Best American Rock Band Ever

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  • Posts: 31,479
    CCR would win.
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • Posts: 11,855
    edited September 2018
    I wouldn't consider the Grateful Dead the greatest american rock band ever.

    I agree with the amazing accomplishments with this band, as well as their innovation.  

    The problem is, they lack recognizable hits that will sustain the band with the mainstream domestically and abroad.  You could go to a juke box anywhere and let songs fly from Tom Petty, GnR, Aerosmith, Doors, etc... and probably will be able to let them fly for many decades.  

    "Hits" isnt the be-all-end-all, neither is straight-up album sales.... nor is live performance, influence, or international popularity.... But IMO the 'best American band' should possess all those things to some degree.  I do think a void of recognizable/mainstream hits is a gigantic strike though.
  • London, ON Posts: 1,057
    edited September 2018
    pearldavidson said:
    Do the Chili Peppers get any consideration?
    Based on only the albums featuring John Frusciante I’d say hells yes!  But there are the others so it’s debatable. They definitely meet the curriculum outlined by the OP though.
    The member formerly known as Scratched Vinyl
  • Posts: 3,045
    Grateful Dead hands down no contest..
    "Going where the water tastes like wine!"
  • Posts: 16,881
    RHCP are definitely in the discussion.

    100%.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • Boston Posts: 84
    I have this argument all the time. It’s PJ and it’s not even close. Thank you for participating
    Hartford 9/13/98, Montreal 6/29/03, Mansfield 7/2/03 7/3/03 7/11/03, Boston 9/28/04, Hartford 6/27/08, Mansfield 6/28/08 6/30/08, Chicago 8/24/09, Boston 5/17/10, East Troy 9/3/11 9/4/11, Worcester 10/15 10/16, Hartford 10/25 Fenway 1&2 EV - Boston 8/1 8/2, Albany 8/6
  • Brisbane Posts: 1,126
    MayDay10 said:
    I wouldn't consider the Grateful Dead the greatest american rock band ever.

    I agree with the amazing accomplishments with this band, as well as their innovation.  

    The problem is, they lack recognizable hits that will sustain the band with the mainstream domestically and abroad.  You could go to a juke box anywhere and let songs fly from Tom Petty, GnR, Aerosmith, Doors, etc... and probably will be able to let them fly for many decades.  

    "Hits" isnt the be-all-end-all, neither is straight-up album sales.... nor is live performance, influence, or international popularity.... But IMO the 'best American band' should possess all those things to some degree.  I do think a void of recognizable/mainstream hits is a gigantic strike though.
    Agree with this completely. Massive respect for the Dead, but they do not have the record sales or hits ti be in the conversation for the GREATEST.

    They can certainly be in the most respected/influential conversation, but to be the GREATEST, surely the average Joe on the street should be able to name a song of theirs?
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me

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  • Posts: 16,881
    MayDay10 said:
    I wouldn't consider the Grateful Dead the greatest american rock band ever.

    I agree with the amazing accomplishments with this band, as well as their innovation.  

    The problem is, they lack recognizable hits that will sustain the band with the mainstream domestically and abroad.  You could go to a juke box anywhere and let songs fly from Tom Petty, GnR, Aerosmith, Doors, etc... and probably will be able to let them fly for many decades.  

    "Hits" isnt the be-all-end-all, neither is straight-up album sales.... nor is live performance, influence, or international popularity.... But IMO the 'best American band' should possess all those things to some degree.  I do think a void of recognizable/mainstream hits is a gigantic strike though.
    I would like to hear the counter-argument to this.

    It won't come from me- I'm not a Dead fan, but I feel there could be at least a small argument there.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • Park City, Utah Posts: 195
    Let's see....longevity, influence, ground breaker, sales, originality, internationally recognized, causes (too many to name, but the dude did play at the MLK March on DC, the one where the good Dr gave his famous "I have a Dream" speech).....and you can still see him live, next month in Phoenix Arizona, when he kicks off the fall leg of his US tour......

    Ladies and gentlemen, give it up,........ for Mr Bob Dylan 
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  • Posts: 553
    Pearl Jam, Bruce and the E Street Band, and Kiss are the US rock bands that come to mind when talking about revenue and longevity/hits/charisma... if Van Halen were still relevant they'd be in there... if Metallica were closer to rock than metal then they'd be there, too... and near the top of the class

    But if we're narrowing to the live experience then PJ, Bruce and the Foos are the best I've ever seen on stage (VH was great... even with Sammy).  Edge to PJ and Bruce because they mix the setlist every night... edge in the end to Bruce for being the quintessential rock god and playing 4 hour high-energy sets without an encore break every night at the the age of 67 (in 2016).

      
  • Posts: 31,296
    Plus, the last two Black Crowes albums DID NOT suck.
    If I had known then what I know now...

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  • Posts: 31,296
    kiss = novelty band.
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
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    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
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  • this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,815
    edited September 2018
    Black Crowes = Not in the equation
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • Posts: 105
    RobZ said:
    Let's see....longevity, influence, ground breaker, sales, originality, internationally recognized, causes (too many to name, but the dude did play at the MLK March on DC, the one where the good Dr gave his famous "I have a Dream" speech).....and you can still see him live, next month in Phoenix Arizona, when he kicks off the fall leg of his US tour......

    Ladies and gentlemen, give it up,........ for Mr Bob Dylan 
    I definately agree, but you may get an argument that Dylan is neither a band or rock, but it won't come from me...
  • Posts: 105
    edited September 2018
    No Coder said:
    show previous quotes
    Agree with this completely. Massive respect for the Dead, but they do not have the record sales or hits ti be in the conversation for the GREATEST.

    They can certainly be in the most respected/influential conversation, but to be the GREATEST, surely the average Joe on the street should be able to name a song of theirs?
    I think the crux of the argument would be what defines the greatest in terms of music, and it seems we may be all analyzing it from our own personal point of view irrespective of the criteria outlined by the OP.  Personally, I would never take the opinion of the Average Joe...I believe that oftentimes we exalt mediocrity.  There are precious few artists that not only show brilliance, ingenuity, and influence that also seep into the mainstream consciousness that consequently brings success in album sales/hits/longevity.  We have spoke of a few of them here, but we've also spoke of some, frankly, mediocre bands that happen to have recieved alot of mainstream attention that are not at all inspiring, brilliant or ingenious.  And as a footnote, I believe metal is a subcategory of rock (a pretty loose umbrella term), so Metallica would at least crack the top ten on my book.
    Post edited by B-Girl on
  • Posts: 105
    edited September 2018
    hugepjfan said:
    Aerosmith is terrible and I knew that that would be mentioned because I debate that at work with a dude all the time but you're entitled to that opinion. GD I didn't think of, good call there.fleetwood a little too short lived. Metallica is interesting. I don't like them but they have their own following.. I don't think they they  are all that involved with community and are greedy. But they are are a classic American band. Can't argue that. 
    Yes, and since lyrics are part of the criteria they should be disqualified on "Love in an Elevator" alone.  I liked some of their real early stuff but they pretty much turned into a novelty/joke band in the 80's
    Post edited by B-Girl on
  • Posts: 1,295
    I mean truth be told I don't think it is ever possible to have one "the best" because of the subjective nature of the whole thing, I can think of 100 bands that I would nominate at the very least lol Pearl Jam being one of them of course
  • West Seattle Posts: 934
    I would say Social Distortion would be up there, they might not meet all of the OP criteria.
  • this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,815
    Why (oh why) do I keep clicking on this thread?
    :lol:
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • Posts: 15,378
    edited September 2018
    I would like to expand on the criteria to include not only lyrics, but the emotional effects those lyrics and their delivery have on the listener.  Best, most relatable to the story of my life, rock band EVER.

    EDIT:  And it's not like one or two songs that get ya...it's a measurable shit-ton.
    Post edited by Dissidentman on

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