Betty Houle 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2003 This is a tricky question. Most of the rock bands that people think of as the greatest of all time are British (the Who, the Beatles, the Kinks, the Stones) and most of the greatest figures in American Rock History are solo performers (Elvis, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bob Dillon). It begs the question: Just who is the greatest American rock band of all-time? I'd lean towards the Ramones or Kiss. But I have strange ideas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest swan Report post Posted March 7, 2003 You could argue for Aerosmith. Sure the 90's stuff they put out was a little too radio friendly, but man there shit from the 70's smokes as does the live show. Metallica might be able to lay claim if the new album is a strong one. It's been awhile since they have put out a great record. We'll see how the tour does. For a brief moment in time Guns N Roses could of made a run but of course imploded. Then you have Kiss which too me has really watered itself down. If they can't do the make-up without the original members then don't do it. So how about Flipper? Oh and the Aerosmith/Kiss tour this summer will kick ass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest notJames Report post Posted March 7, 2003 The Beach Boys. Influential, innovative, and American through and through. Plus they've had their own VH1 Behind the Music special. What more could you want? As for my own tastes, I would go with the Ramones or Talking Heads. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted March 7, 2003 R.E.M., it's a little lighter then everything else mentioned, but for my money they're the greatest American rock band ever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Betty Houle 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2003 I considered GNR, Nirvana, CCR, and the Doors but they all came and when relatively quickly (compared to bands with 20+ year carreers). All HUGELY influential though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Betty Houle 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2003 As for my own tastes, I would go with the Ramones or Talking Heads. Talking Heads would be towards the top of my list, too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest notJames Report post Posted March 7, 2003 Damn, great choice, Youth. I still remember the first time I heard "Radio Free Europe"… it was on a comp tape my sister's old boyfriend made for me. That got me on the road to underground music, from which I've never strayed. I would have included Sonic Youth and the Replacements, but they never really made a dent in the mainstream scene. Not that I give two shits about mainstream music. I also would have mentioned Nirvana, but I didn't want to start a riot… Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest swan Report post Posted March 7, 2003 Nirvana Check out Flipper, the Melvins, and Mudhoney to find out who influenced Nirvana. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Eyeball Kid Report post Posted March 7, 2003 Bob Dillon D-y-l-a-n. Anywho, I vote the Velvet Underground. They were both highly influential AND made great music. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest notJames Report post Posted March 7, 2003 Already have. I just mentioned Nirvana since they (unknowingly) brought alternative rock to the mainstream. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest swan Report post Posted March 7, 2003 Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Betty Houle 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2003 Bob Dillon D-y-l-a-n. Anywho, I vote the Velvet Underground. They were both highly influential AND made great music. Oops! Maybe I meant Matt Dylan. I applaud your choice of the Velvet Underground! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted March 7, 2003 If we're making a Top X amount list then Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers would have to be a lock. The Jimi Hendrix Experience as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted March 7, 2003 (edited) sorry, edit Edited March 7, 2003 by Youth N Asia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Edwin MacPhisto Report post Posted March 7, 2003 Definitely the Velvet Underground. Never made a bad album (unless you count the essentially fake one from '74, I think, which you certainly should not), always made a great album, and really, for four years of published existence, have pretty much the perfect musical record. Then there's the oft-bandied about quote on how only 5,000 people bought the first album on its initial printing, but every one of them started a band. I could believe it. And Aerosmith I can't condone simply because of how...blah...their work got as they went on. If I want some straight-up rock, the 70's albums are pretty cool, but aside from letting Run DMC jack "Walk This Way," I tend to think they could've stopped there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest razazteca Report post Posted March 7, 2003 George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars! or James Brown. Masters of the 70s Funk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CoreyLazarus416 Report post Posted March 7, 2003 Slayer has yet to release an album that goes against their musical beliefs (you can honestly hear the transition EASILY between albums), and are extremely influential in hard rock, metal, punk, and hardcore. The Misfits are also equally influential, albeit for mostly unknown reasons. I'm a big Misfits fan, and I don't even know why. I guess it's because of their energy. So yeah. Slayer, Metallica (you knew I'd say 'em), and The Misfits are definitely up there in my opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Nevermortal Report post Posted March 7, 2003 Black Sabbath. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dace59 Report post Posted March 7, 2003 And since did Birmingham UK become, Birmingham USA? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Nevermortal Report post Posted March 8, 2003 And since did Birmingham UK become, Birmingham USA? Fuck me. 'greatest american' Fucking America. Then I vote for The Stones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Psycho Diablo Report post Posted March 8, 2003 Nirvana? *growlspithiss* Don't even get me started. Too many great bands/artists to say who I think is the best, but Metallica is up there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ArkhamGlobe Report post Posted March 8, 2003 For me it's pretty much a toss up between Talking Heads and the Velvet Underground. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Banky Report post Posted March 8, 2003 Nrivana jacked their sound from the Pixies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted March 8, 2003 And Aerosmith I can't condone simply because of how...blah...their work got as they went on. If I want some straight-up rock, the 70's albums are pretty cool, but aside from letting Run DMC jack "Walk This Way," I tend to think they could've stopped there. On a side note, I despise that version. Anyway, Bruce, and Aerosmith are my picks. Logevity is key here for obvious reasons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Edwin MacPhisto Report post Posted March 8, 2003 Nrivana jacked their sound from the Pixies. Mmm, Pixies. There's another contender, at least as far as personal favorites go. As for "Walk This Way," I like it because it's so much more playful than the original. Back and forth...a rock song that I genuinely feel is helped out by the pass-the-mic approach. Fun stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest WrestlingDeacon Report post Posted March 8, 2003 I'll second the Beach Boys. Pet Sounds in an ingenious album and actually influenced the Beatles when it came to making Sgt. Peper's, how many bands can claim that. The Experience were two British guys as Jimi had to go over seas to get recognition, so they don't really count. I'd give nods to P-Funk, the Velvet Underground, Kiss and The Ramones too. Other names for me to just toss out would be the Mama's and the Papa's, The Allman Brothers, the Doobie Brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Grand Funk Rail Road, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and the Monkees (and don't even start on the Monkees if you don't know what the hell you're talking about). If you want to count Motown acts, you have to look at the Temptations and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles along with others. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Silence Report post Posted March 8, 2003 Van Halen. They had everything. One of the top 5 guitarists of all time, great front man, good back-round vocals, and a pounding drummer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MrRant Report post Posted March 8, 2003 Van Halen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted March 8, 2003 And since did Birmingham UK become, Birmingham USA? Fuck me. 'greatest american' Fucking America. Then I vote for The Stones. The Stones...is this concept still over your heard? A-M-E-R-I-C-A-N Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest nl5xsk1 Report post Posted March 8, 2003 If I have to use "rock and roll" as my measuring stick (so can't pick a metal, punk, funk, etc. band) ... Monster Magnet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
