More recent ones that I might include down the line (other than the Flaming Lips, whom MM mentioned): The Shins (assuming they haven't broken up), the Apples In Stereo, Vampire Weekend.
My vote goes to Pearl Jam. Sublime was on course to be one of the biggest bands in the States before Bradley died. Oh, and one more vote for TooL. If they released albums more often they would be the biggest rock band on the planet right now.
Ya, they shouldn't have been lumped in with the newer stuff. Is anyone else a fan of Cheap Trick? They certainly don't belong in a conversation about best ever, but they are pretty damn good.
Monkees. Not a real band and one was British so not sure if they count. OTOH, who's the judge of who counts?
Yes, that is true. But their self titled album would have still blown up had he not died. "What I Got" was going to be a raging hit no matter. They would have ridden that wave as long as they wanted had Brad not died. I should have been more specific.
Easily my favorite band I've seen 100+ times was Oregon's Cherry Poppin' Daddies. I gave them some artwork that eventually became their 1st CD cover though they were so low budget at the time I was paid in free shows and not credited on the CD because they'd forgotten my name The Doors were my favorite as a kid through HS though Jim died a couple years after I was born. Jane's Addiction was awesome for a few albums. Loved Nirvana & Sublime. Santana, Prince, Dylan, Hendrix, Bruce all deserve a mention for guys with their name on the band. Parliament/Funkadelic put on a 5 hour show like no one else, but I'd give the Greatest American Band title to the Dead. STOMP