# Best all around band (mainstream)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-all-around-band-mainstream/80775>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [September 10, 2001, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-all-around-band-mainstream/80775 "2001-09-10T23:36:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lance\_the\_Advancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Lance\_the\_Advancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_the_Advancer)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2001, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-all-around-band-mainstream/80775/1 "2001-09-10T23:36:46Z")

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I know this has been pretty much debated to no end, but I’d like to know who the dopers think is the best all around band in the history of (mainstream) rock?

For me it has to be either Zeppelin, the Doors, or the Ramones.

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**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2001, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-all-around-band-mainstream/80775/2 "2001-09-10T23:38:39Z")

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Stones.

May as well lock this thread up now.

😉

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**Author:** ![Lance\_the\_Advancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Lance\_the\_Advancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_the_Advancer)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2001, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-all-around-band-mainstream/80775/3 "2001-09-10T23:42:41Z")

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The Stones would be next on my list.

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**Author:** ![Tokiwoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@Tokiwoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tokiwoki)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-all-around-band-mainstream/80775/4 "2001-09-11T01:12:32Z")

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U2

…shortest reply ever. 🙂

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**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-all-around-band-mainstream/80775/5 "2001-09-11T01:19:42Z")

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Jeffrson Airplane  
Frank Zappa  
The Doors  
Janis Joplin  
Jimi Hendrix  
The Beatles  
The Rolling Stones  
The Plastic Ono Band  
Blue Ouster Cult

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**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-all-around-band-mainstream/80775/6 "2001-09-11T01:22:46Z")

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Almost forgot Alice Cooper. How could I forget Alice Cooper?

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**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-all-around-band-mainstream/80775/7 "2001-09-11T04:54:53Z")

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Well it’s a good thing this thread is sticking to old bands because being a good band these days is a strike against mainstream success.

Erek

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**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2001, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-all-around-band-mainstream/80775/8 "2001-09-11T09:23:28Z")

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I was going to say XTC, but I’m not sure if that qualifies as mainstream…

For the 90s I would say Radiohead, The Flaming Lips, Blur and The Smashing Pumpkins.

But, to answer the question, best all-around rock band of all time…

The Beatles, without a doubt.

followed by:  
Led Zeppelin  
The Who  
Pink Floyd