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
to n80--actually the Eagles have outsold Michael Jackson and Elvis is number three all-time with Garth Brooks no. 2 and guess who, not the band, bit The Beatles numero uno, all-time. If you don't believe me--google it up.

For those who want to understand why some people continue to include The Band in their list of the greatest American Rock 'n' Roll bands (in spite of the fact that they were 4/5ths Canadian. The music they made, however, was purely American, far more so than most literally American Rock 'n' Roll bands, many of whom display more British than American influences), if not THE greatest, there is a new publication that will help you in that endeavor.

It is a 122 page special-edition magazine published by the excellent UK "Uncut" organization, and is entitled "The Ultimate Guide To Bob Dylan & The Band". Dylan is included in the stories, but only in terms of his interaction with The Band (in his employment of them in live performances, and of course from their collaboration on the Basement Tapes), rather than on his own. The bulk of the stories are about The Band themselves---their entire history, their recordings, their relationships, substance abuse, everything. I got my copy just yesterday, and I have already learned a fair amount of information I had been unaware of, and I know a LOT about The Band. A must read!

The Doors for their incredibly intelligent music - or alternatively the Velvet Underground for just being incredibly hip.

Ironically, their careers spanned almost exactly the same time period.
jdub, I based my info off wikipedia...which is never wrong. ;-) Not sure if your source or wikipedia is worldwide sales or just US. For what its worth the highest ranking Eagles album is a 'best of' collection....according to wikipedia...which is never wrong...

jdub, Fleetwood Mac is of mixed national origin. 

bdp24, I agree with you. The Band is an American band. Four Canadians doesn't change that a bit in my book.
The Grateful Dead

“They aren’t the best at what they do, they are the only ones that do what they do” Bill Graham