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Greatest American Rock and Role Bands of ALL Time

I have run into several advertisements saying that Aerosmith was the greatest American R&R band. I have thought about this claim and asked around and realize it is not an easy choice. So many of the great rock bands are not American..i.e. Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Rush, etc.

But before going further, who should/should not be considered?

 I think “band” means not Elvis, Elton John, etc or other single acts, that is another thread. However I would count Ted Nugent since he really is a band but with his name as a title…same with Hendrix, since he usually played with a band.
 They need to write at least most of there own music (another thing that would preclude Elvis).
 “Rock” any thing from the 50s up to alternative (which I consider a derivative of rock). This would include pop rock, so the Monkey’s might be considered (if they were American).
 Heavy metal would be ok.
 they should sustain their appeal over a period of time even if they weren’t able to produce a lot of music…i.e. Buddy Hollie, Hendrix

Anyway, there is no perfect guide so if you have other ideas, no problem. But here are a few of the undisputed best…..(that is bait)

 Amerosmith
 Kiss
 Alice Cooper
 Ted Nugent
Journey
….hey, I don’t know, I really would have a hard time putting any of these in a top 10 list of all time worldwide so I need some help,

Who are the greatest American Rock Bands of All Time???????????? Who is THE Greatest of all time
bbtuna
ben_campbell
1,169 posts
 
Trich727 (are you an android?what a name!:-))
Of course the question wasn't who was the most influential group but the greatest-I'm not totally 100% convinced it is the Doors but they would be near the top of my list,The Doors were unique,a one off,and way ahead of their time I think they broke a lot of boundries and like Dylan had an influence that a few generations on that is not totally realised.
For some reason they've gotten forgotten in a way the VU haven't,partly due to the fact that the VU are and always have been pretty much held in universal respect(always big with the music critics)--I do get a bit pissed in recent times that there is a revisionist theory that the Doors weren't very good,they were excellent.
I do NOT think they were more influential than Dylan,Hendrix,Holly,Elvis,Johnson et al but as a bone fide group close to the best America ever produced.......
trich727
67 posts
 
I have a video tape of Neal Schon and Journey jamming with greats Albert King and I want to say Lonnie Brooks, but it does not matter. Anyway, it was on a show called "Soundstage". Albert was doing his thing when it was his turn to solo, and not over embelishing. Neal was last. I must say that I have never seen someone try their hardest to out do a great, out of key. I don't mean he was in the right key but out of tune, but he was in tune, out of key AND DID NOT KNOW IT! Neal tried to out shine two greats out of key. I have never laughed harder at any musicial act in my life. What's worse yet is Journey let them air it!!!! Which tells me they are all tone deaf!!! Let's give Journey to the Brits. Tom trich727
trich727
67 posts
 
I am not a believer, or was not. I am considering becoming one BECAUSE NONE OF YOU HAVE SAID GUNS AND ROSES. There must be a god!!!!!!!!! I don't know where they are from, but thank all of you who have not said Gun and Roses! Tom trich727
rosstaman
455 posts
 
Trich727
So, Jim Morrison had a drinking problem. Many of the rock stars of that era used and abused drugs and alcohol, but were still able to produce great music. Although too many of them did die from drug related deaths.
trich727
67 posts
 
Hey Rosstaman, you are right, many stars and actors have drinking problems, but Jim just didn't care when or where he let it get the best of him, repeatedly. It is pretty well known that Ray Manzarek "filled in" for Jim on vocals during live performances, because Morrison was too blitzed on numerous things to finish. The quote from Lester Bangs I used was because Lester knew Jim, and was so frustrated with him because of this. Jim was no doubt a shooting star, brilliant, but out of control. I still have a great deal of respect for Morrison as an artist, and given the circumstances, I don't know if I could have done any better under that pressure and limelight. But others did, and didn't let it affect them in public as much as Jim. Unfortunately some of them died from it anyway. Tom
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