Greatest American rock band

Since we're in a musical mood, who is the greatest American rock n' roll band? I think it comes down to five, in no particular order:

1. Aerosmith --- Had two distinct successful careers, with the second coming when every member was in his 40s.

2. Metallica --- Took metal to a whole other level, even if everything they've put out since 1991 sucks.

3. The Beach Boys --- Really only had one great album, but man, was it a great album.

4. CCR --- Very short career, but hugely influential. Might be tempted to switch them out with The Doors, for the same reasons.

5. Nirvana --- Created a musical revolution almost single-handedly (though I guess Pearl Jam gets an assist). As much as I love Alice in Chains and Soundgarden, I have to say Nirvana supercedes both.

For the record, I consider Jimi Hendrix a solo artist, though the Experience was technically a band (though only Jimi was American). Same thing with Buddy Holly and the Crickets, and some others you might bring up.

Anybody obvious I'm leaving out? Discuss ...

QUICK EDIT: Some will bring up the Grateful Dead, though I consider them more of a cultural phenomenon than a band. Music was pretty far down on the list as the reason a lot of people went to their shows.

 

1) The Beach Boys.
2) The Allman Brothers
3) Creedence.
3a) The Band. NORTH American, anyway.

 

REM.

Rolling Stone magazine agrees:

 

Probably really doesn't qualify, but you've gotta love Bruce with E Street...

 

Indeed, I'd put Springsteen & the E Street Band, as well as Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers on the list.

 

Shouldn't be a surprise that I concur with this.

 

I'll throw in a vote for Pearl Jam as well.

 

If that's the case, tape trading wouldn't have been as popular. And they would not still be releasing concert recordings.

 

Disagree about the Dead. You can't get more American than Workingman's Dead, American Beauty, Mars Hotel. A purely American sound. Jerry Garcia played in a jug band before the Dead and those influences never left. They covered Merle Haggard and various blues artists. They were "roots" and "Americana" before the terms existed. CCR, same deal, shorter span. I'd say when you hear the Allmans, you think more "Southern" than an all-encompassing "American."

 

REM

 

Guns & Roses, Nirvana, The Doors, The Beach Boys, Aerosmith.

My top 5.