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THE GREATEST AMERICAN ROCK BAND OF ALL TIME

HailHailVitalogyHailHailVitalogy Posts: 5,196
in The Porch
As I sit here at the airport waiting to fly back to Denver, I can’t stop smiling looking back at the 9 shows I did this year…6 on this current leg. I even looked into flying to Boston tonight instead 😉

If you were in the pit for either MSG show/Philly 1 or on the wings for Philly 2 and Baltimore, I was the guy yelling THE GREATEST AMERICAN ROCK BAND OF ALL TIME a few times a show. 21 years of seeing this band, started at 14 years old and now at 35 I feel comfortable saying this. Before Covid they were the best live rock band, now they’re the goat even with all of our complains as fans 😂 

It’s easy to come to this forum and profess this, but I truly believe it. 33/34 years later and we’re still getting shows like last Saturday night in Philly. Legendary. Give me another American band or artist that can or has done this? Oh and by the way release their 12th studio album 33 years after their debut and have the fans call it one of their best.

Longevity, quality, and fan club are what put PJ at the top. Some other American rock acts that also have a claim: The Beach Boys, The Eagles, Metallica, and Springsteen.
That’s it. 

Welcome an open discussion. I had no idea The Beach Boys were still playing shows with the original members in their 80s, amazing.

Thank you Pearl Jam for giving all of us a reason to travel, build community and relationships, and have memories that will last a life time. I am so happy I can go to 60+ shows (20+ since Covid) and still jump up and down to Even Flow, Jeremy, and Given to Fly. 

Have fun in Boston!
2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2

Comments

  • ZoSoTimZoSoTim Posts: 1,057
    Van Halen for me. 
    Dallas, TX (November 15, 2013)
    Chicago 1 (August 20, 2016)
    Chicago 2 (August 22, 2016)
    Ft. Worth 1 (September 13, 2023)
    Ft. Worth 2 (September 15, 2023)
  • Get_RightGet_Right Posts: 13,138
    ZoSoTim said:
    Van Halen for me. 

    Van Halen could have been one of the greats. But they could not keep it together. Same with GNR. I think Bruce and his band might be up there even though I am not a big fan. Generally I agree with the OP's statement. There are not that many bands that have delivered such a high quality of hard rock night after night for so many years.
  • tdawetdawe Posts: 2,091
    The cheeky answer I like to give to the “greatest American band” question is The Band (20% USA-born, and a self-consciously “American” rock band from the moment of inception according to Robbie Robertson), but that’s as much a barroom shit-stirrer as anything else.

    My actual answer is R.E.M., but as time goes on I’m consistently surprised at how many people don’t have them on their personal Mount Rushmore. 

    Pearl Jam is my all-time favorite band but I wouldn’t say they’ve had the type of impact that would put them in this conversation. 
    Camden 2 2006, Newark 2010, Barclays 2 2013, Central Park 2015, MSG 2 2016, Wrigley 1 2016, Rome 2018, Prague 2018, Asbury Park 2021, EV & Earthlings NYC 1 2022, MSG 2022, Louisville 2022, Dublin 2024, MSG 1 2024, MSG 2 2024
  • kaw753kaw753 Posts: 849
    Get_Right said:
    ZoSoTim said:
    Van Halen for me. 

    Van Halen could have been one of the greats. But they could not keep it together. Same with GNR. I think Bruce and his band might be up there even though I am not a big fan. Generally I agree with the OP's statement. There are not that many bands that have delivered such a high quality of hard rock night after night for so many years.
    I saw Bruce and the E Street Band at Wembley 10-12 years ago and a younger guy behind me said, "I have to live the rest of my life knowing I won't see anything better than that."  I am not even deeply familiar with the old material and I have seen him 10 times.
  • Get_RightGet_Right Posts: 13,138
    The Band is a good one, but they are another band that could not stay together. Levon's jams at the barn are legendary and showcased many US musicians. What about Creedence? REM was great. I still have Reckoning on IRS vinyl. But at some point they lost their edge. I think Metallica might be in the conversation even though they are not my cup of tea. But there are few rock bands that have been putting out new music, packing festivals, and filling concert venues for as long as Pearl Jam has. Maybe the Grateful Dead? It is probably a question of taste once you get to the top five.
  • F Me In The BrainF Me In The Brain Posts: 31,265
    If Aerosmith could have stayed with what they did in 70s....same with ZZ Top.  Some great stuff
    Tough question to answer.  I don't know who I would put up.  Pearl Jam is my favorite American rock band, but that doesn't mean greatness overall. 
    Really pleased with what we saw as far as them still being able to rock it pretty hard in their 60s.  
    We are very lucky to still get this!


    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • SandyRavageSandyRavage Posts: 1,050
    i think the timely answer is Janes Addiction 
  • HailHailVitalogyHailHailVitalogy Posts: 5,196
    edited September 15
    Get_Right said:
    The Band is a good one, but they are another band that could not stay together. Levon's jams at the barn are legendary and showcased many US musicians. What about Creedence? REM was great. I still have Reckoning on IRS vinyl. But at some point they lost their edge. I think Metallica might be in the conversation even though they are not my cup of tea. But there are few rock bands that have been putting out new music, packing festivals, and filling concert venues for as long as Pearl Jam has. Maybe the Grateful Dead? It is probably a question of taste once you get to the top five.
    This is exactly my point. What other American rock band is selling out arenas, stadiums, and packing festivals for 33 straight years without taking a break, changing singers, etc. Throw in 99% of every show released on official bootleg since 2000, our band started that trend for other bands. Steven Tyler was falling in showers at 60 years old.
    Post edited by HailHailVitalogy on
    2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2
  • Johnny AbruzzoJohnny Abruzzo Posts: 11,600
    It’s Pearl Jam. 

    Van Halen couldn’t write songs for shit. 

    Metallica has hardly anything good post black album. 

    Brice is an artist with a band, officially. Kind of not hard rocking enough IMO. 

    Petty you could make an argument but the music isn’t as diverse as PJ. 

    The other Seattle bands didn’t last. 

    REM? Well that’s an interesting discussion there. 

    I’d also entertain My Morning Jacket but they are totally unknown amongst the mainstream. 
    Spectrum 10/27/09; New Orleans JazzFest 5/1/10; Made in America 9/2/12; WF Center 10/21/13; WF Center 10/22/13; Baltimore 10/27/13;
    WF Center 4/28/16; WF Center 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22;
    Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; WF Center 9/7/24; WF Center 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24

    Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
  • HailHailVitalogyHailHailVitalogy Posts: 5,196
    It’s all subjective. Nothing good from Metallica post Black Album….some could say nothing good from PJ post Vs. or Yield.
    2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2
  • Johnny AbruzzoJohnny Abruzzo Posts: 11,600
    HailHailVitalogy said:
    It’s all subjective. Nothing good from Metallica post Black Album….some could say nothing good from PJ post Vs. or Yield.
    Not anyone who doesn’t want to fight me!
    Spectrum 10/27/09; New Orleans JazzFest 5/1/10; Made in America 9/2/12; WF Center 10/21/13; WF Center 10/22/13; Baltimore 10/27/13;
    WF Center 4/28/16; WF Center 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22;
    Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; WF Center 9/7/24; WF Center 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24

    Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
  • PJ1973PJ1973 Posts: 415
    Love em or hate em, you have to include the Grateful Dead in this conversation. Four of the orginal members are still playing music in some capacity after almost 60 years of touring, and their catalog covers early americana music, bluegrass, blues, rock etc. Fans are the original tour heads. Sure, there's a lack of new music after 1995, but that was thirty years into their career (side note - how was that thirty years ago???)
  • vedpunkvedpunk Posts: 906
    The answer is Pearl Jam and it’s not even close. 💯 with the OP. 
  • igotid88igotid88 Posts: 27,986
    Pearl Jam is the GOAT
    I miss igotid88
  • ZoSoTimZoSoTim Posts: 1,057
    Get_Right said:
    ZoSoTim said:
    Van Halen for me. 

    Van Halen could have been one of the greats. But they could not keep it together. Same with GNR. I think Bruce and his band might be up there even though I am not a big fan. Generally I agree with the OP's statement. There are not that many bands that have delivered such a high quality of hard rock night after night for so many years.
    Could not keep it together? They released 10 platinum albums from 1978-1996. 
    Dallas, TX (November 15, 2013)
    Chicago 1 (August 20, 2016)
    Chicago 2 (August 22, 2016)
    Ft. Worth 1 (September 13, 2023)
    Ft. Worth 2 (September 15, 2023)
  • seanwonseanwon Posts: 468
    SandyRavage said:
    i think the timely answer is Janes Addiction 
    Ha!
    1996: 9/29 Randall's Island 2,  10/1 Buffalo                  2000: 8/27 Saratoga Springs
    2003: 4/29 Albany,  5/2 Buffalo,  7/9 MSG 2                   2006: 5/12 Albany,  6/3 East Rutherford 2
    2008: 6/27 Hartford                 2009: 10/27 Philadelphia 1              2010: 5/15 Hartford,   5/21 MSG 2
    2013: 10/15 Worcester 1,  10/25 Hartford                       2014: 10/1 Cincinnati
    2016: 5/2 MSG 2,   8/5 Fenway 1,  11/7 Temple of the Dog MSG
    2018: 9/2 Fenway 1
    2020: 3/30 MSG             2022: 9/11 MSG            2023: 9/10 Noblesville
    2024: 9/3 MSG 1, 9/4 MSG 2 , 9/15 Fenway 1, 9/17 Fenway 2
  • Berlin2000Berlin2000 Posts: 161
    tdawe said:

    My actual answer is R.E.M., but as time goes on I’m consistently surprised at how many people don’t have them on their personal Mount Rushmore. 

    This!
    PJ: 2000-6-25: Berlin, GER | 2005-3-18: Seattle, WA | 2006-6-30: Milwaukee, WI | 2009-8-24: Chicago, IL | 2012-7-5: Berlin, GER | 2013-7-19: Chicago, IL | 2014-10-17: Moline, IL | 2014-10-20: Milwaukee, WI | 2016-8-20: Chicago 1, IL | 2016-8-22: Chicago 2, IL | 2018-8-18: Chicago N1 |  2018-8-20: Chicago 2, IL | 2021-9-18: Asbury Park, NJ | 2022-9-11: MSG, NY | 2023-9-5: Chicago, IL |
    EV: 2017-9-2: Dana Point, CA | 2022-2-3: NYC 1, NY | 2022-2-4: NYC 2, NY
  • Get_RightGet_Right Posts: 13,138
    ZoSoTim said:
    Get_Right said:
    ZoSoTim said:
    Van Halen for me. 

    Van Halen could have been one of the greats. But they could not keep it together. Same with GNR. I think Bruce and his band might be up there even though I am not a big fan. Generally I agree with the OP's statement. There are not that many bands that have delivered such a high quality of hard rock night after night for so many years.
    Could not keep it together? They released 10 platinum albums from 1978-1996. 

    Fair Warning was the last great record they made. They also barely kept it together during the Diver Down tour. I was at a 1984 tour show where Valerie ran out and tried to attack Dave. Shit show. Cannot say they are one of the all time greats even though they made some great music that I still listen to today. They kicked Michael Anthony out of the band. I will say Eddie Van Halen is one of the all time greats, but not the band once they got big.
  • KW6232KW6232 Posts: 373
    Aerosmith has to be in the conversation 
  • ZoSoTimZoSoTim Posts: 1,057
    Get_Right said:
    ZoSoTim said:
    Get_Right said:
    ZoSoTim said:
    Van Halen for me. 

    Van Halen could have been one of the greats. But they could not keep it together. Same with GNR. I think Bruce and his band might be up there even though I am not a big fan. Generally I agree with the OP's statement. There are not that many bands that have delivered such a high quality of hard rock night after night for so many years.
    Could not keep it together? They released 10 platinum albums from 1978-1996. 

    Fair Warning was the last great record they made. They also barely kept it together during the Diver Down tour. I was at a 1984 tour show where Valerie ran out and tried to attack Dave. Shit show. Cannot say they are one of the all time greats even though they made some great music that I still listen to today. They kicked Michael Anthony out of the band. I will say Eddie Van Halen is one of the all time greats, but not the band once they got big.
    Lol, stopped reading after the Fair Warning comment. 
    Dallas, TX (November 15, 2013)
    Chicago 1 (August 20, 2016)
    Chicago 2 (August 22, 2016)
    Ft. Worth 1 (September 13, 2023)
    Ft. Worth 2 (September 15, 2023)
  • YourDirtisMyfoodYourDirtisMyfood Posts: 4,644
    Pearl Jam but I’ve seen DMB more so it’s 1a and 1b for me. Yeah DMB is not truly a rock band.

    Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are here, too.
  • HaijayHaijay Posts: 385
    KW6232 said:
    Aerosmith has to be in the conversation 
    No way. They were great in the 70’s, when they were young and fresh and all doped up. Once they got sober they sucked ass, they couldnt even write anymore. They had professional songwriters working for them for all of their massive fame through the late 80’s and through the 90’s. Commercial, mainstream radio friendly unit shifter crap. Complete with dickcheese videos💩💩💩💩
    Playing all the awards shows, blah blah blah. Horrible
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