Greatest American Band of All-Time

[Fresh Tendrils]

Everytime there's a list asking to compile the greatest bands of all time, more times than not the top 3 (perhaps even top 5) all consist of bands from Europe. Now, I'm wondering which bands everybody thinks are the top bands to have come from the Americas.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Greatest American Band of All-Time

Everytime there's a list asking to compile the greatest bands of all time, more times than not the top 3 (perhaps even top 5) all consist of bands from Europe. Now, I'm wondering which bands everybody thinks are the top bands to have come from the Americas.

2 of my favorites:

Van Halen

Queensryche....some may disagree with this one, but I feel they created the greatest concept album ever in Operation Mindcrime next to Pink Floyd's The Wall.

[Scottdau]

Re: Greatest American Band of All-Time

I loved GNR.

[BGarrett7]

Re: Greatest American Band of All-Time

Collective Soul

[Skerik]

Re: Greatest American Band of All-Time

The Grateful Dead.

[johnsatchmo]

Re: Greatest American Band of All-Time

My age forces me to say Red Hot Chili Peppers

[Nivek]

Re: Greatest American Band of All-Time

The Beach Boys

[CM1847]

Re: Greatest American Band of All-Time

The Jimi Hendrix Experience if they count, I think his other two guys may have been British.

I'll throw out Nirvana because somebody has to. Aerosmith would be in the mix in terms of popularity.

If you don't count Hendrix, it is a complete toss up. The top 5 bands ever (Beatles, Zeppelin, Stones, Who, pick from a few) are all British. Bob Dylan is probably the best American to ever record music, but not a band. There have been a bunch of popular American bands, but there isn't much of a clear cut winner.

I'll throw in a few more just for kicks:
Pearl Jam, Pixies, Pavement, CCR, Rage, Soundgarden, White Stripes(why not?).

Finally, to sum up my long winded response, I'd vote for The Jimi Hendrix Experience #1 and The Beach Boys #2.

[pk500]

Re: Greatest American Band of All-Time

We're talking rock, right? Otherwise, it would be Miles Davis or Duke Ellington's bands, in a heartbeat.

If we're talking rock, wow, that's tough. Candidates:

Allman Brothers
Grateful Dead
R.E.M.
Wilco
Jimi Hendrix
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Ramones
Pearl Jam
The Eagles
Guns 'N Roses
The Doors
Metallica
Aerosmith

My heart's vote would be Wilco, but I'm biased!

I think a pretty compelling case can be made for The Dead, The Allman Brothers, Hendrix and Springsteen. If forced to choose, I'll take Springsteen, even though I'm not a huge fan. The guy and his band have gone the operatic rock route (Born to Run), the pop rock route (Born in the U.S.A.), the folk route (Nebraska, Tom Joad, new record coming out), the expose-your-soul route (Tunnel of Love) and released the best album about 9/11 and its aftermath ever recorded (The Rising), all while maintaining integrity and putting on amazing live shows.

Yeah, Springsteen and the E Street Band are my pick.

Take care,
PK

[Silverstring]

Re: Greatest American Band of All-Time

It's hard for me to coun't the Jimi Hendrix Experience, if only because Jimi was SO dominant in that band, as if the other two guys were along for the ride. Sure, evey band has their dominant personalities and creative forces, but JHE, was like 95/2.5/2.5. Not that the other guys weren't talented, I'm talking creative influence.

ANyway, although Pearl Jam is my personal favorite band ever, I'd have to say the Ramones, and I think PJ would agree with me.

Damn, why does the U.K. have it over on us so bad?

[SPTO]

Re: Greatest American Band of All-Time

The Eagles (or are they european?)

[CM1847]

Re: Greatest American Band of All-Time

More like 94/3/3 I think Silver.....

The US has dominated since the 1980 or so, once Zeppelin, The Who and Pink Floyd all officially flamed out(and the Stones had lost relevance). Radiohead is really the only band of the past 15 years that would get serious consideration for the best band of the era, at least IMO.

Well, that was until the Arctic Monkeys who are clearly the best, most important human beings ever to grace earth with their presence.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Greatest American Band of All-Time

More like 94/3/3 I think Silver.....

The US has dominated since the 1980 or so, once Zeppelin, The Who and Pink Floyd all officially flamed out(and the Stones had lost relevance). Radiohead is really the only band of the past 15 years that would get serious consideration for the best band of the era, at least IMO.

Well, that was until the Arctic Monkeys who are clearly the best, most important human beings ever to grace earth with their presence.

Screw the Arctic Monkeys, I want me some Art Brut.

Anyway, a list of bands I'd consider:

The Allman Brothers Band: Its a shame Duane went out the way he did. His future was entirely too bright to die so soon.
Creedance Clearwater Revival: their short time together would most likely hold me back from truly giving them the nod, plus it was really John's vehicle than that of a real band.
The Grateful Dead: The jam band. What else is to be said. They essentially represented an entire generation.

and of course other obvious ones such as The Doors, The Eagles, Pearl Jam and my biases choices would included Temple of the Dog, Kyuss, and the White Stripes. Although I haven't had much experience with this band, I feel they should be mentioned even though not all of them are Americans (lookin at you Cale and Nico): The Velvet Underground.

[BGarrett7]

Re: Greatest American Band of All-Time

Since no one else will say it...

Nickel Creek

[Jistic]

Re: Greatest American Band of All-Time

Although not much of a fan I think objectively you have to say the Eagles.

They do have the top selling album of all time after all.