Best American Classic Rock Band (album, beatles, rolling stones, doors)

[cgw]

Most of the rock bands I like are British. I keep seeing list for greatest this and greatest that and greatest bands. It got me thinking about who were the best American Rock Bands. Most of the great American rockers are individuals solo or with backing bands (e.g. Springsteen) (at least before the 90’s).
A few restrictions (my daydream, my rules): all pre-1980 – It is when I grew up. There are some great bands from later, esp. in the 90’s but I am removed enough from modern rock that I am sure that there are many that I have not heard. Anything from the 80’s should automatically be restricted from any discussion associated with the word greatest. Maybe you guys born after 1970 should sit this one out (or start a thread for best all time American band)?
I wanted to list what I think are the top ten.
As a starting point here are the qualified bands from Rolling Stones Top 100 Artists (in order):
The Beach Boys – very good but limited. It all sounds similar. Even their “best” album, Pet Sounds, which “has more musical merit than the Beatles” sounds like all the earlier music.
The Velvet Underground – Interesting. Influential. But great?
The Ramones – See Beach Boys
The Doors – Hard to argue with the Doors
The Byrds – Good band but they paled in comparison the bands coming out of England at the time. They are a little before my time – did they even write their own songs? (just kidding – I checked)
The Allman Brothers Band – I agree, great band.
Greatful Dead – Either you have 100 CD’s full of Greatful Dead live music or you don’t. I don’t.
Aerosmith – Top ten bubble band. Great in the 70’s. Less great in the 90’s.
The Eagles – Without Joe Walsh they would not even be in the category (rock).
The Stooges – I like them but another top ten bubble band.
Lynyrd Skynyrd – See below.

My list – Top Ten American Bands pre-1980:
2-10 in no order:
The Beach Boys
The Ramones
The Doors
The Allman Brothers
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Not included in the RS Top 100. I don’t know why. However, they barely qualify as they could be considered John Fogerty’s backup band.
J. Geils Band – my favorite American band
Talking Heads – Also barely qualify as they could be David Byrne’s backup band. Their best song though, Life During Wartime, is credited to the entire band.
NY Dolls – More influential than the Stooges and more exciting than The Velvet Underground.
Aerosmith – get the nod for Walk This Way

And No. 1 – Lynyrd Skynyrd – More influential than anyone on the list with the exception of The Ramones. Street Survivors is arguably their best album meaning the plane went down when they were still getting better. They were number 95 on the RS list.

[Musicwhore A-Z]

Originally Posted by cgw

Most of the rock bands I like are British. I keep seeing list for greatest this and greatest that and greatest bands. It got me thinking about who were the best American Rock Bands. Most of the great American rockers are individuals solo or with backing bands (e.g. Springsteen) (at least before the 90’s).
A few restrictions (my daydream, my rules): all pre-1980 – It is when I grew up. There are some great bands from later, esp. in the 90’s but I am removed enough from modern rock that I am sure that there are many that I have not heard. Anything from the 80’s should automatically be restricted from any discussion associated with the word greatest. Maybe you guys born after 1970 should sit this one out (or start a thread for best all time American band)?
I wanted to list what I think are the top ten.
As a starting point here are the qualified bands from Rolling Stones Top 100 Artists (in order):
The Beach Boys – very good but limited. It all sounds similar. Even their “best” album, Pet Sounds, which “has more musical merit than the Beatles” sounds like all the earlier music.
The Velvet Underground – Interesting. Influential. But great?
The Ramones – See Beach Boys
The Doors – Hard to argue with the Doors
The Byrds – Good band but they paled in comparison the bands coming out of England at the time. They are a little before my time – did they even write their own songs? (just kidding – I checked)
The Allman Brothers Band – I agree, great band.
Greatful Dead – Either you have 100 CD’s full of Greatful Dead live music or you don’t. I don’t.
Aerosmith – Top ten bubble band. Great in the 70’s. Less great in the 90’s.
The Eagles – Without Joe Walsh they would not even be in the category (rock).
The Stooges – I like them but another top ten bubble band.
Lynyrd Skynyrd – See below.

My list – Top Ten American Bands pre-1980:
2-10 in no order:
The Beach Boys
The Ramones
The Doors
The Allman Brothers
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Not included in the RS Top 100. I don’t know why. However, they barely qualify as they could be considered John Fogerty’s backup band.
J. Geils Band – my favorite American band
Talking Heads – Also barely qualify as they could be David Byrne’s backup band. Their best song though, Life During Wartime, is credited to the entire band.
NY Dolls – More influential than the Stooges and more exciting than The Velvet Underground.
Aerosmith – get the nod for Walk This Way

And No. 1 – Lynyrd Skynyrd – More influential than anyone on the list with the exception of The Ramones. Street Survivors is arguably their best album meaning the plane went down when they were still getting better. They were number 95 on the RS list.

I have to disagree 'cgw'. Nothing against Skynyrd, but there would be no Lynyrd Skynyrd without the Allman Brothers paving the way for them. Also, I think Creedence is certainly more than just Fogerty's "backup band". After all, is the whole not greater than the sum? Yes, he wrote the MAJORITY of the material, however, the band brought the songs to life. And yes, Creedence remain one of the most IMPORTANT American rock bands of all time.

Although going by "your" list I'd much prefer Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers over J. Geils Band by far. And KISS over Aerosmith by a landslide. We certainly can't forget Journey either. Still, you do have SOME great picks though! Overall, an approprite thread considering we're approaching the 4th of July!

[neardeathexperience]

Credence Clear Water Revival is one of the better classic American rock bands as is Grand Funk Railroad. I would also go with Edgar Winters White Trash.

[DriveYourCarDownToTheSea]

Originally Posted by cgw

The Beach Boys – very good but limited. It all sounds similar. Even their “best” album, Pet Sounds, which “has more musical merit than the Beatles” sounds like all the earlier music.

Oh boy, don't get me started ...

EDIT: You forgot Jefferson Airplane. Surely they deserve a mention?

[singer71]

Damn how the helk do i pick just one....
Skynyrd
Allman brothers
led zepplin

[Frownland]

Fifty Foot Hose
United State of America
Led Zeppelin

[William_the_Bloody]

Led Zeppelin is British guys.

I've always been partial to Fleetwood Mac & Heart

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by William_the_Bloody

Led Zeppelin is British guys.

I've always been partial to Fleetwood Mac & Heart

.... and Fleetwood Mac are British too, until Nicks and Buckingham arrived.

[neardeathexperience]

Originally Posted by William_the_Bloody

Led Zeppelin is British guys.

I've always been partial to Fleetwood Mac & Heart

I'm sure most American music fans wish they were American............

[Plankton]

Early ZZ Top is another good one. Not a huge fan of anything post Eliminator though.