Greatest American Rock Bands

[mkuller]

What are your choices for the three greatest American rock bands?

Mine:

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Creedence Clearwater Revival

[Johnny Vinyl]

Can't argue with that list, and I'd have a tough time removing one as I think The Eagles take top spot.

[mkuller]

While I have always appreciated and enjoyed the Eagles, especially with one of my favorite guitarists, Joe Walsh, they seem like the superficial So. CA marketing version of the bands that came before them - like the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Flying Burrito Brothers, Poco, CSN&Y and Jackson Browne.

For an interesting perspective on the LA music scene from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, I recommend "Hotel California" by Barney Hoskyns.

https://www.amazon.com/Hotel-California-True-Life-Adventures-Mitchell/dp/0470127775/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472592383&sr=8-1&keywords=hotel+california+book

[Asamel]

Even better-

http://docuwiki.net/index.php?title=Hotel_California_-_LA_from_the_Byrds_to_the_Eagles

Available on YouTube

[tom_hankins]

A few more American bands worth mentioning
ZZ Top
Van Halen
The Doors
Grateful Dead
Aerosmith
The Beach Boys
Allman Brothers
Metallica
Steely Dan
The Byrds

[mkuller]

LOL! And she can hear the cable differences from the kitchen, too.

[tom_hankins]

LOL, she never ceases to amaze me!

[JCOConnell]

Speaking of Styx and Journey, isn't it strange how bands can be mega popular in their on time, and then later fall out of favor with
music fans to the point of being shunned decades later?

[Bill Hart]

Others not yet mentioned (or controverted):

Skynyrd
Alice Cooper- Love it To Death
Doug Sahm
All of those great Detroit Rockers from the late sixties, Mitch Ryder, Iggy, Bob Segar, Ted and the Amboys- recommend Michigan Rocks, from Seeds and Stems Records, a rollicking compilation that is cheap and gets you there quickly;
Chris Whitley
Terry Reid (a Brit, but he went through an LA period and still lives in LA)
early Eagles- first two albums, including Desparado
James Gang (w/ Joe Walsh)
Chicago (I and II)
Blood Sweat and Tears (first and second albums)
David Lindley in any incarnation
Grand Funk (sorely under-rated today)
Iron Butterfly (some)
Canned Heat
Santana
Mountain
Paul Butterfield
Nirvana
NRBQ

[mkuller]

I saw West, Bruce and Laing - three great musicians - and maybe it was Felix Papilardi who was the glue, but without him they really sucked.

[Bill Hart]

Leslie West= Tone Monster. Yeah, Long Island. You are right about Felix P. Great voice, too (conjured up the same quality that Jack Bruce had in Cream). The whole thing is sort of sad, with Felix's untimely death, and Leslie's health problems.

[Asamel]

I was listening to some Mountain just yesterday. Miss Felix.

[jazdoc]

Nirvana
J. Geils
Los Lobos

[Bill Hart]

If you are doing Los Lobos, I'll add Los Lonely Boys- that guitarist is the Hispanic Hendrix- we heard them together in Austin at the ACL- insane. JGeils is a good call.

[mkuller]

I've seen Los Lonely Boys a couple of times, one electric and one acoustic. Three brothers - great musicians and they put on a good show.

[Gusf]

Love J. Geils, turned all my high school buddies on to them in the 70's before they hit it big nationally. "Full House" party favorite.

[MylesBAstor]

I have a little bit of trouble separating singers from groups. But here goes. Laugh your head off!

1. Bruce Springsteen (I don't see how how you can leave him off any top three list.)
2. Nirvana
3. Grateful Dead

Honorable Mention:

4. The Byrds (the Byrds were to the UK what the Beatles were to us.)
5. Jefferson Airplane/Starship
6. The Mamas and The Papas (have to have something from the folk/rock scene). BTW, John Phillips was a brilliant songwriter and musician, just a despicable person. Remember that song that made Scott McKenzie famous?


I thought of Foreigner but they were only part American.

[Bill Hart]

Just got the M&P's toilet bowl record (unfortunately not the original cover)- part of the haul from Brooklyn. One of the first ones I fired up. Great!

[MylesBAstor]

Yes Mamas and Papas are amazing! Will there ever be songs again like California Dreamin', Leaving on a Jet Plane, Monday, Monday and Dream a Little Dream of Me? Of course, they were really rivaled too by Peter, Paul and Mary!
What a bygone era.

[mkuller]

Mamas and Papas - Here's a full album but I think I like the previous one better with "No Salt on her Tail" and "Dancing Bear". I used to buy their new albums in the mid-1960s along with the Beatles new releases.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87y2blFpzEc

[Guest]

Anybody like 'em?

[MylesBAstor]

Yeah but I put him the category of singer, not group.

[mkuller]

Lou Reed. Pretty amazing album for the time, though.

[jazdoc]

They were definitely a 'group', and and excellent one at that.

[Guest]

The Doors - Andalusia with fields full of grain
The Left Banke
The Buckinghams
The Vanilla Fudge - Moonlight Sonata!

And then there's these guys:

[Bill Hart]

Oh yeah. If you caught them live over the years, you may have heard them with a horn player, Jimmy Hoke, who is one of the most talented guys on the planet- taught himself to play pedal steel. Can play anything. Sad that they are now Balkanized. The Spaminato Bros, the splinter group, is also very hot.

[mkuller]

I know they're a very popular band I like their work on "Green Light" with Bonnie Raitt. But I've seen them live and they left me wondering what the big deal is all about.

[Asamel]

Love the Q! You either get 'em or you don't. Big Al is playing a benefit coming up, pretty rare.

[Bill Hart]

Talking Heads, don't think mentioned?

[Johnny Vinyl]

The Doobie Brothers
The Lovin' Spoonful
R.E.M.
Steppenwolf
Talking Heads

And Grand Funk Railroad is pure awesomeness!

[Bill Hart]

Forgot about Steppenwolf- they were great. saw them back in the early days, don't remember much....

[Esb]

Does any one remember The Good Rats?

[Bill Hart]

nope, pray tell.

[MylesBAstor]

Does any one remember The Good Rats?

Got me on that one! What were they known for?

Glad to have you aboard!

[Esb]

They were a rock band out of Long Island that had some limited success nationally . The only reason that I heard of them is because they played at The Fore 'N' Aft in White Plains NY back in the early 70's. The Aft was a well known Rock club in its day ,with live rock bands. I spent many a weekend there and at that time the Good Rats were their number one draw. When ever I hear one of their songs, it brings me back to my late teens and early 20's. I think certain music and bands that we have seen or listened to in the past, when we hear them again at a later time, can transport us back to that time again. The Good Rats may not be known by many, but to me they were an American rock band that brings back many great memories.

[Asamel]

Neil Young and Crazy Horse.

[Gusf]

The Rascals
Cheap Trick