Greatest American Rock Band

[CouchCoach]

The Eagles officially took over the #1 selling album in the US with their Greatest Hits 71-75 with sales at 38M, not too shabby, But that started a minor debate in that thread about other bands so I thought a thread just about American bands should settle this and remember, the ruling by the judges will be final.

So, what band is the greatest American Rock band of all time? And this is your opinion, you don't need sales or stats, just what you think makes your band the greatest.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Aerosmith has to be considered.

I would add The Beach Boys (even if you don't care for their music).

CCR

Metallica

Van Halen

The Doors

ZZ Top

Really dislike the next band I list but they were/are a juggernaut for some..>Lynrd Skynrd

As great as they are, I think the next band is still always UNDERrated...Bob Seger and the silver bullet band.

 

[Runwildboys]

Aerosmith. They started out raw and gritty, which was such an awesome rock sound, and they adapted with the times, changing their style and experiencing a longevity rarely seen. Personally, I prefer the pre-sobriety stuff, by a long shot, but it's hard to argue with fact that people keep buying their music. I also think Steven Tyler is the best American rock front man, making a great show out of every concert.

 

[roughneck266]

Hard to pick for me. Metallica is up there, so is Van Halen, Creedance, The Chili Peppers, problem is there are so many flavors of rock, it's hard to leave it at one.

 

[Runwildboys]

Hard to pick for me. Metallica is up there, so is Van Halen, Creedance, The Chili Peppers, problem is there are so many flavors of rock, it's hard to leave it at one.

Van Halen should certainly be in the conversation, as should Creedence.

 

[Runwildboys]

Should the Allman Brothers Band be in the mix, or should Southern Rock/Blues be in a different category?.......This ain't easy, CC.

 

[roughneck266]

Van Halen should certainly be in the conversation, as should Creedence.

Yeah, for me there are probably 50 of them. Too many different styles to choose from. Hard to leave Hendrix out of the conversation, or as mentioned above, the Beach Boys. Not a fan of their music, but there influence is so widespread it cannot be denied in my opinion.

 

[CouchCoach]

Hard to pick for me. Metallica is up there, so is Van Halen, Creedance, The Chili Peppers, problem is there are so many flavors of rock, it's hard to leave it at one.

It is hard roughneck, but rules are rules.

Look at it this way, you are going to be shipwrecked on a deserted island and only allowed the music of one American band. Now, you are only going to be there for 5 years so all is not lost; however, I will be returning you to that island for another 5 years, after a conjugal visit to keep the native animals on the island safe, with only the music of a Funk band.

So, pick.

 

[CouchCoach]

Should the Allman Brothers Band be in the mix, or should Southern Rock/Blues be in a different category?.......This ain't easy, CC.

I know, I am still thinking and every time I think I've got it, someone mentions another one to consider...like the Allmans.

 

[Xelda]

Creedence Clearwater even though they didn't put out much music before breaking up.
Bon Jovi has had a long run with a lot of good hits. Yes they did. Did too!
I'd have to see a list to make a choice based on my particular tastes.

I'm with you BrAin, I can't stand the Beach Boys. Not a single song. I always changed stations when they'd come on.

 

[roughneck266]

It is hard roughneck, but rules are rules.

Look at it this way, you are going to be shipwrecked on a deserted island and only allowed the music of one American band. Now, you are only going to be there for 5 years so all is not lost; however, I will be returning you to that island for another 5 years, after a conjugal visit to keep the native animals on the island safe, with only the music of a Funk band.

So, pick.

Under those rules, I will go with Aerosmith. If for no other reason than they have about a million songs, and there is a big enough difference between the early and later years, it's almost like having more than one band.

 

[Tabascocat]

I don’t care what any of you say, but the clear answer is........













Motley Crue!

 

[CouchCoach]

Under those rules, I will go with Aerosmith. If for no other reason than they have about a million songs, and there is a big enough difference between the early and later years, it's almost like having more than one band.

Good strategy as well, get a little variety on that island.

 

[Chrispierce]

I’d say Aerosmith. Too bad AC/DC isn’t from America ...because they really got that good old American rock thing down pat. Just dirty old white boy in jeans driving your muscle car,and telling the man to go stick it music. Looool

 

[Chrispierce]

I don’t care what any of you say, but the clear answer is........













Motley Crue!

looool. Dang....those guys. I have no idea how they ever managed all those years. They really didn’t get along.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Aerosmith has to be considered.

I would add The Beach Boys (even if you don't care for their music).

CCR

Metallica

Van Halen

The Doors

ZZ Top

Really dislike the next band I list but they were/are a juggernaut for some..>Lynrd Skynrd

As great as they are, I think the next band is still always UNDERrated...Bob Seger and the silver bullet band.

I would throw the Red Hot Chili Peppers into this and even Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Your list and these guys just cranked out hit after hit after hit. If Axle wasn't hell bent on rail-roading GNR...

 

[DoctorChicken]

The Velvet Underground

 

[Corso]

I cannot believe nobody has said The Eagles...

 

[Runwildboys]

I don’t care what any of you say, but the clear answer is........













Motley Crue!

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha..........ha.

 

[blindzebra]

This really requires a definition for rock. There are too many genres that can fit under rock. The Eagles are not what I would call rock, but they would be high on the list. Same goes for REM and The Beach Boys. Is grunge rock? Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Sound Garden, and Alice in Chains can all be included if the answer is yes. Does Fleetwood Mac fit under American band, since without Stevie and Lindsey they would not even be mentioned.

Maybe we should do it by regions? Southern rock, NE rock, midwest, and west coast?

NE: Aerosmith, Boston, Kiss, The Ramones, Talking Heads
South: Eagles, CCR, Skynard, ABB, REM
MW: Chicago, Styx, REO Speed Wagon, ZZ Top
WC: Beach Boys, Nirvana, Chillipeppers, Van Halen, Pearl Jam