No idea, I don't think there's a definite number one. I mean, for example, The Ramones or Metallica? Both are awesome, both are legendary, both are hugely influential.
The greatest American band ever is...
- Thread starter rockytheboxer
- Start date
You are in good company, Cobain thought the same thing. From producer Gary Smith:are.you.the.god.its.me.vader said:
"I've heard it said about The Velvet Underground that while not a lot of people bought their albums, everyone who did started a band. I think this is largely true about the Pixies as well. Charles' secret weapon turned out to be not so secret and, sooner or later, all sorts of bands were exploiting the same strategy of wide dynamics. It became a kind of new pop formula and, within a short while, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was charging up the charts and even the members of Nirvana said later that it sounded for all the world like a Pixies song."
Also, people are confusing a lot of British and American bands, but this is to expected as musically (among *many* other things) our two cultures are intertwined. As a poster above mentioned, there would have been no Beatles, Stones, the Who, or [insert British 60's band here], without American blues and the early tours of the UK by American rockabilly artists such Bill Haley and the immortals, Eddie Cochrane and Buddy Holly.
The British invasion, in turn, had an incalculable impact on American bands. These bands, in turn, influenced the UK, etc, so on, so forth... Look at Jimi Hendrix, an American artist with British bandmates.
And Lynyrd Skynyrd as the *greatest* American band ever against whom no other bands come to mind? Hmm....
Nirvana if we're talking effect. They were a rare breed of band that a large group of people (in this case, confused teenagers) coould identify with. Smells Like Teen Spirit's video is too this day one of the most incredible and it isn't hard to see how much bigger they could have been if Cobain hadnt killed himself.
Green Day had a big effect on punk-rock, Dookie is to this day one of the top punk albums (or albums period) of all-time. But they're career itself is a winding road, and while they are bigger than ever now, they had a relativley unknown status in the late 90's.
And I'm sorry but I wouldn't even mention Disturbed among America's best, they haven't done anything revolutionary, nor do they really distinguish themselves from most other metal/hard rock bands. They are average as far as a band goes, they have a few hits, but beyond that its nothing serioiusly groundbreaking.
To sum it up, Nirvana, Elvis a close second.
Green Day had a big effect on punk-rock, Dookie is to this day one of the top punk albums (or albums period) of all-time. But they're career itself is a winding road, and while they are bigger than ever now, they had a relativley unknown status in the late 90's.
And I'm sorry but I wouldn't even mention Disturbed among America's best, they haven't done anything revolutionary, nor do they really distinguish themselves from most other metal/hard rock bands. They are average as far as a band goes, they have a few hits, but beyond that its nothing serioiusly groundbreaking.
To sum it up, Nirvana, Elvis a close second.
Besides this:MONSTERheart said:
I completely agree, the list of legendary American bands goes on and on, so many amazing singers/bands. Finally someone on this blasted website whos music opinion I can agree with! XP
Awesome avatar as well, nice and creepy, Shapsters approves.
After careful consideration, I agree with this.KnowYourOnion said:
These are an extremely close second. Like, missed by a hair.photog212 said:
How has no-one said Bon Jovi yet? My favourite American band by far.
As for British would have to say Queen as they may not be everyones favourite but surely they are at least liked by everyone?
As for British would have to say Queen as they may not be everyones favourite but surely they are at least liked by everyone?
No way! Eagles were great on tape but rubbish live.Tourette said:
I'm going to go with Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band. Now that's some proper rock and roll. It even has a saxophone.
I've always adored that quote - used it in my music essay a few years back. Feels good seeing it again =DMighty the Moose said:
Maybe Elvis, or Nirvana or Metallica or maybe even the Eagles. Maybe even the Steve Miller band, or the Pixies, or CCR. Or Alice Cooper. Or Jane's Addiction. Or the Velvet Underground.
But not Aerosmith. Aerosmith are fun, and they have spme good songs, but really there's just a lot more to American music than Aerosmith have to offer.
But not Aerosmith. Aerosmith are fun, and they have spme good songs, but really there's just a lot more to American music than Aerosmith have to offer.
