Sure. I just don't consider that apart from rock & roll. As far as I'm concerned, it was all part of the same scene, drawing on much of the same inspiration. And bands that were not part of that classification (like the Beatles and the Stones and the Who, among many others) were influenced by Motown. So, considering that the Motown groups and artists were part of the evolution of that era, both in terms of what they were influenced by and what they in turn influenced, it's arbitrary, IMO, to separate them out. Just my view. You could look at it that way, but "The Miracles" were a band from the start...long before they became famous or Smokey Robinson became famous. It only became "Smokey Robinson & the Miracles" later, when Robinson became recognized as the massive star. My understanding is that the other guys in the Jimi Hendrix Experience were simply hired on by Hendrix because he needed a bassist and a drummer. In that sense, it doesn't seem much different from session musicians...which means almost every solo artist had a "band." It's a difference to me, but it's not a big deal. I don't mind tossing the Jimi Hendrix Experience into the discussion. Jimi Hendrix just always "felt" like a solo artist to me, but your mileage may vary.
Something to take note of. Dark Side of the Moon was on the Billboard top 200, for 741 straight weeks. Also, the link i found earlier had different #'s then what I just found, stating that Thriller sold something like 100 million, and DSOTM sold over 44 million.
Great conversation guys. Motown is an interesting one. I think the Temptations, Supremes, Four Tops, Smokey and the Miricles and to a lesser extent, the Commodores all should get some mention. Commodores not really motown, but it made me think of them
I would include Motown. Not sure if Simon & Garfunkel count as a band or even "rock". I have a "Rocks & Minerals" playlist in my iPod for miscellaneous including rock, pop, soul, motown etc. Not yet mentioned herein: Big Brother & the Holding Company Jefferson Airplane Buffalo Springfield Creedence Clearwater Revival Crosby, Still & Nash (and Young) going all the way back to the roots: Bill Haley & the Comets The Crickets And of course the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers - they rocked!
Soundgraden is a really good band actually. I think it would be tough to keep them out of a top 10 or 15 list of greatest American bands. But people are different, me thinking Blondie rocks, while others think they are only ok for example.
Has anyone mentioned the Crickets, or are we thinking that's basically just Buddy Holly? A few newer ones that are decent Green Day Weezer Flaming Lips RHCP Also, groups like Iggy and the Stooges and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers should probably get some run too.
Has anyone mentioned Sly and the Family Stone yet? Great group there. Man I forgot all about them, and they might even be top 5 for me.
Are you serious? Soundgarden aren't my favorite, but as MM mentioned, they are very good and deserve a mention here.
