Greatest American band in history

[I Should Coco]

I was actually thinking of them more for their early ground breaking stuff that is still incredibly catchy. Maybe it's dated, I don't think of it as such, just fantastic songs. They, too, can thank Chuck Berry. Still, they toured almost constantly and played their own instruments, albeit supplemented with an extra guitar often.

This is spot-on. The Beach Boys definitely were one of America's greatest bands. They just happened to have one of the world's greatest songwriters and composers in that band.

Listen to Brian Wilson's version of "Smile" that came out in the mid-2000s, then listen to the Smile Sessions that came out about a decade ago. The other "boys" make a big difference on Brian's songs.

 

[BTExpress]

A voice is a heck of a musical instrument, too.

Beach Boys get my vote.

 

[Songbird]

Oingo Boingo is one of America's top 10 all-time bands.

 

[Songbird]

 

[DanOregon]

Not saying they're great - but they are an American band.
And they're coming to your town, they'll help you party down.

 

[DanOregon]

To me a great band is one that has the same people playing the same instruments in the studio and on tour. They have to be a great live act, be musically inventive and spontaneous as well as have the interest and ability to venture outside of their genre - or at least stretch it to its limits.

 

[Regan MacNeil]

That eliminates Kiss then.

 

[X-Hack]

Kiss (at least Gene and Paul) always struck me more as businessmen/marketers - brilliant ones - than as musicians.

 

[Jerry-atric]

Agree that none of the "and the" bands count. And I'm sticking with rock bands:"

GNR
Metallica
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Pearl Jam
Grateful Dead
Soundgarden
Smashing Pumpkins
Nirvana
Aerosmith
Van Halen

Those are my top 10 in no particular order (except GNR is my #1). Eagles suck hard. R.E.M. has always bored the fork out of me. I saw them at the Palace of Auburn Hills in 1995 and it had all the energy of a teal-era Pistons-Cavs game on a random Tuesday night in February. Just awful.

Oingo Boingo is one of America's top 10 all-time bands.

I have not heard of Oingo Boingo.

 

[DanOregon]

On the one hand I feel bad for you - on the other hand you will love to dig into their stuff. Kind of New Wave with a horn section. One of my faves.

 

[Jerry-atric]

On the one hand I feel bad for you - on the other hand you will love to dig into their stuff. Kind of New Wave with a horn section. One of my faves. Biden

Thank you! I am always on the "lookout" for something new.

 

[Songbird]

Google Danny Elfman ...