What do you want in longevity?
It is Rock and Roll.
None of these artists failed to make a complete statement of their identity.
The Replacements for instance had three classic LPs in a row, in the middle of their career, which lasted through the 80s.
The Airplane lasted 20, 30 , 40 years depending on how you count. At least they continued in some form.
The Doors and CCR had plenty of LPs (For the business they were in).
The others had a couple LPs and then problems.
No no no. I’m arguing against longevity but it’s a stated criteria. I think we can both think of a near infinite number of popular bands that were short-lived and many others who perhaps should have been such. A great many bands on this list have been past their sell-by date for decades yet are still touring and occasionally releasing new material that is largely ignored.
Well I agree the Byrds were too faceless to be #1, but they did move mountains with that sound, as a group. It was influential big time. Crikey it was more organic a group than the E street band.
Crosby, Gene Clark, Hillman, then Gram Parsons all made the sound too.
Buffalo Springfield should have been on the list too.
The kiddie table is over there. 
Yes. I would have stated it as “The stamina of their body of great work”
Wasn’t that Neal Peart in the first debate next to Carly Fiorina?
The Boss is indeed a bogus inclusion - may as well choose Elvis and the TCB band, or Bob Dylan and the Band, as GARBOAT.
Bruce’s best album didn’t even have the E street band on it, it was just him.
That’s not The Big Man there next to him on the cover of Born To Run?
You are probably not even talking about his first LP, which, notably, was made without the band. They were selling him as a new Dylan poet type.
Obviously some of his best lyrics and music on there, and some would say his best work.
Maybe you did mean that one.
Then that would have no bearing either way, here.
On reflection–songs from such album(s) that the ESB performed could still be a credit to them. Just not as studio recordings.
Another vote for Talking Heads.
I’m torn between The United States of America and the Velvet Underground. The latter have had such an enormous influence though that I’m going to go with them.
Bruce is blessed with many talents, but the one thing he is the absolute BOSS at is songwriting. So that makes Nebraska his best album, IM(and many others)HO, because it has the best songwriting.
After careful consideration, and consultation with my wife, I had to pick The Ramones.
Fame/Success/Longevity? Plenty of fame, an appreciable amount of success (they sold out 45,000 seat stadiums in Argentia), and they were together for 22 years.
Influence? Yeah, they’re pretty much the first punk band most people hear (and rightfully so). Through that, they’ve changed rock worldwide.
They Rock? Yeah, they just about define it.
The Band and their songs have an “Americana” vibe? Yes, certainly. Rock 'n Roll is an American sound.
After voting, I see the E Street Band is winning handily. I can live with that. The only way that I think The Ramones surpass them is influence.
Some other bands not on the list:
Simon & Garfunkel
Blondie
Buddy Holly and the Crickets
Bill Haley and the Comets
I’m heartened by the fact that so far, most of the bands I’d consider to be ridiculous nominations for the poll are all polling at 0 or 1 vote. That goes for the 4 in the post above this as well.
I voted for The Doors, but strongly considered Aerosmith.
Good ones on this list but I thought voting for them as “Best” was a stretch. Like others mentioned there are good ones missing but OP did their best, hell not possible to list all. Plus these are bands mentioned in the other thread.
Throwing a name out, I think B-52s could fit also . A better Southern band than REM IMHO.
By the way I never heard of Love, they can’t be best for they were unknowns.
It might be ironic to note here that Arthur Lee and Love were the house band at the Whiskey au Gogo when the Doors started. The sole ambition of the Doors was to be as big as Love. When Love got signed to Elektra and they left the slot behind, the Doors took it over. It was Love that brought the attention of Elektra to the Doors, and it wasn’t pretty in the aftermath at least for Arthur Lee. In fact Pamela, who became Morrisons GF was originally Arthur’s.
Love were pioneers of Garage/Punk, Folk Rock, and Psych rock, all in their first 3 albums. in addition Arthur was a black rock and roller predating the Experience by a few years.