Greatest American rock band

no.

 

As I begin this post I am shielding myself in preparation for the objects sure to be thrown my way, but I ask simply to be heard out.

I don’t believe they are in the Top 5 yet, but a while back someone asked is anyone currently going could make it someday.

I give you the Dave Matthews Band.

Some people swear by them, others hate them with the fire of a thousand suns.
Musically speaking, these are five terrific musicians. Anyone who has seen a DMB show will attest that they are as good in person (if not better) as they are in the studio.

Their biggest knock against them is their first three albums (Under the Table, Crash, Before These Crowded Streets) are easily their best work and it’s coming up on ten years since Streets was released. Their last album, however, was pretty damn close to those first three.
Another strike is that their singles are usually not among the strongest songs on the album (I Did It – the worst song they’ve ever recorded).
Their tour sells out every summer. Dave’s solo album a few years back didn’t hit as well as many thought it would, therefore it seems unlikely the band will break up anytime soon.

I echo the thoughts earlier on Red Hot Chili Peppers making a case. This is a band that has only gotten better with age. I still can’t stand their very early stuff, but everything since Under the Bridge has been fantastic.

Bruce & E-Street and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are Top 5 without question. I also think it’s hard to snub Aerosmith.

 

Could not agree more.

 

LEt's just remain clear:
The Eagles blow.

 

You know, I'm going to have to give this some more thought and listen to more of their music, but I think Lynard Skynrd deserves serious consideration here.
Obviously Sweet Home Alabama is one of the greatest songs of all time. Freebird might be over-rated, but it's still great.
That Smell is pretty damn good.
I don't own any of their complete albums, but the Greatest Hits is really, really solid.
They don't have the longevity of some bands due to the plane crash (I'm not counting any work since then), but they obviously did some great stuff before then.

 

Sirs, Madames,

The best concert by an American band that I've taken in: Way out in the margins here, the Talking Heads (Remain in Light tour, Bernie Worrell backing on keyboards).

Best one-album (and a little bit more) wonder that I saw in concert: Television.

YD&OHS, etc

 

This is a great debate.
Two of my good friends and I have been having this exact conversation for about six years running now. We've come down to three.
One friend says Aerosmith. One says the Beach Boys. I say Springsteen and the E Streets. Who wins seems to depend largely on the criteria (how you weigh longevity, influence, big hits, lots of quality, etc.) In the name of keeping the conversation going, we've never managed to agree on the criteria.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers also gets a lot of love, but they seem like even more of a frontman and backup band than Springsteen & co. Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, The Dead, CCR, REM and G&R round things out.

 

I brought this up in the newsroom and REM and Talking Heads were immediately mentioned. Again, I think Talking Heads have to be in the conversation.

 

you're kidding, right?

 

Seven pages in and no mention of John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. What's wrong with you people?

 

Sirs, Madames,

More of a coulda been with the Talking Heads. Sorta just never bothered following up Remain in Light, a great album. But the two times I saw them, sensational shows.

YD&OHS, etc

 

I watched a special about Stax last night.
Booker T and the MG's HAVE to count.