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  3. 138612-1975

Which band IS really America's Greatest (rock & roll band)?

When I consider my priorities for this category, I cannot come up with any other than CCR.

Their output as a band was short compared to others, yes..

When I say America's greatest rock & roll band, this = the output or even the basis on which a band formed, had in their DNA, America's roots! It doesn't even matter that we now know CCR formed in California, their DNA as a band transformed their birthplace but it more importantly brought forth the (soul) of get down and dirty) Rock & Roll in it's raw form!

HELL YEAH!
128x128slaw
n80
2,107 posts
 
I think The Band would qualify as "American". Rush too. And if Rush isn't rock and roll I don't know what they are. Yes, prog rock, but that's a pretty big, impressive and influential genre of rock. But no, not American roots rock.

Of course Grand Funk is an "American Band". ;-)

But when I think of "American" band and think of Americana or roots rock being part of the qualification....that still puts The Band right up there. CCR too.

Don't forget Lynrd Skynrd. 

Allman Brothers.

I think the Eagles are in there too. Its easy to split hairs.

Neil Young. Not a band.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,454 posts
 

The Stones are American?! The Four Seasons were a Rock & Roll band?! Ay carumba!

I would say Los Lobos are in the running, and The Blasters, though they are on the border where Rock & Roll and Blues overlap.

waltersalas's avatar
waltersalas
942 posts
 

Los Lobos is a good choice. Great live band, too.
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,741 posts
 
This topic came up 10 years or so ago and I specified Rush. Always regretted not picking Allman Brothers Band which I'm doing now.
Honorable mention: Bob Seeger band, Ted Nugent band.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,454 posts
 


If you want to go way back and talk about all-time best:


- The Tympani Five (Louis Jordan’s band). Jordan is considered the father of Rock ’n’ Roll, though that credit could also go to Big Joe Turner.

- Little Richard’s recording band. Unbelievably great, including the best drummer in the entire history of Rock ’n’ Roll, Earl Palmer.

- Chuck Berry’s band---Johnnie Johnson on piano, Willie Dixon on upright bass, and various drummers.

- Scotty, Bill, and D.J. Fontana, Elvis’ original band (Sun Records, early RCA).

- The Crickets (Buddy Holly’s band). Listen to his and their recording of "Down The Line" for some blistering hot R & R.

- The Rock ’n’ Roll Trio (Johnny and Dorsey Burnett plus Paul Burlinson---Jeff Beck’s idol---on Telecaster). Their "Train Kept A-Rollin’" is just too cool to believe.

- The band that recorded with The Everly Brothers, which included guitarist Hank Garland and drummer Buddy Harman, two of the best musicians I’ve ever heard.


Now THAT is what I consider Rock & Roll.

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