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

In_shore, we were all in love with Michelle Phillips. Please don't be monopolizing her attention. I suppose you could make a realistic and valid argument she was so appealing, that alone would make the Mamas and Papas the greatest American band of all time. I might have to rethink my Big Brother and the Holding Company position now that you mentioned her.

Mike

Can we all just calm down!?  Lemme break it down 4ya:

A.L.L.M.A.N.  B.R.O.S.

That is all.

Funny some of the suggestions for the foreign bands. I love Neil, U2, Rush, the Stones, the Band, etc...but they ain't 'merican.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers would likely be #1 in my book 
R.E.M and the Talking Heads could argue for a next spot
But I can't believe no one has mentioned Steely Dan??? 7 phenomenal albums before the pause. Jazzy yes but the quality and breadth of their work over 10+ years has few American peers. 

Got to include Blue Oyster Cult !

Steely Dan are and were astonishing. Becker's solo albums are so good I was mostly angry about his death because his output stoped. My most recent live experience with those guys was a show with Elvis Costello (!) opening a couple of years ago...the groups they assembled for recent live shows was heart stopping...best backup singers, tight utterly pro monster players all around..Jon Herington...man. I have every original vinyl of 'em from the 70s, all the solo stuff, and my former neighbor Elliot Scheiner got a grammy for Gaucho, which is still an amazing album I listen to often.