, for sure!

[Blues Rocker]

BTW, 2/3 of the bands on your list weren't even around when the Doobies already had hits on the radio in the mid-70's. They're still performing as great as they ever sounded!

[mondaythursday]

Meat Puppets

[B_of_H]

BTW, 2/3 of the bands on your list weren't even around when the Doobies already had hits on the radio in the mid-70's. They're still performing as great as they ever sounded!

so because they are really old and people liked them 30+ years ago they are great? :)

[Calaban]

Grateful Dead

/thread

[Thinsocks]

CCR?

Not sure if there is a such thing as the "best", but CCR would certainly be my favorite. Although I could say the same thing for The Band, but they're mostly all Canadians.

[Stratobuc]

The Rascals

[Blues Rocker]

so because they are really old and people liked them 30+ years ago they are great? :)

Did you read the OP?

"best AMERICAN bands of all time... based on amount of hits and longevity."

Oh btw, based on the 5,000 people that were at their last concert, more than I must think they're still great! How many bands can you name that were around for the past 38 years are still touring and haven't stopped touring in all those years? :nuts

[Broken Cord]

Arguably not rock, but basically a rock oriented audience:

Frank Zappa, bar none.
:agree

[B_of_H]

Did you read the OP?

"best AMERICAN bands of all time... based on amount of hits and longevity."

Oh btw, based on the 5,000 people that were at their last concert, more than I must think they're still great! How many bands can you name that were around for the past 38 years are still touring and haven't stopped touring in all those years? :nuts


I was kidding around. :facepalm

[Tiny Montgomery]

An off the top of my head top 10, in alphabetical order;

Allman Bros.
CCR
Flying Burrito Brothers
Grateful Dead
Isley Brothers
Little Feat
The Meters
Parliament/Funkadelic
Sly and the Family Stone
The Velvet Underground

[reddgeetarzan]

Mountain and Steppenwolf should be on that list as well

[humbuster]

The DICTATORS

[chrisr777]

Oh btw, based on the 5,000 people that were at their last concert, more than I must think they're still great! How many bands can you name that were around for the past 38 years are still touring and haven't stopped touring in all those years? :nuts

I will be seeing them in two weeks. I saw them opening for ABB last spring and they rocked. They are also releasing a new album next year and there is a song from the new album in their set. It rocks too.


But then some people might consider me really old so my opinion probably won't count. They would be on my list of five though with ABB, The Dead, Grand Funk and CCR.

[greggorypeccary]

Los Lobos!

[Texican]

Los Lobos

[todd richman]

The Black Crowes
Aerosmith
Allman Brothers Band

[suckamc]

Steely Dan... if the count as a band.

[chrisr777]

Mountain and Steppenwolf should be on that list as well

60% Canadian, but formed in L.A. so............maybe.

[Blues Rocker]

I was kidding around. :facepalm

I guess I need a chill pill, then! Thanks!

[B_of_H]

how about this criteria:

- never out of style/uncool

doobies = uncool (much blame goes to cheesy songs and michael mcdonald selling out)
the eagles = uncool (one of the most 'uncool' bands ever: see big lebowski)

ccr = always cool (arguable)
the dead = always cool
pfunk = always cool
the meters = always cool
abb = always cool

etc...

styles and tastes change but some bands never go out of style with young people.

[AnthonyL]

add:

R.E.M.
Dave Matthews
RHCP
Heart
Fleetwood Mac
The Cars
The Replacements
Boston
Steve Miller Band
Nine Inch Nails


BUT............. OVERALL........... that trio from Texas..........ZZ TOP

[B_of_H]

I guess I need a chill pill, then! Thanks!

lol

yeah, no biggie. :)

[FenderBigot]

add:

R.E.M.
Dave Matthews
RHCP
Dave Matthews is from South Africa!!!

[hasserl]

The Allman Brothers, by a wide margin. Their longevity, their music, the strength of the musicians puts them head and shoulders above anyone else. If it came down to a contest, or a battle of the bands, the ABB would blow everyone else off the stage, then they'd kick their asses too. They have no peers.

[AnthonyL]

Dave Matthews is from South Africa!!!

Technically yes, but I do believe he's spent the majority of his life in the States... Additionally, where's the rest of the band from...?

Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is an American jam band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlottesville,_Virginia) in 1991. Founding members were singer-songwriter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer-songwriter) and guitarist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar) Dave Matthews (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Matthews), bassist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitar) Stefan Lessard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan_Lessard), violinist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violin) Boyd Tinsley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyd_Tinsley), drummer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_kit) Carter Beauford (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_Beauford), and saxophonist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxophonist) LeRoi Moore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeRoi_Moore).

[cugel]

the dead

[FeloniousBishop]

Fleetwood Mac


Fleetwood Mac are not an American band.

[franksguitar]

So many on the list and some not mentioned:
Tom Petty
The Byrds
CSN & Y
Derek Trucks Band
Govt. Mule
Eric Johnson
The Winters Brothers & respective bands Johnny & Edgar
J Geils Band
Heart
Blue Oyster Cult

[B_of_H]

Technically yes, but I do believe he's spent the majority of his life in the States... Additionally, where's the rest of the band from...?

Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is an American jam band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlottesville,_Virginia) in 1991. Founding members were singer-songwriter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer-songwriter) and guitarist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar) Dave Matthews (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Matthews), bassist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitar) Stefan Lessard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan_Lessard), violinist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violin) Boyd Tinsley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyd_Tinsley), drummer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_kit) Carter Beauford (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_Beauford), and saxophonist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxophonist) LeRoi Moore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeRoi_Moore).


dmb is an american band for sure.

fleetwood mac is definitely not. :facepalm

[GA19RVT]

Fleetwood Mac are not an American band.


My mistake.

[iamdavea]

I'm going with Cheap Trick--loads of great songs, and a LOT of fun. A big thumbs DOWN on Tom Petty. Ever since Damn The Torpedoes, every popular song he's had sounds like it took the same amount of time for him to WRITE the song as it does for him to sing the song. Simple to the point of stupidity.

[pak1001]

MC5
Television
NRBQ
Los Lobos
Little Feat
Sly and the Family Stone
Spirit

[neville5000]

I like to think it's Derek & the Dominoes. Only Eric was British and they only put out one record, but it sure is a doozy.

[reo73]

I have had this debate before. In my opinion no American Band stacks up with some of the legendary bands that came out of Britain, bands like Zep, Floyd, Stones, Beatles, The Who, Queen, U2, etc. If I am trying to categorize bands that at least try to measure up to some of the "greatness" status of those bands I might choose:

The Eagles
Van Halen
Bon Jovi
Nirvana
Pearl Jam

Overall thought these bands seem to pale in comparison when talking greatness. What America does do well though is produce the Pop star...Madonna, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, etc...

[famouspogs]

I'm amazed that no one has mentioned Funkadelic or anything George Clinton has done.

[jcbaxe]

Alice Cooper
Lou Reed
Grand Funk
Ted
Jefferson Airplane
Kansas
Outlaws

[Kaji13]

Hendrix? Sure he got famous in England, but a lot of his style is American Blues ( and he's American).

[TheGuildedAge]

Metallica and Nirvana came to my mind first, though I am not a fan of either.

[Lucidology]

Dreams ...

[doublee]

THE BAND,

[Brian Maestro]

Blink 182
:hide
:facepalm
:rimshot
:stir

[Shark21]

If you are in a room somewhere and you get to play one band's music in a throwdown, if has to be TOP! Cause somebody will be drinkin' whiskey, swillin' beer, smokin' cigs or stogies, and taking liberties with the gals.

ZZ-TOP! Not my fave, but the right band to answer the question.

[mattmccloskey]

the beach boys by a HUGE margin. and that's no disrespect to bands like the eagles, the byrds, etc.

yup. brian wilson influenced the direction of rock and roll in numerous ways, the beatles might not have reached their own heights without The Beach Boys' influence.

[Steve_2020]

Probably mentioned once or twice:

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

somg great records, somd very good records, some good records - and, - Mainly- thousands of Great Live Shows over the years.

No one could touch him live for decades. Few can come close now..

Disclaimer: Bruce Springsteen/ E Street fan since their show in the Santa Clara Univ basketball gym in 1977. Best $5 or maybe $7.50 I've ever spent on a concert ticket. And that includes the $3.50 Led Zep at Winterland ticket in fall of 1969...Also a Killer show from a great UK band that had about 4, maybe 5 years of peak creativity and live shows- but kept going for 10 years.

imo

[shane88]

by best i thought you meant best :p so i'd like to mention the doors, the stooges, the ramones, the velvet underground & talking heads, the beastie boys, RUN DMC, nirvana ...

[chucke99]

by best i thought you meant best :p so i'd like to mention the doors, the stooges, the ramones, the velvet underground & talking heads, the beastie boys, RUN DMC, nirvana ...

Jimi Hendrix Experience
Soundgarden
R.E.M.
Aerosmith

lol, and on and on.

I'd probably go with KISS. :rockin

[chucke99]

yup. brian wilson influenced the direction of rock and roll in numerous ways, the beatles might not have reached their own heights without The Beach Boys' influence.

Um, no.

[JohnnyGtar]

ZZ Top

[captwillard]

There are so many...

Velvet Underground
Ramones
The Doors
B Springsteen and the E Street Band

[Crowder]

Good to see Los Lobos getting some love here. I would argue that they are one of the most important American bands ever, though their lack of charting success doesn't fit the OP's criteria.

So TP and the Heartbreakers makes more sense to me. Best combination of hits and depth of catalog.

I think Springsteen should be considered a solo artist. We don't think of Nebraska or Tunnel of Love as "Springsteen solo records" per se, even though they don't include the E Street Band.

My brother argues that The Ramones are the most important American band ever, based on their influence and basically inventing an entire genre of music. But they didn't have any hits.

I don't see how anyone could argue in favor of the Grateful Dead. They were practically a jug band. If it hadn't been for their road following, they would have faded out of the public consciousness a long time ago. It could be argued that they never made an important studio recording.

[bsuite]

only a couple of people said Grand Funk RR?
Come on, If you lived during that time they WERE Rock.
VERY famous.

[fyrwyr]

Kansas- especially in prog circles...

[fish78]

Not even close...Hank Ballard and The Midnighters...

[tnvol]

Cheap Trick.

[Probos]

Cheap Trick.

Definitely should be on the list.

All the ones mentioned, VH, Aerosmith, CCR, AIC, PJ, Soundgarden, etc are definitely up there for me. At this point I really think Clutch should be on the list as one of the great American rock bands. Those guys have been doing it since the early 90's and are still going strong. They are road warriors -- awesome, awesome band.

[lougio]

Only one band has it all; longevity, influential, record sales, song catalogue and the greatest live show of all time. And they even tell you at the beginning of every concert. YOU WANTED THE BEST AND YOU GOT THE BEST. THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD...KISS!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/lougio/Picture139.jpg

[Lotis]

Beach Boys.

[regotheamigo]

For me it would easily be Van Halen. Then Soundgarden. I like Soundgarden mostly for how great Chris Cornell's vocals are though.

[TNJ]

I cant name one...I can name five.

James Gang
Mountain
Aerosmith
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Van Halen

Could you imagine a live show with these 5 bands in their prime? :eek: :dude :bow

S.
j

[michael30]

0x6chChxzV0

I've been on a major Grand Funk Railroad nostalgia trip lately. They were actually really good AND were popular.

No Canadian members either:

lMsIrKjSM6Y

[jumpnblues]

Little Feat...hands down. Don't even argue. 'Cause I know everything.


Tom

[Robert1950]

Why the Beatles of,... no, wait, they were from England. The Rolling Stones, yes,... uh, they were Brits too. Well, it has to be AC/DC. What, Australian? Okay, LED ZEPPELIN,... oh, British again. Well then, the Jimi Hendrix Experience! Uh, Mitch and Noel were Limies, yeah, well Jimi was American, so that's 1/3 Yank, right. Good enough then.

[aroman]

My pick

Chuck Berry
Hendrix
ZZTop
Van Halen
Cheap Trick

[Bluedano1]

Los Lobos!

[Roadeye]

+1 on CCR

Agreed

[tnvol]

Definitely should be on the list.

All the ones mentioned, VH, Aerosmith, CCR, AIC, PJ, Soundgarden, etc are definitely up there for me. At this point I really think Clutch should be on the list as one of the great American rock bands. Those guys have been doing it since the early 90's and are still going strong. They are road warriors -- awesome, awesome band.

Although they are one of my all time favorite bands, I don't think Soundgarden was around long enough to be in the running. They sure were killer though. Down On The Upside is one of my top 10 records of all time. Great band. I think Chris is one of the best male vocalists ever. I wish they would get back together.

[dohootowl]

There is only one top 40 hit between the three of them:
Los Lobos
Wilco
The Replacements

Yeah, forget "hits". That's just corporate BS at play.

Los Lobos is up there, and I nominate Little Feat and The Doobie Brothers as well. I put all of these bands at the top because their music is multi-faceted.

[dohootowl]

TOOL without a question...:nuts

[dohootowl]

Did you read the OP?

"best AMERICAN bands of all time... based on amount of hits and longevity."

Oh btw, based on the 5,000 people that were at their last concert, more than I must think they're still great! How many bands can you name that were around for the past 38 years are still touring and haven't stopped touring in all those years? :nuts

Uh, I'm a big Doobies fan and hate to correct you here, but your "haven't stopped touring" claim is all wet. I went to the Doobs "Farewell Tour" in '82. They split up and then reformed in '89. That's 7 years of no Doobies.

[iamdavea]

7 of the greatest years of my life.

[ghostnote]

I'm still undecided, it's either Los Lobos or Creedence Clearwater Revival.

[Rothbardian]

Metallica
Megadeth
Slayer
Anthrax
Doors
Grand Belial's Key
Von
Sonic Youth

[Brooks]

RIAA Top Selling Artists

Artist Certified Units in Millions

BEATLES, THE 170
BROOKS, GARTH 128
PRESLEY, ELVIS 120
LED ZEPPELIN 111.5
EAGLES 100
JOEL, BILLY 79.5
PINK FLOYD 74.5
STREISAND, BARBRA 71.5
AC/DC 71
JOHN, ELTON 70
JACKSON, MICHAEL 69.5
STRAIT, GEORGE 68.5
AEROSMITH 66.5
ROLLING STONES, THE 66
SPRINGSTEEN, BRUCE 64
MADONNA 64
CAREY, MARIAH 62.5
METALLICA 59
VAN HALEN 56.5
HOUSTON, WHITNEY 55
U2 51.5
ROGERS, KENNY 51
DION, CELINE 50
etc...


**now, we REMOVE SOLO ARTISTS & OVERSEAS ARTISTS

RIAA Top Selling Artists (AMERICAN BANDS)
Artist Certified Units in Millions
EAGLES 100
AEROSMITH 66.5
METALLICA 59
VAN HALEN 56.5
JOURNEY 47
ALABAMA 46
GUNS 'N ROSES 43.5
SIMON & GARFUNKEL 38.5
CHICAGO 38
BACKSTREET BOYS 37
BON JOVI 34
DOORS, THE 32.5
PEARL JAM 31
BOSTON 31
DIXIE CHICKS 30.5
LYNYRD SKYNYRD 28
'N SYNC 28
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER 28
BOYZ II MEN 27
BROOKS & DUNN 26.5
CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL 26
CREED 25
ZZ TOP 25
NIRVANA 25
RUSH 25
CARPENTERS, THE 24.5
MOTLEY CRUE 23.5
CARS, THE 23.5
EARTH, WIND & FIRE 23.5
GREEN DAY 22.5

[tnvol]

I'd also like to add:

Sarcofago
Sepultura


...because South America is American, too.

I love Sepultura. "Beneath The Remains" and "Arise" are still in my regular rotation.

[franchelB]

...

Van Halen
Aerosmith
Metallica
The Doors
...
Skynyrd
The Eagles
Bon Jovi
Kiss
...
The Beach Boys


Bruce & The E Street Band is the source of debate... my co-worker insists Bruce is a solo artist... I told him he's a moron... Tom Petty is a source of debate too...

What do you think? Top 5 American bands of all time.... have at it...


These are good choices, but let's not forget:
Creedence Clearwater Revival
The Cars
Styx
Grand Funk Railroad
Three Dog Night

[franchelB]

I'd also like to add:

Sarcofago
Sepultura


...because South America is American, too.

:stir we might as well add:
Guess Who
Rush...
because Canada IS part of North America too! :bkw

[iamdavea]

I don't consider Three Dog Night a "band" in the typical sense; more like 3 lead singers, with sidemen, who didn't write their own songs. I would call them a vocal group.

[Blue Light]

I'm going to nominate the BEST bands i ever saw. Right at the top is Sam & Dave. If you coulda seen them at their peak, you'd say so, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_juH0AHvwk


Other fantastic bands:
Chamber Brothers
Sly & the Family Stone
MC5
Doors
Allmans
Prince w/ Time

I did see James Brown & His Fabulous Flames, and at the Apollo, too, but it wasn't that great a show. Same with Ray Charles. He was a god, and the music was fine, but it was kind of a corny show. Same with Aretha. The band I wished I'd seen at their peak was the Temptations. I've been told their live show was the very summit.

[CharAznable]

Greatest album made in America?
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/5c/a0/4f7a225b9da07ea7aa087110.L.jpg

[zombywoof]

Hands Down - The Byrds

[jtm622]

I don't know who the "best American rock band ever" is/was... but I strongly suspect it is/was probably some band that's been busting their asses for years to get noticed - but that few (or none) of us have ever even heard of... :)

[VaughnC]

"Best" is VERY subjective. However, to me, a "best" band would be defined as one that has a combination of great song writing and how they flesh out their songs. Personally, I love the Beach Boys, the Byrds, and CCR...all in a league of their own. But CCR always reminded me of regular garage band guys reaching for the stars and did a great job at it. Might not have been the greatest musicians per se...but, with Fogerty's hooky songs, and the way he/they fleshed them out, CCR was just the greatest American garage band.

However, from a guitar players perspective, I learned a lot from the Ventures albums trying to figure out how to play the right notes at the right time :rockin ;). Nokie Edwards still amazes me.

And I liked "Blondie" too!

So, I guess "best" just depends.....

[george4908]

I'm gonna say the Bangles, and it has nothing to do with their music.

[57special]

Thinking of the Band as American doesn't make them any less Canadian.

really they were a North American Band. Ronnie Hawkins and Levon were tranplanted Americans in Canada early on, and later on the others were transplanted Canadians living in the U.S.. Robertson also has native blood, which doesn't rally recognize the border, especially in the East.
Acadian Driftwood, a song about French immigrants to the new world being rejected first by their mother country, then the English (Canadians), then the Yankees of the Northeast, before finally settling down in the Gulf, has a scope that transcends time and borders.

A great band, but American? Sorta...

[Marble]

Allman Brothers

[Fuzzhead66]

TOOL

[killermeteor]

Big Star
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
The Ramones
And Though he's not a band, Bob Dylan is an American, he rocks, and he's made some of my favorite music ever.

[mondaythursday]

Greatest album made in America?
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/5c/a0/4f7a225b9da07ea7aa087110.L.jpg

That's a really good one.

[yucatown]

Sepultura is from Brazil.

My vote goes to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, The Eagles, Bon Jovi, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

I love Sepultura. "Beneath The Remains" and "Arise" are still in my regular rotation.

[tnvol]

Sepultura is from Brazil.

My vote goes to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, The Eagles, Bon Jovi, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience.


Yeah. Someone mentioned them so I commented. Wasn't calling them the best American band.

[scottlr]

I don't do best. But honorable mention, since nobody else brought them up, Paul Revere and the Raiders. Hokey costumes, but a solid little 60s rock band with some good songs.

Also Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. I hear his stuff on the radio every single time I get in my car.

[bluesjunior]

As a Brit my top 10 American bands who, in my opinion can compare with the best of British rock would be in no particular order.
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.
Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.
The Eagles.
Little Feat.
Grateful Dead.
Guns & Roses.
ZZ Top.
Allman Brothers Band. (original)
The Doors.

[iamdavea]

Bob Seger is actually not a bad answer.

[anais]

Phish.

[Jazzydave]

Me and the guy I sit next to at work are debating the best AMERICAN bands of all time... based on amount of hits and longevity. We are trying to come up with a top 5...

The names being tossed around so far...

Van Halen
Aerosmith
Metallica
The Doors
Allman Brothers
Skynyrd
The Eagles
Bon Jovi
Kiss
Pearl Jam
RHCP
The Beach Boys
Nirvanna
Soundgarden
Alice in Chains
REM
The Ramones

Bruce & The E Street Band is the source of debate... my co-worker insists Bruce is a solo artist... I told him he's a moron... Tom Petty is a source of debate too...

What do you think? Top 5 American bands of all time.... have at it...

The Funk Brothers.

[coldfingaz]

The Replacements
Young Fresh Fellows
The Ramones
NRBQ
Big Star


To me, rarely does the "best band" have anything to do with the number of hits they had.

[jscorno]

If I had to choose a band to defend the planet in an intergalactic battle of the bands for the future of mankind and life as we know it, I think that either the original VH or ABB would be strong choices.

[CAJUN]

GFR
Van Halen
Aerosmith

[Stratofuzz]

Lots of great bands made in the USA....
Based upon longevity, consitency, productivity and creativity....

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

[ocripes]

The Heartbreakers (backed-up Tom Petty and Dylan)

The Band (formerly known The Hawks when backing-up Ronnie Hawkins.....they also back-up Dylan on what some consider to be one of the most pivital tours in rock history.....when Dylan "plugged-in")

Peace,
Ken

The Heartbreakers backing Dylan: a vastly underated and unappreciated moment in rock and roll.

Another band that never makes the discussion, but always should: Delaney and Bonnie's band w/Radle, Whitlock et al.

[OldSchool]

Duh...........The Allmans easily.

[OldSchool]

If I had to choose a band to defend the planet in an intergalactic battle of the bands for the future of mankind and life as we know it, I think that either the original VH or ABB would be strong choices.

I will concede that............:agree

[bigdaddy]

I don't know who the "best American rock band ever" is/was... but I strongly suspect it is/was probably some band that's been busting their asses for years to get noticed - but that few (or none) of us have ever even heard of... :)

Ladies and Gentlemen... The New Orleans Radiators!

[mikelaw]

Only one band has it all; longevity, influential, record sales, song catalogue and the greatest live show of all time. And they even tell you at the beginning of every concert. YOU WANTED THE BEST AND YOU GOT THE BEST. THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD...KISS!



:rotflmao

KISS, the worst american rock band ever.

[janschfan]

BYRDS!!!!!

[Rothbardian]

Sepultura is from Brazil.

My vote goes to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, The Eagles, Bon Jovi, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience.


...and where is Brazil?


South AMERICA, right?

[bug0711]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cFVm-6HBMqo/R59eW7laOkI/AAAAAAAAAEc/ocUhIDx6NTg/s400/stray_cats.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cFVm-6HBMqo/R59eW7laOkI/AAAAAAAAAEc/ocUhIDx6NTg/s1600-h/stray_cats.jpg)

[shakeshakeshake]

Big Star

[fredgarvin]

It's hard to argue against CCR. They dominated the airwaves for years, sold tons of singles and albums. Not really my cup of tea, but it's not about your favorite band...

[babyslapmafro]

qotsa

[DGDGBD]

All your candidates are neck and neck for second best. But best American band ever is easy: NRBQ.

JAM
I noticed several votes for NRBQ. I saw them live several times many years ago, opening for bigger acts. They were ok to me, nothing special. Have they gotten better? Sold a lot of records or had some hits? I must have missed out on something good after they fell off my radar.

[frankencat]

The best American rock band ever was and is LED ZEPPELIN. Please make a note of it for future reference.



I know, but hey, I love the Zep :D

[brothertupelo]

elvis and his backing band. dylan and the never ending tour band. phish. dmb. bunch of guys mentioned a lot.

[Full Monty]

They may not be cool, they may (for some) personify 'Corporate Rock', but I don't care. The best AMERICAN rock band ever is ..... Journey ..... :crazyguy

[Mattbedrock]

The Allman Brothers changed everything - the first American band to prove they could compete with the Brits and reclaimed American music for America. Duane Allman really is god.

[erksin]

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers

[vulture]

The Heartbreakers (backed-up Tom Petty and Dylan)

The Band (formerly known The Hawks when backing-up Ronnie Hawkins.....they also back-up Dylan on what some consider to be one of the most pivital tours in rock history.....when Dylan "plugged-in")

Peace,
Ken

Dylan actually plugged in with a band loosely assembeled from the Butterfield blues band, this was Newport when he got booooood. Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper were there. Kooper quit because he was afraid to tour in the south. The Band came a little later.

[Thor]

ABB gets my vote.

Though to be fair, I really don't ascribe to the "best" theory on any of this.

[vulture]

1) Jerry Lee Lewis
2) The Beatfarmers
3) Allman bros
4) Flamin Groovies
5) The Band

ps,
Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Chuck Berry
Moby Grape
Link Wray
Johnny Winter

[Lost_Cause]

My brother argues that The Ramones are the most important American band ever, based on their influence and basically inventing an entire genre of music. But they didn't have any hits.

Depends on how you define "hits". They play Blitzkrieg bop at tons of sporting events and it is a killer song. I wanna be sedated is a classic rock and roll song. Beat on the brat. Rock and Roll High School. Rockaway Beach. Maybe not the best but maybe the most important (like the Clash) with Nirvana and early all Cliff up until just prior to the Black album Metallica close behind. Can we cut a band into parts?

Pixies yes
RHCP no
Sly yes
Beastie Boys Yes

Here is one that I would have never considered after Dookie until the last 5ish years but they are currently the most visible and probably important band of the last 17-15ish years and that is Green Day.

[Lost_Cause]

qotsa

They were from another word especially when Nick Oliveri and Mark Lanegan were in the band. Poised to be the best. Now not quite what they were.

Ween
Primus
NWA
Public Enemy

[mikelaw]

I noticed several votes for NRBQ. I saw them live several times many years ago, opening for bigger acts. They were ok to me, nothing special. Have they gotten better? Sold a lot of records or had some hits? I must have missed out on something good after they fell off my radar.

some people just don't 'get' nrbq. it took me a while to get it.

[JSharp3180]

Lots of great bands made in the USA....
Based upon longevity, consistency, productivity and creativity....

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

This pretty much says it all, and they are still as good as they've ever been.

[franksguitar]

Besides many mentioned. As much as they are a corporation The Eagles and other bands that members came from Poco, James Gang. Not to mention other American bands Boston, Ted Nugent, Bob Seeger, Billy Cobham Group, Return to Forever, Steve Miller Band, The Byrds. Also many country & blues artists too many to mention.

[bseamus]

Blue cheer !!!

[acrtl1000s]

+1 to Journey
Metallica
Linkin Park

[Moominpapa]

As a Brit I have no pony in this race: I think it has to be decided between CCR, Beach Boys, ABB, and CSNY.

[B_of_H]

^^^^ I think it's settled.

[Blueser]

For me it's Van Halen.

[zosozep7]

Grand Funk Railroad
Heart

[sralquist]

Grateful Dead - Then
Phish - Now

[Stevie_j]

Black Crowes
Aerosmith
Bon Jovi

ZZ top, skynyrd, CCR and Grand Funk make a tie for 4th and 5th

[JDW3]

The Shaggs

[furry]

Grateful Dead - Then
Phish - Now

sorry, not even remotely in the same league. The GD were game-changers who invented an entire style of music.

Phish is a footnote at best.

[73171]

Forget hits and longevity...I gotta go with the David Lee Roth Band...with Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan !!

[madscientist]

Van Halen
The Black Crowes
Bruce and the E Street Band
The Allman Brothers

[dorfmeister]

Greatest Ever is tough to be objective about but some at the top of my list.

The Stooges
The Ramones
Talking Heads
Television
Patti Smith Group
The Replacements
Husker Du
Minutemen
Flaming Lips
Mercury Rev
Meat Puppets
Beach Boys

Oh hell it's got to be the Velvet Underground.

[talpa]

Stooges

[blhm84]

sorry, not even remotely in the same league. The GD were game-changers who invented an entire style of music.

Phish is a footnote at best.

:rotflmaoReally? I remember a Rolling stone article calling Phish the "most important band of the 90's". They had the largest millenium concert in the country. They continue to be among the top touring acts. A footnote, really? Phish if anything were game changers by being the archetype of the jam band era, and writing different and challening music. And calling GD game changers is a stretch (even though I love the Grateful Dead), but I would still put them among the greatest American bands of all time. Rant over.

[sralquist]

sorry, not even remotely in the same league. The GD were game-changers who invented an entire style of music.

Phish is a footnote at best.

True - GD are the originals and will always be the Greatest for that..

:rotflmaoReally? I remember a Rolling stone article calling Phish the "most important band of the 90's". They had the largest millenium concert in the country. They continue to be among the top touring acts. A footnote, really? Phish if anything were game changers by being the archetype of the jam band era, and writing different and challening music. And calling GD game changers is a stretch (even though I love the Grateful Dead), but I would still put them among the greatest American bands of all time. Rant over.
... But in many ways Phish have taken it furthur. Maybe when Trey and the band have another 10 years under their belts they will carry the mythological weight that the Grateful Dead did.
There is no crime in "standing on the shoulders of giants", infact it's the only way to get higher!!

Grateful Dead:beerPhish

[bigdaddy]

Phish has gone way down hill ever since they lost the vacuum and the trampolines.

[blhm84]

True - GD are the originals and will always be the Greatest for that..


... But in many ways Phish have taken it furthur. Maybe when Trey and the band have another 10 years under their belts they will carry the mythological weight that the Grateful Dead did.
There is no crime in "standing on the shoulders of giants", infact it's the only way to get higher!!

Grateful Dead:beerPhish

Fair enough. Either way, Grateful Dead are definitely among the top contenders for greatest American Band. I would put Phish on a top list as well, although I would not go so far as to say among top 5.

By decade, I'd have to say:
60's: CCR, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and The Beach Boys, Grateful Dead
70's: Tough to do, all my favorite stuff is British dominated, but I'd say Aerosmith, Eagles, or maybe Fleetwood Mac?
80's: Van Halen, Talking Heads, I know I'm missing a good pick here.
90's: Pearl Jam W/o a doubt. I have to say Phish.
2000's: Who cares? To recent to be considered a great band.

These aren't my favorites, but considered from a historical perspective.

[talpa]

My 2nd vote is Cheap Trick.

[Gigbag]

I wouldn't rule out Hendrix because of British band members. Jimi was the key to his awesome band. The Van Halen brothers were not born in the USA. Is the "American" definition = where the band formed?

Longevity is also a tough criteria that needs to be defined. Is thier music still popular? Is the band still together? Does the lack of current hits count against the band more than a band that literally died years ago?


Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Jim Hendrix Experience
Van Halen
Aerosmith
Chicago
Greatful Dead
Lynard Skynard
CCR
Eagles
Allman Brothers

[uncle psychosis]

Any answer other than "The Beach Boys" is wrong.

Never mind Brian Wilson vs Lennon/McCartney. Brian Wilson is better than all four Beatles rolled in to one.

Good Vibrations was written by a 23 year old who was deaf in one ear and never had a music lesson. That still blows my mind to think about it.

[Rick N Boogie]

Grand Funk Railroad. C'mon.

[furry]

:rotflmaoReally? I remember a Rolling stone article calling Phish the &quot;most important band of the 90's&quot;. They had the largest millenium concert in the country. They continue to be among the top touring acts. A footnote, really? Phish if anything were game changers by being the archetype of the jam band era, and writing different and challening music. And calling GD game changers is a stretch (even though I love the Grateful Dead), but I would still put them among the greatest American bands of all time. Rant over.

maybe your right. I don't know. all I know is, the GD were around for 30+ years making music that didn't sound like anything else. and their songs weren't 'different and challenging', they were just good songs.

I've had numerous friends try to turn me on to Phish, and I find them utterly unlistenable.

and packing stadiums doesn't mean jack. Miley Cirus packs stadiums...

[zepsongs]

Gigbag, Petty is from Florida

Neil Young is from Canada :bonk

[anxiousmofo]

Without a question, THE GRATEFUL DEAD.

[sralquist]

Phish has gone way down hill ever since they lost the vacuum and the trampolines.

looks like trampolines to me ...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t289/seanalquist/19670_233124576289_6458611289_36921.jpg
and isn't that an Electrolux!? pics from NYE run in miami 2009
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t289/seanalquist/19670_229132276289_6458611289_36738.jpg

Fishman gets in disco ball and prepares to be shot out of a cannon NYE !!!
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t289/seanalquist/19670_232981116289_6458611289_36908.jpg

Phish - The Greatest Touring Rock n Roll band in the world.

[oslo]

I think we all know it's the Jonas Brothers! A clear winner to me!

[WoodyTone com]

ZZ Top, no question. Also on my list would be Van Halen, Lynyrd Skynyrd and, yes, KISS.

[getbent]

The Byrds


this.

[Frankenstrat2]

Beach Boys defined THE sound of American rock n roll for generations.
Jimi, of course, but more for guitarists than Americans.
The Beach Boys were the American Beatles of that era, and their legacy is still part of our daily soundtrack and always will be- just like Elvis, Blues and Do-Wop.
Tom Petty carries the torch, but not as up front in the pure American consciousness. Same with Aerosmith and others.

[small axe]

i say again beach boys

[Jahn]

I'll vote for the Beach Boys too. When that sound came washing over the waves, kids all over the world wanted to be in California surfin' those waves, cruisin' a a T-Bird...heck they still do. Jimmy Buffet is still a distant second when it comes to beach bum music...well, Bob Marley is #1, but that's a Jamaican band.

[amc]

bruce springsteen and the e street band.

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Grand Funk Railroad
Heart



Thumbs up on that!


Van Halen in later years.

[guzman]

NICKELBACK! and yes i'm serious !




















in fact, i'm not.

[tedmcardle]

+1 for Bruce http://thefreeimagehost.info/images/101