# The greatest American rock band of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 2, 2015, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690 "2015-09-02T11:55:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/21 "2015-09-02T14:36:17Z")
Chicago? Crosby, Stills, and Nash? Styx? ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/22 "2015-09-02T14:38:09Z")
> [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](#): > > Can a non-American offer some input? > > To my European ears, **The Doors, Van Halen** and **Aerosmith** don’t sound particularly American. They’re more _international rock_ to me, if that makes sense. Purely subjective, of course. > > On the other hand, **The Eagles, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, ]Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band**? Very American to my ears. > > I’d probably vote for **The Eagles**. Their music conjures up the sort of mental pictures that I’ve always associated with America. But then, so do **Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band** as well as **Lynyrd Skynyrd**. It’s got to be one of those three anyway. Absolutely, and some interesting perspectives from you on what exactly makes an American band “American”. That’s why I mentioned The Band in my OP- even though they’re mostly Canadian, they have a very “Americana” vibe to their songs. Maybe I should have added some sort of “Americana” factor to my measuring scale. ---
**Author:** ![cormac262](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@cormac262](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cormac262)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/23 "2015-09-02T14:40:28Z")
On your feet…of on your KNEEEESSSS !!! Blue Oyster Cult !!! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/24 "2015-09-02T14:48:21Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Not a huge fan, but surprised they have not yet been mentioned. They probably have more followers than all previous bands combined. > > Jimmy Buffet too. Cjepson mentioned The Grateful Dead. I was never too much into them either, but their overall fame, longevity and “Americaness” certainly makes them a candidate. And I’m not all about the '70s dino rock- I think a strong case could be made for Pearl Jam. Nirvana too I guess, but Nirvana to me seems very much of its time. I don’t know, seems like you had to be a misunderstood angsty teen to really ‘get’ Nirvana, and I was a misunderstood angsty adult by then. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/25 "2015-09-02T14:55:41Z")
**Boston** has to be in the running as well. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/26 "2015-09-02T14:56:45Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Absolutely, and some interesting perspectives from you on what exactly makes an American band “American”. That’s why I mentioned The Band in my OP- even though they’re mostly Canadian, they have a very “Americana” vibe to their songs. **Maybe I should have added some sort of “Americana” factor to my measuring scale**. Bolding mine That’s why I brought up the Grateful Dead. Of course Bob Dylan should be in there too. Simon and Garfunkel as well. And a dozen others. They might not be considered Rock though. American Rock has a lot of Folk music in it. And of course jazz. The southern sound of ZZ top is also I think very American. Or I guess I should say USA. Along with 38 special and the rest. Tom Petty is also very uniquely ‘American’. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/27 "2015-09-02T15:00:01Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > I can actually see them being in the discussion. For my money, it’s still Aerosmith, but Van Halen was enormously influential (EVH in particular, but the band in general was the template for 80s hard rock). Guns N’ Roses. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/28 "2015-09-02T15:03:24Z")
The name that immediately came to my mind upon reading the title of the OP was **Aerosmith** …followed milliseconds later by **Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band**. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/29 "2015-09-02T15:04:01Z")
Not a band, but Hendrix seems to be near the summit of both influence and popularity. ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/30 "2015-09-02T15:04:52Z")
Well kids, it goes like this… The greatest American rock band of all time is KISS. More gold records than any other american band, and second in gold records world wide. The only band with more global gold records than KISS? That’s right…The Beatles. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/31 "2015-09-02T15:06:49Z")
Metallica is way up there, until the last few albums. First band that came to mind for me was Aerosmith. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/32 "2015-09-02T15:14:45Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > Well kids, it goes like this… > > The greatest American rock band of all time is KISS. > > More gold records than any other american band, and second in gold records world wide. The only band with more global gold records than KISS? That’s right…The Beatles. And McDonalds is the best restaurant in America. KISS is the worst. Easily the worst band with the biggest following in the history of the world. ---
**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 2, 2015, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/33 "2015-09-02T15:28:25Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Not a band, but Hendrix seems to be near the summit of both influence and popularity. I’d count it, as the Jimi Hendrix Experience. While Hendrix was definitely the showcase, the other musicians, especially Mitch Mitchell, shined in their own right. They’re the first I thought of. The Beach Boys would be my second. I’d also throw in the Pixies or Sonic Youth in the mix, if it weren’t for their relatively quiet mainstream showing. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/34 "2015-09-02T15:28:49Z")
This is getting good- after this thread winds down, I’ll take all the bands mentioned x number of times (more than once at least, maybe 3 times depending on how long and unwieldy the list becomes) and make a GABOAT poll! Boston, GNR and yes, even KISS are all good candidates I’d say. It’s “greatest American band”, not “my favorite American band” and KISS I’d say had more long lasting fame and name recognition than say, Boston, though I personally like Boston MUCH better. And I think I’m being pretty loose with the definition, but it is greatest American BAND. So Dylan? Dylan and The Band maybe. Jimi Hendrix Experience. Simon and Garfunkel? No. I could accept a duo as a band (White Stripes, Black Keys) and I like their music, but they did not rock. ---
**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 2, 2015, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/35 "2015-09-02T15:38:09Z")
> [@solost](#): > > This is getting good- after this thread winds down, I’ll take all the bands mentioned x number of times (more than once at least, maybe 3 times depending on how long and unwieldy the list becomes) and make a GABOAT poll! > > Boston, GNR and yes, even KISS are all good candidates I’d say. It’s “greatest American band”, not “my favorite American band” and KISS I’d say had more long lasting fame and name recognition than say, Boston, though I personally like Boston MUCH better. > > And I think I’m being pretty loose with the definition, but it is greatest American BAND. So Dylan? Dylan and The Band maybe. Jimi Hendrix Experience. Simon and Garfunkel? No. I could accept a duo as a band (White Stripes, Black Keys) and I like their music, but they did not rock. If I were to disqualify the Jimi Hendrix Experience, it’s because they’re American and British, not because they’re not a band. Now the White Stripes? They certainly rocked. I saw one show of theirs and was completely blown away by how much they rocked and how much two people can fill up a room with noise and charisma. It was the last real “spectacle of rock” experience I’ve had. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/36 "2015-09-02T15:52:53Z")
A wild **Alice Cooper** appears…a band for a significant chunk of career, then solo. But if we’re letting in scrubs like Bruce Springsteen, then Alice gets a shot at the crown. I’m also submitting **Prince** in the same context _thread zeitgeist ponders a moment, then begrudgingly nods in acceptance_ ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/37 "2015-09-02T15:53:03Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > If I were to disqualify the Jimi Hendrix Experience, it’s because they’re American and British, not because they’re not a band. Now the White Stripes? They certainly rocked. I saw one show of theirs and was completely blown away by how much they rocked and how much two people can fill up a room with noise and charisma. It was the last real “spectacle of rock” experience I’ve had. Hmmm, good point on the Jimi Hendrix Experience maybe being disqualified because they’re Not 100% American. On the other hand, I already mentioned The Band a couple times as an example of “America-esqe” though they’re mostly Canadian. I think the JHE could squeak in under the definition. What do you guys think? I’ll base the poll on your # of positive mentions, not my own opinion (except maybe for my own arbitrary and capricious decisions to leave bands out who are borderline mention-wise). And yeah, the white stripes definitely rock, though they are barely a duo (sorry Meg). ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/38 "2015-09-02T16:00:44Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Heh, “we’re an American Band” kept running through my head as I thought about it, but I don’t know if GFR would be in the running…maybe? How about “greatest song about being an American band”? It was the very first thing I thought of after reading the OP, but no, I suppose it’s not a serious nomination. ---
**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 2, 2015, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/39 "2015-09-02T16:02:18Z")
> [@solost](#): > > H > And yeah, the white stripes definitely rock, though they are barely a duo (sorry Meg). Ah, on re-read, I see you were referring to Bob Dylan and the Band, not the White Stripes or Black Keys. My bad. Still, as much as they’re my favorite Jack White project, I really can’t put them up as “Greatest American Rock Band.” My nomination from the last generation would be Sleater-Kinney, but they’re certainly not popular enough, I think, to make the cut. Smashing Pumpkins would probably make the 90s list for me. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/40 "2015-09-02T16:12:01Z")
I think R.E.M. is in the conversation somewheres. Maybe not the greatest, but up there (I’ll take them over Van Halen any day). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690.md?page=3)