# Your 6 greatest non-American and non-British bands **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [September 11, 2024, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121 "2024-09-11T12:54:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/41 "2024-09-11T21:23:20Z")
I need a couple of rulings here, EH. I see The Band was posted above. Do they count? Likewise Neil Young and Crazy Horse. And similarly Osibisa. If allowed that’s my first three. j ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/42 "2024-09-11T21:29:05Z")
I can’t rule any of your examples out, and I’m not strict on the details, so nominate them if you wish. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/43 "2024-09-11T21:32:05Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > I need a couple of rulings here, EH. I see The Band was posted above. Do they count? Likewise Neil Young and Crazy Horse. And similarly Osibisa. If allowed that’s my first three. > > j The Band was Canadian except for one member. Neil Young and Crazy Horse was American except for one member. You could say Neil Young as a solo artist but I believe that leaves out all his best work. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/44 "2024-09-11T21:33:19Z")
Done. Then Toots And The Maytals Dave And Ansel Collins Bob Marley And The Wailers j ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/45 "2024-09-11T21:50:55Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Dave And Ansel Collins Thanks for that recommendation. Never heard of them, but now have “Double Barrel” in my streaming queue. [Allmusic.com](http://Allmusic.com) describes it as “cheesy organs never sounded better”. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/46 "2024-09-11T21:52:20Z")
Quite simply one of the greats. Don’t forget Monkey Spanner. j ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/47 "2024-09-11T21:52:54Z")
Don’t worry, I have the whole album in my queue. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/48 "2024-09-11T23:21:22Z")
The Band The Clancy Brothers The Heptones Max Romeo and the Upsetters The Chieftains Mouth and MacNeal 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/49 "2024-09-11T23:26:46Z")
My personal picks, leaning towards hard rock & heavy metal; Ghost (Sweden) Rush (Canada) Amon Amarth (Sweden) Turisas (Finland) Lordi (Finland) Blind Guardian (Germany) ---
**Author:** ![tjb1965](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cab0a1/32.png) [@tjb1965](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tjb1965)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/50 "2024-09-12T03:16:16Z")
Did anyone mention The Church (Australia)? ---
**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 12, 2024, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/51 "2024-09-12T03:24:01Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Well, you lot are going to be snobs about this, but ABBA (Sweden) are one of the most original, successful, prolific and musically (as in song writing terms) accomplished bands of all time. Why would you say that? I can be a bit snobby about music, but ABBA is absolutely aces in my book. I don’t think they’re the “guilty pleasure” you think they are. They’re pretty much universally lauded, at least among the musicians I know. ---
**Author:** ![Moonrise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonrise/32/14764_2.png) [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/52 "2024-09-12T08:22:14Z")
ABBA (Sweden) [dEUS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DShD04S1nIs) (Belgium) [TC Matic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc28np912mw) (Belgium) [Les Innocents](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RSQiS8pKlQ) (France) [Bérurier Noir](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPIiAZ0pDIU) (France) Einstürzende Neubauten (Germany) ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/53 "2024-09-12T11:34:19Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Why would you say that? I can be a bit snobby about music, but ABBA is absolutely aces in my book. I don’t think they’re the “guilty pleasure” you think they are. They’re pretty much universally lauded, at least among the musicians I know. Because no one had mentioned them, when they are head and shoulders bigger and more successful than almost everyone else mentioned! ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/54 "2024-09-12T12:06:15Z")
Bee Gees (Australia) ABBA (Sweden) Ladysmith Black Mambazo (South Africa) Huun Huur Tu (Tuva, just north of Mongolia) The Wind Travelin’ Band (Japan) The Stampeders (Canada) ---
**Author:** ![tomcar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tomcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomcar)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/55 "2024-09-12T12:13:36Z")
Kraftwerk NEU! Tangerine Dream Can Bee Gees ABBA ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/56 "2024-09-12T14:32:40Z")
The Flower Kings (Sweden) Iona (Ireland) Eloy (Germany) Focus (The Netherlands) Cast (Mexico) I’m struggling to come up with a sixth. There are plenty of international bands out there that I am somewhat familiar with, but not enough to say “greatest.” It’s tempting to put Magma or Gong (both France) on the list, but I never got into them as much as I probably should have. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/57 "2024-09-12T15:10:24Z")
Thin Lizzy (Ireland) Goblin (Italy) Dayglo Abortions (Canada) Propaganda (Germany) Joni Mitchell (Canada) (solo artist) 88Kasyo Junrei (Japan) ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/58 "2024-09-12T15:27:02Z")
ABBA (I’ve grown to appreciate them) U2 (not so much of a fan [because Bono] but they were good and had a following) AC/DC BeeGees (not a fan but they were good and had influence) The Band (probably the best) Thin Lizzy (not a fan but they were good and had a following) > [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](#): > > Oh wait, are we counting Canada? Canada should probably have their own thread, “6 Greatest Musicians/Bands from Canada”? ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/59 "2024-09-12T15:34:08Z")
Do we count The Bee Gees as Australian or British? Thin Lizzy, good shout ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121/60 "2024-09-12T15:49:15Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Do we count The Bee Gees as Australian or British? Counted by Australia as its very own, which we only usually do for successful New Zealanders. Their first recording as the Bee Gees was in Australia. Wikipedia says: > Born on the [Isle of Man](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Man) to English parents, the Gibb brothers lived in [Chorlton, Manchester](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorlton-cum-Hardy), England, until the late 1950s. There, in 1955, they formed the [skiffle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skiffle)/[rock and roll](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_and_roll) group [the Rattlesnakes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rattlesnakes_(1950s_band)). The family then moved to [Redcliffe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redcliffe,_Queensland), in the [Moreton Bay Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Moreton_Bay), [Queensland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland), Australia, and later to [Cribb Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cribb_Island,_Queensland). After achieving their first chart successes in Australia as the Bee Gees, they returned to the UK in January 1967, when producer [Robert Stigwood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Stigwood) began promoting them to a worldwide audience. The Bee Gees’ [_Saturday Night Fever_ soundtrack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Fever_(soundtrack)) (1977) was the turning point of their career, [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-6-greatest-non-american-and-non-british-bands/1007121.md?page=4)