Who are the strongest contenders for the title of "greatest American rock band ever"?

Cafe Society
1

I’ve always thought of rock and roll as a uniquely Anglo-American idiom, which sort of evolved in parallel paths in the US and UK and then eventually converged, and it was really in the UK that they converged. To me, the Beatles were the turning point. I know this subject could be debated to death, but my position, which I will hold firm unless convinced otherwise, is that the Beatles set the precedent for what we now know as rock music. That means that the British can lay claim to most of the greatest rock bands, and America is collectively in second place. In my opinion.

That’s just a preamble to the actual question I’m asking - and I realize that too may be a matter of opinion. But I’m not really asking “who is your favorite American rock band”, I’m pondering which of them might actually be worthy of the title, based upon objective criteria such as musicianship, a coherent body of work, and continuing influence.

Based on those criteria, my top pick would be the Grateful Dead. It’s not just that I consider them the greatest American rock band, I also consider them the most American rock band, if that makes any sense. They drew so extensively from the cumulative body of American folk music, liberally referenced all manner of arcane American history and folklore, and even the color scheme that is most popularly associated with them is red, white, and blue (comprising the iconic “stealie”, or to non-'heads, “that logo with the skull and thunderbolt.”) Presumably the one that Don Henley saw on a Cadillac. I mean, what other band could have come up with a song like U.S. Blues?

The fact that the Dead have had such longevity (which is sometimes just dismissed as commercialism) speaks to their lasting influence and the timelessness of their music. They also explored a variety of musical styles. All of them were or are excellent musicians in terms of technical ability. Their surviving members are still actively playing. I’m 31 and I routinely meet people 10 years younger than me or more, who love the Dead. I’m not sure I can say that about any other rock band besides the Beatles.

Close behind the Dead would be the Beach Boys. I think Pet Sounds and Smile are as musically superlative as anything the Beatles ever created. What makes them problematic for this category, though, is that Brian Wilson’s outsized influence blurs the line between “band” and “solo artist.” There isn’t really any other member of the Beach Boys who I would call a stellar musician (although I have an abiding love for Carol Kaye’s bass playing.) It’s kind of like Harry Nilsson - if his music were created by 4 guys instead of just him, I would have no problem naming them as a top contender for greatest American rock band. But they’re not a band, they’re just Harry Nilsson.

I’ve seen both The Doors and Jefferson Airplane floated as claimants to the title, but I don’t think either of them are really that exceptional. They both have a number of great songs, but nothing approaching the Beatles or the Grateful Dead or Brian Wilson at his peak of songwriting and arranging.

Don’t even say The Eagles. Don’t even think it.

2

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

3

Just to add to the mix: Aerosmith.

4

You all know darned well that I would nominate R.E.M.

5

Hard to pick a #1, but Van Halen has to be added to the list.

6

The Ramones, of course.

7

We had a poll here a few years ago. The top five were[SPOILER]5. The Ramones
4. Beach Boys
3. Grateful Dead
2. Aerosmith

  1. Bruce Springsteen and E-Street Band[/SPOILER]
8

Then you’re going to have to define exactly what you mean by “rock and roll” and “rock band.”

Or, for that matter “American.” Fleetwood Mac was radically transformed when they added the Americans Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. The Band was a bunch of rockabilly Canadians with an authentic Mississippi blues harmonica player.

And how much of a band’s catalog has to be “rock”? The Doobie Brothers and Heart, just to name two, have veered wildly between kicking ass and nurturing their inner balladeer.

Frankly, the Greatest American Rock Band may have been The Wrecking Crew. They just never got credit.

9

Why do you all hate America?

:flees:

10

The one and only answer is the Allman Brothers. Best instrumentalists, helped invent rock jamming, and drew from American roots. Duane died too soon, and Barry too, so they didn’t have the lasting peak that would cement their legacy. At the time, though, everybody thought they were the best. My proof: Summer Jam at Watkins Glen Bigger than Woodstock, with the top three American bands who defined American bands: The Band, The Dead, and the Allmans. Who topped the bill? The Allmans. Q.E.D.

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While I wouldn’t choose the Allmans as my personal #1, I’d agree they are worthy of being contenders, and I should have mentioned them in the OP. They are up there.

It’s very hard for me to see how the Ramones would be worthy of consideration here. Admittedly, I have never really been a fan of punk rock. But just from the most objective perspective possibly, I always found their music to be incredibly repetitive and simplistic. It’s not bad music, it definitely has its place, but yeah I don’t know about the Ramones.

The Wrecking Crew kicked all kinds of ass, and Leland Sklar is a bassist’s bassist. Also has basically the best beard ever…he had to have sat in with Z.Z. Top, right?!

I don’t consider The Band “American” because they have Canadian members.

12

*Queens Of The Stone Age

My Morning Jacket

Drive-By Truckers*

and…

Foo Fighters!

13

Berry.

14

I agree with the Allman Brothers. I was at Watkins Glenn, but I still remember hearing them for the first time when a friend played their first album for me. Up to that time I was a Cream, Traffic, John Mayall, Beatles fan. The Allman Brothers blew me away.

15

I would also accept The Stooges as an answer.

16

Somewhere at or near the top of the list has to be Creedence Clearwater Revival. Even though they were only active for a short time (most of their significant output came in just a 3 year period from 1968-1970), John Fogerty managed to create an amazing number of classic American rock songs.

17

There have been a few of these threads. They are a pain to locate via search.

I tend to think of The Ramones, The Beach Boys, The Allmans. The correct answer is Chuck Berry, but he doesn’t count for this discussion. The Beach Boys are the only ones who had the type of arc that The Beatles had, from pop to artistry.

It’s fascinating how the U.S. has more Stars vs. Bands. I think we have these threads because its weird how we don’t have an easy answer like The Beatles or Stones.

18

My first thought: Bruce and the E Street Band.
mmm

19

Jeez, some of you think the OP asked,”what’s your favorite American band?” I think it has to be a band that is liked by the most listeners of American rock. I have to listen to a rotation of American rock stations all day at work. The Ramones, the Dead, Altman Brothers, etc are barely heard; maybe once a day. Springsteen is a good pick, but I’d have to pick Journey. They get played every hour. I’ve grown real tired of Steve Perry’s voice.

20

Three Dog Night?