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Greatest American Rock and Role Bands of ALL Time

I have run into several advertisements saying that Aerosmith was the greatest American R&R band. I have thought about this claim and asked around and realize it is not an easy choice. So many of the great rock bands are not American..i.e. Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Rush, etc.

But before going further, who should/should not be considered?

 I think “band” means not Elvis, Elton John, etc or other single acts, that is another thread. However I would count Ted Nugent since he really is a band but with his name as a title…same with Hendrix, since he usually played with a band.
 They need to write at least most of there own music (another thing that would preclude Elvis).
 “Rock” any thing from the 50s up to alternative (which I consider a derivative of rock). This would include pop rock, so the Monkey’s might be considered (if they were American).
 Heavy metal would be ok.
 they should sustain their appeal over a period of time even if they weren’t able to produce a lot of music…i.e. Buddy Hollie, Hendrix

Anyway, there is no perfect guide so if you have other ideas, no problem. But here are a few of the undisputed best…..(that is bait)

 Amerosmith
 Kiss
 Alice Cooper
 Ted Nugent
Journey
….hey, I don’t know, I really would have a hard time putting any of these in a top 10 list of all time worldwide so I need some help,

Who are the greatest American Rock Bands of All Time???????????? Who is THE Greatest of all time
bbtuna

Showing 5 responses by rosstaman

rosstaman
455 posts
 
The Allman Brothers (original)
Talking Heads
Santana (San Francisco based band)
The Doors
Buffalo Springfield
Blood, Sweat and Tears (original band with Al Kooper)
The Grateful Dead (popular, but not great)
rosstaman
455 posts
 
Although Jimi Hendrix is an American, the Jimi Hendrix Experience formed and gained notoriety in England. The Band of Gypsies were an American rock and roll band featuring Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Miles and Billy Cox. They were awesome!
rosstaman
455 posts
 
Ben

David Byrne was born in Scotland, but the Talking Heads were formed when all the members were attending the New York Art Institute. They use to play at a club called CBGB's in midtown Manhattan.
rosstaman
455 posts
 
Trich727
So, Jim Morrison had a drinking problem. Many of the rock stars of that era used and abused drugs and alcohol, but were still able to produce great music. Although too many of them did die from drug related deaths.
rosstaman
455 posts
 
Well put, Ben. When I first heard the Doors I was still living in NYC. They were a west coast band at the time. I was "blown away" by the quality of the playing, musical composition and the lyrics of the majority of their songs; and of course the voice of Jim Morrison. I had seen the Doors numerous times and it was always a crap shoot if they were performing great, bad or ugly. But when they were great, it was a show you'd never forget. When they were ugly (obscene, drunk and out of control) it was also a show you'd never forget. Unfortunately, I've also seen when twice when they completely sucked. Obviously, I never forget those either.
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