# The 6 greatest British bands of all time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 9, 2024, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019 "2024-09-09T16:26:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/41 "2024-09-09T21:36:12Z")
They were British of Irish origin. Shane lived in London. j ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/42 "2024-09-09T21:37:29Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Does that include Bryan Ferry solo albums? Can if you like, I guess. j ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/43 "2024-09-09T21:38:03Z")
To my mind, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones kind of transcend this kind of list, because of the seismic impact of their careers. Handicapping myself by leaving them out, my top six would be: The Kinks The Clash The Jam Roxy Music Joy Division/New Order (can’t really separate those) Mott the Hoople ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/44 "2024-09-09T21:54:52Z")
The Move The Who Stackridge Queen Genesis Celia & The Mutations ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/45 "2024-09-09T21:58:55Z")
That Robert Fripp vehicle known as King Crimson by a freaking longshot Beatles Napalm Death Extreme Noise Terror The Fall XTC oh heck why not two more - Carcass, Gang of Four ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/46 "2024-09-09T22:06:31Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I guess I’m not really bringing anything original to the thread. In our collective defense, after the first 2 posts it became kinda difficult. We should try "Best six excluding …B, S, W, K, PF, LZ ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/47 "2024-09-09T22:10:19Z")
Just an observation … Notable omissions: Dire Straits The Police Others? j ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/48 "2024-09-09T22:12:56Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Others? Dr. Feelgood? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/49 "2024-09-09T22:13:34Z")
Good call! j ---
**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 9, 2024, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/50 "2024-09-09T22:21:06Z")
If you want a dark horse, I would add Wire in there and take out, I dunno, the Stones or the Who for my list, both of which I don’t listen to much at all. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/51 "2024-09-09T22:23:24Z")
With all the hubbub over the recent reunion/tour announcement I’m surprised Oasis hasn’t been mentioned. (Not a fan, but I know they have a big following) ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/52 "2024-09-09T22:24:45Z")
Again, excellent call. j ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/53 "2024-09-09T22:27:02Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Can if you like, I guess. Prefer bands - and not solo performers or solos in various bands. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/54 "2024-09-09T22:28:46Z")
I guess it depends on how you want to define “greatest” bands. There is no doubt the Stones or The Who blow Wire out of the water when it comes to their impact on music over the last 50 years. You might like Wire more than those two…you might even argue it is better music. But they come nowhere close to the effect the Stones and The Who had on popular music. ---
**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 9, 2024, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/55 "2024-09-09T22:29:23Z")
And that is how I was originally answering the question – as “objectively” as possible. It’s my re-read of the OP and “According to YOU” and the OP’s hope to discover some bands they missed that made me update my choice (though Wire will be a hard sell for most people, I think.) My Bloody Valentine would also be on my list, but was already mentioned. And definitely The Smiths. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/56 "2024-09-09T22:34:49Z")
Which is why I left it open to interpretation. If someone _really_ loves a band to the point it over-rides what they feel is another band’s impact, I want to hear about it. Personally, I think that that would be hard to do with the Beatles or the Stones. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/57 "2024-09-09T22:37:37Z")
And in that spirit I recommend London Grammar to you. They are blindingly good. j ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/58 "2024-09-09T22:40:38Z")
I think Depeche Mode then needs to be in this discussion. (I’m surprised they have not been listed yet.) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/59 "2024-09-09T22:48:45Z")
Fairport Convention Renaissance Pentangle King Crimson Roxy Music Rolling Stones ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019/60 "2024-09-09T22:49:21Z")
And on your recommendation, I watched a couple of their videos. They are very good. I will check out more when I get home. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-6-greatest-british-bands-of-all-time/1007019.md?page=4)