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
Ted Nugent is a ridiculous person, not a rock band. Here is my list, of the U.S. folks only that I have heard in concert: 1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience; 2. The Doors; 3. The Mahavisnu Orchestra, he's a brit, but the others are Americans, but maybe they are too fusion (1971); 4. The Allman Brothers, before Duane Allman and Berry Oakley died; 5. The early Grateful Dead; 6. The very early Jefferson Airplane; 7. Neil Young & Crazy Horse (he is / was a Canadian); 8. Van Halen; 9. Gov't Mule; 10. The Byrds; 11. Stevie Ray Vaughn band (too blues?); 12. NWA (too rap?); 13. Big Brother and the Holding Company; 14. Paul Butterfield Blues Band with Mike Bloomfield (too blues?); 15. Chuck Berry, when he could find a good pick-up band; 16. Quicksilver Messenger Service; 17. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (did not like them so much until I saw them in concert in 1985 in LA); 18. Johnny Winter; 19. Santana; 20. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
I clearly get "Does not require a great singer" clause, but still get highly irritated when train makes sharp turn. John Wetton isn't great vocal either, but would fit great King Crimson. If they hire a lady with powerful rock vocal similar to Joan Jett they will kick S and gain more crowd.
I like AC/dc as much as the next guy but singing is not part of their formula. Vocals featuring screaming and screeching is what they do. Does not require a great "singer". Not what they are about.
Why always "best"? Let's just say talented or memorable. It's music, not a contest. Many of my favorites are not American, and many are. If I had to pick a favorite American at this moment, it would be Alice in Chains. Tomorrow, it would be someone else.
Well, did i mention the Grateful Dead. Most all those other acts are, were, one trick ponies. When you listen to the Dead you are almost listening to the history of music.
I see some names here that also appeared on the "Worst American Rock ’n’ Roll Bands of All Time" list (The White Stripes, Blue Cheer). Love it!
oblgny, John Hiatt is one of my favorite active songwriters and singers, and could be included here as a member of Little Village. He has had quite a few different bands backing him, one name used being The Goners, featuring the great slide guitarist Sonny Landreth.
I declare AC/DC as the best US Rock n Roll act. Well they do now have a temporary American singer.lol............. I think that of all the members of AC/DC past and present only one was born in the south hemisphere..................NZ. I could be wrong tho'....................
My pick would not be exactly r&r, but many of us still relate those bands:
1. Mothers 2. Velvet Underground 3. Primus 4. Pere Ubu 5. White Stripes
My get bored list:
1. Greatful Dead 2. Kansas 3. Grand Funk Rail Road 5. Alman Brothers 6. Aerosmith 7. Monkees 8. Cheap Trick and many many more meh... hell this list is much larger than one above!
I’m pretty sure Elvis has sold more albums than any other American artist on this list so far. I’m not even an Elvis fan but doesn’t that make him the greatest? For the record, he always traveled and played with a band.
The Grateful Dead were an American treasure. They did more for and to music than any band before or after. Anyone who says, "sure they were popular but not great" has never given them the time or heard them live.
Forget about their studio albums, although "American Beauty" and "Working Man's Dead", are pieces of art, and listen to a live show. Try "One From the Vault", then tell me that they were not great. And, that is just the tip of the iceberg.
I should add that, "Wake of the Flood, "Terrapin Station", and "Blues for Allah" were pretty darn good studio albums but those songs played live became much, much, more.
The Dead's music spanned almost every genre. They were not a one trick pony and continued to evolve over time. They had great song writing, excellent lyrics, could tell a story and could play the heck out of a song on any given night. I don't think any other band before them or after them compares.
They certainly were a "band beyond description"! As the saying goes, you might not think they were the best at what they did but they were the only ones that did what they did! Thus, making them the greatest American rock band every!
Obviosuly Stooges, MC5, Grand Funk, Foghat, Alice Cooper (that was a band name in the beginning) etc...however, the 70s had a plethora of great more or less obscure American rock bands that's well worth listening to...for example... Starz, Angel, Head Over Heels, Hydra, Bang, Bloodrock, Demian, Truth and Janey, Banchee...and many more...
The Eagles (of course)Steely DanChicago (saw them last summer and although it's not entirely the original lineup, they are still out there getting it done)Earth Wind and Fire!
Don't know who the best all time rock band is, as there are so many great ones mentioned already. I know the best rock band out there today, who are vertually unknown to most except other musicians IMHO Kings X.
I could make a list, but Zaikesman had it covered way back in 2002. His included some names I myself wouldn’t, but just about every one I would is there. I would not, however, list "Bob Dylan & The Band" as an integrated unit, but rather The Band on their own. He needed them more than they needed him!
Also from ’02, Trich’s mention of The Chocolate Watchband greatly amuses me! Growing up in Cupertino/SanJose/The Santa Clara Valley, I saw them live many, many times in ’65-6-7. I was actually at their very first public appearance, in ’65. They were a Garage Band, performing covers only, including songs by The Stones, The Animals, The Kinks, The Yardbirds, The Who, etc. When they got a record deal and traveled to Los Angeles to record, they threw together some "songs" for their three terrible albums. They are best known for being the Group appearing in the Roger Corman teen-exploitation movie, Riot On Sunset Strip.
In 1968, Watchband guitarist Mark Lumas and drummer Gary Andrijesivich (in the Cupertino High Marching Band and Orchestra while I was a student there) formed a new Group, The Electric Tingle Guild, who were much, much better. A 4-piece performing their own, well-written, songs, they were in fact good enough to include on this list.
Gotta be Buddy Holly and the Crickets in every sense.
Most American rock that followed may be "rock" but not "rock and roll". Rock and roll got old fast here. Then the British caught on and largely took over. Then basically everyone moved on to newer variations of "rock" or other forms of American roots music.
Did anyone mention the Monkees? Oh yeah, someone did. When I look at this list of choices I just gotta say...folks there is no denying we are living in "The Age of Mediocrity"...that is the music over the past 40-50 years. I mean come on, one hit wonders like...? Mark and the Mysterians making the list of Greatest AMERICAN Rock and Role Bands? 96 tears...hiccup.
I know its fun but the American Rock scene, up till now, will be remembered (forgotten, mostly) for so few choices that could even remotely be deemed "GREAT". Don't shoot me I'm just a silly messenger of the tongue in cheek truth. I don't put myself above it all, I was at Woodstock for crying out loud but great music speaks to the ages and American Rock music speaks to the here and now. Mick Jagger sums it up best and I whole heartedly agree..."I know, its only Rock & Roll but I LIKE it".
Now that I got that out of my system, my FAVORITES are:
The Doors (Jim Morrison epitomizes the essence of the Rock Star, gifted, handsome, charismatic and an early death. He set the standard for the Rock star that has never been matched since, a 20th Century American pop icon) The Beach Boys Poco (before Ritchie Furay left) The Greatful Dead Santana The Band CSN&Y The Association (Yeah they're dated, just love the harmonies in "Along Comes Mary" and others) The Everly Brothers Buffalo Springfield Prince (early stuff)
There is no validity to my choices other than I LIKE THEM. I'll leave the Greatest list to the critics, God knows there's enough of them without me jumping on the bandwagon. Gotta add a little flavor, how about some Vanilla Ice or maybe Vanilla Fudge, or some Rasberries? Oh someone already mentioned them. How about a little Cream on them Raspberries, nah put a little sugar on it honey. Yeah, what about the Archies, biggest hit of 1969 and nobody mentions them.
I think I would agree that the Doors were fantastic. Jim Morrison is only one piece of the band- man were they tight. I have all the DCC CD's they did of the Doors and can't wait to hear them on vinyl.
Although some would not agree, people will look very hard at Alice in Chains in 10 years, much like Queen who were very ahead of their time. Staind will probably become the band of the early 2000's.
Interesting the best bands Rolling Stones, Beatles, etc came out of Britain.
Aerosmith is very hot now, but there was a time when they weren't cool.
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