Greatest American Band?

[Guest Midnight Express83]

P-Funk gets my respect for making funk and rap(which is either rock plus rhymes or funk plus rhymes) big.

 

Earth Wind and Fire are one of my favorite bands of all time. Prince and the Revloution and James Brown make out the Trinity.

 

My pick for greatest goes to the Isley Brothers. How many groups been making hits in the music world since the early 60S and still have hits with today's crowd? They basicly are one of the few RnB bands out there, but their sound has been copied by so many groups all over the business. And they basicly are one of the few major groups of all time to NOT be on Motown. So they were doing a sound before it became famous.

[Guest godthedog]

OK, more seriously, it seems it's come down to The Doors vs. Velvet Underground. I'll already admit that I'm more of a Doors fan, so I'm obviously a bit biased, but I just can't get into Velvet Underground. It's "too alternative" to be recognized by enough of an audience to be the "greatest". "Greatest" should be something that's unique but not so unique that it turns people off (or should it even have to embody something unique? The Beatles are usually "the greatest", but when they first started there wasn't anything unique about them at all). I think The Doors embody that spirit perfectly. Although at the same time I'll admit The Doors are a little overrated, they're the closest thing to a "greatest band" in the U.S. of A.

if you're turned off by the pure weirdness that is lou reed & john cale, you should probably check out the 2 later albums, which they did after cale left the band. 'the velvet underground' has no weirdness at all (except for track 9) and is basically an unplugged album. it's very soft and melodious and beautiful, but still creepy. 'loaded' is just a straight-up rock album--no weirdness, no bells and whistles, just reed's songwriting and some great guitar work by sterling morrison.

[Guest Incandenza]

it's very soft and melodious and beautiful, but still creepy.

 

Isn't it funny how that album's "Jesus," which, on paper, reads as a sincere and genuine prayer, is far more unsettling than the narrator of "Sister Ray" matter-of-factly stating that he ain't got the time-time, 'cuz she's too busy sucking on his ding-dong?

[Guest Coffin Surfer]

We've got the best solo artist, though.

 

OK, more seriously, it seems it's come down to The Doors vs. Velvet Underground.

If the first quote is a reference to Hendrix. I would like to point out that most of his work was with the Hendrix Experience. A damn good band, and one of the most underrated rythym(sp?) sections of all time. But he did do some solo work towards the end.

 

 

The second quote. Bah! The Stooges kicks both their overrated asses.

[Guest Kinetic]

My solo artist statement was in reference to Bob Dylan.

[Guest pochorenella]

What exactly is the true measure of the “greatest band?” Everybody has opinions, so how about we back them up with some specific points? I will question each one of them as well.

 

Critical Acclaim: Bands like Nirvana, REM, all hold a dear place in critic’s hearts, but is this enough? What if a certain critic likes them but another doesn’t? Are all favorites better than non-favorites. If they don’t get great reviews on Rolling Stone and the such then they’re terrible and not worth noticing?

Musical Prowess: Do you need to have a technical master on guitar? Or a drummer that can play upside down all the time? If this were the sole point then no doubt Van Halen or Metallica would be among the very best bands and Nirvana would be among the bottom.

Originality: A band has to offer something that’s never been seen or heard before. The Ramones have influenced hundreds of bands. But then, some say the Doors aped what the Velvet Underground was doing. And Metallica is disqualified right off the bat, since Blue Cheer did what they do before they were even born.

Commercial Success: Do they sell records, did they have a number one album/single, gold, platinum, multi-platinum records. Kiss has more gold records than anybody (American bands), next comes Chicago. But if this were the case then Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses or even fucking Limp Bizkit would be the greatest. And Metallica sells tons of albums, but they’ve only had like two hit singles. And the Velvet Underground didn’t even chart a single or an Album in the Top 40, so - they’re not great?

Songs and Lyrics: So if you sing about politics, social issues, the meaning of life and death, then you’re great, but if you only sing about sex, girls, and fast cars then you’re useless?

Band Longevity: Aerosmith, Kiss, all of them have been around almost 30 years but that’s not necessarily the best accomplishment. The Beatles were together roughly 10 years, The Doors five, same with CCR. And Crosby, Stills & Nash banded and disbanded so many times my head hurts.

Album output: Again, Kiss, Chicago, Aerosmith, they all have dozens of official studio albums (granted, some much better than others). On the other hand, The Jimmy Hendrix Experience only had 4 albums, same with Guns N’ Roses and Nirvana. Is this enough musical output to make a decisive call?

Live Performances: Kiss shows are the stuff of legend. Metallica grabs people attentions and never lets go. And Van Halen are among the best live acts ever. How does your favorite measure up with them?

Fan following/popularity/name recognition: Some bands have legions of fans that worship them. What’s the use if every critic in the land says “They’re the best” if 80% of the people never heard about them? You can ask any kid who Korn or Limp Bizkit are, but ask them if they ever heard about Creedence Clearwater Revival and most will go “who?”

 

I think I left a ton of things out, but I think I made my point clear so please bear with me. If you ask me, the greatest band has got to be the sum of everything here. It’s not enough to have all the critical success if nobody knows who they are, and it’s not enough to sell all the records in the world, that may only be the testament of their marketing power. Keep in mind that I’m not trying to dismiss or make anybody the favorite, but I would like some debate on this.

[Guest Kinetic]

Even with all of that criteria, it's still solely a matter of opinion. In making my own personal judgement, I go on album/song quality alone.

[Guest thefrenchargel]

As far as anything mainstream at all, considering "greatest" does in fact deal with a broad appeal, I'd go with the doors, inventive, talented, great songs, great albums. They had the goods. Let Tool make about 2 more albums as good as the previous four, and they've got my vote, no contest. I haven't heard much velvet underground though.

 

As far as bands a lot of people haven't heard of, there is no one in America more talented than Dillinger Escape Plan.

 

By the way, Metallica isn't metal, even if metal is in their name. Never were. Think of it this way, Metallica:Slayer :: Blink 182:Sex Pistols.

[Guest Hogan Made Wrestling]

I would pick Soundgarden personally. Damn, it's amazing how many more good British bands there are compared to US ones, isn't it?

[Guest Shaved Bear]

yea but thats because....we have a more diverse group of musical tastes, so we particularly dig into one genre....or something

[Guest redbaron51]

french charger...just because you loathe Metallica, doesn't mean they are metal. Face it, with out Metallica, most bands would not exist today.

 

anyways I would say Metallica is probably the greatest american band as porchenella has, but I'll still think the Doors is the best IMO

[Guest LooseCannon]

I think R.E.M. has had the longevity and commercial success to qualify them for consideration. I'd give them the edge over the Doors, when it's all said and done, and its a more satisfying pick than Aerosmith. And I'd give them the edge over Metallica as well, just because I think R.E.M. made better albums.

[Guest mesepher]

'light my fire' can't hold a candle to 'sweet jane'.

Jim didn't write that... I don't know if you knew that or not, but I read it like you thought he wrote it. Robby wrote it

[Guest The Man in Blak]

The only competition to Aerosmith's claim is The Doors and Metallica and, hit for hit and album for album, Aerosmith still has a slight edge for me, personally.

 

EDIT: One band that I didn't see mentioned (I may have glanced over it) that would be an appropriate comparison was the Eagles - they do have the greatest selling album of all time, after all.

[Guest thefrenchargel]

french charger...just because you loathe Metallica, doesn't mean they are metal. Face it, with out Metallica, most bands would not exist today.

I can pretty well dispose of any new band that cites metallica as a prime motivation. Most of them revere Kirk Hammet as a guitar god because he can solo and they can't. I will forever be convinced that anyone who believes that Hetfield is a good singer is somehow "touched." Props to Cliff Burton though, one hell of a good bass player. Showed a generation that bassits can do solos too, Les Claypool perfected it in rock music, and everyone else so far has been playing catch-up. Burton owed a lot to Geezer though, IMO.

[Guest Anorak]

I definately think REM have been the best American band of the last 20 years, I don't think they have ever made a REALLY bad album, just a couple of quite patchy ones in recent years. 'Murmur' and 'Automatic' were almost 10 years apart and that time period was full of consistantly great music.

 

I don't think The Doors are worthy of mention, I thought everyone pretty much agreed that they were on of the most overated bands ever but obviously not from this thread.

[Guest TheyCallMeMark]

Aerosmith is a good band, only a few songs I don't like, plus they have "Dream On" which is a song I would consider one of the greatest songs of all time and would call absolutley perfect in every aspect.

 

I just think Metallica is better on the whole, though.

[Guest pochorenella]

anyways I would say Metallica is probably the greatest american band as porchenella has

 

Excuse me, but I've never said Metallica was the greatest. Far from that actually. Just to make it all clear, my absolute vote goes to Kiss.

 

One band that I didn't see mentioned (I may have glanced over it) that would be an appropriate comparison was the Eagles - they do have the greatest selling album of all time, after all

 

Yes, I can't believe nobody's mentioned them. They have some great music and millions of records sold. Anybody else voting for them?

[Guest Shaved Bear]

how can Kiss be the greatest American band ever, they weren't as music-driven as anyone else, they were gimmick orientated...unless thats your angle for picking them

[Guest evenflowDDT]

As for the Eagles... well, they may be the best selling ever or whatever, but I don't know anything other than "Hotel California", which is a great song but... the only one of theirs I've ever heard played anywhere. I'd go so far as to call them almost one-hit wonders in that aspect, but I'll save the blasphemy for another thread.

[Guest The Man in Blak]

Well, as far as the Eagles go, they've had a ton of singles, but the four that immediately come to mind are:

 

"Hotel California"

"Life in the Fast Lane"

"Take It Easy"

"Desperado"

 

And there are a bunch of others ("Tequila Sunrise") to along with it.

[Guest MrRant]

CCR GODDAMN IT.

[Guest goodhelmet]

ccr owns!!! my personal favorite american band would probably be KISS but the Byrds fucking rocked the party!!!

 

as for the eagles, they are far from #1 hit wonders. i think they've had 5 #1 hit singles alone including hotel california, new kid in town, i can't tell you why, best of my love and (i can't remember what the other was, it may be 4).

 

plus, the long run, take it to the limit, peacefulk easy feeling and a slew of others!

[Guest Kinetic]

Yeah, the Eagles had a lot of hits. Their greatest hits package is the album that's either #1 or #2 in all-time sales. Those people aren't all buying it for "Hotel California," I'm assuming.

 

Personally, I don't care for them at all.

[Guest goodhelmet]

if i'm not mistaking, i believe greatest hits #1 is the album in question and it doesn't even include 'hotel california'.

 

personally, i'm not a very big eagles fan either. i used to be able to enjoy their music but eagles overkill has gotten the best of me and simply turn the station when they are playing.

[Guest Kinetic]

Classic rock radio has killed a lot of bands for me like. Prime examples include Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Pink Floyd. I respect the accomplishments of each of these bands, but if their catalogues were to be forever banished from Earth I probably wouldn't protest much.

[Guest goodhelmet]

with ac/dc i completely agree. with floyd and zeppelin, not so much. these bands have songs that rarely get played on the radio enabling me to listen AND enjoy without getting the 'hotel california' burnout vibe. obviously there are exceptions including zep's 'black dog', 'whole lotta love', and 'kashmir' and floyd's 'money', 'brick in the wall', and 'run like hell'.

 

i choose to ignore these songs but focus my attenbtion on the 'hidden gems' such as floyd's meddle album and atom heart mother album. also, there are a slew of songs from zep's 1, 3 and presence that aren't overexposed.

[Guest thefrenchargel]

i choose to ignore these songs but focus my attenbtion on the 'hidden gems' such as floyd's meddle album and atom heart mother album.

I agree completely. Personally, I think The Wall was one of their worst albums, but I really like their early stuff and their weird ass concept stuff a LOT. Meddle is godly. Obscured by Clouds kicks much ass as well.

[Guest redbaron51]

Hotel California didn't come out till 76, and greatest hits part 1 was 70-75...

 

as for AC/DC, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. AC/DC is a great band to listen too, but radio stations up here play the fuck out of them especially off Back in Black album or anything that Brian Johnson did, but never play anything from the Bon Scott Era. Zeppelin gets played alot too with hearing a lot of their stuff minus Stairway to Heaven.

 

Pink Floyd, there are only two songs that really stand out that radio stations throw out here, Another Brick In The Wall pt 2 and Money

[Guest pochorenella]

how can Kiss be the greatest American band ever, they weren't as music-driven as anyone else, they were gimmick orientated...unless thats your angle for picking them

 

Sure, they have this big gimmick that set them apart from everyone else, but that's not all they did. I mean, they didn't sell 4 million copies of "Alive!" because they wore make up, did they? They may not have been the greatest musicians or the critics darlings but they have tons of other accomplishments so they're the greatest in my book. My vote stands.

 

As for the Eagles, "Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975" has sold over 27 million copies, according to the RIAA (1 more than MJ's "Thriller"), and answering somebody that asked before, "Hotel California" is not on it. That's on their other GI package "Eagles Greatest Hits Vol. 2" which has also sold 10 million copies. And it's not their only hit single, they have tons more. I like The Eagles (and also Don Henley's solo work), and they have to be among the greatest american bands for sure.

 

And don't get me started on AC/DC (This thread is for american bands, right?). I can't believe people would ignore the Bon Scott era, with such great songs as "Highway To Hell" or my favorite "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap". But I digress.