We’re an American band
sirpaulsbuddy and nokomisjeff are discussing whether or not The Byrds are the greatest ever American band over on Jim’s blog.
I remember this debate cranking up around me when I was in college, but this was in 1980 or so, and thus the answers have no doubt changed. I’m not sure exactly what my list would look like right now, although I can’t say The Byrds would be on top of it.
If I were going to put myself through this exercise, I guess I’d start with the following nominees, listed no particular order. And let’s do artists and bands, just to make it interesting:
- REM
- Aerosmith
- Elvis
- Beach Boys
- The Byrds
- Bob Mould / Husker Du / Sugar
- Bruce Springsteen / E Street Band
- Cheap Trick
- The Eagles
- Fleetwood Mac
- Greatful Dead
- Green Day
- Iggy & The Stooges
- Jimi Hendrix
- Lynrd Skynrd
- Metallica
- Nirvana
- Parliament / Funkadelic
- Allman Brothers
- Queensryche
- The Ramones
- Bob Dylan
- Steely Dan
- Tom Petty / The Heartbreakers
Your thoughts? Because you know you have an opinion.
:xpost:
lullaby pit 
My opinion? Well, a quick scan of my iTunes library confirms that most of my favorite artists are British, but the American artists with the most play counts are:
Bob Dylan
Hank Williams Sr.
They Might Be Giants
The Beach Boys
Billy Joel
The Magnetic Fields (and all related bands under other names)
Aimee Mann
Jason Falkner
Fats Waller
The Candy Butchers
Strange list maybe, and not exactly what most people would consider the greatest of all time, but iTunes doesn’t lie.
Anyway, I saw one of your posts in Audities and added you. Nice to meet you.
My opinion? Well, a quick scan of my iTunes library confirms that most of my favorite artists are British, but the American artists with the most play counts are:
Bob Dylan
Hank Williams Sr.
They Might Be Giants
The Beach Boys
Billy Joel
The Magnetic Fields (and all related bands under other names)
Aimee Mann
Jason Falkner
Fats Waller
The Candy Butchers
Strange list maybe, and not exactly what most people would consider the greatest of all time, but iTunes doesn’t lie.
Anyway, I saw one of your posts in Audities and added you. Nice to meet you.
Jebus, how the hell did I omit Dylan? Let me go fix that right now.
And glad to know you right back.
Jebus, how the hell did I omit Dylan? Let me go fix that right now.
And glad to know you right back.
Add James Brown and B.B. King for sure. Strong cases also for John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy.
Then: Paul Simon. Warren Zevon, Jefferson Airplane, Lou Reed, Zappa, The Band.
Honorable mention: the late, sadly overlooked and horribly underrated Albert Collins, “The Master of the Telecaster.”
Add James Brown and B.B. King for sure. Strong cases also for John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy.
Then: Paul Simon. Warren Zevon, Jefferson Airplane, Lou Reed, Zappa, The Band.
Honorable mention: the late, sadly overlooked and horribly underrated Albert Collins, “The Master of the Telecaster.”
Aimee Mann? Good call.
Aimee Mann? Good call.
Add Neil Young, while you’re at it.
Add Neil Young, while you’re at it.
Are these rock and roll bands or just bands? If we’re looking elsewhere, I’d have to nominate Johnny Cash. Country as a genre begins and ends with him in my opinion.
Are these rock and roll bands or just bands? If we’re looking elsewhere, I’d have to nominate Johnny Cash. Country as a genre begins and ends with him in my opinion.
Weren’t some key Band members Canadian?
Otherwise, yeah. Zappa for influence. Zevon was just god….
Weren’t some key Band members Canadian?
Otherwise, yeah. Zappa for influence. Zevon was just god….
Neil was Canadian.
Neil was Canadian.
I’m talking mostly rock. Cash is important, though. Very.
I’m talking mostly rock. Cash is important, though. Very.
I was gonna say CSN, too, but I don’t have a clue where they’re from. 🙂
I was gonna say CSN, too, but I don’t have a clue where they’re from. 🙂
Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah.
Damn. Three of the five founders of The Band were from Canada. I guess I got fooled by songs like “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”
Damn. Three of the five founders of The Band were from Canada. I guess I got fooled by songs like “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”
You can go ahead and start the Greatest Canadian Band thread, if you like. Let’s see, Neil Young, Bryan Adams, Anne Murray, Celine Dion, Gordon Lightfoot, Rush. Did I leave anybody out?
You can go ahead and start the Greatest Canadian Band thread, if you like. Let’s see, Neil Young, Bryan Adams, Anne Murray, Celine Dion, Gordon Lightfoot, Rush. Did I leave anybody out?
Don’t make me re-post my observations on the greatest Southern Rock songs compilation.
Don’t make me re-post my observations on the greatest Southern Rock songs compilation.
That was me, btw. Sorry ’bout that.
That was me, btw. Sorry ’bout that.
The Cars? Boston? Chicago? Van Halen? 🙂
The Cars? Boston? Chicago? Van Halen? 🙂
The Cars are a good one. Two words on VH: Sammy Hagar. Two words on Chicago: Peter Cetera.
The Cars are a good one. Two words on VH: Sammy Hagar. Two words on Chicago: Peter Cetera.
LOL..I wouldn’t mind. 🙂
…and what about this Canadian and her Jagged Little Pill?
http://www.alanis.com/main.html
LOL..I wouldn’t mind. 🙂
…and what about this Canadian and her Jagged Little Pill?
http://www.alanis.com/main.html
You can have her.
You can have her.
..and you were doing so well. 🙂
..and you were doing so well. 🙂
Leaving out Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie is such a oversight.
Leaving out Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie is such a oversight.
And damn, I forgot Moxy
FrivolousFruvous.And damn, I forgot Moxy
FrivolousFruvous.Don’t forget the Guess Who when doing Canada
Don’t forget the Guess Who when doing Canada
Ah, yes. And Bachman-Turner Overdrive, who when last spotted were by far the Biggest Band in Rock & Roll. At a glance, I’d say the four of them tipped the scales at around 1100 pounds.
Ah, yes. And Bachman-Turner Overdrive, who when last spotted were by far the Biggest Band in Rock & Roll. At a glance, I’d say the four of them tipped the scales at around 1100 pounds.
Ah, yes. And Bachman-Turner Overdrive, who when last spotted were by far the Biggest Band in Rock & Roll. At a glance, I’d say the four of them tipped the scales at around 1100 pounds.
I really like REM. They were very catchy, and their music was complete. I just wish their career would have gone beyond the “Monster” album. They were soooo good. I’d still have to put the Byrds on top of REM for the simple matter that they made significant contributions to music as individuals and other bands after The Byrds folded. Plus, that 12 string electric Rickenbacker that McGuinn played was out of sight. Crosby, Clark, Hillman, and McGuinn all had successful careers. One thing that suprised me was that Leon Russell even played with them as a studio musician. The family tree of the Byrds has to be one of the most interesting, and influential in all of rock.
We haven’t heard a peep out of the REM guys, which is a major bummer. I wonder what Michael Stipe is doing these days. Incidently, my lovely wife and I saw REM play in a small club in around 1980 or so. I wasn’t that impressed with them…..my wife thought they would become huge. I laughed at her….she got the last laugh. Same thing with The Police. The only one I was right about was Husker Du. They never made it big, even though they were so excellent.
Even though they are Aussies, I’m a big fan of Hoodoo Gurus. They should have made it bigger. I guess the average audience prefers to hear replays of “Stairway To Heaven” every hour on the hour.
Aloha,
Jeff
I really like REM. They were very catchy, and their music was complete. I just wish their career would have gone beyond the “Monster” album. They were soooo good. I’d still have to put the Byrds on top of REM for the simple matter that they made significant contributions to music as individuals and other bands after The Byrds folded. Plus, that 12 string electric Rickenbacker that McGuinn played was out of sight. Crosby, Clark, Hillman, and McGuinn all had successful careers. One thing that suprised me was that Leon Russell even played with them as a studio musician. The family tree of the Byrds has to be one of the most interesting, and influential in all of rock.
We haven’t heard a peep out of the REM guys, which is a major bummer. I wonder what Michael Stipe is doing these days. Incidently, my lovely wife and I saw REM play in a small club in around 1980 or so. I wasn’t that impressed with them…..my wife thought they would become huge. I laughed at her….she got the last laugh. Same thing with The Police. The only one I was right about was Husker Du. They never made it big, even though they were so excellent.
Even though they are Aussies, I’m a big fan of Hoodoo Gurus. They should have made it bigger. I guess the average audience prefers to hear replays of “Stairway To Heaven” every hour on the hour.
Aloha,
Jeff
REM’s last one was, I thought, their best since AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE. No, it wasn’t as good, but it was the best SINCE. I just feel like they lost their edge when Berry retired, and I wouldn’t have expected that. I mean, he was the drummer, and I don’t think widely regarded as one of the creative drivers for the band. But they just seem to have lost something when he left.
REM’s last one was, I thought, their best since AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE. No, it wasn’t as good, but it was the best SINCE. I just feel like they lost their edge when Berry retired, and I wouldn’t have expected that. I mean, he was the drummer, and I don’t think widely regarded as one of the creative drivers for the band. But they just seem to have lost something when he left.
The Guess Who. Bachman-Tuna Overdrive. The Tragically Hip. Crash Test Dummies.
I own none of this music, by the way.
The Guess Who. Bachman-Tuna Overdrive. The Tragically Hip. Crash Test Dummies.
I own none of this music, by the way.
Just to annoy and confuse you: NIN, John Cougar, Queensryche, Santana, Alice in Chains, and Kiss. 🙂
Just to annoy and confuse you: NIN, John Cougar, Queensryche, Santana, Alice in Chains, and Kiss. 🙂
I’d support a growndswell movement for REM to get back in the studio.
Aloha,
Jeff
I’d support a growndswell movement for REM to get back in the studio.
Aloha,
Jeff
Sumbitch. Mellencamp ought to be there. NIN ought to be there. If you could read, you’d see that Queensryche already IS there.
Sumbitch. Mellencamp ought to be there. NIN ought to be there. If you could read, you’d see that Queensryche already IS there.
I always called him Peter “Et” Cetera.
I always called him Peter “Et” Cetera.
How about the mighty J. Geils Band? I saw ’em five times; they never failed to rock the house.
How about the mighty J. Geils Band? I saw ’em five times; they never failed to rock the house.
Spinal Tap!!!
Spinal Tap!!!
Ok. That was bad. I apologize. 🙂
Ok. That was bad. I apologize. 🙂
I always joked that he was Ed’s son.
I always joked that he was Ed’s son.
They were British, dork.
They were British, dork.
Bob Seger, anyone ?
And, how about:
Ted Nugent
Meat Loaf
Stevie Ray Vaughan (more blues than rock, but still…)
Public Enemy
fire away…
Bob Seger, anyone ?
And, how about:
Ted Nugent
Meat Loaf
Stevie Ray Vaughan (more blues than rock, but still…)
Public Enemy
fire away…
Yeah, but their amps were American. 🙂
Yeah, but their amps were American. 🙂
We need more cowbell!
We need more cowbell!
You’re an idiot.
But I can entertain an argument for Stevie Ray. Brilliant, influential. Not rock, as noted.
And PE – not rock.
You’re an idiot.
But I can entertain an argument for Stevie Ray. Brilliant, influential. Not rock, as noted.
And PE – not rock.
heh — might as well add Blue Oyster Cult, while we’re at it.
heh — might as well add Blue Oyster Cult, while we’re at it.
No doubt that PE doesn’t fall into the traditional rock genre… but if anyone wants to count a ‘crossover’ genre like rap/rock, I think that PE should be on the list.
With Grandmaster Flash’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, I’ve got to believe that PE’s induction can’t be far behind!
No doubt that PE doesn’t fall into the traditional rock genre… but if anyone wants to count a ‘crossover’ genre like rap/rock, I think that PE should be on the list.
With Grandmaster Flash’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, I’ve got to believe that PE’s induction can’t be far behind!
Here’s a few ideas:
Guess Who
Ian and Sylvia
Neil Young
Joni Mitchell
Gordon Lightfoot
Rush
Steppenwolf (some Americans)
The Hip
Blue Rodeo
Spirit of the West
Sloan
Skydiggers
Cowboy Junkies
Stompin’ Tom Connors
Sarah McLachlan
Red Rider
Random, you are so dead over the Fruvous reference!!
Here’s a few ideas:
Guess Who
Ian and Sylvia
Neil Young
Joni Mitchell
Gordon Lightfoot
Rush
Steppenwolf (some Americans)
The Hip
Blue Rodeo
Spirit of the West
Sloan
Skydiggers
Cowboy Junkies
Stompin’ Tom Connors
Sarah McLachlan
Red Rider
Random, you are so dead over the Fruvous reference!!
Uh-oh. Now, I wonder who THIS anonymous poster could be.
Uh-oh. Now, I wonder who THIS anonymous poster could be.
yeah, for cross over, i was thinking Prince. well, minus darling nicki. as much as i like that song. hahaha.
yeah, for cross over, i was thinking Prince. well, minus darling nicki. as much as i like that song. hahaha.
I believe four of five are Canadian – Robertson, Danko, Hudson, Manuel. Helm is from the States.
I believe four of five are Canadian – Robertson, Danko, Hudson, Manuel. Helm is from the States.
Thanks for the info. I saw The Band twice: as they opened for Eric Clapton in the first concert ever held in the stadium where the Buffalo Bills play; and as they played after the Dead but before the Allman Brothers at the Watkins Glen Summer Jam. Each time, I thought they were the top act. There was something about them live: They just made you feel — well, “joyous” or “celebratory” or something like that.
Thanks for the info. I saw The Band twice: as they opened for Eric Clapton in the first concert ever held in the stadium where the Buffalo Bills play; and as they played after the Dead but before the Allman Brothers at the Watkins Glen Summer Jam. Each time, I thought they were the top act. There was something about them live: They just made you feel — well, “joyous” or “celebratory” or something like that.
Guns n Roses, RATM, Weezer, Metallica, Pantara, Flaming Lips, System of a Down. Actually there are tons and tons of American bands that I could name and most of them came out within the last 20 years. Don’t know what “officially” qualifies, but those are some of my faves. Also I love the Doobie Brothers.
In Canada theres Spirit of the West, Lowest of the Low, and of course the Tragically Hip who’s latest album is by far the best album of 2006.
Guns n Roses, RATM, Weezer, Metallica, Pantara, Flaming Lips, System of a Down. Actually there are tons and tons of American bands that I could name and most of them came out within the last 20 years. Don’t know what “officially” qualifies, but those are some of my faves. Also I love the Doobie Brothers.
In Canada theres Spirit of the West, Lowest of the Low, and of course the Tragically Hip who’s latest album is by far the best album of 2006.
I almost forgot The Tea Party
I almost forgot The Tea Party