Tell Me :
Talk
THE DOORS
Not exactly Big Star but Big Star's Chris Bell's solo song, "I Am the Cosmos" is absolutely fantastic.
video: [youtu.be]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021-07-02 06:55 by kovach.
So in the beginning, weren't it the American blues players that fed the English copycats, hence the American polished rockbands that invented a new sound, like ToTo or Van Halen, to which the English had no serious reply ?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021-07-03 22:12 by TheflyingDutchman.
I did. I didn't mention Van Halen, probably because of the cartoonery of their career and, just like with any band, a lot of inconsistency. DBT is all over the place. The Doors have such a small discography it's easier to overlook the weirdness of THE SOFT PARADE (although Wild Child is the best thing on that LP).
LOL The Wrecking Crew and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section are actually the best American band.
One could add the Funk Brothers to that list also.
Yeah! And The Memphis Boys.
The Doors.
Of the three American bands I named as IMO most likely the "best":
Bruce Springsteen & the E St Band
Velvet Underground
Creedence Clearwater Revival
...the one that your choice of criteria seems most likely to exclude is the Velvets. But I'm not sure that even those extensive constraints do eliminate them. All four albums VU released while still intact were great, contained great songs, innovative and highly influential music, and the music is still listened to today. VU music is not played over baseball park loudspeakers like Beach Boys songs are, granted. Who it is still played by is people who love great rock n roll.
Maybe what you really wanted to ask was, What American rock n roll band has had the widest reach and has estsblished the broadest cultural impact in the country? That would be how you get to a Beach Boys or Elvis & the Blue Moon Boys answer.
Returning to great albums, we have two more great Velvet Underground studio albums as well: "V.U." (1984) and "Another View" (1986). That's six (out of six) great studio albums... is six enough?
The band comes closest to not meeting your standard of legendary live performances. The band didn't last long, true... it didn't play the numbers of shows that long-lived bands did. But if the measure is, how GOOD were they live, then I'll point anyone to the double album "1969 Live" (released in 1974). I myself was too young to have seen them perform, but I do have "1969," and, in my humble opinion, it ranks up there with the, yes, "best" rock n roll anyone has ever played live and had captured on record.
As for personalities who captured a lot of people's attention and imaginations, I give you: Lou Reed.
Springsteen, CCR, and yes, VU, I still regard all three as great candidates for "the best" American rock n roll band. As for which between them "wins," ...maybe CCR?
But if what you're really asking is more like, Which of the great American bands' music has been played the most, is most nearly universally recognized, and overall has just been the BIGGEST?... then, yes, VU falls out. You're restricting the field to Elvis & the BMB, the Beach Boys, CCR, Springsteen, and... IDK who else.
****
I'm down in Virginia
with your Cousin Lou
Talk about your favorite band.
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Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
winos
()
Date: July 1, 2021 09:45
My picks:
The Band
Allman Brothers
The Doors
CSN&Y
Elvis's TCB
CCR
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
ZZ Top
Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Talking Heads
Blondie
Steely Dan
E Street Band
Nirvana
Gov't Mule
Drive By truckers
Faith No More
But the band I always return to is......Lynyrd Skynyrd
pool's in but the patio ain't dry
The Band
Allman Brothers
The Doors
CSN&Y
Elvis's TCB
CCR
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
ZZ Top
Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Talking Heads
Blondie
Steely Dan
E Street Band
Nirvana
Gov't Mule
Drive By truckers
Faith No More
But the band I always return to is......Lynyrd Skynyrd
pool's in but the patio ain't dry
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
1962
()
Date: July 1, 2021 10:54
Quote
winos
My picks:
The Band
Allman Brothers
The Doors
CSN&Y
Elvis's TCB
CCR
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
ZZ Top
Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Talking Heads
Blondie
Steely Dan
E Street Band
Nirvana
Gov't Mule
Drive By truckers
Faith No More
But the band I always return to is......Lynyrd Skynyrd
THE DOORS
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
straycatuk
()
Date: July 1, 2021 11:04
I would say the Band , but only the drummer was American ,
so it's Beach Boys, Blondie and ZZ Top for me
sc uk
so it's Beach Boys, Blondie and ZZ Top for me
sc uk
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
rollmops
()
Date: July 1, 2021 13:02
Although there are plenty of great US rock bands, I feel like America has been better at producing rock and roll personalities/icons. England has been great at creating hugely important rock bands.
Rockandroll,
Mops
Rockandroll,
Mops
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
Rockman
()
Date: July 1, 2021 13:14
Its a bit more complex but in a way the Americans
didnt really know what they had in their back yards ...
It took a few of them English bands to feed it back to them
ROCKMAN
didnt really know what they had in their back yards ...
It took a few of them English bands to feed it back to them
ROCKMAN
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
slew
()
Date: July 1, 2021 16:50
CCR
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
kovach
()
Date: July 2, 2021 05:42
Quote
kovachQuote
NashvilleBluesQuote
loog droog
There's not much reward for being too far ahead of your time.
A group that has been that and more...multiple times...is finally getting their due:
SPARKS.
[www.youtube.com]
In that vein, check out Big Star. If you haven’t already.
Great band that suffered from poor marketing.
The documentary thst came out about them a few years ago was very good.
I'm not sure they'd qualify as one of the greatest American bands but should not be overlooked nonetheless.
Not exactly Big Star but Big Star's Chris Bell's solo song, "I Am the Cosmos" is absolutely fantastic.
video: [youtu.be]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021-07-02 06:55 by kovach.
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
flilflam
()
Date: July 2, 2021 18:12
America or Three Dog Night
I am going to see Three Dog Night on my birthday, October 7, in Charleston, WV. Can't wait to see them. This will be the first rock concert for me in Three years.
I am going to see Three Dog Night on my birthday, October 7, in Charleston, WV. Can't wait to see them. This will be the first rock concert for me in Three years.
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
Paris75014
()
Date: July 3, 2021 20:23
my favourite three American bands :
- Lynyrd Skynyd
- ZZ Top
- Aerosmith
- Lynyrd Skynyd
- ZZ Top
- Aerosmith
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
Honestman
()
Date: July 3, 2021 21:42
CCR
HMN
HMN
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
TheflyingDutchman
()
Date: July 3, 2021 22:01
Quote
Rockman
Its a bit more complex but in a way the Americans
didnt really know what they had in their back yards ...
It took a few of them English bands to feed it back to them
So in the beginning, weren't it the American blues players that fed the English copycats, hence the American polished rockbands that invented a new sound, like ToTo or Van Halen, to which the English had no serious reply ?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021-07-03 22:12 by TheflyingDutchman.
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
roryg
()
Date: July 3, 2021 23:46
Drive by Truckers, Allman Brothers, REM,Bruce Springsteen and E Street, Alice Cooper (the band), Blue Oyster Cult, Foo Fighters (great live band working on their older catalog-sound familiar?)
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
kovach
()
Date: July 4, 2021 20:06
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
Stones726
()
Date: July 4, 2021 20:39
So, really surprised nobody mentioned Pearl Jam- top 5 on my list
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
GasLightStreet
()
Date: July 4, 2021 21:54
Quote
Stones726
So, really surprised nobody mentioned Pearl Jam- top 5 on my list
I did. I didn't mention Van Halen, probably because of the cartoonery of their career and, just like with any band, a lot of inconsistency. DBT is all over the place. The Doors have such a small discography it's easier to overlook the weirdness of THE SOFT PARADE (although Wild Child is the best thing on that LP).
LOL The Wrecking Crew and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section are actually the best American band.
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
Elmo Lewis
()
Date: July 4, 2021 22:02
Quote
GasLightStreetQuote
Stones726
So, really surprised nobody mentioned Pearl Jam- top 5 on my list
I did. I didn't mention Van Halen, probably because of the cartoonery of their career and, just like with any band, a lot of inconsistency. DBT is all over the place. The Doors have such a small discography it's easier to overlook the weirdness of THE SOFT PARADE (although Wild Child is the best thing on that LP).
LOL The Wrecking Crew and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section are actually the best American band.
One could add the Funk Brothers to that list also.
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
GasLightStreet
()
Date: July 4, 2021 22:10
Quote
Elmo LewisQuote
GasLightStreetQuote
Stones726
So, really surprised nobody mentioned Pearl Jam- top 5 on my list
I did. I didn't mention Van Halen, probably because of the cartoonery of their career and, just like with any band, a lot of inconsistency. DBT is all over the place. The Doors have such a small discography it's easier to overlook the weirdness of THE SOFT PARADE (although Wild Child is the best thing on that LP).
LOL The Wrecking Crew and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section are actually the best American band.
One could add the Funk Brothers to that list also.
Yeah! And The Memphis Boys.
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
Cooltoplady
()
Date: July 4, 2021 22:12
I was going to say The Wrecking crew but I didn’t think that would count
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
TheBluesHadaBaby
()
Date: July 4, 2021 22:26
My top dozen -- and I'd be comfortable calling any of the top 3 "the best" -- would probably be
Bruce Springsteen & the E St Band
Velvet Underground
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Ramones
Replacements
Talking Heads
Allman Brothers Band
Neil Young & Crazy Horse [*]
Lynryd Skynyrd
Sly & the Family Stone
Elvis Presley & the Blue Moon Boys
Beach Boys
Lots of honorable mentions
Green Day
Blondie
Booker T & the MGs
Nine Inch Nails
Stooges
Feelies
Crickets
Screaming Trees
Jefferson Airplane
Doors
New York Dolls
Prince & the Revolution
Big Brother & the Holding Co./Cosmic Blues Band (for Janis of course)
Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels
Gene Vincent & his Blue Caps
REM
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Blasters
Black Crows
Black Keys
And partially American honorable mention bands include
mostly American: Garbage
half American: Kills
1/3 American: Jimi Hendrix Experience
1/4 American: Pretenders
It's a bit arbitrary leaving out all the individual great rockers while including those who also were essentially single-name acts but at some point performed under their name + "and the [band]". But, the question is about bands, so...
[ * editing to add I know Neil's native Canadian, but he has dual citizenship. And has written like he's American since the start. ]
****
I'm down in Virginia
with your Cousin Lou
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2021-07-04 22:51 by TheBluesHadaBaby.
Bruce Springsteen & the E St Band
Velvet Underground
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Ramones
Replacements
Talking Heads
Allman Brothers Band
Neil Young & Crazy Horse [*]
Lynryd Skynyrd
Sly & the Family Stone
Elvis Presley & the Blue Moon Boys
Beach Boys
Lots of honorable mentions
Green Day
Blondie
Booker T & the MGs
Nine Inch Nails
Stooges
Feelies
Crickets
Screaming Trees
Jefferson Airplane
Doors
New York Dolls
Prince & the Revolution
Big Brother & the Holding Co./Cosmic Blues Band (for Janis of course)
Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels
Gene Vincent & his Blue Caps
REM
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Blasters
Black Crows
Black Keys
And partially American honorable mention bands include
mostly American: Garbage
half American: Kills
1/3 American: Jimi Hendrix Experience
1/4 American: Pretenders
It's a bit arbitrary leaving out all the individual great rockers while including those who also were essentially single-name acts but at some point performed under their name + "and the [band]". But, the question is about bands, so...
[ * editing to add I know Neil's native Canadian, but he has dual citizenship. And has written like he's American since the start. ]
****
I'm down in Virginia
with your Cousin Lou
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2021-07-04 22:51 by TheBluesHadaBaby.
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
georgemcdonnell314
()
Date: July 4, 2021 22:37
I think the Eagles should be someplace on the list of best American bands.
Although I do agree with some of the others.
Although I do agree with some of the others.
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
bam
()
Date: July 4, 2021 23:02
People, please. The question is not "What's your favorite American rock band of all time?" or "list your 10 favorite American bands." It's "What's the best American rock band of all time?"
There would be only two possible answers if the question were "What's the best rock band of all time?" Either the Beatles or the Stones.
What did the Stones and the Beatles have?:
- Great songs and songwriters.
- Catalogs that stood the test of time.
- Careers that lasted more than 2 or 3 years.
- Great musicianship.
- Innovative approaches.
- Highly influenced other bands.
- Effects on the general culture.
- Personalities that stood out to the public.
- Great albums over a period of years.
- Great singles that are still played.
- Known for their live performances.
There are only a handful of possible answers to this question. Most of my favorite bands -- and yours -- aren't among them.
So -- and not just because it's the Fourth of July -- I still have to say the best answer is The Beach Boys. (And that's despite Mike Love.)
There would be only two possible answers if the question were "What's the best rock band of all time?" Either the Beatles or the Stones.
What did the Stones and the Beatles have?:
- Great songs and songwriters.
- Catalogs that stood the test of time.
- Careers that lasted more than 2 or 3 years.
- Great musicianship.
- Innovative approaches.
- Highly influenced other bands.
- Effects on the general culture.
- Personalities that stood out to the public.
- Great albums over a period of years.
- Great singles that are still played.
- Known for their live performances.
There are only a handful of possible answers to this question. Most of my favorite bands -- and yours -- aren't among them.
So -- and not just because it's the Fourth of July -- I still have to say the best answer is The Beach Boys. (And that's despite Mike Love.)
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
treaclefingers
()
Date: July 5, 2021 00:07
Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Blackwell, DJ Fontana
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
Rockman
()
Date: July 5, 2021 00:30
YEAH ..... vote for that too treacle
ROCKMAN
ROCKMAN
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
GasLightStreet
()
Date: July 5, 2021 00:43
Quote
bam
People, please. The question is not "What's your favorite American rock band of all time?" or "list your 10 favorite American bands." It's "What's the best American rock band of all time?"
There would be only two possible answers if the question were "What's the best rock band of all time?" Either the Beatles or the Stones.
What did the Stones and the Beatles have?:
- Great songs and songwriters.
- Catalogs that stood the test of time.
- Careers that lasted more than 2 or 3 years.
- Great musicianship.
- Innovative approaches.
- Highly influenced other bands.
- Effects on the general culture.
- Personalities that stood out to the public.
- Great albums over a period of years.
- Great singles that are still played.
- Known for their live performances.
There are only a handful of possible answers to this question. Most of my favorite bands -- and yours -- aren't among them.
So -- and not just because it's the Fourth of July -- I still have to say the best answer is The Beach Boys. (And that's despite Mike Love.)
The Doors.
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
TheBluesHadaBaby
()
Date: July 5, 2021 01:03
Quote
bam
People, please. The question is not "What's your favorite American rock band of all time?" or "list your 10 favorite American bands." It's "What's the best American rock band of all time?"
There would be only two possible answers if the question were "What's the best rock band of all time?" Either the Beatles or the Stones.
What did the Stones and the Beatles have?:
- Great songs and songwriters.
- Catalogs that stood the test of time.
- Careers that lasted more than 2 or 3 years.
- Great musicianship.
- Innovative approaches.
- Highly influenced other bands.
- Effects on the general culture.
- Personalities that stood out to the public.
- Great albums over a period of years.
- Great singles that are still played.
- Known for their live performances.
There are only a handful of possible answers to this question. Most of my favorite bands -- and yours -- aren't among them.
So -- and not just because it's the Fourth of July -- I still have to say the best answer is The Beach Boys. (And that's despite Mike Love.)
Of the three American bands I named as IMO most likely the "best":
Bruce Springsteen & the E St Band
Velvet Underground
Creedence Clearwater Revival
...the one that your choice of criteria seems most likely to exclude is the Velvets. But I'm not sure that even those extensive constraints do eliminate them. All four albums VU released while still intact were great, contained great songs, innovative and highly influential music, and the music is still listened to today. VU music is not played over baseball park loudspeakers like Beach Boys songs are, granted. Who it is still played by is people who love great rock n roll.
Maybe what you really wanted to ask was, What American rock n roll band has had the widest reach and has estsblished the broadest cultural impact in the country? That would be how you get to a Beach Boys or Elvis & the Blue Moon Boys answer.
Returning to great albums, we have two more great Velvet Underground studio albums as well: "V.U." (1984) and "Another View" (1986). That's six (out of six) great studio albums... is six enough?
The band comes closest to not meeting your standard of legendary live performances. The band didn't last long, true... it didn't play the numbers of shows that long-lived bands did. But if the measure is, how GOOD were they live, then I'll point anyone to the double album "1969 Live" (released in 1974). I myself was too young to have seen them perform, but I do have "1969," and, in my humble opinion, it ranks up there with the, yes, "best" rock n roll anyone has ever played live and had captured on record.
As for personalities who captured a lot of people's attention and imaginations, I give you: Lou Reed.
Springsteen, CCR, and yes, VU, I still regard all three as great candidates for "the best" American rock n roll band. As for which between them "wins," ...maybe CCR?
But if what you're really asking is more like, Which of the great American bands' music has been played the most, is most nearly universally recognized, and overall has just been the BIGGEST?... then, yes, VU falls out. You're restricting the field to Elvis & the BMB, the Beach Boys, CCR, Springsteen, and... IDK who else.
****
I'm down in Virginia
with your Cousin Lou
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
shadooby
()
Date: July 5, 2021 01:42
Well now, that lil' ole band from Tejas...ZZ Top...ah how how how.
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
GasLightStreet
()
Date: July 5, 2021 01:57
ZZ Top is bad ass.
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
jbwelda
()
Date: July 5, 2021 03:35
Booker T & MGs
jb
jb
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
fuwa
()
Date: July 5, 2021 05:18
Credence Clearwater Revival. Best American band of all genres: The Highwaymen.
Re: OT: Survey - What's the best American rock band of all time?
Posted by:
microvibe
()
Date: July 10, 2021 15:54
allman brothers!
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