Greatest American rock band?

[Selkie]

This is a pretty difficult question.

My personal choice is Aerosmith. Followed by Bruce Springsteen.

[YPrrrr]

The Jimi Hendrix Experience gets my vote

[spaceman]

The Jimi Hendrix Experience gets my vote

>London based
>2 English members vs 1 American member

[Samus Aran]

Bob Dylan

Or, if you don't count him because only about half his career might be considered "rock," then...The Flaming Lips, or maybe Sonic Youth or The Smashing Pumpkins.

[snorkel]

Nirvana or Pixies

Both were perfect encapsulations of a growing sound; I think Nirvana struck the soul of the grunge thing beautifully, then got obliterated and misunderstood by irrelevant public reception (Cobain spoke about this at length). They inspired a decade of innumerable bands, basically none of which are memorable. Pixies simply have the greatest number of fucking great raw rock anthems (and they were another momentous catalyst, producing Weezer etc) -- the number of times I've zoomed down the highway screaming along to Head On or Gouge Away or Letter to Memphis, or reclined in some freshly altered state on a 'Wave of Mutilation'.


(these are not my first two favorite american rock bands or even those I'd consider most talented, just 'greatest')

[Indigo]

In terms of quality of inspiration?

Inspiration? Led Zeppelin, Velvet Underground, and Pixies. Maybe Nirvana

Quality? no clue.

[Samus Aran]

In terms of quality of inspiration?

Inspiration? Led Zeppelin, Velvet Underground, and Pixies. Maybe Nirvana

Quality? no clue.

Led Zeppelin is about as American as the Tower of London.

They're English, completely.

[Indigo]

Led Zeppelin is about as American as the Tower of London.

They're English, completely.

whoops <_< At least I didn't say The Who or The Beatles or I'd never forgive myself

I guess Bob Dylan can go in their place. Ballad of a Thin Man <3

[Geno]

Bob Dylan

Or, if you don't count him because only about half his career might be considered "rock," then...The Flaming Lips, or maybe Sonic Youth or The Smashing Pumpkins.

Speaking of Bob Dylan he's coming in August. 

[sans culottes]

The Velvet Underground, definitely.

[Mando Pandango]

Velvet Underground is really the only American classic rock band I can think of that's considered great.

[sans culottes]

Velvet Underground is really the only American classic rock band I can think of that's considered great.

Except they're hardly "classic rock" as it is. Few people listened to them when they were around, and no classic rock station would ever play a song by them.

American rock'n'roll has never really been about one band in particular, in my opinion. Instead of producing giant acts like the Beatles and Led Zeppelin that singlehandedly changed music forever, American music produces underground scenes that change everything without anyone knowing it. Most people still can't name the bluesmen like Robert Johnson that shaped rock'n'roll before it was invented, and as much as I want to credit the 70's American punk scene for their influence, I can't decide which band was the most important of them all.

[Samus Aran]

American rock'n'roll has never really been about one band in particular, in my opinion.

except for The Beach Boys during their peak, and Elvis during his

[Selkie]

American rock'n'roll has never really been about one band in particular, in my opinion. Instead of producing giant acts like the Beatles and Led Zeppelin that singlehandedly changed music forever, American music produces underground scenes that change everything without anyone knowing it.

Very true. this is precisely why I thought this was a very difficult question, therefore capable of making good discussion.

Also, I forgot to say The Beach Boys are the third band that is really up there battling for the spot in my opinion.

[Dullahan]

Van Halen. For now at least.