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

Most of the better bands from before the British Invasion have been mentioned. The point here seems to be (I think) great performances, rather than great records....rock n roll energy. On that basis...

The Feelies, The Bongos, Television, Talking Heads and The Replacements (drunken performances notwithstanding) all deserve mention among US bands that emerged later.  All could rock like mad.  Their songs could be overwrought for my taste sometimes, but The E Street band was great and deserves consideration here

CCR had a great two year run of unmatched records, but they weren’t a great live band.

That said, the right answer IMO is Chuck Berry and co.

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, The Byrds, The Allman Brothers, CCR and The Travelling Willburies in no particular order. I’ve got a particular weakness for Rickenbacker electric 12 string guitars.  

Boston, U2, Tull off the top of my head

I just thought of R.E.M. Hugely successful, unique, totally, completely and inescapably American.

They're one of my favorite bands. I can't speak for their concerts after they got big but I saw them right after they released Life's Rich Pageant. Best live show I ever saw.

Steve, the topic is American bands. U2 appropriated an American feel....but Tull could hardly be more British.