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

Agree with you dodgealum. R.E.M. sounded so different. In addition to starting out 'indie' and different, they were able to catch the MTV wave and ride right up into stadiums and super group status.

I think when considering 'greatest' discussions that popularity, sales and charts are important. I don't think they should be THE criteria but I still think you have to take it into account. There are a lot of artists listed here that are great in their own right but relatively obscure, or short lived that no matter how good they were really don't rise to 'greatest of all times' status. Certainly influence is important but I think in terms of 'greatest' all of these things have to be there.

Sly and The Family Stone...

The "most American" band would have to be "Indigenous", three siblings and a cousin from the Nakota Nation, So. Dakota.  Listen to "Things We Do", their first album, 1998.  Blues guitar phenom in the style of SRV.     

Paul Revere and the Raiders, Jay and the Americans, Nirvana

Definitely Eagles w/Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers number two--Unless you've stood with an American Woman on a corner in Winslow, Az you've not lived.