# 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:** 3
**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, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/41 "2015-09-02T16:15:54Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > 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). Yeah. REM is not a band I’m particularly drawn to, but they definitely belong in the mix. ---
**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, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/42 "2015-09-02T16:18:40Z")
> [@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. Well, Dinosaur Jr. still performs their particularly wonderful blend of loud, American rock, too (and if we’re including artistically satisfying and complex, they’d get my vote). But if we’re getting down to that level of influence and success, and we’re keeping a pretty pure of an idea of “American”, I’d start voting for the Ramones in a heartbeat. But really, if we’re actually talking greatest rock band, irrespective of popularity, influence, composition or place of origin: the band that ate lightning and crapped Rock n’ Roll every day so they could deliver it to you has only one name. The Cramps. ---
**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, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/43 "2015-09-02T16:21:10Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Well, Dinosaur Jr. still performs their particularly wonderful blend of loud, American rock, too (and if we’re including artistically satisfying and complex, they’d get my vote). But if we’re getting down to that level of influence and success, and we’re keeping a pretty pure of an idea of “American”, I’d start voting for the Ramones in a heartbeat. > > But really, if we’re actually talking greatest rock band, irrespective of popularity, influence, composition or place of origin: the band that ate lightning and crapped Rock n’ Roll every day so they could deliver it to you has only one name. The Cramps. I’m not familiar enough with the Cramps to cast a vote, but the Ramones is another band I would definitely put into consideration. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/44 "2015-09-02T16:23:07Z")
Pearl Jam? Oh God Noooh. American Bands were more specialized than british ones. Many burned out too quickly, and didn’t put in the effort (The Band) Maybe an argument for the Doors but they could be pretentious. Aerosmith I love but their subject matter trivializes them a little. Here is my list The Allman Brothers The Beach Boys CSNY The Replacements Not ZZ Top, sorry. If VH were the best American Band, that’s just gross. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/45 "2015-09-02T16:25:40Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I think the JHE could squeak in under the definition. What do you guys think? Mitchell and Redding were English. The JHE was an international band, not an American band. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/46 "2015-09-02T16:25:43Z")
Santana. One of the few bands who could sound as good live as in the studio. Listen to all the lousy performances at Woodstock and then listen to Santana’s. Not to mention that Carlos Santana is woefully underrated as a guitarist. Not that he’s ignored, but he seldom gets included in a discussion of the best. ---
**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, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/47 "2015-09-02T16:36:24Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > 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. No, my “barely a duo” comment was just a little sarcasm- As I said I think the White Stripes qualify as a band, as do the Black Keys, though not Simon and Garfunkel- but not just because they don’t rock- I think the bare minimum definition for a rock band (American or otherwise) would be:at least two people, one playing drums, one playing guitar or other instrument, plus one or both singing, and rocking out. I think that’s pretty inclusive, yet clear-cut, yes? ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/48 "2015-09-02T16:46:27Z")
Buddy Holly and the Crickets. ---
**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, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/49 "2015-09-02T16:48:03Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Santana. One of the few bands who could sound as good live as in the studio. Listen to all the lousy performances at Woodstock and then listen to Santana’s. > > Not to mention that Carlos Santana is woefully underrated as a guitarist. Not that he’s ignored, but he seldom gets included in a discussion of the best. Especially considering that they didn’t even have a record deal at the time, their performance at Woodstock is amazing. I could get behind it, but it has similar problems to nominating Prince (or Hendrix, for that matter), and deeper national issues. Where does the man as a solo performer end and the band begin? Plus, Carlos was born in Jalisco. And with similar complaints about a lack of ground rules: CSNY has the Y, a well-known Canadian. If Hendrix is out, I say they are, too. I’d second The Replacements. I’d also second Sonic Youth and The Pixies. I probably should have mentioned the Allman Brothers myself. ETA: AND CHEAP TRICK! ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/50 "2015-09-02T16:50:05Z")
For pure arena rock & roll, I think Van Halen is a great choice. For all-time success, influence and overall career, I gotta go with The Ramones. If anyone has some time, [we had a thread about them a few years back where I think I made a good case for them being influential in ways that fairly boggle the mind](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=636954&page=2). The key posts are on the 2nd page (don’t worry, there’s only 2 pages to the thread), but the whole discussion was a lot of fun and there is pertinent information throughout. In fact, I just had a great time reading thru it again. 😃 ---
**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, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/51 "2015-09-02T16:53:17Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Santana. One of the few bands who could sound as good live as in the studio. Listen to all the lousy performances at Woodstock and then listen to Santana’s. > > Not to mention that Carlos Santana is woefully underrated as a guitarist. Not that he’s ignored, but he seldom gets included in a discussion of the best. I saw Santana open for the Stones in '81. Amazing performance, ESPECIALLY Carlos Santana on guitar. A lot of people including the ones I was with thought they blew the Stones away. I’d definitely say yes purely musically, but thought the comparison was kind of apples and oranges, the Stones being the Stones. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/52 "2015-09-02T16:53:24Z")
> [@solost](#): > > No, my “barely a duo” comment was just a little sarcasm- As I said I think the White Stripes qualify as a band, as do the Black Keys, though not Simon and Garfunkel- but not just because they don’t rock- I think the bare minimum definition for a rock band (American or otherwise) would be:at least two people, one playing drums, one playing guitar or other instrument, plus one or both singing, and rocking out. I think that’s pretty inclusive, yet clear-cut, yes? I concur. White Stripes? Band. Flat Duo Jets? Band. Lightning Bolt? Band. Zager & Evans? Not a band. Simon & Garfunkel? Not a band. Sonny & Cher? Not a band. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/53 "2015-09-02T17:00:52Z")
What is wrong with you guys? NO MENTION of Foo Fighters?? Maybe not the best, but Heart needs a mention here, too. ---
**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, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/54 "2015-09-02T17:01:53Z")
Ok, but on the edge cases like Prince, or Santana (does naturalized citizen count? Dammit, I need RULES), where should we fall? I mean, if we were including funk as a section of rock (and we might), James Brown might win if we allow band leader = band. ETA: In response to **Bo** ’s band/not band metric. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/55 "2015-09-02T17:13:19Z")
FWIW: I consider Canadians (and Mexicans) to be Americans. This means Neil, Joni, Leonard, The Band, etc. They are North American. BTW American Music Club from Frisco is better than 75% of the bands so far listed. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/56 "2015-09-02T17:13:32Z")
One of my friends was an occasional promoter ~10 years ago, he used to entertain me with stories of “riders” in concert contracts, like the mythical(?) brown M&Ms. Anyway, according to him, ZZ Top had a rider in their contract that required him to agree that ZZ Top is the Greatest Rock N Roll Band Of All Time and promote them as such. So, QED and all that. ---
**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, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/57 "2015-09-02T17:20:27Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > FWIW: I consider Canadians (and Mexicans) to be Americans. This means Neil, Joni, Leonard, The Band, etc. They are North American. Hmm, ok. I’d back that call. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/58 "2015-09-02T17:24:44Z")
Go over to youtube. Play this track: [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfFEb1Ixbe0) The answer is Creedence Clearwater Revival. Yes, they could have been named “John Fogerty and the Backup Band”, just like Bruce Springsteen. Just being named “X and the Ys” doesn’t make you not a band. On the other hand, Prince is not a band. Prince is Prince, and when he has a band play with him, they’re hired hands. Anyway, Creedence. Greatest? Yes. Rock? Yes. Band? Yes. American? Yes. Game over. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/59 "2015-09-02T17:27:28Z")
CSN(Y) - Graham Nash is British and Neil Young is Canadian ---
**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, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690/60 "2015-09-02T17:31:42Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Ok, but on the edge cases like Prince, or Santana (does naturalized citizen count? Dammit, I need RULES), where should we fall? I mean, if we were including funk as a section of rock (and we might), James Brown might win if we allow band leader = band. > > ETA: In response to **Bo** ’s band/not band metric. Well, I like all those guys. But when it comes to “rock-ness” my definition would be stricter than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so I would not include funk or R&B. So no James Brown. I might just consider Prince rocking, not just pure funk/rhythm, but has he ever been part of one band for long? Seems like he’s used many different incarnations as backing bands. And I’d be pretty open to interpretation there, like Dylan and The Band as mentioned, or say, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, even, though Neil’s done his own thing more often than not. So by band qualification alone I’d say no to Prince. As for nationality slash “American-ness”, I’ve been pretty loose with this definition, but yeah, when I think of Santana I don’t really think “American Band”. I think if we’re going to rule out the Jimi Hendrix Experience then Santana wouldn’t make the cut I’d reluctantly say. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729690.md?page=4)