This is a pretty difficult question.
My personal choice is Aerosmith. Followed by Bruce Springsteen.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience gets my vote
Quote from: YPR on July 15, 2010, 09:34:45 AM
The Jimi Hendrix Experience gets my vote
>London based
>2 English members vs 1 American member
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.
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')
In terms of quality of inspiration?
Inspiration? Led Zeppelin, Velvet Underground, and Pixies. Maybe Nirvana
Quality? no clue.
Quote from: Indigo on July 15, 2010, 02:05:05 PM
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.
Quote from: Lain on July 15, 2010, 02:17:16 PM
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
Quote from: Lain on July 15, 2010, 12:11:34 PM
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. :3
The Velvet Underground, definitely.
Velvet Underground is really the only American classic rock band I can think of that's considered great.
Quote from: Man of Popsicle on July 15, 2010, 03:30:25 PM
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.
Quote from: Stagger Lee on July 15, 2010, 03:41:37 PM
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
Quote from: Stagger Lee on July 15, 2010, 03:41:37 PM
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.
Van Halen. For now at least.
Quote from: fluxus on July 15, 2010, 11:17:20 AM
>London based
>2 English members vs 1 American member
Most important member was American n_u
But also... the Grateful Dead were pretty great
velvet underground became not so great after the only british member left. still good but not great.
anyway my greatest american rock band would probably be The Beach boys or sonic youth
The doors? Sure, Morrison was a semi-delusional prick, but he could write. Their music really kind of tied together the whole vibe of the period, and did so in a heavy and memorable way.
Kind of a stupid question though. You could go in the direction of "most influencial" and paint buddy holly or chuck b or Valens or any of the early risers as the "greatest". They did heavily influence the early british invasion and the later rising of other english groups. After all, rock is originally an American product.
Pavement.
/indieasfuck
Fallout Boy
AC/DC bassir;
Quote from: Lain on July 19, 2010, 06:53:28 PM
they're Australian doodhuh;
I know. I just wanted to be a part of the thread, and I like them, so I went for it <3
Bruce Springsteen
The Mars Volta.
if being hispanic and currently based in mexico isn't american enough, captain beefheart & his magic band
That's currently in existance? The Hold Steady.
That's not really in their prime anymore? Bruce Springsteen.