We're an American Band...but are we the best?

[Tastytooter]

No offence, but that list is horrible, except for The Ramones. There's no Metal band's at all. Also since when did popular equal good? All those boy bands, like Backstreet boy's or Nsinc were popular yet they still sucked.

"Popular," in this sense, refers not to the relative popularity of a band, but the genre of music it falls under. Pop music and rock and roll are usually fused together in discussions like this, as a means of omitting Jazz, Country, R&B, Rap, and other styles from the discussion. Not that those genres aren't worthy of discussion, but simply that its easier to compare The Doors to The Byrds than The Doors to Dexter Gordon. Case in point, the Velvet Underground could hardly be considered popular, despite being one of the most influential and compelling bands in the history of the music.

And yes, there were no metal bands listed. Its only a 7 item list, and for that matter, I'd argue that most of the major innovations in metal happened overseas, in England or Germany. Also, I think there has to be a distinction between a band that one likes, and a band one considers THE greatest American band. I love Yo La Tengo, but I didn't even try to fit them on this list because it wouldn't make sense. Despite their general awesomeness, they haven't made the same defining developments that some of the others have. That their so indebted to the Velvet Underground points me further back, in that direction. So your favorite band can be your favorite band, but if the lead singers major accomplishment is one half of the most memorable songs from "Caddyshack," I'm not sure it'll stand up to scrutiny.

 

[vwnut]

Where's Bob Dylan? Simon & Garfunkel?

 

[Lorali82]

Where's Bob Dylan? Simon & Garfunkel?

I vote for S&G. Although I don't know if they really count as a "band" so much as Simon and his back-up singer.

 

[monique1971]

Where's Bob Dylan? Simon & Garfunkel?

I wouldn't call Bob Dylan a "band," as multitalented as he may be.

Part of the fun, for me, is thinking about the particular alchemy that makes for a great band, rather than a frontman/woman and backup. Has the E Steet Band innovated or influenced popular music, or would it be more accurate to say that Bruce Springsteen has (to some extent) innovated and influenced? I would argue that the latter position is more accurate. (Even there--I wouldn't say he's done anything particular innovative. Woody Guthrie + Van Morrison + Bob Dylan + Pete Seeger = Bruce, bless his heart.)

To those who would nominate Journey: In the name of all that's good and holy, why, why, why????

 

[mattvltn]

ramones every time........ or maybe the stooges..

 

[MaverickMan]

I vote for S&G. Although I don't know if they really count as a "band" so much as Simon and his back-up singer.

Paul was definitely the creative part of S&G but Art was the one with the vocal range. He was truly more than a backup singer.

It is a bit like saying the rest of the orchestra was superfluous if Beethoven was playing the piano in a concerto. All of it is necessary. I really doubt that Paul would have been as successful as a solo act if he had not had the S&G background.

 

[rrocks37]

Jefferson Airplane?
The Pixies?

Man, I picked The Beach Boys because out of that poll they have influenced my favorite type of music more than any of the others. What a limiting poll. Not that you didn't try, Tasty.

 

[Corbie]

I wouldn't call Bob Dylan a "band," as multitalented as he may be.

Part of the fun, for me, is thinking about the particular alchemy that makes for a great band, rather than a frontman/woman and backup. Has the E Steet Band innovated or influenced popular music, or would it be more accurate to say that Bruce Springsteen has (to some extent) innovated and influenced? I would argue that the latter position is more accurate. (Even there--I wouldn't say he's done anything particular innovative. Woody Guthrie + Van Morrison + Bob Dylan + Pete Seeger = Bruce, bless his heart.)

To those who would nominate Journey: In the name of all that's good and holy, why, why, why????

When it comes to arena rock, Journey was one of the best of their time. The two founders of Journey Neil Schon and Gregg Rollie--Rollie was the original, and longest running keyboardist for the band--met while they were playing with Santana. When you listen to Black Magic Woman, it's Gregg Rollie who is doing the vocals. The earliest Jouney albums, the three that pre-dated the addition of Steve Perry, were a very different sound, very heavily influenced by jazz and progressive rock. In those days, they had Aynsley Dunbar, one of the best rock drummers to ever sit behind a drum kit.

Journey in their later days really had nothing to recommend them but they were a highly talented and under-rated band.

And speaking of Bob Dylan, The Band--who had several hits of their own like Up on Cripple Creek, The NIght They Drove Old Dixie Down, The Weight, were Dylan's original back up band.

Another band that has been highly under-rated by the rock/entertainment press was Toto.

 

[Corbie]

"Popular," in this sense, refers not to the relative popularity of a band, but the genre of music it falls under. Pop music and rock and roll are usually fused together in discussions like this, as a means of omitting Jazz, Country, R&B, Rap, and other styles from the discussion. Not that those genres aren't worthy of discussion, but simply that its easier to compare The Doors to The Byrds than The Doors to Dexter Gordon. Case in point, the Velvet Underground could hardly be considered popular, despite being one of the most influential and compelling bands in the history of the music.

And yes, there were no metal bands listed. Its only a 7 item list, and for that matter, I'd argue that most of the major innovations in metal happened overseas, in England or Germany. Also, I think there has to be a distinction between a band that one likes, and a band one considers THE greatest American band. I love Yo La Tengo, but I didn't even try to fit them on this list because it wouldn't make sense. Despite their general awesomeness, they haven't made the same defining developments that some of the others have. That their so indebted to the Velvet Underground points me further back, in that direction. So your favorite band can be your favorite band, but if the lead singers major accomplishment is one half of the most memorable songs from "Caddyshack," I'm not sure it'll stand up to scrutiny.

I would say that Blue Oyster Cult, out of Long Island New York, did a lot to elevate the status of heavy metal. They were a thinking man's metal band, with their tongues placed firmly in their cheeks. Some of their later stuff turned bad but particularly their first three albums--Blue Oyster Cult, Tyranny and Mutation and Secret Treaties--were seminal albums in the metal world.

 

[monique1971]

When it comes to arena rock, Journey was one of the best of their time. The two founders of Journey Neil Schon and Gregg Rollie--Rollie was the original, and longest running keyboardist for the band--met while they were playing with Santana. When you listen to Black Magic Woman, it's Gregg Rollie who is doing the vocals. The earliest Jouney albums, the three that pre-dated the addition of Steve Perry, were a very different sound, very heavily influenced by jazz and progressive rock. In those days, they had Aynsley Dunbar, one of the best rock drummers to ever sit behind a drum kit.

Journey in their later days really had nothing to recommend them but they were a highly talented and under-rated band.

And speaking of Bob Dylan, The Band--who had several hits of their own like Up on Cripple Creek, The NIght They Drove Old Dixie Down, The Weight, were Dylan's original back up band.

Another band that has been highly under-rated by the rock/entertainment press was Toto.

Fair enough. I personally have no use for arena rock in any shape or form, but you make a good case for Journey's worth (the second clause is that sentence is one I never thought I'd say).

Speaking of The Band, the fact that The Band was Bob Dylan's band does not make Bob Dylan a band.

No comment in re: Toto.

 

[george55]

Paul was definitely the creative part of S&G but Art was the one with the vocal range. He was truly more than a backup singer.

It is a bit like saying the rest of the orchestra was superfluous if Beethoven was playing the piano in a concerto. All of it is necessary. I really doubt that Paul would have been as successful as a solo act if he had not had the S&G background.

Just like trying to separate The Righteous Brothers or Don and Phil Everly..........

 

[Corbie]

Since I'm a rocker, good arena rock really gets me. But I have no use for most arena rock bands--Iron Maiden, etc.

And I just tossed in the bit about The Band as a bit of rock trivia. I would have never said that Dylan was a band.

The members of Toto kept working as studio musicians long after they had achieved success as Toto. It's what kept their sound always changing and evolving, and made them such a solid musical act. They just didn't know how to play the press game. If you'll take a gander at the musician list on "A Decade of Steely Dan" you'll find almost every member of Toto listed as a player.

 

[Sefo87]

Since I'm a rocker, good arena rock really gets me. But I have no use for most arena rock bands--Iron Maiden, etc.

Iron Maiden are not an "Arena Rock" band.

 

[Daizie]

Iron Maiden are not an "Arena Rock" band.

what he said...(they aren't rock, they're metal )

 

[Sefo87]

what he said...(they aren't rock, they're metal )

Damn strait.

 

[Tastytooter]

I wouldn't call Bob Dylan a "band," as multitalented as he may be.

Part of the fun, for me, is thinking about the particular alchemy that makes for a great band, rather than a frontman/woman and backup. Has the E Steet Band innovated or influenced popular music, or would it be more accurate to say that Bruce Springsteen has (to some extent) innovated and influenced? I would argue that the latter position is more accurate. (Even there--I wouldn't say he's done anything particular innovative. Woody Guthrie + Van Morrison + Bob Dylan + Pete Seeger = Bruce, bless his heart.)

To those who would nominate Journey: In the name of all that's good and holy, why, why, why????

I think the E Street Band is an interesting example, and one that I almost threw on the list. Id say youre correct in thinking that the Boss is the source of the innovation and influence as the chief songwriter/style-maker, but I think that influence gets a major boost from the sound of the band as determined by the individual players and their excellence. Would we be as fond of Bruce if those losers from G Street were backing him up? Doubtful. But again, Best American band? No way.

Jefferson Airplane and the Pixies...I dunno. Love probably supplants the Airplane in talent and influence, plus Jefferson Starship retroactively taints anything Grace Slick ever did. The Pixies also have a bit of the "too soon" syndrome, like Nirvana. Plus Id argue you could trace them right back to the Velvet Underground, my choice for Best American band.

I was actually thinking about Simon & Garfunkle on my walk to work this morning while listening to "America," wondering if they count as a group. Simon was definitely the creative juice, and if it were Paul Simon & The Garfunkles I would say no, thats a backup band, done deal. But the fact that it was just two guys with a guitar seems to suggest that Garfunkle's wasnt just the Linda McCartney to Paul Simon's Wings. A true duo, and quite a good one at that. They shoulda been on the list. Blast.

One band that I'm surprised no one has mentioned yet is The Byrds. Pretty influential in their own right, nimbly stepping between pscyhadelia, straight ahead rock and roll, and alt country, of which they are the grandpappies.

 

[Corbie]

Your purists, and in their early days, Iron Maiden were definitely a metal band, but during their heyday, they veered close enough to the arena rock sound to be put in that category.

And, people, the most long lasting metal bands, rooted their sounds in the blues, and made themselves more durable. Even Metallica moved away from the thrash metal sound of their early years. Thrash metal, in my opinion, can't sustain itself.

But then again Iron Maiden doesn't really belong here, being a British band.

Another band to add to the list:

Queenscryche.

Definitive? I don't know, but they really ressurected the concept album so popular in the 70s and early 80s, and with Geoff Tate's opera training it made his vocals amazing. Both Freddy Mercury and Bruce Dickinson also had opera training. But again, they're Brits.

 

[Sefo87]

Your purists, and in their early days, Iron Maiden were definitely a metal band, but during their heyday, they veered close enough to the arena rock sound to be put in that category.

I honestly don't see how you have come to this conclusion, so I'll just state the obvious and say I disagree.

And, people, the most long lasting metal bands, rooted their sounds in the blues, and made themselves more durable. Even Metallica moved away from the thrash metal sound of their early years. Thrash metal, in my opinion, can't sustain itself.

Metallica's music after there thrash days sucked pure and simple. Up to there last release (which sucked so bad it doesn't even deserve to be called metal) they were not even metal anymore. All there hardcore fan's only realy give a shit about there old stuff. Only casual rock fan's care about anything they've put out in the last decade. So I honestly don't see what your point is.

Thrash metal sustains it's self just fine as it is today, there have been load's of ablosutely ass kicking bands and albums that have came out in the past two year's alone. It will alway's have a huge underground following.

 

[bluebell]

Little Queens and Barracudas always get me down

Okay, so the two bands that I'm going to throw out may not be anyone's definite favorites, but maybe they just deserve to bubble to the surface:

- The Carpenters

- Heart

Thoughts?

 

[vwnut]

I vote for S&G. Although I don't know if they really count as a "band" so much as Simon and his back-up singer.

That gave me a good laugh!

I was arguing with a friend a while ago about whom the better musician was, Paul Simon or Art Garfunkel. He actually supported Garfunkel!

I did concede that he probably was a better technical musician, but he lacked the charisma and creativity posessed by Paul Simon.

 

[artistgonewyld]

Let's see:

1. Nirvana
2. CCR
3. The Ramones (1st real American Punk)
4. Violent Femmes
5. Lynyrd Skynyrd
6. Johnny Cash
7. Green Day
8. Janis Joplin
9. Rage Against The Machine
10. Sublime
11. The Band
12. Van Morrison
13. Pennywise
14. Black Flag
15. Jimi Hendrix

 

[Corbie]

I agree with the list. And Van Morrison is a very influential musician, who was definitely influenced by American blues, jazz and country. His last album is very country. But once again he's not American, he's Irish.

 

[the_new_guy_234]

no Nirvana WTF????

 

[dangles]

My pick would be kind of obvious. This is a tough poll to do properly since there are so many worthwhile bands.