Outside of Aerosmith and The Grunge movement...

[Rockbandfan23467]

What's the greatest American Band?


Aerosmith and The Grunge Movement don't count because they are said too much.

[clashcityrocker10]

I'd probably say The Eagles.
A personal favorite is Bad Religion.

[DarkSide247]

Some are more symbolic...:

The Ramones
KISS
Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention
Kansas

[clashcityrocker10]

Some are more symbolic...:

The Ramones
KISS
Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention
Kansas

How could I forget The Ramones?
The other bands you mentioned are good too.

[afterstasis]

the beach boys and simon & garfunkel immediately sprang to mind.

[troywhalen]

Boston

10char

[Rockbandfan23467]

Boston

10char

I don't get why everyone on these boards loves Boston so much. They are cold, calculating, and corperate. The only thing that Boston has to seperate from the rest of the generic bands is Brad Delp's voice, and they don't even have that now.

[The-Hawk27]

Steppenwolf by far

The Ostrich and Monster-Suicide-America says it all

[Gatorguy91]

Grand Funk Railroad

at least they think so

[SteelersFreak1]

I don't get why everyone on these boards loves Boston so much. They are cold, calculating, and corperate. The only thing that Boston has to seperate from the rest of the generic bands is Brad Delp's voice, and they don't even have that now.

At the time, the first album was the opposite of what was making money. At the time, it was all punk, heavy metal, or prog, they practically invented arena rock.

[WhiffleBallTony]

Grand Funk Railroad

at least they think so

Beat me to it!

I say Metallica.

[Hungryfreak]

Do I really need to say what I think? I'm sure everyone here knows it by now, haha.


















Spoilers:

It's Frank Zappa

[Rockbandfan23467]

At the time, the first album was the opposite of what was making money. At the time, it was all punk, heavy metal, or prog, they practically invented arena rock.

I'm not saying they weren't innovative, they were, Boston is just a marketing construct that hires and fires musicians to serve the musical overlord that is Tom Sholtz.

[a21schizoidman]

I don't get why everyone on these boards loves Boston so much. They are cold, calculating, and corperate. The only thing that Boston has to seperate from the rest of the generic bands is Brad Delp's voice, and they don't even have that now.

can you please just leave....

[JukeBoxHero]

I don't get why everyone on these boards loves Boston so much. They are cold, calculating, and corperate. The only thing that Boston has to seperate from the rest of the generic bands is Brad Delp's voice, and they don't even have that now.

I'm not sure why you think Boston has a cold and calculating sound but eh, that's your opinion so I may never figure out why.

Anyway Blue Oyster Cult is a fairly good American band. Decent rhythm section, great guitarist, nice vocalist, and has some great hooks. Kansas and Frank Zappa among the progressive rock genre are great bands in their own right. Heart(although I think they technically formed in Canada) has some great songs too. The Mars Volta and Spock's Beard are also progressive rock groups that make some incredible songs.(Some on the long side but I'm a fan of long songs).

Going into metal, among California death metal scene bands Atheist and Death are great bands from the early beginnings of Death Metal. The Bay Area and East Coast thrash scenes have some great bands like Anthrax and Testament.

Due to his/their innovation, I would give my vote to Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention.

[a21schizoidman]

anyways:
Boston, Kansas, Zappa, Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, ZZ Top, the Grateful Dead, Van Halen, BOC, the Outlaws, Allman Brothers, CCR, Molly Hatchet, the Doors, Grand Funk Railroad, Billy Joel, Beach Boys, Chicago, Jefferson Airplane....

but

gotta go with The Talking Heads

[Runesmith]

At the time, the first album was the opposite of what was making money. At the time, it was all punk, heavy metal, or prog, they practically invented arena rock.

I agree. Also, Boston is one of those bands that sound nostalgic even if you weren't alive during their heyday. Nostalgia tends to make a band seem even greater than they might be otherwise, especially in retrospect.

With that said, I'm with Rockbandfan and am still not much of a Boston fan, but their groundbreaking (at least at the time) first album probably deserves all the praise it gets.

[Sayburr]

You all are going to hate my answer:

Sly and the Family Stone

This is a band that unified Black and White folks in the 60's and 70's by mixing together the genres of the time. While others were talking about how the war was going on, this band started talking about what was going on at home. Sly Stone mixed the high hopes and the deepest feelings of betrayal that coexisted in America in that time.

Not only did this band blend blacks and whites, it also blended men and women. The second album was their best, mixing Funk, doo-wop, Rock, and horns into a traditional R&B type tempo and sound. The song "Everyday People" from their third album... I think third... I should look it up, was a social commentary on the conditions of American in '69, but it cuts through the cultural biases of the time and reminds the listeners that "We got to live together".

This band played Woodstock dressed like no other band before, and they became superstars. The music cutting through racial tensions like a hot knife through butter.

Yeah, this was the greatest American band just because of what they stood for and how they broke through the culture of the time and made music which both blacks and whites of the time could enjoy.


then, in second place would be the Grateful Dead... a cultural phenomenon in itself.

[defenestrater]

Can we count James Brown? Or are we just sticking to rock and its various offshoots? Even if we were allowed to count grunge bands and Aerosmith I'd still say James Brown.

If we're just sticking to rock-like music then I'd probably say Bob Dylan or the Beach Boys.

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

Bob Dylan? (excluding session musicians)

[GNRrockslife]

Bad Religion
Guns N' Roses
Alice Cooper

[UneasyMonkey]

For Metal: Metallica

Southern Rock: Allman Brothers Band

Overall: The Eagles

Other awesome ones: Boston, Chicago, Doobie Brothers

[ActionJackson]

Lynyrd Skynyrd, CCR, The Doors, Beach Boys, Metallica, Megadeth.

[HyeJinx1984]

Skynyrd, Metallica, The Grateful Dead, Black Flag

[My name is Fez]

I don't get why everyone on these boards loves Boston so much. They are cold, calculating, and corperate. The only thing that Boston has to seperate from the rest of the generic bands is Brad Delp's voice, and they don't even have that now.

Apparently my first post agreeing with this was deleted or just never posted in the first place, so here goes:

Woo! Someone that agrees with me! I live with my girlfriend's family, and all of them grew up on Boston, but they all hate Zeppelin because they're not a fan of Plant's voice, so "Boston v. Zeppelin" is one of the biggest fights in my household that I lose from sheer numbers =p

I wouldn't go as far as to say Boston is "cold, calculating and corporate" but they just come off as bland to me, save for Brad Delp. I respect the talent and innovation the band had, but none of their composition is appealing to me.

[instantdeath999]

At the time, the first album was the opposite of what was making money. At the time, it was all punk, heavy metal, or prog, they practically invented arena rock.

What he said.

Anyway, I've heard the Eagles mentioned before. They might not be my favorite American band, but they are up there.

[a21schizoidman]

You all are going to hate my answer:

Sly and the Family Stone

This is a band that unified Black and White folks in the 60's and 70's by mixing together the genres of the time. While others were talking about how the war was going on, this band started talking about what was going on at home. Sly Stone mixed the high hopes and the deepest feelings of betrayal that coexisted in America in that time.

Not only did this band blend blacks and whites, it also blended men and women. The second album was their best, mixing Funk, doo-wop, Rock, and horns into a traditional R&B type tempo and sound. The song "Everyday People" from their third album... I think third... I should look it up, was a social commentary on the conditions of American in '69, but it cuts through the cultural biases of the time and reminds the listeners that "We got to live together".

This band played Woodstock dressed like no other band before, and they became superstars. The music cutting through racial tensions like a hot knife through butter.

Yeah, this was the greatest American band just because of what they stood for and how they broke through the culture of the time and made music which both blacks and whites of the time could enjoy.


then, in second place would be the Grateful Dead... a cultural phenomenon in itself.
nice pick man

[bierfaht]

Control-F "Springsteen"

are you guys serious? all these bands mentioned while forgetting the quintessential American rock legend that is "The Boss",
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band for the victory

[gusano311]

agree with the sly and family stone. kid rock kings x living colour sevendust 311 tool janis jefferson airplane saliva janes addiction beach boys cheap trick

[AeroZeppelinSevenfold]

Alice Cooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and of course, The Grand Funk Railroad. :D

and The Eagles. and The Grateful Dead.

[afterstasis]

Control-F "Springsteen"

are you guys serious? all these bands mentioned while forgetting the quintessential American rock legend that is "The Boss",
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band for the victory

*and out slides afterstasis' copy of "nebraska" from the shelf, surely not to return for a while...*

[sonicnerd23]

Ratt, perhaps.

[Rockbandfan23467]

Ratt, perhaps.

Round and Round may be the most Badass love song ever but there are tons of better bands.

[lankyyanky]

tom petty and the heartbreakers for gods sake guys

[Zidane]

Ramones
The Doors
Hendrix Experience (Wait, I know he spent some time in London, but that's an American band, right?)

[Rockbandfan23467]

Ramones
The Doors
Hendrix Experience (Wait, I know he spent some time in London, but that's an American band, right?)

The Expirence were British outside of Jimi.

[Zidane]

The Expirence were British outside of Jimi.

So does it count?

[Rockbandfan23467]

So does it count?

No.

Ten Character Limit.

[Alright_Computer]

It's a proven fact: if you don't like Boston, you have no soul.

I've got to say Bruce Springsteen myself, though.

[Hastyl3]

SMASHING PUMPKINS AND MEGADETH...


Metallica doesn't count since Lars is European.

[Shredder87]

It's a proven fact: if you don't like Boston, you have no soul.

I've got to say Bruce Springsteen myself, though.
I don't like Boston....

[AxlVanHagar]

I don't like Boston....


ACK! Shredder has no soul!! It's not human! Run for your lives!!!!:D

[gusano311]

supersuckers zeke bad brains henry rollins band

[a21schizoidman]

since I think I'm the only one who thinks so, I'll say it again:
Talking Heads

[Ramirez16]

Eagles And Kiss

[Fizzeler]

My vote is Lynyrd Skynyrd or Allman Brothers Band

Those seem like the two best other than the big four grunge bands (Nirvana being the best)

[Runesmith]

I don't know who the greatest American rock band is, but The Velvet Underground come pretty damn close. They created and/or directly influenced a ridiculous amount of sub-genres, including glam, post-punk, punk, garage rock, New Wave, hard rock, alternative, art rock, and goth, all without the inclusion of pop hooks. I'd say that's pretty substantial.

Honorable Mentions: Ramones, Talking Heads (You're not alone, Schizoid!), Dead Kennedys, Iggy Pop & The Stooges, Allman Bros, MC5, John Mellencamp, Grateful Dead, The Doors, and Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band.

[defenestrater]

since I think I'm the only one who thinks so, I'll say it again:
Talking Heads

If you get to repeat yours then I get to repeat mine: James Brown :D

[bierfaht]

ACK! Shredder has no soul!! It's not human! Run for your lives!!!!:D

i thought a big legged woman aint got no soul?

[NX013]

I'm not saying they weren't innovative, they were, Boston is just a marketing construct that hires and fires musicians to serve the musical overlord that is Tom Sholtz.

I dont care if someone already commented this, burt with your logic, then bands like king crimson and frank zappa and the mothers fall in the same asrea as boston


edit: anyways Id say Bruce springsteen and the E street band

[kevmaster2000]

My vote goes to the Doors. They may not be MY favorite American rock band, but the way I see it, they are the most important and influential. Although the Eagles, Beach Boys, Springsteen, Sly & the Family Stone, Simon & Garfunkel, the Ramones, James Brown, and Metallica are all very good picks as well.

[Shredder87]

ACK! Shredder has no soul!! It's not human! Run for your lives!!!!:D
You've seen The Thing?!






Stay away from me!!!!!

[gorillawarfare]

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Although the were formed in England and 2 of the three of them were english, they are still and american band. the main creative force in the band was american, which means it is american music, which can only be produced by american bands.

[Rockbandfan23467]

I dont care if someone already commented this, burt with your logic, then bands like king crimson and frank zappa and the mothers fall in the same asrea as boston


edit: anyways Id say Bruce springsteen and the E street band

But King Crimson and Frank Zappa aren't cold, calculating, and corperate.

[Insane3]

I don't get why everyone on these boards loves Boston so much. They are cold, calculating, and corperate. The only thing that Boston has to seperate from the rest of the generic bands is Brad Delp's voice, and they don't even have that now.

I LOVE Foreplay/Long Time because of the intro. I find other songs boring. Or almost boring.

[Insane3]

the beach boys and simon & garfunkel immediately sprang to mind.

I add my voice to this vote.

[Hizaki]

I'd go with either SRV and Double Trouble or Dream Theater. Stevie Ray Vaughan could put such emotion into playing guitar and singing it's ridiculous. And Dream Theater is made up of some of the most talented musicians at every instrument, bass, keyboard, you name it.

[RollingThunder]

Creedence! How could anyone fail to mention Creedence Cleerwater Revival? (if someone already mentioned it, sorry, I was only skimming over the posts)

[HeavyChains]

I don't like those oldies bands so I'll say Bon Jovi.:o

[a21schizoidman]

I don't like those oldies bands so I'll say Bon Jovi.:o

that term really needs to jump off a cliff and die, then catch fire

[OldFogey]

It's a proven fact: if you don't like Boston, you have no soul..

Boston is a soul band? :confused:

I am pretty meh about Boston myself. But they are fun to play in RB. All Scholz' solos sound pretty damn similar -- with that one little pull off turnaround done over and over again. And if you don't know what I mean, play More Than a Feeling.

I don't dislike them, they are just way down my list of American bands.

Beach Boys are tops in my book, as I've already made clear, but I also like mention for Springsteen, Eagles, the Dead, Sly, Allmans, SRV, the Doors and CCR.

But we're missing some classics, folks:


Buddy Holly and the Crickets
The Byrds
Buffalo Springfield
CSNY
Little Feat
Heart
Not sure I've seen Zappa, Prince or REM mentioned, but I may have missed 'em


Lots of great San Francisco bands, too -- Moby Grape, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Airplane, Big Brother.

And what about the great American guitarist fronted bands -- Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani (list could go on).

Frankly, I'm not sure Aerosmith and Grunge bands make my top twenty let alone my top ten.

[Hungryfreak]

I mentioned Zappa, back on the second page. He's my favorite musician, period.

[OldFogey]

I mentioned Zappa, back on the second page. He's my favorite musician, period.

Cool. Figured I probably missed it -- especially since I saw Axl post in this thread :D He's one of my favs, too. From about '67 when I saw him for the first time.

[a21schizoidman]

Boston is a soul band? :confused:

I am pretty meh about Boston myself. But they are fun to play in RB. All Scholz' solos sound pretty damn similar -- with that one little pull off turnaround done over and over again. And if you don't know what I mean, play More Than a Feeling.

I don't dislike them, they are just way down my list of American bands.

Beach Boys are tops in my book, as I've already made clear, but I also like mention for Springsteen, Eagles, the Dead, Sly, Allmans, SRV, the Doors and CCR.

But we're missing some classics, folks:


Buddy Holly and the Crickets
The Byrds
Buffalo Springfield
CSNY
Little Feat
Heart
Not sure I've seen Zappa, Prince or REM mentioned, but I may have missed 'em


Lots of great San Francisco bands, too -- Moby Grape, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Airplane, Big Brother.

And what about the great American guitarist fronted bands -- Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani (list could go on).

Frankly, I'm not sure Aerosmith and Grunge bands make my top twenty let alone my top ten.


anyways:
Boston, Kansas, Zappa, Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, ZZ Top, the Grateful Dead, Van Halen, BOC, the Outlaws, Allman Brothers, CCR, Molly Hatchet, the Doors, Grand Funk Railroad, Billy Joel, Beach Boys, Chicago, Jefferson Airplane....

but

gotta go with The Talking Heads

i mentioned Zappa as well,but I totally forgot about CSN for some reason....

[OldFogey]

i mentioned Zappa as well,but I totally forgot about CSN for some reason....

I shoulda just searched the thread :o

Because the thread seemed to refer to bands, I didn't single out some other all-time greats: Elvis and Chuck Berry, of course, Dylan for sure. Roy Orbison. Everly Brothers.

AND-- I had the THE BAND in mind when I started writing, but left 'em out. DOH! They belong way up on the list. Not sure if they got mentioned, because it's kind of hard to search on "The Band"

[a21schizoidman]

I shoulda just searched the thread :o

Because the thread seemed to refer to bands, I didn't single out some other all-time greats: Elvis and Chuck Berry, of course, Dylan for sure. Roy Orbison. Everly Brothers.

AND-- I had the THE BAND in mind when I started writing, but left 'em out. DOH! They belong way up on the list. Not sure if they got mentioned, because it's kind of hard to search on "The Band"

i didnt include them b/c 4 of them were canucks....

same with The Experience, its a British group

my top 10
10. Molly Hatchet
9. Beach Boys
8. ZZ Top
7. the Doors
6. Jefferson Airplane/Starship
5. Cheap Trick
4. Chicago
3. Grand Funk Railroad
2. Frank Zappa
1. Talking Heads

[OldFogey]

i didnt include them b/c 4 of them were canucks....

same with The Experience, its a British group

Ah. I guess this gets into the definition of a band's nationality. You appear to be using the country of birth of a majority of the members as a criterion. Fair enough. But the Band has always been a funny case for me, because the music itself is such American roots music. I seem to recall arguments about Southern rock that you didn't have to be from the South to play Southern rock (or conversely, that you didn't automatically play Southern rock just because you were from the South).

Jimi also strikes me as a funny case because the leader, songwriter, singer and guitarist was so thoroughly American. You coulda put two Polish guys in the band and I don't think it would have sounded any different.

[Keebler]

tom petty and the heartbreakers for gods sake guys

My God, I was wondering how long it was going to be before someone mentioned them. They have so many hits, so many recognizable songs. Look at their Greatest Hits, for example:

"American Girl" (Tom Petty) – 3:30
"Breakdown" (Petty) – 2:42
"Listen to Her Heart" (Petty) – 3:01
"I Need to Know" (Petty) – 2:23
"Refugee" (Petty, Mike Campbell) – 3:21
"Don't Do Me Like That" (Petty) – 2:40
"Even the Losers" (Petty) – 3:35
"Here Comes My Girl" (Petty, Campbell) – 4:33
"The Waiting" (Petty) – 3:54
"You Got Lucky" (Petty, Campbell) – 3:37
"Don't Come Around Here No More" (Petty, David A. Stewart) – 5:06
"I Won't Back Down" (Petty, Jeff Lynne) – 2:56
"Runnin' Down a Dream" (Petty, Lynne, Campbell) – 4:23
"Free Fallin'" (Petty, Lynne) – 4:14
"Learning to Fly" (Petty, Lynne) – 3:57
"Into the Great Wide Open" (Petty, Lynne) – 3:38
"Mary Jane's Last Dance" (Petty) – 4:32
"Something in the Air" (John Keene) – 3:15

[OldFogey]

since I think I'm the only one who thinks so, I'll say it again:
Talking Heads

They belong in the discussion -- can't agree they're tops, though. Top 20? p'raps :D

[Fathoms]

My God, I was wondering how long it was going to be before someone mentioned them. They have so many hits, so many recognizable songs. Look at their Greatest Hits, for example:

"American Girl" (Tom Petty) – 3:30
"Breakdown" (Petty) – 2:42
"Listen to Her Heart" (Petty) – 3:01
"I Need to Know" (Petty) – 2:23
"Refugee" (Petty, Mike Campbell) – 3:21
"Don't Do Me Like That" (Petty) – 2:40
"Even the Losers" (Petty) – 3:35
"Here Comes My Girl" (Petty, Campbell) – 4:33
"The Waiting" (Petty) – 3:54
"You Got Lucky" (Petty, Campbell) – 3:37
"Don't Come Around Here No More" (Petty, David A. Stewart) – 5:06
"I Won't Back Down" (Petty, Jeff Lynne) – 2:56
"Runnin' Down a Dream" (Petty, Lynne, Campbell) – 4:23
"Free Fallin'" (Petty, Lynne) – 4:14
"Learning to Fly" (Petty, Lynne) – 3:57
"Into the Great Wide Open" (Petty, Lynne) – 3:38
"Mary Jane's Last Dance" (Petty) – 4:32
"Something in the Air" (John Keene) – 3:15

I have the Antholgy of which consists of 34 songs... none of which are you don't know how it feels, or a higher place or you wreck me... Nobody can get your toe tapping like Petty.

[JMcQ77]

In addition to some already said - Simon & Garfunkel; Metallica; REM; and the Doors,

I'll add:

Van Halen

[Tender-Surrender]

Dead Kennedys!

[cdestey]

I don't think I could ever really answer this question, but I'll say CCR just for the hell of it.

And anyone who said The Eagles should be ashamed to have ears.:mad:

[mlothar16]

gonna throw Steely Dan out there

[OldFogey]

gonna throw Steely Dan out there

D'oh!! Great pick.

[OldFogey]

And anyone who said The Eagles should be ashamed to have ears.:mad:

Your Opinion -- I'm no big fan, but I always think artists need to be evaluated relative to their chosen genres (can't compare comedies and tragedies, for example). In their genre -- country/rock, I suppose -- Eagles are tops.

[ShiningIdeal]

Hmmm...

The Beach Boys
Velvet Underground
Talking Heads
The Ramones