Best American Rock Band Ever

rummy · September 2018

DewieCox said:

They have been far more influential. Not even a contest.

And man, those sales numbers ARE ridiculous. Though I don’t think you can discount how long Van Halen was a force in the sales department, I don’t think sales or concert attendance are the final word. There’s a lot to be said for some semblance of artistic integrity, not chasing every musical fad or outsourcing songwriting. Van Halen were never the headiest band, but they seemed to follow their own pathand a lot of guitarists and quite a few bands followed their lead for a decade or more.

I don’t think you can put VH’s success in a 10 year window without putting Bon Jovi’s in a 4 year window.

To be fair to Van Halen, I was too young to be "aware" during their first five years - I never really heard of them until 1984 (the year and the album) and they were MASSIVE then. From what I can tell, they were pretty popular beforehand and even after DLR left, they did very well with Sammy Hagar and the 5150 album.

rummy · September 2018

What took Van Halen so long to get into the R&R Hall of Fame? Was there a "political" issue?

rummy · September 2018

I will be the first two concede that any rock band that has two DIAMOND selling albums is pretty impressive. Way to go Van Halen - although I still wouldn't put them at #1 of Greatest American Rock Band.

rummy · September 2018

It's sorta funny how difficult it is to do this for the US bands but if we were to do the UK bands, it would really be between The Beatles, The Stones, and Led Zep. Sure you could mention other bands like Pink Floyd, The Who, The Kinks, and The Clash but really your just naming them to round out a top 5 or top 10 list.

No Coder · September 2018

DewieCox said:

They have been far more influential. Not even a contest.

And man, those sales numbers ARE ridiculous. Though I don’t think you can discount how long Van Halen was a force in the sales department, I don’t think sales or concert attendance are the final word. There’s a lot to be said for some semblance of artistic integrity, not chasing every musical fad or outsourcing songwriting. Van Halen were never the headiest band, but they seemed to follow their own pathand a lot of guitarists and quite a few bands followed their lead for a decade or more.

I don’t think you can put VH’s success in a 10 year window without putting Bon Jovi’s in a 4 year window.

I don't even like Bon Jovi, but 4 year window is ridiculous when they were selling 10 millions copies of an album released in 2000.

I agree that Van Halen are more influential, but at the end of the day, neither band is anywhere near the greatest US Rock band

No Coder · September 2018

rummy said:

Don't forget, a lot of Bon Jovi's success wasn't as much about the music - it was more about JBJ being a heartthrob.

Exact same thing could be said about DLR playboy image

Milestone · September 2018

Grateful Dead is the greatest “American” rock band. They took bits of every American style (country, blues, jazz, bluegrass, rock) and weaved it all into their own genre.

Also, having hundreds of songs in an ever-changing setlist. Bucking the system and allowing taping at concerts. Practically inventing the concert poster and light show aspect with the live music.

Grateful Dead is my vote.

rummy · September 2018

No Coder said:

rummy said:

Don't forget, a lot of Bon Jovi's success wasn't as much about the music - it was more about JBJ being a heartthrob.

Exact same thing could be said about DLR playboy image

Yeah? I didn't realize that was the case. I know a few ladies in their late-40s who love (ie, go gaga over) JBJ but never hear anything about DLR.

Must be because one has aged better than the other?

No Coder · September 2018

rummy said:

No Coder said:

rummy said:

Don't forget, a lot of Bon Jovi's success wasn't as much about the music - it was more about JBJ being a heartthrob.

Exact same thing could be said about DLR playboy image

Yeah? I didn't realize that was the case. I know a few ladies in their late-40s who love (ie, go gaga over) JBJ but never hear anything about DLR.

Must be because one has aged better than the other?

Yeah, not being attracted to either myself, LOL, but JBJ has definitely aged better. DLR had the hedonistic lead singer image raging in the early 80's

Milestone · September 2018

Isn’t JBJ about 10 years younger than DLR? You gotta compare a 2008 era DLR to JBJ today. You still might be right!
Pretty sure DLR can still do a backflip (with the proper amount of cocaine).

fsu2626 · September 2018

My vote goes to pearl Jam

B-Girl · September 2018

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

All variables aside... these are album sales within the US:

Eagles 101 million units sold in the US
Aerosmith 66.5 million
Metallica 62 million
Van Halen 56 million
Journey 48 million
GnRoses 44.5 million
Santana 43.5 million
Bob Seger 43.5 million
Chicago 38.5 million
Foreigner 37 million
Bon Jovi 34.5 million
Dave Matthews Band 33.5 million
The Doors 33 million
Pearl Jam 31.5 million
Tom Petty 31.5 million
Boston 31 million
Lynyrd Skynyrd 28.5 million
CCR 28 million
Nirvana 25 million
Motley Crue 25 million
RHCP 25 million
ZZ Top 25 million

https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/28/entertainment/gallery/successful-rock-bands-history-of-chicago/index.html

I am not gonna deny that these bands were/are extremely successful and seemed to catch the publics fancy at ridiculous levels, but, basing the "greatest band" by album sales is a little like saying Thomas Kinkade is the "greatest" artist who ever lived because he sold more paintings compared to someone like Van Gogh, I just think the argument has to be a little more nuanced than that. That being said, that list does contain some artists/bands that are entirely worthy of being in the conversation.

Thirty Bills Unpaid · September 2018

B-Girl said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

All variables aside... these are album sales within the US:

Eagles 101 million units sold in the US
Aerosmith 66.5 million
Metallica 62 million
Van Halen 56 million
Journey 48 million
GnRoses 44.5 million
Santana 43.5 million
Bob Seger 43.5 million
Chicago 38.5 million
Foreigner 37 million
Bon Jovi 34.5 million
Dave Matthews Band 33.5 million
The Doors 33 million
Pearl Jam 31.5 million
Tom Petty 31.5 million
Boston 31 million
Lynyrd Skynyrd 28.5 million
CCR 28 million
Nirvana 25 million
Motley Crue 25 million
RHCP 25 million
ZZ Top 25 million

https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/28/entertainment/gallery/successful-rock-bands-history-of-chicago/index.html

I am not gonna deny that these bands were/are extremely successful and seemed to catch the publics fancy at ridiculous levels, but, basing the "greatest band" by album sales is a little like saying Thomas Kinkade is the "greatest" artist who ever lived because he sold more paintings compared to someone like Van Gogh, I just think the argument has to be a little more nuanced than that. That being said, that list does contain some artists/bands that are entirely worthy of being in the conversation.

I wouldn't disagree.

I just posted it for discussion's sake- the numbers are very relevant to what we have been discussing.

ikiT · September 2018

Eagles is probably the correct answer.

Thirty Bills Unpaid · September 2018

Tiki said:

Eagles is probably the correct answer.

It might just be.

helplessdancer · September 2018

Milestone said:

Grateful Dead is the greatest “American” rock band. They took bits of every American style (country, blues, jazz, bluegrass, rock) and weaved it all into their own genre.

Also, having hundreds of songs in an ever-changing setlist. Bucking the system and allowing taping at concerts. Practically inventing the concert poster and light show aspect with the live music.

Grateful Dead is my vote.

it's amazing people don't give them more credit when the credit is due. most regular music fans can't even name 5 songs by this great band. and those kats sold thousands more tickets, played way more live shows, had great original music, started the whole concept of great sound/lights at live concerts etc etc

"There’s no way to measure his greatness or magnitude as a person or as a player. I don’t think any eulogizing will do him justice. He was that great, much more than a superb musician, with an uncanny ear and dexterity. He’s the very spirit personified of whatever is Muddy River country at its core and screams up into the spheres. He really had no equal. To me he wasn’t only a musician and friend, he was more like a big brother who taught and showed me more than he’ll ever know. There’s a lot of spaces and advances between The Carter Family, Buddy Holly and, say, Ornette Coleman, a lot of universes, but he filled them all without being a member of any school. His playing was moody, awesome, sophisticated, hypnotic and subtle. There’s no way to convey the loss. It just digs down really deep"...BOB DYLAN

HollisBrown · September 2018

Bob Dylan and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, minus Paul Butterfield.

CLOSE THE THREAD MODS.

B-Girl · September 2018

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

B-Girl said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

All variables aside... these are album sales within the US:

Eagles 101 million units sold in the US
Aerosmith 66.5 million
Metallica 62 million
Van Halen 56 million
Journey 48 million
GnRoses 44.5 million
Santana 43.5 million
Bob Seger 43.5 million
Chicago 38.5 million
Foreigner 37 million
Bon Jovi 34.5 million
Dave Matthews Band 33.5 million
The Doors 33 million
Pearl Jam 31.5 million
Tom Petty 31.5 million
Boston 31 million
Lynyrd Skynyrd 28.5 million
CCR 28 million
Nirvana 25 million
Motley Crue 25 million
RHCP 25 million
ZZ Top 25 million

https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/28/entertainment/gallery/successful-rock-bands-history-of-chicago/index.html

I am not gonna deny that these bands were/are extremely successful and seemed to catch the publics fancy at ridiculous levels, but, basing the "greatest band" by album sales is a little like saying Thomas Kinkade is the "greatest" artist who ever lived because he sold more paintings compared to someone like Van Gogh, I just think the argument has to be a little more nuanced than that. That being said, that list does contain some artists/bands that are entirely worthy of being in the conversation.

I wouldn't disagree.

I just posted it for discussion's sake- the numbers are very relevant to what we have been discussing.

Totally get it, all good.

B-Girl · September 2018

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

Tiki said:

Eagles is probably the correct answer.

It might just be.

That hurts me. Man, my vote for a band I don't like that should be in serious contention is The Grateful Dead...not my cup of tea but their "Grateness" checks the boxes in a lot of categories.

Thirty Bills Unpaid · September 2018

B-Girl said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

Tiki said:

Eagles is probably the correct answer.

It might just be.

That hurts me. Man, my vote for a band I don't like that should be in serious contention is The Grateful Dead...not my cup of tea but their "Grateness" checks the boxes in a lot of categories.

A strong argument could be made for these guys too.

Best American Rock Band Ever

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