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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
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,393 posts
 
American Rock and roll?

Gotta be Buddy Holly and the Crickets in every sense.

Most American rock that followed may be "rock" but not "rock and roll".   Rock and roll got old fast here.  Then the British caught on and largely took over.   Then basically everyone moved on to newer variations of "rock" or other forms of American roots music.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,874 posts
 

I could make a list, but Zaikesman had it covered way back in 2002. His included some names I myself wouldn’t, but just about every one I would is there. I would not, however, list "Bob Dylan & The Band" as an integrated unit, but rather The Band on their own. He needed them more than they needed him!

Also from ’02, Trich’s mention of The Chocolate Watchband greatly amuses me! Growing up in Cupertino/SanJose/The Santa Clara Valley, I saw them live many, many times in ’65-6-7. I was actually at their very first public appearance, in ’65. They were a Garage Band, performing covers only, including songs by The Stones, The Animals, The Kinks, The Yardbirds, The Who, etc. When they got a record deal and traveled to Los Angeles to record, they threw together some "songs" for their three terrible albums. They are best known for being the Group appearing in the Roger Corman teen-exploitation movie, Riot On Sunset Strip.

In 1968, Watchband guitarist Mark Lumas and drummer Gary Andrijesivich (in the Cupertino High Marching Band and Orchestra while I was a student there) formed a new Group, The Electric Tingle Guild, who were much, much better. A 4-piece performing their own, well-written, songs, they were in fact good enough to include on this list.

jaybe
752 posts
 
Replacements,  Husker Du  and Fourwaycross
ebm
9,311 posts
 
This should be under the music thread!!
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tsugury
251 posts
 
Don't know who the best all time rock band is, as there are so many great ones mentioned already. I know the best rock band out there today, who are vertually unknown to most except other musicians IMHO Kings X.
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