silentman Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 Best in what type of music? How do you measure best? record sales? popularity? longevity with the band intact? top 10 singles? Pioneers in their type of music who launched 1000 copy cats?What about Motley Crue, Ratt, Dokken, and all the early 80's L.A. music scene? Metallica and Hendrix have only been named once? Yngwie Malmsteen (swedish)? Anthrax (they started rap metal (bastards!)). Dream Theater are surely at the top of the progressive metal heap, a door that was opened by queensryche, metallica, etc?
silentman Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 FU, LOL. I was trying to make a point. You could argue he didn't make a dent in shred until he was brought to the states. His Steeler album with Ron Keel on vox sucks donkey doo doo, but the Hot on Your Heels intro is right up there with the jaw dropping effect that EVH's Eruption had. Sent everyone to the woodshed.
lonote049 Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 Somebody mentioned that LS won't let Artemus Pyle in the band for some reason. I don't recall the details, but he's a sex offender of some kind. That might have something to do with it.
MCChris Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 Somebody mentioned that LS won't let Artemus Pyle in the band for some reason. I don't recall the details, but he's a sex offender of some kind. That might have something to do with it. Yeah, I think he fucked a girl who WASN'T his cousin.
JohnnyB Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 UB40? Eurythmics? There are some reaches on that list. Howabout The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones? Black Flag? Grand Funk? Ratt? The Ventures? Night Ranger? Dead Kennedys? Band Of Gypsies? Television? Toto?Umm where would Spinal Tap fit in?I wasn't really nominating everyone on the Brit list as greatest band. I stretched on the list just to show that 2nd and 3rd tier bands from the UK are also good, creative, and influential. And I even left out Bowie.Point is, if this were a discussion of greatest rock bands, would a US band even crack the top 5 against the Beatles, Stones, Who, Kinks, Cream, et al? I'm not gloating, just overwhelmed.Someone asked me once who my favorite rock/pop drummers were, and without intending it, they were all Brits -- Ringo, Charlie Watts, Stewart Copeland, Phil Collins, Carl Palmer, John Bonham, Ian Paice... I could go on. The Americans would be Frank Beard, Jim Keltner, Jim Gordon, Bun E. Carlos. Two of them are studio musicians and the trail gets cold pretty fast after that. Beach Boys are one of the best U.S. contenders for best band in terms of songwriting and vocals, but how much of the drumming was Dennis Wilson and how much Hal Blaine? How much guitar work Carl and how much Denny Johnstone, Glenn Campbell, etc.?Similarly, Steely Dan are serious contenders, but primarily for songwriting and vocals. They cherry-picked LA's best session musicians to fill out the ranks according to a given album's requirements.It's telling that two of the main American bands of the mid-60s trying to blunt the British Invasion were Paul Revere and the Raiders and Gary Lewis and the Playboys. Followed by the Monkees, who even had a Brit lead singer which boosted their appeal.
serial Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 LOL!!! Thanks for coolin' me down on that DVZ thing. Man, I need to watch my BP...
MCChris Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 Someone asked me once who my favorite rock/pop drummers were, and without intending it, they were all Brits -- Ringo, Charlie Watts, Stewart Copeland ... Copeland ain't British. Technically he's Egyptian.
md2020 Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 The RIAA numbers, for what they're worth...Top ArtistsTop Albums
MTM105 Posted July 27, 2005 Author Posted July 27, 2005 I've never seen anyone bash Donnie Van Zant.Kinda gives a new perspective. Maybe Kid Rock can sing for them.I don't know if Metallica would be purley American because Lars is from Sweeden and he tapped into their psyche to produe his version of metal. and he probably drives a Volvo.Steely Dan's last live album is earth shattering. I don't know if too many people off the street could tell you the name of their line up, or the fact that the guitarist is from Passaic, NJ. Their lyrics are rather obscure, though.Brian Johnson (AC/DC) said that what they aim to do is write music about fk'ing. Plain and simple.I guess that would be the litmus test.
JohnnyB Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 Copeland ain't British. Technically he's Egyptian.He's Egyptian like Rudyard Kipling was Indian.What I didn't realize until you posted that, however, is that Copeland is American -- son of a CIA agent and eventually educated in California. He didn't settle in England until he was 23.So score a good drummer for the Americans ... sort of.
Regina Lee Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 Without specific metrics (sales, longevity, etc.) I can't say who is America's Top Band. But if I have to make a personal choice between Aerosmith and Lynyrd Skynyrd, I would side with your wife. I can enjoy Skynyrd on the radio or on CD and yes, even occasionally blaring over the loud speakers on the county fair carni rides. If I actually had to pay money for a concert ticket though, I would rather go see Aerosmith. Here's why: Steven Tyler's vocal and physical performance Perry's good looks and guitar playing I can close my eyes and sing most of their songs word for word I wouldn't worry so much about some drunk guy spilling beer on me, or worse, spitting chew in my hair. Fewer mulletts Fewer people screaming yee-haw throughout the concert. Fewer aging redneck women with dixie rose tatoos wearing clothes they outgrew in high school And last but not least, I was an Aerosmith fan when I fell in love with Mike, so he might just go with me for old times sake. Regina
David B Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 For me, it's KISS as well. I love the fact that all members can sing lead. Makeup or no makeup, I love there songs more than any other band.
serial Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 I'm always tryin' to break new ground! Brian Johnson's got it right, even though he's no Bon Scott, I could never trash a band with Malcolm AND Angus in it! And Kiss holds a special place in my heart (pre-Peter leaving the band the first time). I guess I just like original lineups.
Stike Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 Not that it matters in the least but isn't baby brother Johnny fronting the tribute band that's been touring as Lynryd Skynyrd since 1988? Ronnie was the one who got the Betamax guillotene in 77. Well at least when I saw 'em in 88 they had pretty much an accurate line up. King, Rossington, Pyle, Powell, Wilkinson. Good show.
rockfish Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 Perry and Whitfords guitar tone sucks, the songs suck, I hate what they've become. WOW ! I've always felt that Aerosmith had THE tone. rockfish
BTMN Posted July 27, 2005 Posted July 27, 2005 My Two thousand words on this subject. Oh yeah, and these too, I aint picking, each has their own place for me.
Brooks Posted July 28, 2005 Posted July 28, 2005 funny nobody mentioned grand funk in their list. they came out at the same time as zeppelin, influenced heavy rock, and sold a bunch of records. i'd put zz top, van halen, & grand funk as my fave classic usa bands.edit: & CCR !!!!
BadgerDave Posted July 28, 2005 Posted July 28, 2005 Well, if we're just talkin' favorites, I'll toss in a vote for Mountain.And one for Johnny Winter And (the Rick Derringer lineup).
Lockbody Posted July 28, 2005 Posted July 28, 2005 Favorites then, huh?So many great American bands not listed (all influential):ByrdsJames GangJefferson AirplaneT.RexThe Velvet Underground/Lou ReedThe Mothers of Invention/ZappaCCRBig Brother & The Holding Co.BOCAny of 'em The Beatles or Stones? Nah, but each one a bad-ass American outfit.
princeofdarkness56 Posted July 28, 2005 Posted July 28, 2005 Aerosmith is the American version of the Stones. That said, since MTV fell in love with them, they pretty much don't do anything for me anymore. Skynard has stayed true to their roots and are more intersting to me. Still, if I want to see a great American rock band I will take Alice Cooper or Ted Nugent any day. Both still have the passion and energy and follow their own path.
Rockola Posted July 28, 2005 Posted July 28, 2005 Steely Dan's last live album is earth shattering. I don't know if too many people off the street could tell you the name of their line up, or the fact that the guitarist is from Passaic, NJ. Or endorses HamerS.
DaxT1138 Posted July 28, 2005 Posted July 28, 2005 i couldnt believe Incubus and Foo Fighters were nowhere to be found on the RIAA thing. everyone i know has Colour and the Shape in their CD wallet. i can't believe Soundgarden could outsell Foo Fighters. Beastie Boys higher than RCHP?
ceeb Posted July 28, 2005 Posted July 28, 2005 Man I can't be lieve nobody's mentioned the undisputed king of American rock. You guys are blind. I just have three words for all you guys...GRAND FUNK RAILROAD"The wild shirtless lyrics of Mark Farner... the bong-rattlingbass of Mel Schacher... the competent drumwork of Don Brewer...Oh, man!"
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