bands in my opinion, I was conflicted with that though. You could put Billy Joel in there too. They we great but they were hired guns that supported the main act not as collaborative.
They’re all really good bands, but The Eagles were like the American version of the Beatles and so I would have to say The Eagles.
There were so many other great, great American Bands.......Journey, The Doors, Heart, CS&N, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Bon Jovi, Springsteen & the E-Street Band, The Beach Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots, Billy Joel, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, Van Halen, CCR, Chicago, just to name a few.
agree with this for peak GnR which lasted a whopping 1 album. Appetite for Destruction is probably the greatest American rock album ever, but Lies, and the Use your Illusions, etc. weren't close.
I think Appetite for Destruction fares well against the greatest rock albums of all time, not just American but worldwide. In the entire decade of the '80's maybe Back in Black is close, I wouldn't argue with those who have Back n Black ahead of Appetite for Destruction but then when you look for a better rock album you're into Zeppelin, Sabbath, the Who, and your into the all-time greats.
have some good songs but a lot of what the blazed led to the worst Rock and Roll we ever had. You can blame White Snake, Poison and Skid Row on Van Halen. Blue Oyster Cult and Boston were on the bubble. VH was never in the running.
They're good at best. Not close to classics. Not in the same stratosphere as Appetite for Destruction.
Appetite for Destruction compares favorably to some bands greatest hits albums. It's like Clash London Calling in you can listen to every single song without one time forwarding to the next one.
Lies and both Use your Illusions have a couple good songs.
have some good songs but a lot of what the blazed led to the worst Rock and Roll we ever had. You can blame White Snake, Poison and Skid Row on Van Halen. Blue Oyster Cult and Boston were on the bubble. VH was never in the running.
VH only with DLR. I don’t even recognize their post-DLR years.
On the link I provided of rankings of everybody that participates. Van Halens 1984 ranked higher than apptetite for destruction. 1984 imo is not even their best album. It's not even close.
Van Halen is absolutely a pioneering band and one of the best of all time.
GNR had one album that was good.
Also Slash is completely overrated as a guitarist.
That is my opinion. But VH is superior to GNR and it's not even close.
Kansas. And no other band out of the U.S. comes close. Their first 5 albums are some of the best recorded music by any rock band on the planet over the last 50 years, in my opinion.
Is lightyears ahead of anything else listed in this thread, the doors being the only ones even near the same realm.
Also you are all sleeping HARD on tenacious D who flat out destroy most of these bands as well.
Can we count Greta Van Fleet too? I mean they're practically a cover band but no one can imitate Zeppelin like them and that is a monumental W in my book.
I read an article on the top selling albums of all time (they usually update the list every 5-years or so) The Eagles had the #1 Album (Eagles Greatest Hits 71-75) and the #4 Album (Hotel California).
1. Tom Petty.... long history, great song-writing, great live band. Best Album: She's the One soundtrack
2. Eagles Hotel California
3. Beach Boys Pet Sounds
4. Fountains of Wayne Welcome Interstate Managers
5. Buddy Holly Short, but brilliant career
6. Raspberries
7. Steely Dan
8. Byrds / Buffalo Springfield / CSN / CSNY
Others: The Dead.... only if you're baked... straight, its endless noodling.
Springstein.... I liked Nebraska. Just don't get it, I guess. Kiss... novelty act.
Monkees... love the music, but they didn't write or perform hardly any of it
For the sole reason they produced a top three rock album of all time according most people in the industry, including Rolling Stone. Most industry people put it at the second best record ever. Pet Sounds. Plus all the other hits they had. Hell even the Beatles, after hearing Pet Sounds, made them do Sgt Peppers. Paul McCartney called God Only Knows his favorite non Beatles song ever.
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band
Grateful Dead
Allman Brothers
The Eagles deserve mentioning for all their hits but just a bit too soft rock/pop for me to consider them a top "rock" band. I know they're considered R&R and no problem with that, they just don't rock enough for me.
The Van Halen Brothers are from the Netherlands & the Jimi Hendrix Experience was two thirds British
Van Halen is an American band. They were formed in Pasadena. The brothers may have been born in Holland but they moved to the Us when they were 7 and 9.
which to me means that most people are likely posting about their favorite American bands rather than the "best" (whatever that means anyway). In any event, if I had to pick a favorite, I would have to go with Steely Dan (arguably not even a band - lol).
They were incredible. The Beach Boys had some great tunes but also had a lot of cheesy songs. The Velvet Underground also incredible, as well as Lou Reed solo.
1. The Pixies
2. The Velvet Underground and Lou Reed solo
3. Guided By Voices
4. Janes Addiction
5. The Ramones
So many more incredible bands, especially out of the 80s and 90s, it really comes down to taste. One person could say this band is the greatest and he next guy hates them. Fun reading though.
for me it comes down to Aerosmith and the Allman Brothers band. The original line up of the Allman Brothers (with Duane Allman and Berry Oakley) were by far better group of musicians (as a whole) but, I am not sure they were a rock band(?) - they were a GREAT Blues band. I have to go with Aerosmith.
RE: In honor of the great McKee it must be said... Â
And appetite for destruction is an American classic, but they aren’t as good as Van Halen for one simple reason— GNR didn’t produce the quantity of good music that VH produced. GNR has what, 3-4 good albums? Really 3 if you count use your illusion as two. Spaghetti and lies are ok. Then you have VH with VH 1 and 2, women and children first, fair warning, diver down and 1984. That’s five right there. 5-3 wins.
Not really rock and roll; however, way above the level of just about everything listed here. The elite musicians have traveled through this band. Many names to long to list.
Not really rock and roll; however, way above the level of just about everything listed here. The elite musicians have traveled through this band. Many names to long to list.
I kind of get where you are coming from. I don't think an album like Gaucho (for example) is really a rock album, but I think their first five albums were definitely rock albums. They were unique. Almost their own genre of music.
If you take into account longevity, amount of hits, crossover to different type of fans, and subject matter they sang about hard to not go with the Beach Boys as the greatest American Band of all time.
I don't think the majority of these bands qualify as rock bands, but maybe people are using the rock n roll hall of fame definition and just listing American bands.
either way, good discussion. and if McKee was still here and actively posting he'd make most of the people who posted on this thread feel bad for their opinions.
They were the original jam band, and they have combined nearly every genre of music within their sound through the years. I started seeing them in 1969, and went to their concerts regularly until Jerry Garcia died in 1995....I still go to their side bands today!
Bob Seeger and the Silver Bullet
Fleetwood Mac
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Eagles
Seen them all live in there prime
The Doors Who I didn't get to see sadly LA Woman Amazing Lp
Jimi Hendrix the Other I din't get to see Sadly ...
I don't think the majority of these bands qualify as rock bands, but maybe people are using the rock n roll hall of fame definition and just listing American bands.
either way, good discussion. and if McKee was still here and actively posting he'd make most of the people who posted on this thread feel bad for their opinions.
Nah. Unless there are criteria, it is impossible for there to be any right or wrong answers. It's 100% subjective - a list of favorites, really, but people can't argue about their favorites, so "best" is used instead. :) All of these "best" lists are silly to me. Best guitarist, best type of food, best movie, etc.
my greatest american band list in order
1. grateful dead
2. allman brothers
3. springsteen e street band
4. guns n roses
5. eagles
6. dave matthews band
7. skynard
8. ccr
9. petty/ heartbreakers
10. too many options from here on out
Allman's are a better technical band up til Duane died and some of the Derek Trucks years, but material matters and they only wrote a handful of great songs themselves, some of their best work covers.
If you've seen Bruce and E Street live, this isn't a competition.
And Mick Fleetwood is British so even though they found more success in America and had American members they wouldn't truly be an American band
Amazing how the band was really known by Peter Green, expert british blues guitarist, then became a california pop band. Without Buckingham they are nothing though.
the Allman brothers while technical were no match Â
for E street. I saw Springsteen open up for the Allman Brothers at the Sunshine inn In Asbury Park and Bruce , i'm not kidding, Blew them away.
He was just a kid circa early 70's
The Allman Brothers Band. Just listen to Live at The Fillmore East - 1971
I was at those shows. I still remember when they announced that they were recording it for an album, and the audience went nuts.
One of the greatest gifts of my life was being in NYC during the village era and then the Fillmore years. Man, that was special.
I am so envious ... and I am never envious. Some of the album if you listen to is is a little sloppy in parts - NOT THE PLAYING ... The production part, the mix.. But, to see it all live must have been a transcendent experience. Wow ...
One of the real downsides to a New Jersey-heavy posting population is the slobbering adolation for that mediocrity.
The correct answer is the Ramones.
No. It is not The Ramones. The category was 'Best' American Band of all-time. Not 'Favorite' American band of all time.
Best is subjective of course, but in an honest assessment, you'd be taking talent, impact, studio and live performance into account. Most on this thread seem to have followed that formula.
Ramones were a one-trick pony. They had impact, they were great live, but seriously limited in talent and after their first few albums, were obviously not capable of growth as artists. They were hogtied by their limitations, couldn't create beyond their small box and in the end, became caricatures of themselves.
Also, it's Aerosmith.
As a rock "dinosaur" I might put the Doors up there and maybe even the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
There were so many other great, great American Bands.......Journey, The Doors, Heart, CS&N, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Bon Jovi, Springsteen & the E-Street Band, The Beach Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots, Billy Joel, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, Van Halen, CCR, Chicago, just to name a few.
Pretty uninspiring list.
Jimi Hendrix and the Experience
Prince and the Revolution
Link - ( New Window )
In comment 14186652 Tom from LI said:
agree with this for peak GnR which lasted a whopping 1 album. Appetite for Destruction is probably the greatest American rock album ever, but Lies, and the Use your Illusions, etc. weren't close.
I think Appetite for Destruction fares well against the greatest rock albums of all time, not just American but worldwide. In the entire decade of the '80's maybe Back in Black is close, I wouldn't argue with those who have Back n Black ahead of Appetite for Destruction but then when you look for a better rock album you're into Zeppelin, Sabbath, the Who, and your into the all-time greats.
They're good at best. Not close to classics. Not in the same stratosphere as Appetite for Destruction.
Appetite for Destruction compares favorably to some bands greatest hits albums. It's like Clash London Calling in you can listen to every single song without one time forwarding to the next one.
Lies and both Use your Illusions have a couple good songs.
not 100% American especially back when they were popular.
If you want to make a case for CCR, and you could, you link as evidence track one, side one, of Cosmo's Factory...
Ramble Tamble - ( New Window )
VH only with DLR. I don’t even recognize their post-DLR years.
Van Halen
Jefferson Airplane
oops... maybe they aren't an American group? oh well...
(1) Light My Fire
(2) People Are Strange
(3) Love Me Two Times
(4) Hello, I Love You
(5) Touch Me
(6) Love Her Madly
(7) Riders on the Storm
But if you asked: What is my favorite American rock group?
Gotta be the Byrds.
David Crosby
Chris Hillman
Gene Clark
Jim McQuinn
Michael Clarke
If nothing else, they probably created the first, real psychedelic hit, "Eight Miles High."
I likes the Eagles, and you can't argue with the astounding number of memorable hits, but IMHO they are a sweet, canned version of The Byrds.
Sidebar .. Starship with Mickey Thomas does a nice job with Airplane stuff! His singer Stefeny (spelling) gives Grace Slick a run for her money!
Sorry bro. You are delusional.
On the link I provided of rankings of everybody that participates. Van Halens 1984 ranked higher than apptetite for destruction. 1984 imo is not even their best album. It's not even close.
Van Halen is absolutely a pioneering band and one of the best of all time.
GNR had one album that was good.
Also Slash is completely overrated as a guitarist.
That is my opinion. But VH is superior to GNR and it's not even close.
Greatest American Rick bands - ( New Window )
Texas Funk - ( New Window )
Also you are all sleeping HARD on tenacious D who flat out destroy most of these bands as well.
Can we count Greta Van Fleet too? I mean they're practically a cover band but no one can imitate Zeppelin like them and that is a monumental W in my book.
Yeah the Brits got us by a country mile on this
2. Eagles Hotel California
3. Beach Boys Pet Sounds
4. Fountains of Wayne Welcome Interstate Managers
5. Buddy Holly Short, but brilliant career
6. Raspberries
7. Steely Dan
8. Byrds / Buffalo Springfield / CSN / CSNY
Others: The Dead.... only if you're baked... straight, its endless noodling.
Springstein.... I liked Nebraska. Just don't get it, I guess. Kiss... novelty act.
Monkees... love the music, but they didn't write or perform hardly any of it
Velvet Underground
British bands, no?
(1) Light My Fire
(2) People Are Strange
(3) Love Me Two Times
(4) Hello, I Love You
(5) Touch Me
(6) Love Her Madly
(7) Riders on the Storm
But if you asked: What is my favorite American rock group?
Gotta be the Byrds.
David Crosby
Chris Hillman
Gene Clark
Jim McQuinn
Michael Clarke
If nothing else, they probably created the first, real psychedelic hit, "Eight Miles High."
I likes the Eagles, and you can't argue with the astounding number of memorable hits, but IMHO they are a sweet, canned version of The Byrds.
Agree on The Doors
So many good songs you dodnt even mention:
Back Door Man
Break on Thru
Five to One
Waiting for the Sun
Maggie M'Gill
Roadhouse Blues
Peace Frog
Too bad Jim died, coulda been one of the best ever with their unique sound
As a rock "dinosaur" I might put the Doors up there and maybe even the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
^^^This.
When the British rockers first heard Hendrix, they were tempted to just drop their guitars and go home.
Given that the OP excludes those. I go with the Allman Brothers (who are a fine choice in my mind anyway)
What part of AMERICAN rock band didn't you read?
Grateful Dead
Allman Brothers
The Eagles deserve mentioning for all their hits but just a bit too soft rock/pop for me to consider them a top "rock" band. I know they're considered R&R and no problem with that, they just don't rock enough for me.
Other bands to consider:
Velvet Underground
The Ramones
The Pixies
REM
Sonic Youth
The Doors
Blondie/Devo/Pretenders
The Talking Heads
What part of AMERICAN rock band didn't you read?
Sorry Section didn't mean to offend you. Lighten up. Read too fast I guess.
I believe Levon Helm was the lone American in the band, the rest were Canadian
Quote:
they were known as Levon and The Hawks then. Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel, aka THE BAND
I believe Levon Helm was the lone American in the band, the rest were Canadian
You are correct. What a voice on Helm. One of my all-time favorite singers.
I was at those shows. I still remember when they announced that they were recording it for an album, and the audience went nuts.
One of the greatest gifts of my life was being in NYC during the village era and then the Fillmore years. Man, that was special.
Van Halen is an American band. They were formed in Pasadena. The brothers may have been born in Holland but they moved to the Us when they were 7 and 9.
Replacements
Ramones
REM
Dave Matthews
I’ll also give a nod to Springsteen/E-Street, warren zevon, velvet underground, REM and the allman brothers.
++
I don't think they're very talented vocally at all. Kind of takes them out of the running for me.
I’ll also give a nod to Springsteen/E-Street, warren zevon, velvet underground, REM and the allman brothers.
Great call on Talking Heads.
Velvet Underground
R.E.M.
Replacements
Husker Du
Sonic Youth
Pixies
Monkees
My personal favorite is Buffalo Springfield but also agree the Byrds and Lovin Spoonful deserve mention
1. The Pixies
2. The Velvet Underground and Lou Reed solo
3. Guided By Voices
4. Janes Addiction
5. The Ramones
So many more incredible bands, especially out of the 80s and 90s, it really comes down to taste. One person could say this band is the greatest and he next guy hates them. Fun reading though.
Beach Boys
Jimmy & The Experience
Prince & The Revolution
The Doors
Tom & Heatbreakers
Oh, and in true BBI form....The Eagles suck!
Holy Crap ... That's a name I have not heard in so long that I forgot all about him. Always had a good story from his time in the music business.
Hope all is well Mac .... wherever you are (to paraphrase Zappa).
. - ( New Window )
larry, curly, moe - ( New Window )
Cage is awesome. Don’t know Interpol but I’ll check em out.
Not really rock and roll; however, way above the level of just about everything listed here. The elite musicians have traveled through this band. Many names to long to list.
You are the best poster on this site.
Love Van Halen, Aerosmith, etc. Although not a band, must have Hendrix in there somewhere
Quote:
STEELY DAN
Not really rock and roll; however, way above the level of just about everything listed here. The elite musicians have traveled through this band. Many names to long to list.
I kind of get where you are coming from. I don't think an album like Gaucho (for example) is really a rock album, but I think their first five albums were definitely rock albums. They were unique. Almost their own genre of music.
I don't think the majority of these bands qualify as rock bands, but maybe people are using the rock n roll hall of fame definition and just listing American bands.
either way, good discussion. and if McKee was still here and actively posting he'd make most of the people who posted on this thread feel bad for their opinions.
Fleetwood Mac
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Eagles
Seen them all live in there prime
The Doors Who I didn't get to see sadly LA Woman Amazing Lp
Jimi Hendrix the Other I din't get to see Sadly ...
Quote:
Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel don’t qualify.
I don't think the majority of these bands qualify as rock bands, but maybe people are using the rock n roll hall of fame definition and just listing American bands.
either way, good discussion. and if McKee was still here and actively posting he'd make most of the people who posted on this thread feel bad for their opinions.
Nah. Unless there are criteria, it is impossible for there to be any right or wrong answers. It's 100% subjective - a list of favorites, really, but people can't argue about their favorites, so "best" is used instead. :) All of these "best" lists are silly to me. Best guitarist, best type of food, best movie, etc.
1. grateful dead
2. allman brothers
3. springsteen e street band
4. guns n roses
5. eagles
6. dave matthews band
7. skynard
8. ccr
9. petty/ heartbreakers
10. too many options from here on out
I'd definitely add Metallica, Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, New York Dolls, MC5, The Stooges, Sound Garden among others.
LOL, and oddly enough, he spelled Skynyrd right!
Wilco and the National.
I agree the JHE was a band, but given that Redding and Mitchell were English I wouldn't call the JHE an American band ...
Kids in the Hall Doors - ( New Window )
Thought you might find it interesting
The Beach Boys
Oh, and in true BBI form....The Eagles suck!
Yes and yes.
:)
If you've seen Bruce and E Street live, this isn't a competition.
Amazing how the band was really known by Peter Green, expert british blues guitarist, then became a california pop band. Without Buckingham they are nothing though.
He was just a kid circa early 70's
The correct answer is the Ramones.
Certainly the most talented ... Zappa list of former players are all HOF studio musicians.
Quote:
The Allman Brothers Band. Just listen to Live at The Fillmore East - 1971
I was at those shows. I still remember when they announced that they were recording it for an album, and the audience went nuts.
One of the greatest gifts of my life was being in NYC during the village era and then the Fillmore years. Man, that was special.
I am so envious ... and I am never envious. Some of the album if you listen to is is a little sloppy in parts - NOT THE PLAYING ... The production part, the mix.. But, to see it all live must have been a transcendent experience. Wow ...
The correct answer is the Ramones.
Best is subjective of course, but in an honest assessment, you'd be taking talent, impact, studio and live performance into account. Most on this thread seem to have followed that formula.
Ramones were a one-trick pony. They had impact, they were great live, but seriously limited in talent and after their first few albums, were obviously not capable of growth as artists. They were hogtied by their limitations, couldn't create beyond their small box and in the end, became caricatures of themselves.