# Who is the greatest American rock band of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 4, 2015, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897 "2015-09-04T12:12:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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 4, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/21 "2015-09-04T18:04:27Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > In my not so humble opinion, Aerosmith is the U.S. equivalent of the Rolling Stones. Fame, success, longevity? You’ve got it. Influence? You’ve got it. Screams Americana? You’ve got it. They rock? No denying it. My vote goes to Aerosmith. They are known as Stones knock-offs and come-latelys though. This puts the US in a very subordinate position to England, band-wise doesn’t it? (I love Aerosmith BTW) ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/22 "2015-09-04T18:11:02Z")
> [@Roland\_the\_Headless\_T.G](#): > > For me, it was a toss up among The Beach Boys, The Band, and R.E.M. > > I ultimately voted for R.E.M. But what if Warren Zevon could get band status. Where would your vote go then? ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/23 "2015-09-04T18:35:42Z")
I know that loose windscreen has had quite a few individual songs that I rate pretty highly, but I have to agree that this is a fairly mundane list. I don’t really think you can get any more American rocker than Bruce, to me he defines US rock in a way that the others do not. There’s a few others that I’d rate highly, but mot in my own personal view of rock - maybe they would be top in a rock/jazz line up, or whatever. Sorry but R.E.M never did anything for me, I’d give them minus points if it were possible, the whiny miserable vocals is not what rock is about. Loud and miserable is not my r’n’r heaven ---
**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 4, 2015, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/24 "2015-09-04T19:33:25Z")
Hmmm… that commercial may be right, and Van Halen might be the greatest. But everything they did without Dave is barely rock…Aerosmith would be in there if it wasn’t for most of their post-80 catalog…I could pick Sonic Youth, but am I just picking my favorite band when I was a kid?..same thing with Cheap Trick and the Ramones…oooh! Neil Young and Crazy Horse! - but did they really rock more than The Doors?..hmm, The Doors have that whole Jim Morrison thing going on - dynamic, but do you really want to say that douchebaggery is the pinnacle of rock for two continents?.. The Allman Brothers? Oooooooooooooo, poll give scabpicker headache. Maybe I’ll just write in X. ---
**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 4, 2015, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/25 "2015-09-04T19:42:20Z")
That was very difficult. It was between Aerosmith, Eagles, CCR, and Skynyrd. I picked Aerosmith. ---
**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 4, 2015, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/26 "2015-09-04T21:23:25Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > … do you really want to say that douchebaggery is the pinnacle of rock for two continents?.. Just one continent-- North America. Fortunately there was no big debate over any bands from South America 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/27 "2015-09-04T21:41:34Z")
I went with Springsteen, but I think someone should mention Talking Heads (unless they have and I missed it). mmm ---
**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 4, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/28 "2015-09-04T22:05:21Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I went with Springsteen, but I think someone should mention Talking Heads (unless they have and I missed it). > mmm I would have liked to include Talking Heads, but my criteria for making the poll was at least two endorsements from the other thread, and TH only got one ☹ ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/29 "2015-09-04T22:41:07Z")
You should have also taken album sales into account. I realize a lot of people hate Bon Jovi, but Bon Jovi is one of the best selling bands of all time. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/30 "2015-09-05T00:29:28Z")
> [@nachtmusick](#): > > This poll just demonstrates that America doesn’t do bands. One might pick Bruce, but is he really a Band? > > England has done bands, while America has done individuals. No American band would finish in the top ten of English bands, while no single Brit would finish in the top ten of individual acts. > > It is a stark contrast when you look at it this way. Rubbish! Let’s see your top 10 Brit bands. I’ll give you top 4 (_Beatles, Stones, Pink Floyd & Led Zeppelin_), but after that your _Who, Cream, Queen, Deep Purple, The Kinks, The Clash, Dire Straits, Genesis, Def Leppard, The Police, Yes, Coldplay, Keane, Oasis, Iron Maiden, Muse, U2, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, The Smiths, ELO, Bee Gees, Black Sabbath, McFly, Foghat_ … are not head and shoulders above the best American bands. The Allman Brothers, CSNY, The Eagles, The Beach Boys would certainly squeeze into any British/ American top 10. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/31 "2015-09-05T01:50:52Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > You should have also taken album sales into account. I realize a lot of people hate Bon Jovi, but Bon Jovi is one of the best selling bands of all time. The Da Vinci Code is one of the best selling books of all time. mmm ---
**Author:** ![justmeetee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@justmeetee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justmeetee)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/32 "2015-09-05T02:44:56Z")
I tried to justify picking The Band, Neil Young &Crazyhorse and Stealy Dan but the criteria demands it be Bruce and E Street. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/33 "2015-09-05T12:25:24Z")
I first saw Bruce & his band in Houston–some of their first shows out of Yankeeland. That group I saw on Jon Stewart’s closing show was the same band–although time has caused some personnel changes. But I dearly love some of the others–The Band, the Allmans, the Dead, the Airplane, CCR… And I was glad to see Little Feat. Saw them numerous times at their peak & it’s criminal that they did not get the fame they deserved. But, hey, what about [The Blasters](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77B6XjE4VBs)? Also out of LA, [Los Lobos](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnQ0vZbABKA). ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/34 "2015-09-05T14:19:37Z")
I went with Bruce… …but I’m happy REM, CCR, and Tom Petty got votes. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/35 "2015-09-05T14:49:20Z")
Why did you exclude the Talking Heads?? They were IMO THE most influential band of the past 40 years, featuring the all-around best musicianship, and the most innovative song-writing. Just watch the concert doc “Stop Making Sense” and try saying they are NOT the best American band ever. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/36 "2015-09-05T15:17:00Z")
Off that list, RHCP. They’re not my _favourite_ off that list (that’s be Pixies) but they’re the greatest. They rock (with cock in sock) ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/37 "2015-09-05T16:10:22Z")
> [@solost](#): > > [ul] > [li]Fame/Success/Longevity[/li][li]Their influence on other bands[/li][li]They rock [/li][li]The band and their songs have an “Americana” vibe[/li][/ul] Not challenging the list - I voted for Springsteen - but a lot of these would factor out based on longevity, wouldn’t they? Of the list above these bands either existed for a short time or had a short heyday: The Band CCR The Doors GnR Jefferson Airplane Lynyrd Skynyrd Nirvana Replacements The Stooges and several others make longevity seem like a negative. Van Halen was a great band but mostly for the David Lee Roth days. Do they get longevity credit for Hagar and points following? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/38 "2015-09-05T16:12:56Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Just one continent-- North America. Fortunately there was no big debate over any bands from South America 😉 Whoa whoa whoa If it’s North America Rush needs a seat at the table. ---
**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 5, 2015, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/39 "2015-09-05T16:13:49Z")
Gawd 15 of them have no business on the list. And the runaway winner is a solo artist with backing band who is referred to as the Boss. And no Velvet Underground, Talking Heads, Byrds, or Love As johnny Rotten said “It’s an Aboooortion!!!” ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897/40 "2015-09-05T16:20:50Z")
I’d agree on the Talking Heads. Innovative and fun. But I’d disagree - as we both know - on the other three. The Byrds especially. They were essentially McGuinn and a bunch of studio guys who constantly changed out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-american-rock-band-of-all-time/729897.md?page=3)