Best American rock 'n roll band ever?

[gamecockcat]

Obviously a lot to choose from and it's everyone's own preference.

My pick: The Allman Brothers Band

Other than perhaps The Yardbirds, has any band had two virtuoso guitarists like ABB? Love their music, very influential, mixed a whole lot of genres together, etc. Not as many hits as CCR, probably not as influential as The Beach Boys, but they're the top of the heap as far as American rock bands for me.

Many others I could name, of course.

Remember American rock bands - not individuals like Elvis or Chuck Berry.

 

[ukcatz12]

Creed

 

[ManitouDan]

Kiss .

 

[ManitouDan]

Ok I’m joking

 

[luv2hit63]

Boston, or Journey, or Van Halen.

Trying to decide.

 

[TucsonCat]

Sly & the Family Stone
Talking Heads

 

[SWFLwildcat06]

I’d have to go with VH or GD.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

Skynyrd and it isn't close.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

VH

If all your members are not born in the United States or on American army bases, you are not an American band. Jmo.

Metallica and Van Halen are Dutch partially.

 

[gamecockcat]

Skynyrd and it isn't close.

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My opinion is right with no exceptions?

 

[WildcatfaninOhio]

My pick: The Allman Brothers Band

Other than perhaps The Yardbirds, has any band had two virtuoso guitarists like ABB?

I will agree with your pick, and add to it. Not only did they begin with a pair of the best guitarists of all time in Duane Allman and Dickie Betts. But they ended with two of the best of all time in Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes. And....it is my most humble opinion that the final lineup (2001-2014) of the ABB had the single greatest assemblage of talented musicians in the history of American rock, with Derek, Warren, Gregg Allman, Oteil Burbridge, Butch Trucks, Jaimoe, and Marc Quinones.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

My opinion is right with no exceptions?

"everyone's own preference."

Can you even read what you wrote?

 

[ManitouDan]

Van Halens my favorite , does that make them the best ?

 

[Mash 2.4]

ABB for me. Dark horse candidate for me would be The Cars. Their first two albums are about as good as it gets.

 

[ukalum1988]

To me it’s a toss up between The Eagles and the Allman Brothers.

 

[megablue]

Not really a fan of any of them, but Aerosmith, Nirvana and The Beach Boys need to be in the conversation.
I've always preferred the British rock bands, pretty much.
It seems America has had more quality as solo artists ...

 

[Glenn's take]

REM

 

[wildcatwelder]

Aerosmith, Skynard or Boston for me.

 

[BC_Wader]

ZZ Top (Deguello and before)
Skynyrd

 

[The_Catfather]

The Dead are quintessentially American music. There's a lot of freedom in their lyrics, music and live show atmosphere. 30 years after Garcia died, they're as popular as ever and the surviving members are still playing stadiums all over the country. There's not a genre of American music that wasn't present in their playing and Robert Hunter is one of the best lyricists that ever lived. John Barlow wrote a few classics too.

 

[The_Catfather]

I will agree with your pick, and add to it. Not only did they begin with a pair of the best guitarists of all time in Duane Allman and Dickie Betts. But they ended with two of the best of all time in Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes. And....it is my most humble opinion that the final lineup (2001-2014) of the ABB had the single greatest assemblage of talented musicians in the history of American rock, with Derek, Warren, Gregg Allman, Oteil Burbridge, Butch Trucks, Jaimoe, and Marc Quinones.

One of my biggest musical regrets was not seeing the Allman Brothers live. I saw Dickey and his band about 10-12 years ago in Nashville and I've seen Warren a bunch in various Dead bands but never got to see the full group. Gregg played Evansville several years ago and I'm kicking myself for not knowing about it. Wish the band would've toured more though. I don't think they played a lot outside the occasional Beacon runs. But maybe I'm wrong.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

I wish they'd play more white music --like Hendrix!

 

[UK82]

I'll certainly agree with the southern bands (Skynyrd, ABB and ZZ) but The Doors have to be included in the Top 10. May not be the greatest musically but still historic.

 

[UKGrad83]

Grand Funk Railroad. Caught in the Act, one of the best live albums ever. Their studio albums were tame, maybe throttled by the studio. But the live album captures them at their best.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Grand Funk Railroad. Caught in the Act, one of the best live albums ever. Their studio albums were tame, maybe throttled by the studio. But the live album captures them at their best.

Yeah, but then those hoodlums proceeded to tear that hotel down!

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Not really a fan of any of them, but Aerosmith, Nirvana and The Beach Boys need to be in the conversation.
I've always preferred the British rock bands, pretty much.
It seems America has had more quality as solo artists ...

Hon mention for The Beach Boys reinvention w Pet Sounds

 

[WildcatfaninOhio]

One of my biggest musical regrets was not seeing the Allman Brothers live. I saw Dickey and his band about 10-12 years ago in Nashville and I've seen Warren a bunch in various Dead bands but never got to see the full group. Gregg played Evansville several years ago and I'm kicking myself for not knowing about it. Wish the band would've toured more though. I don't think they played a lot outside the occasional Beacon runs. But maybe I'm wrong.

I had the pleasure of seeing The Derek Trucks Band followed by the ABB in 2006 at Riverbend in Cincinnati. Yes, Derek played both sets. A phenomenal concert.

 

[augustaky1]

My answer does not meet the spirit of the question, but I stand by it.

The Wrecking Crew.

Probably the best group of musicians - from behind the scenes. In many genres.

Before studio musicians really became known as a thing.

I guess they were not a touring band, and not always rock. However.

 

[The_Catfather]

I had the pleasure of seeing The Derek Trucks Band followed by the ABB in 2006 at Riverbend in Cincinnati. Yes, Derek played both sets. A phenomenal concert.

I've probably listened to this ABB show more than any other. 1993 at Great Woods. Dickey is in jail, someone in the ABB camp knows Ozzy's manager and they arrange for Zakk Wylde to be a last-minute replacement. Hilariously awesome. Gregg could barely sing over him.

They were way f-cking’ cool, man. But it was hysterical, ’cause when we played “Dreams” I must have soloed for twenty minutes. I’d died and gone to heaven and I wasn’t going to stop. I was just jamming. But I almost gave [ABB drummer] Butch [Trucks] a coronary, ’cause every time we got to where the band was repeating the same lick, preparing to come out of the jam, I just keep soloing. I came over to Butch and he goes, “Zakk, f*ck, man! Calm down a little bit, brother.” And I go, “But this is my favorite band.” And he goes, “Yeah, it’s mine, too, but just f-ckin’ relax!”

 

[gamecockcat]

"everyone's own preference."

Can you even read what you wrote?

My bad - interpreted your comment that it's not even close for everyone, not just in your personal ranking. Totally my fault. There are many other posters who feel their opinion is the only correct one and I mistakenly lumped you in with them.

IMHO, ABB >> LS but that's why I posted the thread.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

My answer does not meet the spirit of the question, but I stand by it.

The Wrecking Crew.

Probably the best group of musicians - from behind the scenes. In many genres.

Before studio musicians really became known as a thing.

I guess they were not a touring band, and not always rock. However.

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Makes me think about The Funk Brothers of Motown

 

[Ollie]

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

 

[GnarlsBarkley]

For the classic era, I think Creedence is up there for sure. For the modern era its easy to say Nirvana, but I dont think they lasted quite long enough. You guys might not like it but I think both Metallica and Pearl Jam deserve a mention.

I think we can all agree though, that Dave Matthews and the Greatful Dead suck.

 

[Tskware]

I was going to tout the Allman Brothers . . . but then I watched a bit of a documentary on Jimmy Carter this week, where I found out that ABB were big fans of his, and he liked them as well - Gregg Allman even brought Cher to the White House!! Therefore, since they supported a lib tard dim, I can never hear them the same way again, and will never allow their music in my car or home again.

 

[gamecockcat]

I was going to tout the Allman Brothers . . . but then I watched a bit of a documentary on Jimmy Carter this week, where I found out that ABB were big fans of his, and he liked them as well - Gregg Allman even brought Cher to the White House!! Therefore, since they supported a lib tard dim, I can never hear them the same way again, and will never allow their music in my car or home again.

Most don't probably know that your tongue is firmly embedded in your cheek and you're poking fun at some of our more 'dedicated' posters.

I wish I'd seen ABB in concert in any configuration. While not Duane and Dickey, Derek (on a very short list of best slide guitarist) and Warren made a helluva combo, too.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

My bad - interpreted your comment that it's not even close for everyone, not just in your personal ranking. Totally my fault. There are many other posters who feel their opinion is the only correct one and I mistakenly lumped you in with them.

IMHO, ABB >> LS but that's why I posted the thread.

When your second best song is an instrumental...

I would put them up in the top five, but their second best song is an instrumental.

I did spend a lot of time screaming whippin' post at concerts though.


And Celine had no idea That's a joke son.

 

[gamecockcat]

When your second best song is an instrumental...

I would put them up in the top five, but their second best song is an instrumental.

I did spend a lot of time screaming whippin' post at concerts though.

Rambling Man
Southbound
Statesboro Blues
Melissa
Blue Sky
Dreams
One Way Out
Whipping Post

I don't know that In Memory of Elizabeth Reed is their 2nd best song.

Being Devil's Advocate, one could argue Skynyrd's second best song is a nice 2-1/2 minute ballad that runs 7 minutes due to interminable guitar solos.

 

[WTF Cat]

A pretty good case can be made for:

ABB
GD
CCR
Eagles
LS

I'll go with Gregg and the boys. They had it all: big hits, longevity, talent... they were the whole package.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

Rambling Man
Southbound
Statesboro Blues
Melissa
Blue Sky
Dreams
One Way Out
Whipping Post

I don't know that In Memory of Elizabeth Reed is their 2nd best song.

Being Devil's Advocate, one could argue Skynyrd's second best song is a nice 2-1/2 minute ballad that runs 7 minutes due to interminable guitar solos.

Whippin Post
Jessica
Statesboro Blues
One way out
Midnight Rider

Most of those other songs are meh.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

REM

Besides Bad Moon Rising, when there is a snowstorm of doom on the horizon, stores should also play, It's the end of the world as we know it.