# Your Favorite Iconic American Rock(ish) Band **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [September 22, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143 "2021-09-22T22:51:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/1 "2021-09-22T22:51:21Z")
Ok, I tried to make the title pretty clear. This poll will consist of well-known, big-selling, American rock bands (that definition is malleable.) I’m trying to see current popular opinion on iconic American bands circa 1963 - ? (I do not have a lot of knowledge of bands who have got their start post-2000, so none are represented here.) Please just choose from the list of you want to participate. I tried to include BANDS, not just solo artists, no matter how good. I know it’s not a perfect list, but work with me here… _Poll ([view on site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/1))_ ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/2 "2021-09-22T23:13:28Z")
From that list I picked The Doors, but my real choice would have been “Other”…Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/3 "2021-09-22T23:18:53Z")
I hesitantly left TP and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band off this poll because as great as the Heartbreakers and E Street are, I didn’t think they fit the definition of a band, as opposed to a Lead guy with supporting musicians. I very well may be wrong. ---
**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 22, 2021, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/4 "2021-09-22T23:28:01Z")
I’m not much of a Dead listener, but of those bands, The Grateful Dead is the most “American” to me. Ah, crap, I didn’t see the “favorite” part. I would probably vote Beach Boys. (I also think a few more bands deserve consideration – CCR, REM, Talking Heads, Steely Dan). ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/5 "2021-09-22T23:40:58Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > From that list I picked The Doors, but my real choice would have been “Other”…Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. Of the ones on the list, the Eagles are my favorite, but I would concur with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers as being above the Eagles on my personal list. ---
**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 22, 2021, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/6 "2021-09-22T23:58:28Z")
I selected the Allman Brothers. However… Bruce and the E Street Band definitely belong, and would have received my vote. Also, Talking Heads, CCR, Velvet Underground, The Band, The Byrds, White Stripes, and Fleetwood Mac deserve mention. Steely Dan also, if two guys can be a band. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/7 "2021-09-22T23:59:40Z")
CCR for sure. That’s egregious on my part. The Band is really Canadian other than Levon. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/8 "2021-09-23T00:05:27Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Fleetwood Mac They were originally a British band, and even in their iconic lineup from the mid '70s, were still 60% British, so I don’t think they would fit the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/9 "2021-09-23T00:15:33Z")
The word “iconic” disqualifies all but The Beach Boys and The Ramones for me. I’ll give the Ramones the edge, just because I enjoy their entire body of work; I can’t say the same for The Beach Boys. (Cheap Trick should be on that list) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/10 "2021-09-23T00:18:46Z")
Of those choices, GNR. It wasn’t close. I have a feeling this is mostly going to come down to when you were born and whether you liked hard rock or not. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/11 "2021-09-23T00:26:15Z")
The E Street Band should most definitely be on the list. I voted Beach Boys. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/12 "2021-09-23T00:58:28Z")
Talking Heads? Velvet Underground? White Stripes? Come on… Iconic? No. Do you really think there is a single person that thinks any of those are the best American band ever? I didn’t say it was a poll of good bands… ---
**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 23, 2021, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/13 "2021-09-23T01:09:52Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > Talking Heads? Velvet Underground? White Stripes? Come on… Iconic? No… Actually, yes. To all three. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/14 "2021-09-23T01:15:11Z")
Then you don’t understand the poll. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/15 "2021-09-23T01:23:45Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > Do you really think there is a single person that thinks any of those are the best American band ever? That’s a pretty high bar – I will guarantee you that there are not only is at least **one** person, but there are many people who do, non-ironically, believe that each of those three bands are, in fact, the best American rock band ever. I’m pretty sure that you could say the same thing for CCR, Cheap Trick, REM, etc., etc. Plus, you’re asking, possibly, two or three different questions: - One’s _favorite_ band (as per the title) from the list of major (“iconic”) bands that you came up with - One’s favorite American rock band - One’s choice for “the best American rock band ever” (the wording of how you just replied to @Mean_Mr.Mustard ) ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/16 "2021-09-23T01:28:52Z")
I don’t understand how Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs keep getting left off all these lists. ---
**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 23, 2021, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/17 "2021-09-23T01:34:13Z")
Three of the most iconic, best and my favorite American bands are not on the list, the Byrds, the Velvet Underground and the Ramones. It’s kinda useless, but from the list I choose the Beach Boys. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/18 "2021-09-23T01:37:00Z")
I voted for Eagles, because they are the only artist on the list to make the top 10 list of all-time best selling albums, and they have two of them on the list - their greatest hits album, which was until fairly recently the best-selling album of all time (it finally got beat by Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”), and “Hotel California” which has sold over 40 million copies. No other American band comes close. The next closest on this list is Guns N’ Roses’ “Appetite For Destruction” at 21 million. Of course, Album sales aren’t everything. But they are certainly a measure of both popularity and how well known the band is. Another data point is that until Glenn Frey recently died they were still selling out stadiums while demanding incredibly high ticket prices. We saw them a few years ago, and floor tickets were over $500. The show was sold out in a 17,000 seat venue so they added a second, also sold-out show. Not too many artists can draw people in like that - especially artists who haven’t put out new material for over a decade, and had only one album of new material in 40 years, plus a live album with a couple of new songs 24 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/19 "2021-09-23T06:10:41Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > I very well may be wrong. You are. Since they weren’t there I voted for the iconic Beach Boys. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143/20 "2021-09-23T09:22:50Z")
I only bought music by the Beach Boys, the Doors and the Ramones. And I only saw the Ramones live, so I guess , from that list, they get my vote. I probably have spent the most fan dollars on the Decemberists - several albums and both live gigs here. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-iconic-american-rock-ish-band/951143.md?page=2)