We have things like this from time to time, but I don't remember seeing an AMERICAN version. This means no Zeppelin, Beatles, Stones, AC/DC, Sabbath, Ozzy, etc. I am also trying to stay away from single performers like Elvis and Michael Jackson. If we get too many of what I think people will answer, we will break it down by decade.... feel free to do that anyway. Have fun
Talking heads. REM. Steely Dan. Nirvana. Fuck, you'd probably have to say The Eagles, even though I think they're evil.
I read somewhere that the Beach Boys have sold the most records of American "rock" bands. I don't know if that's true. I don't know if thats true because I know the Eagles have an album with like 29 million units sold by itself (but are the Eagles a "rock band"?) and I can't find any single Beach Boys album with over 10 million sold. I believe Boston has something like 33 million sold, but 24 million units were sold just wit 2 albums. And outside of "more than a feeling", I doubt many people could name many of their songs (WITHOUT looking them up on wiki like I had to). But I'm not sure if # of albums sold is a good barometer. A great example? Hootie and the Blowfish sold more albums (cracked rear view) than Pink Floyd did with Dark side of the moon. You can't tell me DSOTM is not better than Cracked Rear View. Maybe there should be a list made and a vote done. And no crappy bands (that are just bands I know nothing about actually).
Yeah, what I consider a great rock band doesn't necessarily sell well. But what I consider a great rock band others likely wouldn't. I think by sales you'd have to say the RHCPs, but I don't think they're great.
Nirvana is a good call. They flamed so hard for such a short amount of time - that it's hard to remember how influential they were. Nevermind is still, imho, one of the best albums ever. How about the New York Dolls.
I did find this link. http://www.recordresearch.com/record_setters.php?id=1 would Chicago count as a "rock band"? They should be high on a list too. Although any list that has "the Ventures" on it, makes me think it's not a real list.
The Dolls were fantastic, but David Johansen's "Feelin' Hot Hot Hot" has ruined them for me. BTW, how have we forgotten the Ramones?
The Beach Boys made about 100 albums, though (of which the first 10 or so were actually great...after Brian Wilson stopped writing for them, they devolved quickly). It's just a shame that SMiLE wasn't produced at the time it was supposed to. I've heard the 2004 version, with Brian's voice a shambles, and it's still spectacular. Had it come out in 1968-69, it would have been viewed as a contender for greatest album ever.
One way I've always thought should be a barometer, is if the music is still being played and listened to years later. The Beach Boys, Eagles, Chicago, Aerosmith (etc) are still being listened to 20, 30, 40 and in some cases, almost 50 years later. Does anyone listen to Hootie and the Blowfish anymore? Or Rickie Martin?
Except for the first post, thank you Ronan, these are great. The one's I thought of were Beach Boys, Velvet Underground, Ramones, Aerosmith, VanHalen(DLR) and one that will probably go unmentioned by everyone esle is Blondie. They are in my top few groups.
And the Pixies. And Simon & Garfunkel (whom I think are vastly underrated...every album they made is stunningly good).
Highest quality music? I'd go with Steely Dan, Santana, or Spock's Beard, probably. Biggest? You've got so many: KISS, Aerosmith, Metallica...
