Not. Even. Close.

The Greatest Ever: The Ramones

Runner up: Iggy & The Stooges.

Posted by: Charles | Dec 22, 2003 12:13:34 AM

How can you not even mention the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd? Shame on you...

Posted by: Anonymous Coward | Dec 22, 2003 4:41:55 AM

Oh yeah, and The Doors? Hello? Is anybody home? Sheesh.

Charles, both Iggy and the Ramones are punk... can they still be nominated for the Greatest Rock and Roll band?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward | Dec 22, 2003 4:54:51 AM

The Doors are clearly in contention. The only problem is their catalogue is a bit thin -- they lack a long body of work due to Morrison's early death. Still, one of the best bands ever to come out of the U.S., and another of the 10 bands who are in the top 5. (lol).

Are the Ramones a better band than the Talking Heads? (I say no). I saw both live, and the Ramones sounded like they were whacked - sloppy, off key, out of it. I thought maybe they were drunk, but that turned out to be their reputation -- fair to middling musicians. While the T Heads were a tight ensemble.

The Allman Brothers are great, but they are too specifically Southern Rock band -- they lack a broader appeal; Lynard Skynard is a good -- but not great -- band. "Freebird" alone does not get you into the top 10.

People, pay attention: there are only 2 rules: From the U.S., and a Band. Yes is from the U.K., and violate Rule 1 (ineligible). Jerry Lee Lewis is not a band, and violates Rule 2 (ineligible).

Stick with the program.

Posted by: Barry Ritholtz | Dec 22, 2003 6:22:12 AM

Barry,

I don't quite see how the E Street band is just "backup" while the "Doors" aren't: take out Morrison and what's left?

Incidentally, why no consideration of Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes? If quality, not popularity, is the criteria, I'd put them up against any group as commercial as Van Halen or Creedence; SJ is true "white blues" music, often as good as Springsteen imvho.

Posted by: clarence | Dec 22, 2003 1:45:40 PM

CCR was an inspired choice. As was REM and the Talking Heads.

I have a personal fondness for The Replacements but I can't say that they are "better" than any of the bands you listed. (I know you can't
rate bands solely on their influence on others because if you did you would end up with Alex Chilton, the Dolls and Iggy Pop.)

The Talking Heads are a bit too much of a particular time and place kind of band to rate as an all-time great.

Steely Dan, although I love them to death, simply aren't a rock and roll band. At least not in any sense that matters.

I also must take issue with the Springsteen decision. They are a band. They just happen to have a lead singer/songwriter. So what? The same
can be said of almost every band on your list.

How about the Allman Brothers?

Your most egregious omission is THE RAMONES! If you don't like them, you don't like Rock N Roll. Plain and simple.

Posted by: Alex A | Dec 22, 2003 3:59:30 PM

Alex,

I agree with everything you wrote except:

Allman Bros. -- too genre specific -- ie, Southern Rock. Great band, but not a great RnR band.

As to the Ramones, they were kinda on the sloppy side.

I used 4 factors: Body of work, live performance, musicianship and influence on other bands.

The Ramones are fun, but their body of work is slight, and their live performances, while full of energy, somewhat lacked in musicianship.

Posted by: Barry Ritholtz | Dec 22, 2003 4:01:09 PM

The Ramones would be offended that you only thought they were kinda on the sloppy side. Apparently, you saw them on a night when they weren't completely wasted.

As for the Allman Brothers, I agree. I was just throwing them out as candidates.

Posted by: Alex A | Dec 22, 2003 4:01:20 PM

Clarence,

Each of the Doors made a major contribution:

Ray Manzarek was a legitimately successful keyboardist, and is well regarded by musicians in general.

Robby Krieger was also thougt of as a talented and innovative guitarist. Both of them are still touring presently. Both contributed to the Doors overall sound, recordings, and writing.

I overlooked Southside Johnny, (who I have seen live several times), simply because they lacked the depth of recorded catalogue, and influence over other bands. I relied on 4 factors: Body of work, live performance, musicianship and influence on other bands.

BTW, if you like Southside Johnny, you should check out the Worms (http://bigpicture.typepad.com/writing/2003/08/the_worms.html) -- a great bar band from NYC in the late 80s early 90s.

Send me a blank disc and I will send you a CD of theirs.

Posted by: Barry Ritholtz | Dec 22, 2003 4:05:29 PM

Thanks for your comments & offer (I've never heard the Worms)...to what address to I send the disk??

Posted by: clarence | Dec 22, 2003 4:10:54 PM

STELLY DAN
STEELY DAN
STEELY DAN

Posted by: eddie | Dec 23, 2003 8:16:17 AM

The Byrds in a landslide. They invented whole genres of rock. Caused George Harrison to pick up a Rickenbacker. Spawned Folk Rock, Country Rock and some acid Rock. Signature sound stills sounds great today. Copied by everyone (e.g. Tom Petty)...

Posted by: dleins | Dec 23, 2003 8:37:16 AM

Several people have suggested the Byrds -- They don't make the top 5, and I'm not sure where they fit into the top 10.

Here's why: They have an extensive catalogue of music, but I was never blown away by a lot of it (the word "Shmaltzy" comes to mind). "Tambourine Man" always struck me a s corny.

There's no doubt they were hugely influential. Some have called them America's 1st supergroup. But I can't really get to jazzed about them -- I found their writing pretty thin when compared with many of the other names we've discussed.

I'm not so sure they "spawned" country rock, southern rock, acid rock, and everything else that's been attributed to them.

Maybe its just a matter of personal taste -- they don't rock my world.

Posted by: Barry Ritholtz | Dec 23, 2003 9:48:58 AM

The "greatest" rock 'n roll band is a broad topic, and it all depends on how you define "great." By sales of records? Live performance? Originality and influence? I would argue primiarly for originality and influence, breaking any ties with live performance. Sales mean almost nothing, since many awful groups that didn't have an original bone in their body had huge sales.

Among the original choices offered, the Beach Boys and the Doors are probably the main contenders. Why? A number of reasons. First, originality and influence. Although everybody owes a debt to those who came before, the creativity of these two bands is second to none. Barry notes Pet Sounds. That album alone, given the time it was released, speaks for itself. If you don't understand why Pet Sounds is important, you shouldn't be debating this topic. Then again, aren't the Beach Boys just a jazzed up Jan & Dean?

The Doors, meanwhile, were the biggest American act in the late-1960s. No one was bigger when they were on the scene. The original nihilistic rock 'n rollband, the Doors were very post-modern and actually didn't belong in the love and peace era of the late-1960s. In fact, the genre created virtually out of thin air by the Doors is still influential today. One can't say that of the Beach Boys, other than in technique. Musically, the Beach Boys is a one-act pony, and they're it. The dark visions of the Doors, on the other hand, remain widely influential. The fact that the Doors had a fairly short run isn't really relevant, in my humble opinion. It was the first two albums anyway that set the pace and tone that continues to live on. In fact, the Doors wouldn't have survived as they did even if Morrison lived. They were too intense as a group, and in fact were breaking up towards the end anyway.

Iggy & the Stooges is a great choice, but ultimately there could be no Iggy without the Doors. And while I very much admire the music of the Allman Brothers, ultimately they were musicians first and a rock n' roll band in the true sense of the word second. The Doors, remember, fomented revolution in a way that few other bands could. Rock is ultimately about creative rebellion, and no American band that can lay claim to that triumph does so without a debt to the Doors.

Posted by: James Picerno | Dec 23, 2003 11:06:00 AM

Don't forget Aerosmith and ZZ Top. Many years together and pretty extensive catalogs.

AndyP

Posted by: andyp | Dec 23, 2003 11:07:25 AM

REM? get out of town.

this sounds liek a stupid list that VH1 would try to get together and have NSync near the top.

not to mention you forgot to define rock n' roll.
that eliminates REM right there, talkign heads too. RnR is actually very exclusive

Posted by: doug | Dec 23, 2003 12:02:46 PM

Elvis, but he was not a band...

Metallica, Aerosmith, The Grateful Dead, all had a great impact on the music we call Rock and Roll.

Posted by: McGentrix | Dec 23, 2003 1:29:51 PM

Gotta disagree with placing Van Halen on the list at all. Aerosmith was kicking ass longer and harder than anyone while Eddie Van Halen was still on the teat.

Posted by: Adam Van Alstyne | Dec 23, 2003 1:41:44 PM

Doug,

A few points: I didn't to forget to define Rock N Roll. I don't think it needs defining. Its simply a visceral thing. (Test me on it)

2nd -- Are you, um, actually comparing REM to N'Sync? Seriously, are you? Are you familair with any of the 4 albums I mentioned? Are you aware of their impact on musically generally?

Its one thing to have a difference of opinion -- The Byrds are not my cup of tea, and I like (but don't love) the Dead -- but I certainly can understand and respect why some people are so into them. That's called having an open mind.

But to suggets that a manufactured, insipid boy band is in any way related to one of the most interesting and intelligent progressive muscial influences over the past 15 or so years. . . well, thats just foolish.

Hey, that's the beauty of the internet -- everyone is free to demonstrate their ignorance and/or prejudices in full public view.

Posted by: Barry Ritholtz | Dec 23, 2003 1:50:20 PM

Pearl Jam is better than any of the bands mentioned. Live, on album, whatever, they always rock.

Posted by: roboninja | Dec 23, 2003 3:24:15 PM

Pearl Jam. They are the best live band ever, sell out almost every show and do it without MTV or much radio airplay.

Posted by: Greg | Dec 23, 2003 3:36:13 PM

Good God people... Why not ask who the best looking Playboy Playmate is? You'll almost never get everyone to agree.

However let's review the criteria shall we?

Originality. Ok that kicks Aerosmith (America's Rolling Stones), Metallica (mash the New Wave of British Heavy Metal together - just because you don't know the bands they copied doesn't mean they were original), Steely Dan (Why not say the Doobie Brothers or Kansas and get it over with).

Wide Appeal: If you're gonna kick the Allman Brothers or Lynard Skynard for not having wide appeal, you have to throw Van Halen at the same time. Not everyone was a pimply faced teen trying to score and get drunk. Same as the Byrds (hippies), although I cannot attest to their popularity as I was not alive then. Pearl Jam falls here too as I don't see many Brittney fans humming PJ's greatest hits. Their earlier stuff was wide spread, but other than die-hards, can you name some of the later hits they had?

Live Performance: I saw someone mention ZZ Top earlier and wasn't immediately stoned for the choice. Let me back this person up. Any band that can (while not missing a note) be picked up by a claw, be dropped into a mock crusher, be crushed, taken off stage, then come on a minute later out of the back of a working Tractor-Trailer in new outfits and no one in the audience (including professional musicians) not be able to pick out where (if at all) the sound was switched to CD and back is just damned impressive (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Recycler tour '91). Good grief.

Musicianship - Sure this is important, but hey - don't forget the golden rule of R'nR - If it feels good, do it. The Romanes are in. End of story.

Whew!!! That certainly was long winded.... and in the end pointless. The point of the matter is that it all comes down to taste. And the fact that the popular bands (Nirvana) were influenced by bands before (Kirk Cobain once said in an interview that ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ was a Pixies rip-off) that were not as well known. It’s a circular argument. The popular bands were influenced not influential, and the influential bands did not have wide appeal (Al-la the Beatles and the Velvet Underground.)

Bands that I felt should be discussed: Soundgarden, Kiss, Alice Cooper, Phish, Divo, The Animals, The Jimi Hendrix Experience (If you’re including the Doors, there were other qualified members of the Experience, not just Jimi. It’d be like saying Cream wasn’t a band because of Eric Clapton.), Nine Inch Nails…. Damn it’s hard to think of purely American bands…… Well anyway you get the point. I’m not saying that my opinion is more important than any of yours; I’m just stirring the pot a little. Not in the bad, troll-ish way either.

Oh yea, I cannot find fault with the selection of REM….. Go figure…..

Posted by: Eric Polley | Dec 23, 2003 11:41:48 PM

Most of the above comments and answers only seem to highlight how superior british rock groups have beeen and still are when compared to american ones....a list of Beatles,Rolling Stones,The Who,Led Zeppelin,Black Sabbath,Kinks,Pink Floyd,Yardbirds,Yes,Cream etc..easily outdoes any above.

Posted by: lora aspen | Jan 12, 2004 7:25:51 AM

I read through all of the quite informative opinions while listening to REM's "New Adventures in Hi Fi." I thought what wonderful people we have out there who listen to our music. Without entering the debate about the greatest American band, I wish to say that you've all mentioned bands that have delighted all of our ears for years. This question, "Which is the best American band?," remains one that only the ears of the listener can answer. And over the years one's sensibility changes. Quintessential American bands? Yes. Which? Man, where do we start? Dixieland? Delta Blues? Nashville? Los Angeles in the sixties and early seventies? Whew! How about Blondie? Dave Mathews? Let's celebrate the artistry of American rock.

Posted by: TEA | Jan 20, 2004 12:00:42 AM

It's funny that I found this page, but I was having this EXACT conversation tonight. While America might not have the cream of the crop in ROCK BANDS (as far as the brits go) We have much more musical influence overall. Barring Country, Rap and Jazz, (just to stay in the more rock format) We have Bob Dylan, ELVIS, Simon and Garfunkel, John Melloncamp, Billy Joel, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, All hard hitting - chart topping - aged rockn' career spanning artists. Hell we even got Neil Diamond. So wave your American Flag proudly, we got great A R T I S T S as well, and I think that's the real over-all view.(except for Steely Dan, they suck! : )

Posted by: Gregory Borden | Jan 28, 2004 1:44:28 AM

There have been a lot of great bands listed, but I don't think the list would be complete without including The Blasters. The songs, the knowledge and respect for the music, the musicianship, the power and emotion, the live shows that are legendary. To me, they are American Rock 'n Roll at its best.

Posted by: Keith | Jan 28, 2004 12:40:05 PM

I am dismayed that a strong case was not made for Aerosmith. They have survived many eras of American music. They have incorporated loads of new fans with their droves of classic fans. they have been around for near 30 years and have continued to release many hits. Plus without Walk this Way *granted Run DMC) had more to do with it) we may not have much of the music we have today.

Another couple of bands worth honorable mention are KISS they really helped glam explode (not real glam aka the NY Dolls, but the 80's hair band explosion wouldn't have happened w/o KISS)

Bon Jovi is another band only for their ability to maintain a successful career while other big hair bands of the 80's have struggled just to play small venues. Bon Jovi continues to sell out large stadiums and that is impressive.

If I had to rate the top American R&R bands of all time I would rank them in the following order from 10-1

10. The Coral Reefer Band 9Hey I'm a Parrothead and this is my way to stick Jimmy Buffett on the list)
9. Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers
8. REM
7. Metallica
6. The Grateful Dead
5. Pearl Jam
4. Van Halen
3. The Eagles
2. The Doors
1. Aerosmith

Posted by: Jeremy | Feb 4, 2004 12:07:56 AM

Jeremy makes some Interesting points:

I like the inclusion of Pearl Jam and Allman Bros. But his top 10 includes 11 bands!

We've had long discussions regarding Aerosmith -- I personally love "Toys in the Attic" -- The general consensus was that Van Halen had a much broader and deeper catalogue . . . Hence, Tyler and Friends, while a unique group of Rock Stars, really couldn't own the top slot.

Also, for the same reason that the E Street band isn't here -- We know the Coral Reefer band is really a front for Buffet -- so that really is kinda ineligible as a band (it should get knocked off the list ; )

Personally, I'd swap the Talking Heads for Metallica, and Steely Dan for Skynyrd, who's career was cut so tragically short. And I'd figure a way to get Creedence Cleearwater Revival (CCR) in there somehow -- But hey, that's simply a matter of personal opinion.

Choice is what makes a horse race! Thanks for the provocative post!

PS: Can you honestly say that Bon Jovi is one of the 10 best bands America has produced? (Me neither!)

They should get bonus points for surviving the Jon Bon Jovi poster!

Posted by: Barry Ritholtz | Feb 4, 2004 6:03:16 AM

My list is really only 10 bands (as both you and I know the Coral Reefers don't count but the Parrothead in me had to include them).

I can not believe I left off the Talking Heads you are SO RIGHT that they should be in there and I probably left them off more because personally I am not a huge fan but certainly their place within music history is as solid as most any other American band 

I would probably omit either The Allmans or Skynyrd [EDITOR: Allmans are the more infliuential band, so Skynard should go] to make room as 1 southern rock band should be enough. 

As to Bon Jovi..well I am just amazed that while all of the other bands of their genre (Motley Crue, G n R, Poison, Warrant, Slaughter, UKJ, Extreme, etc, etc.,etc.) have gone by the wayside Bon Jovi has not only maintained it's status as a top draw but also grown in popularity. I rank Aerosmith ahead of Van Halen because even Van Halen in today's game aren't really players while Aerosmith is still rocking to sold out stadiums and influencing popular music today. I think the guys in Van Halen are more talented individual musicians but there impact as a whole is not as great. I think a band being able to reinvent itself and continue to succeed throughout differing eras and differening genre's of music is worthy of a huge boost as to where they would rank. That's really why Aerosmith is so high and why Bon Jovi made my list.
 
As to CCR hmm, well they probably do deserve a spot and maybe I should put my love of Jon Bon and the boys aside and place CCR on the top 10 as I have long held to the believe that EVERYONE on the planet isa CCR fan they just may not realize it.I know for years I LOVED their music and had no idea who the band was. To this day I am never surprised when I am listening to CCR on the radio and hear somebody say "Man I love this song..who sings it?" It seems as if CCR's music achieved a much greater success then the band ever did. As a band they are always an afterthought but their music is featured on almost anybody's best of rock and roll albums from Down on the Corner to Proud Mary their music is legendary it is odd that they have never really recieved their just due.
 
Anyway I happened upon that website by accident last night while researching some political items and I have to say I have already bookmarked it as a favorite. Don't know if you run it or who does but it is a great forum for discussion and debate. I look forward to checking in from time to time. 

Posted by: Jeremy | Feb 6, 2004 7:14:37 AM

Loved most of the suggestions but I was thinking of a band that's more "American" in that it (still) blends R&R with some of its foundations (Blues for the beat and soul, Jazz for improvisational tendencies), Cajun etc:

LITTLE FEAT

Been around for over 30 years so yes, they're troopers that have been slogging it out in auditoriums, halls and recording studios with the best of 'em.

Effect on other musicians? Incredible with these folks. Admitted fans include Clint Black, Bonnie Bramlet, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Stephan Bruton, String Cheese Incident, Randy Newman, the Bottle Rockets & David Lindley, Allen Toussaint, Taj Mahal, J.D. Souther, and many many more.

Not familiar with their work? You probably know at least two of their songs. Dixie Chicken ("If you'll be my dixie chicken) and Willin.

Though they never quite "broke through" to widespread popularity, they continue to make a mark on the scene.

Whaddya think?

Posted by: Richard | Feb 6, 2004 11:45:58 AM

Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, those guys were great, and certainly a band not just a one man show.

What about ZZTop? they influenced so many artists.

Chicago, don't even think about excluding them.

Posted by: Tyler | Feb 6, 2004 8:36:12 PM

Tyler,

Still, Bob Seger is a solo artist with a backing band, and definitely not a group.
If we were to judge Seger a group, they'd still be way down the list behind Springsteen . . .

Ont he other hand, ZZ Top is definitely overlooked -- a very good call there.

Chicago, who I've seen any times in my misspent youth (tho Chicago hardly qualifies as part of a misspent youth!) is another overlooked group. But since Terry Keith died, they really lost their chops. Now, they are a fun, edgeless horn ensemble -- and barely a rock group.

Posted by: Barry Ritholtz | Feb 7, 2004 4:41:57 PM

The best American band ever was X. Nobody wrote as well, no one played as well and no one ever could touch them on sex ("we slept for a week. cinders on the sheets" - "arms like two swords, goldmine where they meet, long fine legs and a treasure chest where they meet") broken people ("she gets confused flying over the dateline" - "the bartenders eyes are full of pity as he tells her , 'you're all alone and its 2:30. All the chairs are on the tables and it's time to close' she said, 'a minute ago they were all starin at me. where the hell did they go?'), rock and roll ("I've seen a lot of people with plenty of guts. the say, 'make my music new & loud & rough!' give it a beat or give it a twang in a dark sweaty club its the same damn thing. bang bang make the music go bang! brilliant shining and nasty!") or a sense of culture and history ("honest to goodness the bars weren't open this morning. they musta been votin' for a new president or somethin'. do ya have a quarter, I said yes, because i did. the tears have been fallin all over this country in spades. it was better before we voted for what's his name. this was supposed to be the new world.")

The only band that could touch them would be if you considered Bob Dylan and the Nighthawks/the Band a band. The Basement Tapes, Songs from Big Pink and Bob Dylan Live 1966 make a good case.

The American band that tops the chart in terms of the Best Band at one point in their career/ Worst Band at another career quotient is certainly ZZ Top. Very few American bands touch the brilliance of albums 3-6 and the utterly craptacular 10+. The blow the doors off of Springsteen, Van Halen, and any number of bands for in high genius/cheese-eater quotient. Though the Chili Peppers . . .

The big monkey wrench questions in my mind is: Are the Beastie Boys a rock band? If the answer is no, then X is the knock down drag out best American Band.

If you don't know their work start with Unclogged, a live acoustic album to get a feel for their song writing and then move on to More Fun in the New World and Los Angeles to catch the full steaming, diesel force of American Rock and Roll.

Honorable mention: Little Feat, Iggy and the Stooges, Concrete Blonde, Steely Dan, Creedence, Skynyrd, Allman Bros. BS and the E Street Band, Husker Du, Talking Heads, Grateful Dead, Nirvana, Soundgarden, the Ramones, the Replacements.

Posted by: Marc Brazeau | Feb 20, 2004 2:14:33 AM

I was dumbfounded that nobody considered X -- but then I got all the way down here and found Marc's post. Seconded.
Landlord, clean up the mess.

Posted by: Mr Dithers | Mar 7, 2004 12:23:07 PM

Weren't the boys from "Mountain" all from the U.S.? Great, great band.

Posted by: Ivor the Engine Driver | Mar 9, 2004 12:54:31 PM

What about KISS?

Posted by: Mort | Mar 9, 2004 2:59:00 PM

Fun! How often to you get the urge to post something like: "Yeah, there all pretty good choices." And they are. Attended morfe Dead concerts but was initiated to California psychedelia by Jefferson Airplane. We had a little college cult for JA which stayed with them right through their truly inspired, one-of-a-kind After Bathing at Baxter's followed by their split and evolution into Starship with Blows Against the Empire (which is practically sampled by Radiohead for OK Computer!).

So I like the Byrds, Beach Boys and then the darknes that shades the Doors' take on Californication. And that's just my Left Coast favorites.

Posted by: Radio Head | Mar 9, 2004 6:29:15 PM

Neil Young and Crazy Horse deserve a mention on any list of great American Rock and Roll Bands. I would argue that Neil Young with Crazy Horse was a true band and not a leader and a bunch of back ups. Neil once said he wanted them thought of as the American Rolling Stones and I think they are. Also, a quibble: the name of the band is Talking Heads, not The Talking Heads. It's like saying The Van Halen or The Pink Floyd. They even put out an album to explain it: "The Name of This Band is Talking Heads." Drives me nuts when people put the "The" in there.

Posted by: mthogan | Mar 9, 2004 10:55:57 PM

I just stumbled onto this website and I am astounded that not one poster has even mentioned as a possibility for the Greatest American Band ever a little outfit called, The Band. On musicianship, they stack up against anybody. On influence, its difficult to know where to begin. Can you imagine the alt. country movement without them? Clapton said he disbanded Cream after hearing "Music From Big Pink." The Lowell George-led Little Feat owed a huge debt to Levon, Robbie, Rick, Richard and Garth. There was also this guy named Zimmerman. The Band played lots of different genres [blues, country, New Orleans, funk, soul, Appalachian folk] but it was all identifiably rock n roll. As for live performances, I never saw them personally, but check out "Rock of Ages," my all-time favorite live record. The Band produced two of the seminal records in rock n roll, "Music from Big Pink" and "The Band." They also were Dylan's equal on "The Basement Tapes," perhaps the greatest testament to the wonderful collage of American music, all coalesced around rock n roll. Finally, although not relevant to this poll, The Band also produced, via Levon, perhaps the best book ever chronicling the life of a rock n roller, "This Wheel's on Fire."

After the Band, I go for the Ramones, REM & CCR.

Posted by: merthulbert | Mar 11, 2004 12:32:08 AM

Please tell me the tile of songs and group.
I'm Japanese. So I cannot hear the music clearly.
the music opening is.... Sometimes I wonder love you like a do ～ ending is 'cause you're giving love just enough, you keep me hanging on

Posted by: taeko nicky | Mar 11, 2004 9:20:09 PM

Pls tell me about lyrics of just enough to keep me hanging on.
It was song by Linda Thompson.(album title is 'One clear moment'.

Posted by: taeko nicky | Mar 14, 2004 8:40:56 PM

The Funk Brothers at Motown, Booker T & The MG's at Stax, and the Swampers down in Muscle Shoals. All three were American, all three were bands. And between them they played on more hits *and* more influential records than pretty much all the other bands mentioned in this thread combined. I love the vast majority of the bands mentioned thus far...but this has been a ridiculously white discussion. There's more transcendant rock & roll in the first 30 seconds of "Green Onions" than in the entire Steely Dan catalog.

Posted by: charlie board | Mar 15, 2004 4:42:12 PM

No long winded explanations, no arguments, this is the list , period. The TOP 15 ROCK & ROLL AMERICAN BANDS

15.  CCR/ Greatful Dead
14.  Guns & Roses
13.  REM
12.  Pearl Jam
11.  Allman Bros
10.  Red Hot Chili Peppers
 9.  The Ramones/
 8.  Lynyrd Skynrd
 7.  Kiss
 6   ZZ Top
 5.  The Doors
 4.  Fleetwood Mac
 3.  Beach Boys/ Van Halen
 2.  Aerosmith
 1.  Eagles

Posted by: Jeff Thure | Mar 16, 2004 10:02:50 PM

Hey Jeff,

Not a bad list of 15/17; But a few quibbles:

1. No Talking Heads? No Steely Dan? C'mon !

2. The Ramones are good drunken fun - but better than either band in #1? (No) And in your top 10 to boot?

3. I saw the Eagles live, and they were pretty boring, which is why they cannot be #1 for me. Top 20, sure, top 10 maybe, but not #1.

4. REM as #13 of 15? Top 5 at least

5. Allman Bros below Skyrnard?    

6. Kiss above Van Halen?

7. ZZTop above RHCP?

8. Fleetwood Mac over the Doors? (Puh-leeze!)

Not a bad stat anyway . . .

Posted by: Barry Ritholtz | Mar 16, 2004 10:06:47 PM

the grateful dead for sure. and if you want a free copy of a live show to prove it, email me your address at gr8fuldad2000@yahoo.com. US address only, i'll take the first 5 responses

1. Grateful Dead
2. Allman Bros
3. The Ramones
4. Aerosmith
4. ZZ Top
5. Kiss
6. The Doors
7. CCR

Posted by: craig h | Mar 17, 2004 7:46:08 PM

Looking at longivity, tour attendance, and impact, I can't consider any poll that leaves out the Grateful Dead as even being legitimate. I'd put the Dead at number one, but I could accept a poll that had them in the top 5, or maybe even 10, but...not even mentioned? The Dead are a huge part of American culture.

Posted by: Mobiledan | Mar 21, 2004 10:04:04 PM

hmm, most of people's "greatest" bands would make my worst ever list with aerosmith at the very top. god theyre awful.

but to each his own.

Posted by: rick | Apr 2, 2004 5:01:26 PM

Okay, I came to this conversation late. However, if we`re talking mass appeal, originality and muscicianship into equal consideration I think we`re going to wind up with:

1: Grateful Dead (despite the scene and long tangents they sometimes took, these guys were the jazz musicians of rock... ready to let it all hang out in an exploratory, improvisationary way.)

2. R.E.M (they were also of the kind of group mind that great bands are, but allowed each member the freedom to bring whatever they wanted to the table... the result, an innovative and affecting meld of American genres)

3. Red Hot Chili Peppers (they represent the funky turn it up loud side of American rock better than any other band, while surprising us from time to time with the melodic turns they sometimes take)

4. Aerosmith (for durability and wealth of catchy raunchy material)

5. Allman Brothers Band (the twin guitar, twin drum attack was innovative and propulsive... the only thing better sounding for pure groove was the Bros and the Grateful Dead playing live together.)

Posted by: dango | Apr 19, 2004 10:12:21 AM

In a word: CHICAGO

Does everyone forget what a band is all about?

Look at the musicianship and popularity in their first six albums (most of them actually album-sets), and Lamm, Kath, et. al. are still going strong 30 years later.

Posted by: Pat T. | Apr 29, 2004 8:46:17 PM

On of the first concerts I saw was Chicago -- CTA was a great double disc -- I saw them many times after.

I found a lot of their albums were hit or miss, and they faded rapidly once Terry Kath died,

Still, definitely worth talking about . . .

Posted by: Barry Ritholtz | Apr 29, 2004 10:47:17 PM

What, only one mention of the Velvets? And a parenthetical one at that?

I fear for my nation.

Posted by: Plugh | May 1, 2004 3:19:09 AM

Leaving the Allman Brothers off this list is like not mentioning Napoleon in a discussion about great generals.

Posted by: Matt Maholchic | May 8, 2004 10:16:24 AM

There is no doubt that the greatest American rock band is the Grateful Dead.

The Allman Brothers are also way up there as are CCR, the Doors, the Band, Little Feat, and ZZ Top.

Posted by: The Fool | May 10, 2004 1:03:18 PM

I 3rd The Band (saw'em live, about '82-wooohooo!) - but it's kinda curious more Motown, like the Temps, weren't mentioned.
And nobody thought enough of The Mothers of Invention? Meatloaf? :-P
Most mentioned seem good to me(except I don't know much about anything done in the last 10-15 yrs or so...sue me).

Posted by: Jeff Lawson | May 14, 2004 4:54:41 AM

First things first: While the greatest bands mights be British (The Beatles, The Stones) the most influential artists are, and have always been, American. Rock n Roll is impossible without Chuck Berry, Elvis, and Bob Dylan. They're the holy trinity of rock and the creators of the sound (Berry), the lyrics (Dylan), and the performance (Elvis).
Secondly: I'm not going to attempt a list but would like to comment about a few of the posts.
The Doors: I love the Doors, but they are rather thin, and one-sided. One can only delve in the apocalypse so many times without finally succumbing.
Sublime: Nobody's even mentioned them and I'm suprised. They too are thin because of premature death, but they also (musically) are extremely broad. They were ten years ahead of thier time with thier incorpration of hip-hop, reggae, and punk. Also, the epitome of a live performance band.
Chicago/The Eagles/Fleetwood Mac: They are all garbage. Watered -down, 70s, pop-rock makes me sick to my stomach.
Skynard/Allmond Brothers: Southern rock is rock. So, to say that a southern rock band is a niche band is just completely erroneous. If I had to pick one I'd take Skynard b/c of popular appeal.
The Band: I just recently got into the Band heavily, and they are terrific. Aren't they Canadian though?
Van Halen vs. Aerosmith: How this is even a matter of debate is beyond me. Eddie can play, no doubt, but Perry, while not the technician, has written some great riffs and songs. "Dream On", "Walk this Way", etc. are all original compositions and classic songs. Van Halen is merely a bar band compared to Areosmith.
Guns N Roses: They get overlooked but they are the band of the 80s that matters- not Bon Jovi, and whoever nominated Bon Jovi ought to be anally penetrated with a billy club.
The Greatful Dead: Personally, not my cup of tea, but I think they may have the strongest claim to best American band, because of influence, longevity, and obviously, live-appeal.
CCR: Great band, great songs. But why do people want to write Skynard and Allmond Bros. off as southern bands, and ignore CCR's obvious Southern roots.
Nirvana: Again, not my preference, but who has had such an impact on music as them? No rock band in the last ten years has been free of their influence.

Posted by: Tim | May 14, 2004 11:20:02 AM

I've been following this thread for a while with some interest. I can't really add anything under the criteria given, but if you take away mass appeal, Sonic Youth, Minutemen and Fugazi are all great American rock bands that haven't been mentioned yet--just throwing those out for fun! Oh yeah, Big Star! OK, only three albums, but what a great three they were.

Also, yes, Beastie Boys is a rock band!

Posted by: Chibi | May 14, 2004 8:35:41 PM

Well, Levon Helm, the Band's drummer, was American (in fact, his mom used to live right behind me) - hey, other people suggested Neil Young, and he's Canadian.
Besides, isn't Canada just another state, with reeeaally big counties? 8^]

Posted by: Jeff Lawson | May 15, 2004 6:55:16 AM

Dude, stop arguing the point, you're wrong, wrong. wrong! The E Street Band is the greatest American r&r band of all time. Period. With all due respect the the other nominess, many who I also love. All the suggestions made by others here are valid, but if you ever get a chance to listen to live bootlegs from the late 70s and 80s you will hear what a band is supposed to sound like live.

Posted by: Mentorr | May 17, 2004 3:59:08 PM

How can you not include America's greatest rock band, rocking together for over 30 years, overcoming substance abuse, making a comeback which outshined their early days and has put them on top of the music scene for nearly 20 years, accomplishing nearly every musical feat, and always influencing the culture in America, AEROSMITH. It's a shame you also forgot Guns N' Roses, Bon Jovi, and Van Halen. What the hell is wrong with you? These bands define American rock music. Not the friggin' Eagles.

Posted by: Andrew | May 26, 2004 1:54:31 AM

I cannot believe the Doobie Brothers are not on the list..............

Posted by: fedster | May 27, 2004 10:49:13 AM

Steely Dan was never a band beyond the first album. Most of their music reflects the talents of hired guns.

And who cares who the greatest American R&R band ever was? The best pop and rock groups have always been British - the Beatles, the Stones (lousy album band, though), the Kinks, the Who, then there's a pretty big dead zone until punk. And then you have the only band that matters, still, the Clash.

Posted by: Jeff Huffman | May 28, 2004 5:53:03 PM

Oh boy Jeff, where to begin:

1) Steely Dan's first CD is probably the weakest of the first 5 -- the next 4 discs each has a lot going for them. If you want to write off the Aja/Gaucho period, I have no real problem with that.

But considering the depth of their catalogue, and the quality of their muscianship and songwriting skills --yes, they belong amongst the top - we can argue if its top 5 or 10, but thats as far as I go.

2) Who cares who the greatest American R&R band ever was? This will be the 62nd comment, so obviously some fans cares . . .

3) The Stones as a lousy album band? Kid, get out see and the world, check out their back catalogue and then get back to me. (Thats a polite way of saying you have no idea what you are talking about as far as Mick and the Boys ).

4) Finally, as long as we are discussing UK bands, you left out Genesis (with Peter Gabriel, not the Phil Collins version), Yes, Pretenders (3 Brits + Chrissy Hyndes) and Pink Floyd. If you stretch, we could call "Elvis Costello and the Attractions" a band also . . .

Posted by: Barry Ritholtz | May 28, 2004 6:07:38 PM

Greatest American R&R band? Would have to be influential, not derivative. My top five choices:

1. R.E.M. amazing creativity and durability; still sounds fresh twenty years later (not unlike the Stones' whose sound has aged really well, cf. Exile on Main Street, for example)

2. The Replacements the best punk-pop-rock sound ever and an inspiration for lots of 90s grunge and current post-punk bands. never broke into the mainstream but then, neither did the Velvet Underground. and still sounds fresher than most of the stuff getting play today

3. Creedence Clearwater Revival nuff said about them already

4. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers southern rock meets punk sensibility and they never stopped growing.

5. Neil Young & Crazy Horse the best garage band ever.

Posted by: Bob Ripple | Jun 2, 2004 4:24:28 AM

I love it! It's about time someone sees R.E.M. for who they are. Innovative, creative, and real! They can rock one minute and mellow you out the next! They made American music interesting again. They constantly reinvented themselves. How many of the bands brought up here can claim that? Most of them sound the same from album to album. R.E.M. changes musically as well as topically. They sing about so many things, not just sex (like aerosmith, zz top). Their music goes from rip your head off and S#*t down your neck to soothing and relaxing as well as anywhere in between. And yes they are a band, they all contribute to the musical landscape (not just a back up band) and they are all American. Period!

Posted by: Chris D. | Jun 13, 2004 3:13:27 PM

i think you need to think again bout bon jovi, they are one of the 32 artists who have ever sold more than 100 million albums, they have survived all the crap today for over 20 years, four out of five members have stuck together, they're the second most international toured band of all time, i dont care if u say they're the greatest, i just think you people should have some more respect for this band, i think americans should treasure this band that we can proudly say is an american band.

Posted by: Joel | Jun 20, 2004 6:27:03 AM

1. Bon Jovi
2. Aerosmith
3. Metallica
4. Van Halen
5. CCR
6. Stone Temple Pilots
7. Guns & Roses
8. Smashing Pumpkins
9. ZZ Top
10. Eagles

Posted by: jeff l. | Jun 21, 2004 1:01:28 PM

Joel has a good point there, I definetely agree with it.

Posted by: jake | Jun 21, 2004 2:17:21 PM

thanks jake and jeff for supporting me, I might highlight the point that they are the second most international band of all time, yes, I think the beatles make better music (in my opionion the best band) but Bon Jovi was and still is more internationaly popular than the Beatles, and the most international band is Rolling Stones if you wanted to know. And no, this is not a opinion, it is a fact, check out the numbers of countries.

Posted by: Joel | Jun 21, 2004 10:25:44 PM

so since no one else has replied is that implying you people agree?

Posted by: Joel | Jun 28, 2004 4:22:42 AM

Guided By Voices...just ask Bob Pollard, he'll tell ya.

Posted by: Rob | Jul 13, 2004 8:22:46 AM

Velvet Underground!

Look, no 70s bands. If we're going up against the beatles, stones, kinks, who, you can't drag out aerosmith and van halen. and I love the eagles, but they hardly even rock. and I love the ramones, but you can't be that one-dimensional and still be the greatest american rock band. but for the velvets:

1) the most influential
2) the most innovative
3) hard rocking
4) from the 60s
5) super cool and edgy
6) could do noise freak outs and pretty songs
7) had a serious side, a playful side, and a libidinous side
8) and they're really, really american.

other bands, whatever their merits, don't have as much going.

and if you don't believe me, take it from Jonathan Richman:

They were wild like the USA
A mystery band in a New York way
Rock and roll, but not like the rest
And to me, America at it's best
How in the world were they making that sound?
Velvet Underground.

A spooky tone on a Fender bass
Played less notes and left more space
Stayed kind of still, looked kinda shy
Kinda far away, kinda dignified.
How in the world were they making that sound?
Velvet Underground.

Now you can look at that band and wonder where
All that sound was coming from
With just 4 people there.

Twangy sounds of the cheapest types,
Sounds as stark as black and white stripes,
Bold and brash, sharp and rude,
Like the heats turned off
And you're low on food.
How in the world were they making that sound?
Velvet Underground.
Like this...

Wild wild parties when they start to unwind
A close encounter of the thirdest kind
On the bandstand playing, everybody's saying
How in the world were they making that sound?
Velvet Underground.

Well you could look at that band
And at first sight
Say that certain rules about modern music
Wouldn't apply tonight.

Twangy sounds of the cheapest kind,
Like "Guitar sale $29.99,"
Bold and brash, stark and still,
Like the heats turned off
And you can't pay the bill.
How in the world were they making that sound?
Velvet Underground.

Both guitars got the fuzz tone on
The drummer's standing upright pounding along
A howl, a tone, a feedback whine
Biker boys meet the college kind
How in the world were they making that sound?
Velvet Underground.

Wild wild parties when they start to unwind
A close encounter of the thirdest kind
On the bandstand grooving, everybody moving
How in the world are they making that sound?
Velvet Underground.

Posted by: c. | Jul 14, 2004 3:15:35 AM

Great thread. My comments...

Aerosmith - No - two good albums, Toys and Rocks, that's it.

Van Halen - No - after David Lee left, they became another hair band.

Chicago - No - not what I consider R&R

Bon Jovi - No - you're joking, right?

Eagles - No - we're talking R&R here, right?

Fleetwood mac - No - see Eagles.

Kiss - No - Kiss Alive, that's it (and even that sucked), IMHO

Skynrd - No - inspired by the Allmans

Doors, CCR, REM, Allman Bros., Nirvana, Dead, Steely Dan, Talking Heads, Hot Tuna, Ramones. There's 10 - put 'em in any order you want. Oh and whoever brought up Little Feat, inspired choice, but they kinda dropped off after Lowell george died, did they not?

Posted by: fredd | Jul 21, 2004 5:31:10 PM

Any talk of great American rock bands that doesn't mention The Velvet Underground is suspect. They meet all the criteria and then some-influence, musicianship, depth.

I also agree with those who'd like to see The Ramones. The Byrds, and the Allman Brothers on the list.

Posted by: Joe | Jul 22, 2004 12:15:21 PM

"Bon Jovi - No - you're joking, right?"

No I'm not.

Posted by: Joel | Jul 29, 2004 3:01:45 AM

1. the boss and the e street band- They're a band, have been forever.
2. the Band- what a line up, very influential over many sub genres from Eagles to skynard to greatful dead
3. ok, the doors.
4. beach boys
5. the osmonds- just kidding
5. for the heavey metal genre- metalica
6. are talking USA or North america?- Rush/ BTO/ Guess who/ CSNY
7. ok, USA only- We need some females on this- The Holding company (and janice of course).
8. Buddy holly and the crickets- he wasn't a solo act either, they were a band
9. gotta have the chilli peppers on here
10. .....ramones, not my cup a tea, but hugely infuential.
j.s.

Posted by: j.s. | Aug 11, 2004 3:10:53 AM

Greatest American Band: By all definitions, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Not the the greatest rock&roll band, though they have played at some of the biggest rock concerts of all time, and they still do rock. With all due respect to other long lasting acts like the Grateful Dead, the Eagles, CCR, etc, the Dirt Band represents what American music is all about. They have been performing and recording together since the mid 1960s. They have had more top 40 and country hits, sold more records and performed before more people in more countries than many of the other bands mentioned on this forum. They have assembled together Levon Helm, the Byrds, Willie Nelson, John Hiatt, Bruce Hornsby, Roy Acuff, Linda Ronstadt, Tom Petty, Emmylou Harris, etc.just to name a few and gotten them all together singing and playing American music. I saw them perform 25 years ago and again a few weeks ago, and they still are having a great time playing and rocking.
I'm not saying they are my favorite band, or that they are the best, but no band in the world so fully embodies what American music is all about.

Posted by: Keith Gorgas | Aug 15, 2004 1:26:13 AM

Greatest American Band: By all definitions, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Not the the greatest rock&roll band, though they have played at some of the biggest rock concerts of all time, and they still do rock. With all due respect to other long lasting acts like the Grateful Dead, the Eagles, CCR, etc, the Dirt Band represents what American music is all about. They have been performing and recording together since the mid 1960s. They have had more top 40 and country hits, sold more records and performed before more people in more countries than many of the other bands mentioned on this forum. They have assembled together Levon Helm, the Byrds, Willie Nelson, John Hiatt, Bruce Hornsby, Roy Acuff, Linda Ronstadt, Tom Petty, Emmylou Harris, etc.just to name a few and gotten them all together singing and playing American music. I saw them perform 25 years ago and again a few weeks ago, and they still are having a great time playing and rocking.
I'm not saying they are my favorite band, or that they are the best, but no band in the world so fully embodies what American music is all about.

Posted by: Keith Gorgas | Aug 15, 2004 1:27:02 AM

There are very rare bands to be mentioned in

this topic.

From an emotional and creative point of view

I agree with Julian Jerman and his web

site "JAYNET.INFO":

1) The Doors

2) Supertramp*

3) Eagles

4) Velvet Underground

5) REM

6) Band*

7) Beach Boys

8) Steely Dan

* even if some member doesn't come from the

States.

Posted by: Frank | Aug 15, 2004 8:21:10 AM

I like your list, with 2 small quibbles.

Aside from one terrific album (and one additional great song), I never really thought Supertramp had a deep or wide catalogue.
Everyone else you mentioned has album after album after album of terrific music.; So I kind put these guys into top of the "B" category;
(please correct me if I am overlooking some of their material)

I always thought of the Band as an primarily US outfit . . . no asterisk neccesary.

Posted by: Barry Ritholtz | Aug 15, 2004 8:32:42 AM

Hi Barry!

Supertramp are best known in the world with the album "Breakfast in America" but artistically this one is not
the best of their catalogue even if there is the first song there "Gone Hollywood" that attests the extraordinary melodic creativity and composition balance of this band jealously kept for more than 30 years!

The Supertramp is the typical band with an inimitable and mysterious sound ( like The Doors, Pink Floyd ...) for which they musically stends out from the fray!

Songs like "Rudy", "Asylum", "Crime of the Century" ( 74 ), "Even In the Quietest Moments" ( 75 ), and "Brother Where you Bound" ( 85 ) can attest it more and more!

Unfortunately these songs aren't played from the commercial radio stations.

Posted by: Frank | Aug 16, 2004 11:45:59 AM

Note to Joe:

I like The Velvet Underground a lot -- I think reasonable people can argue about where they fit in the top 20

Allman Bros where always too "Southern Rock" specific for me . . . again reasonable people can disagree where they fit at the top

I was never a huge Byrds fan, but I understand the appeal . . .

lastly -- I've seen the Ramones too many times too drunk to play -- so their live performances take them off my list
(gotta be able to hold your guitar without pissing yourself . . .)

Posted by: Barry Ritholtz | Aug 16, 2004 9:16:03 PM

1. Byrds
2. Steely Dan (barely qualify as they weren't a real band for most of their career)
3. Beach Boys (also barely qualify, they couldn't/can't reproduce as a band some of their best music.)
4. MC5 (best live band ever - BELIEVE it)
5. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band (as noted above, if you allow the Doors you gotta allow Bruce and Co.)
6. CCR
7. Buffalo Springfield
8. Nirvana
9. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Almost There: Cheap Trick, Replacements, Moby Grape

Posted by: Reid McLean | Aug 17, 2004 12:19:14 AM

Hi Reid,

Lyrically you are right but musically Bruce Springsteen will never be able to create a song rich in pathos like "Aja" ( Steely Dan ), "Crystal Ships" ( The Doors ), "From Now On" ( Supertramp ) or "The Long and Winding Road" ( Beatles ).

Unfortunately in the States ( for instance ) many music lovers consider unproperly U2 better than Yes or another Progressive Rock Band because the irish band has in their songs the social and political themes.

But I repeat again: the music is created by musicians not politicians or sociologists!

Posted by: Jack Debante | Aug 17, 2004 6:22:17 AM

This thread seems dead, but it's also worth noting that while the best (classic rock) bands are clearly British -- even the second-tier ones are arguably better than first-tier US ones -- there haven't been many relevant British rock bands in 30 years (i'll explain)-- since the Clash broke up.

Sure, you have the Cure, Smiths, etc., but when it comes to dynamic, explosive, iconic rock (in the vein of the Stones, Who, Zep), the US clearly dominates:

Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, Chili Peppers, Pixies, Pearl Jam, GnR, Metallica, Fugazi, Janes Addiction. This are explosive, exciting, huge, and (occasionally) dangerous rock bands.

Second tier: Soundgarden, Rage, STP, White Stripes, Pavement even.

I can think of Radiohead, Blur, and Oasis, that's about it. Maybe My Bloody Valentine, JAMC. Def Leppard? Judas Priest?

Posted by: Vince | Aug 17, 2004 11:31:14 AM

10. Television
9. Cheap Trick
8. The Band
7. Van Halen
6. CCR
5. Dead (edited out Chili Peppers)
4. Talking Heads
3. Replacements
2. Doors
1. REM

Posted by: Martini | Aug 17, 2004 12:15:00 PM

Hi,

I went to see lou reed in concert in london the other day and am a big fan - he was suitably legendary. However, i must take issue to the guy who said the Velevet Underground fit the selection criteria. I am sorry to have to report that co-founder and bass player hailed from the green valleys of Wales.

sorry....couldn't let that British influence go unreported!!

Posted by: Henry | Aug 20, 2004 11:15:19 AM

Hi,

I went to see lou reed in concert in london the other day and am a big fan - he was suitably legendary. However, i must take issue to the guy who said the Velevet Underground fit the selection criteria. I am sorry to have to report that co-founder and bass player, John Cale, hailed from the green valleys of Wales.

sorry....couldn't let that British influence go unreported!!

Posted by: Henry | Aug 20, 2004 11:17:04 AM

1. Eagles (Number one Selling Album of all time)
2. CCR
3. Areosmith (over thiry years and still getting it on.)
4. Doors
5. Supertramp
6. Talking Heads
7. Van Halen
8. Lynard Skynrd
9. Metalica
10. Guns and Roses

Posted by: Brad | Sep 4, 2004 11:40:32 AM

CHICAGO. It has GOT to be Chicago. Just look at their stats: over 120 million CD's sold, they made it to the Billboard Charts, Top Ten American Charts, was the first rock band to have a leading horn section, over 15 of their CD's went platinum, and even though Terry Kath was a bad loss for the band, they managed to stand tall after his death, has fallen and RISEN over the years, are still going strong after 37 years and 8 months, with a broadway musical 'Colour My World' (don't ask about the British spelling) due next year. Need me say more? Chicago is THE Greatest American Rock Band.

Posted by: Fitch | Sep 10, 2004 6:02:13 AM

Wasn't Blood, Sweat, & Tears the first rock band with a leading horn section? Didn't Chicago come out of their success with their first four albums (most specifically the second one)? BS&T is another overlooked band here, very underated IMHO, but I don't think they should be top ten, they're not that good (top 25ish?)...

Still, great live performances, very influental in style (ie Chicago / The Ides Of March / Twelve Wheel Drive, the horn band "revolution" was their "fault"), work that isn't dated one iota ("Spinning Wheel" and "And When I Die" sounds just as damned good now as it did almost 35 years ago), bridged styles (jazz+rock, which actually makes some of their work debatable as rock, but they could rock -> "Go Down Gamblin'").

Excellent technique musicians as well (their horns put Chicago to shame on skill) and decent writers (D.C. Thomas wrote most of their new stuff, but they definatly weren't just a backing group). Sure they covered a lot, but they covered so well they basically own those songs now ("Hidiho"+"Got To Get You Into My Life" [they actually eclipse Macca's version with ease]). Steve Katz could belt out some decent tunes; and never forget that first album WAS Al Kooper's.

Posted by: Mike | Sep 13, 2004 10:09:34 PM

Thanks for the list Barry and for your contributions on realmoney. I'm 52 and so have had a chance to hear/grow up with most of these bands but of course, my musical taste might be different than others. Rather than list the "best", I'll call them my favorites (so many English artists that I like excluded - Pink Floyd, Elvis Costello, Zeppelin, The Who, earlier Tull, earlier Fleetwood Mac (blues), Beatles):

Could never come up with an 'order' but:

- R.E.M (before they 'toned down')
- Talking Heads
- Camper Van Beethoven
- Byrds
- Allman Brothers
- Neil Young (best songwriter, no one close in coming up with melodies)
- Pearl Jam
- Jefferson Airplane
- The Band
- They Might Be Giants

Posted by: Mike McCurdy | Sep 15, 2004 8:44:56 AM

Interesting discussion. It's hard for me to opine authoritatively; all my favorite bands are British. But I'll try. First, if we remove the country restrictions, Zeppelin wins over pretty much everyone. It's too bad that they created a recorded sound they could not hope to pull off live, but their studio recordings are a collective masterpiece; even the weakest link, "Presence" has some good stuff on it. Decades later, we're all still trying to figure out exactly what made them tick--and click--so perfectly. A trio with a singer, and yet, so very much more...

Skynard always gets overlooked. "Southern Rock." Nope. American Rock Music. They were every bit as talented as Steely Dan (a personal fave), just in a different way. I suppose that overall, I'd have to say that Skynard was the best American Rock Band. Just like Zep, they had a lot of range and pulled a lot of different styles and genres together into a sound that is uniquely and identifiably their own.

But unlike Zep, they could do it all live. And how. Just ask Pete Townsend. They were the YES to the Allman's ELP; by now most people know that ELP lifted a lot of their motifs from classical music, and the Allmans relied a bit too heavily on tradtional blues. Skynard wrote their own tunes, and made their own rules.

Posted by: John | Oct 1, 2004 7:33:55 AM

CHICAGO IS ONE OF THE GREATEST ROCK & ROLL BANDS OF ALL TIME CERTAINLY # 1 IN AMERICA SUCCESS SPEAKS FOR ITSELF THERES NO BAND LINEUP POUND FOR POUND THAT COULD MATCH UP WITH THEM, TERRY KATH - GUITAR ONE OF THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME, AND WITH OUT A DOUBT THE BEST SINGER, PETER CETERA-BASS, ONE OF THE BEST LEAD SINGERS OF ALL TIME, ROBERT LAMM-KEYBOARDS ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREATEST SONG WRITERS, DANNY SERAPHINE-DRUMS TOP 25 ALL TIME, AND THE GREATEST HORN SECTION, WALT PARAZAIDER, LEE LOUGHNANE, AND JIMMY PANKOW, NOW YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT OVER 125 MILLION RECORD SALES OVER 35 YEARS OF NON STOP TOURING, THE ULTIMATE THROW DOWN BAND, THERE SECOND TO NONE, JUST LISTEN TO THE MUSIC AND THEN FEEL IT!!!

Posted by: JR | Oct 4, 2004 10:10:47 PM

Here's a band nobody remembers ---

J. Geils Band

For those of you who have any questions, go and buy their live albums. They were just incredible on the stage.

Posted by: HS | Oct 8, 2004 1:36:17 PM

journey

great lead singer

great guitarist

sold mor albums than a lot of groups on your list

Posted by: barry morton | Oct 9, 2004 6:56:49 PM

CHICAGO IS THE #1 AMERICAN BAND OF ALL TIME,CONSIDER THIS FACT IF YOU EVER SAW CHICAGO IN CONCERT YOU KNOW THAT THEY CAN ROCK AS HARD AS ANYONE !!!! AND ALSO PLAY JAZZ, BLUES, POP, COUNTRY, SOUL, SALSA, CHICAGO THE GM OF AMERICAN ROCK, SECOND TO NONE !!!!

Posted by: JR | Oct 16, 2004 11:02:12 AM

TOP 10 AMERICAN BANDS #1 CHICAGO #2 THRU #10 FILL IN THE BLANKS

Posted by: JR | Oct 16, 2004 11:49:16 AM

Listen it's obviously either the Mettalica for (metal) or The Doors..maybe...

Posted by: Andrew | Oct 20, 2004 1:29:55 PM

Accepting the "US only" rule is fairly easy. But the "No Solo Artist" criteria is really tough. It's more an (un)fortunate marketing issue. As so ably pointed out already, CCR was less than nothing without John Fogerty. The Doors were definitely Morrison's backing band although all proved to be capable musicians in their own right. But I'll play by your rules. With one exception. Allow me to name my "unqualified" list first:
1. Bob Dylan
2. Jimi Hendrix
3. Grateful Dead
4. Neil Young
5. Bruce Springsteen
6. Credence Clearwater Revival
7. Talking Heads
8. R.E.M.
9. Red Hot Chili Peppers
10. Allman Bros.

"by the rules"
1. Grateful Dead
2. CCR
3. Talking Heads
4. R.E.M.
5. Red Hot Chili Peppers
6. Allman Bros.
7. Pearl Jam
8. The Doors
9. X
10. The Mothers of Invention

Honorable Mention: Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane

I couldn't really justify the Beach Boys or the Eagles as a rock band although I guess some would say that of the Mothers as well. I felt bad leaving Elvis off the first list but I have no concept how popular he was in his day. Other random thoughts: The argument that the Allman Bros are too Southern or bluesy to be on a list is a regional prejudice you're entitled to. That's why the Ramones, GNR, V.Underground don't make my list I guess. Punk qualifies as rock, but good luck to the Punk band that doesn't learn to create a wider appeal.

Posted by: greg | Oct 22, 2004 12:51:23 PM

Im English and was born in 1987. ive grown up with the BritPOP era thus got into all the older music bearing in mind BritPOP is pretty poor. though Britian in my opinion has produced the best rock and roll bands, America has spawned the likes of the allmand brothers, lynrd sknyrd and REM. and how can you leave out Nirvana or G'N'R? Nirvana created a new genre of music! nothing America has created will ever measure up to led zeppelin or the beatles but overall, id say you guys have/had some pretty decent rock groups of your own! P.S dont forget Metallica!

Posted by: stu | Oct 30, 2004 11:03:31 AM

barring british acts like oasis (who are going to be remembered alongside the Beatles)and the new wave of british rock such as the 22-20s and muse, i think we currently lead the way in rock. our american groups in comparison to britians best of the past is quite pathetic. but hey...lets think to the future! bands such as "the geronimo pirates" and "the faux pas" will rule the airwaves. and we still have the the chilli peppers and REM. who do Britian have now???

from grant

Posted by: grantio | Oct 30, 2004 11:10:32 AM

Here's my list.

1. Pearl Jam
2. Creedence Clearwater Revival
3. The Doors
4. The Red Hot Chili peppers
5. Kiss
6. Tool
7. Ramones
8. Alice in Chains
9. Metallica
10. REM

ps. Message to Mike: THE BAND are Canadian.

Selection of bands should not be based on how much work they released but the quality. Thats why Alice in Chains made it. They rocked and influenced a shit load of new bands. I say this because I know a lot of people will disagree but I'm Canadian and you need an outsider on this. A lot of bands suck after a few records; they didn't.

Posted by: scott mcfadden | Oct 30, 2004 6:10:21 PM

1. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
2. The Replacements
3. R.E.M.
4. Aerosmith
5. Guns N' Roses
6. Ramones
7. Pearl Jam
8. The Doors
9. The Eagles
10. CCR

Posted by: John Hugar | Nov 16, 2004 10:37:40 PM

1. Grateful Dead
2. Phish (yes i truly believe that)
3. Allman brothers
4. red hot chili peppers
5. ccr
6. steely dan
7. moe.
8. i dont know

by the way-----THE DOORS SUCK, no musicianship skill what so ever. without morrison their lost

Posted by: peter | Nov 19, 2004 9:47:40 PM

nobody has mentioned BOSTON...am I missing something?

Posted by: otter*pop | Nov 20, 2004 8:06:01 AM

for what it's worth...
10. styx
9. van halen
8. the ramones
7. journey
6. metallica
5. lynyrd skynyrd
4. the doors
3. aerosmith
2. cheap trick
1. boston
yeah, i know the eagles have the best selling album of all time but i just can't bring myself to call them a rock and roll band.

and as far as chicago and steely dan, they're only one notch above lounge lizards and one notch above elevator music. we're talking ROCK bands here. i wouldn't hire them to play at a cheesy wedding.
and for all you steely dan

Posted by: otter*pop | Nov 20, 2004 8:40:37 AM

for what it's worth...
10. styx
9. van halen
8. the ramones
7. journey
6. metallica
5. lynyrd skynyrd
4. the doors
3. aerosmith
2. cheap trick
1. boston

yeah, i know the eagles have the best selling album of all time but i just can't bring myself to call them a rock and roll band.

and as far as chicago and steely dan, they're only one notch below lounge lizards and one notch above elevator music. we're talking ROCK bands here. i wouldn't hire them to play at a cheesy wedding.

Posted by: otter*pop | Nov 20, 2004 9:20:12 AM

In no real order, it's teh bands that matter

The beatles
The stones
The who
The james gang
The dead kennedy's
Black sabbath
The ramones
The beach boys
Simon and Garfunkel
Arlo guthrie

Posted by: colinrebert | Dec 9, 2004 2:40:55 PM

No particular order:
Pixies
Velvet Underground
Fugazi
Beach Boy
Sonic Youth
R.E.M
Byrds
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Ramones
Modest Mouse

Posted by: MatteoJ | Dec 18, 2004 12:26:22 AM

The greatest American Rock artist evere

CSN
MC5
Grand Funk Railroad
REO Speedwagon
Styx
Ted Nuggent
Van Halen
Boston
Nirivana
RHCP
CCR
Metallica (To bad they cant keep a steady line up)

Posted by: Isaac | Dec 27, 2004 12:15:38 PM

The greatest American Rock artist evere

CSN
MC5
Grand Funk Railroad
REO Speedwagon
Styx
Ted Nuggent
Van Halen
Boston
Double Trouble
Nirivana
RHCP
CCR
Metallica (To bad they cant keep a steady line up)
The Stooges

How can any body not realize how great Ted Nuggent is oh yeah if its only American The Band dont count Canada is not America and Neil Young is Canadian to so he dount count

Posted by: Isaac | Dec 27, 2004 12:19:30 PM

no offense man, but i think that it is rather stupid not to consider a band like KISS, who broke ground in music and show and appearance and also have the most gold albums by an American band. Aerosmith and Tool are also good bands to consider, and Guns and Roses and Alice in Chains. I may be a kid of the 90's but i still know my music!

Posted by: Brandon | Dec 30, 2004 8:08:19 PM

I have to disagree with Van Halen because, really, you're talking about two bands here, Van Halen and Van Hagar. I myself don't much care for anything Van Halen did with Sammy. I do think the Eagles should be up there as they are quite possibly the biggest band to come out of the 70's and no other decade has had a band of there stature since. I also feel Aerosmith should be included up at the top. I know some think of them as nothing but a Stones knock-off but the only real similarities between Aerosmith and the Stones are the size of Mick Jagger's and Steven Tylers lips. The Doors I would consider if they had stuck around longer, I'm still thinking about that one. REM I think I would have to be put at the top of the list. They are certainly the most influential band of the past 20 years bringing what was once alternative, underground collage radio music to the mainstream.
Why has no one mentioned the J.Geils Band?

Posted by: John | Dec 31, 2004 12:15:14 AM

All right, you probably expect Guns 'N Roses?

Give it to CCR/Fogerty. You can still play them on the
radio without it sounding horribly dated/corny. Fogerty
on Letterman played "Fortunate Son" and blew out all the
lame slacker bands. (the Green Day ripoff slightly too bored
to be angst-ridden bands). They had decent covers & originals.
You could still take 'em to Iraq in a Humvee and they fit,
just like they did in Vietnam in a Huey. Had a psychedelic,
blues and southern tint as well as straight rock-and-roll,
along with a screaming voice at times and harmonies at others.
Knew the power of one-note solos.

ALmost everything else here sounds horridly 70's or too few
albums, or dated quickly, or appeals to a tiny segment. Hendrix
Experience would be half British, Band did too little (and are
Canucks) as did Nirvana, Neil Young is more convincing as a solo artist
(he's Canuck but might as well be American),
Talking Heads were short-lived and too indebted to George Clinton
and Brian Eno, while Little Feat are not that important,
Butthole Surfers too inconsistent, REM just overrated though
sometimes fun. Perhaps the Supremes would cut it, but it's easier
to say the whole Motown movement. The Rolling Stones did some of
the best American albums (Exile, Sticky Fingers) but that's a non-starter.
Jefforson Airplane is frequently purely incompetent. Grateful Dead is
perhaps a larger contender for longevity, scope and complexity of work,
influence (doesn't getting hundreds of thousands to follow you around in
abeisance count for something?). I wouldn't personally buy their albums
again, but I'm not sure that's required.

But hey, we're Americans, we're supposed to be individuals, not
groups. Anyway, CCR or Grateful Dead - not that I wouldn't like something
more modern, but toyboy bands now rule the day. Chili Peppers okay, but
I figure they have 1 1/2 good albums. Parliament/Funkadelic, but it's
really George Clinton (and a bit of Bootsie) that ruled. Patti Smith Band
is arguably more than just her and has a worldwide effect, but...

Posted by: Axel | Jan 8, 2005 3:21:29 PM

Okay....this has to end.

AEROSMITH!!! Dream on, sweet emotion, walk this way, round and round, mama kin. Get your wings, toys, and rocks...back to back to back. Over 150 million sold, greatest comeback in rock history, changed the world with walk this way and run DMC, still original line-up, still puttin out good records, and still rock like almost no other. Joe perry is a guitar machine and tyler is one of the greatest singers ever. When it comes to america, they are unstopable.

Posted by: Bill | Jan 11, 2005 7:37:46 PM

Best ever live band People should rate bands from their overall performence....not from one point of view,,,,,we are getting all this discussion because of wrong rating.In my opinium.....beatles-the best ever band in history(no doubt or question)how ever they aren`t a rockband!Best rockn rockheavy-Kiss(with som doubt,but I dare to put them there for all they have done for heavy Rock...going from the 70``s rock flying into the 80``s heavy rock)great band.Best live stage-Kiss(people says is the best).I have no problem with my rating.....there are some other ratings to do,but I leave it for later

Posted by: Ric | Jan 22, 2005 3:45:59 PM

OK...let`s have a poll.....rate the best ever rock band 60`s-best ever rockband 70``s-best ever 80`s-best ever 90`s-best ever live band-most selling band ever(records)-most remembered band ever-best heavy rock ever-the band with most fans--------I think we could have a fair rating

Posted by: ric | Jan 22, 2005 3:53:59 PM

Couldn't resist, I'm a big fan of the ``Big Picture'' for Barry's market insights, but I had to weigh in on this lingering (unanswerable) question:
Top Ten Greatest and Most Influential:
(no particular order)
10. The Pixies
9. The Ramones
8. Aerosmith
7. Metallica
6. The Doors
5. REM
4. Guided By Voices
3. CCR
2. Grateful Dead
1. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Honorable Mentions: CSN, Nirvana (too few albums) Talking Heads, Pavement, Velvet Underground, Pearl Jam.

Guided By Voices. GBV was just a fantastic, boozy R&R band that just broke up. If you missed them live, you really missed something special.

Why Bruce? The name of the band is misleading - the band has been together for 25 years. And the band itself really embodies what America's all about, no?

The songs of the Pixies (who just reunited) were just like the band: Short, jarring and unforgettable. You could probably quibble with this one, but i couldn't resist after seeing them in concert last month (they sounded fantastic). And the Pixies trump Nirvana for influencing all those 90's bands.

Definitely Not: Van Halen - I was a big VH fan as a kid but VHalen's last couple of albums were lousy and Van Hagar was just embarrassing. Sorry Barry/

Posted by: Eric | Jan 26, 2005 11:00:49 AM

no idiocy guyz. here's THE LIST 1.BON JOVI 2.AEROSMITH 3.GUNS N ROSES 4.GREENDAY 5.KISS NO ARGUEMENTS PLZ. BANDS THAT SUCK-------- NIRVANA, REM ETC, TO AN EXTENT RED HOT......

Posted by: ricky | Feb 3, 2005 5:25:52 AM

Rock & Roll.... the ramones are the godfathers of punk, but they're really rock and roll, and they're not sloppy!, they're goods... The Doors we're a really really good band and what about the kinks?? did anybody knows the kinks!?

Posted by: Brenda | Feb 3, 2005 3:56:43 PM

BON JOVI................ BON JOVI........................ BON JOVI.........................THE BEST ......................................................... AEROSMITH .................COMES........... IN............. NEXT..............

Posted by: rick | Feb 4, 2005 12:32:38 AM

You are all looking at big selling bands. If you want a great american band, that would be the Blasters! Not the biggest selling band, I know, but they were awsome live. Listen to testament and the live show on the second disc. It's all there. Phil Alvin can out sing anyone. And his brother Dave can write. A great combination.

Posted by: Kevin Crawford | Feb 4, 2005 6:53:49 PM

BON JOVI BON JOVI BON JOVI BON JOVI BON JOVI BON JOVI BON JOVI BON JOVI BON JOVI BON JOVI

Posted by: def leppard | Feb 5, 2005 4:25:31 AM

just listen to bonjovi's bounce cd. fukin' rockin'they r the best.i agree.BONJOVI ROCKS THE MOST

Posted by: sex bomb | Feb 6, 2005 7:03:06 AM

Dont forget the Best American Singer ever THE KING OF ROCK ELVIS!!

Posted by: JUSTIN | Feb 9, 2005 8:16:08 PM

BEST AMERICAN ROCK BANDS
All american Rock bands
Elivs < The Turtles
The Byrds
The raspberries

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
the Buffalo Springfield
The Mamas And the Papas
Chicago
Boston
Beach Boys
journey
Lynerd Skinerd
steve miller band
Heart

Posted by: SMITH | Feb 9, 2005 8:47:49 PM

I'm going with Journey............accused of selling out ( i.e. corporate rock) but let's face it.....every song had a great rock "hook"...incredible vocals, guitar and Steve Smith is probably the finest drummer in the world..even today ( though you could not tell from most Journey tunes.)

Posted by: Rob | Feb 11, 2005 11:06:38 PM

WOW. WHAT A DISGRACE. WHOEVER IT IS. MAMAS AND THE PAPAS????????????????? WHO WERE THEY??? I THINK IT'S A TOSS UP BETWEEN AEROSMITH AND BON JOVI. AND I THINK THE SHEER NO. OF ALBUMS SOLD BY BON JOVI HOLDS THEM IN GOOD STEAD. MOORE TOURED THAN ANY OF THE OTHER BANDS MENTIONED. SO-------------------BON JOVI.. IT'S A SHAME, SOME HAVE PICKED EEEEXTREMELY DISGUSTING AND ONE HIT WONDER BANDS.....

Posted by: james | Feb 12, 2005 2:45:12 AM

I'd be interested in knowing which American band had the most number one hits and which American band has had the mos