Greatest rock bands?

Question

We all know rock'n'roll has its roots in the US. However, when I look at the list of great *enduring* rock bands, so few, if any, of them are American. What I mean is, America has never produced a band equal to The Who, or Led Zepellin, or The Stones, or (not that I am a fan) Pink Floyd.

Yes, I know there is Aerosmith, but, their history, in truth, has always been one of come and go. Great for a year, 2 rocking songs, but then they disappear for another 6 until a soundtrack song is required.

Anyhow, my question is, why do you think this is? Is it because (and I am asking here, not 'declaring') British bands are better? Or is it that American bands have searched for something else?

PS Let's please keep the answers to BANDS. I know the British never had an Elvis or Janis Joplin, but my question is about bands.

Thanks, and remember to be polite.

Tony R. You seem to have had problems understanding my question Sir. Apart from Green Day and Metallica, all the artists you refer to are defunct. My question was about 'enduring' rock bands, not archived ones, or 'flavours of the month'. Secondly, you list individual artists, and my question asked to stick to comments about bands. Still, thanks for taking the time to answer.

Thanks to all for your comments about Green Day. Yes, they are up there with the very best. But, they hardly have a long history...yet. I hope they do, but, only time will tell.

g kennedy...please read my question again. Where do I say rock'n'roll was 'started by the British'? Rather, I state the opposite as anyone who can read can see.

Answer 1

I think it's something to do with the BBC and being a smaller population, it means we have a more cohesive and regenerating music scene with one central station which (even in a much more pluralistic media environment) has a taste and agenda setting power. Not that this is always for the better (Ref:continual populist offal in daytime programing), but it allows new and exciting stuff to surface much quicker. Interestingly several of the bands you mentioned were championed by the great John Peel. Without a guy like him the British music scene would be infinitely more bland.

I guess your question is about longevity, and I'm talking more about initial access - but I wonder in a more conservative, market driven environment if the more innovative players (which are the ones that last) have that chance to initially shine . I think there's also a huge value in the turnover of new styles and ideas that we have access too by the nature of the scene - it's that input of freshness that gives bands more longevity I think.

Answer 2

Who, Zep, and Stones had a greater appreciation for the old American blues artists, and they applied what they stole, er, learned from them to their music. They knew "our" music better than we did.

Creedence Clearwater Revival is THE great American band. Pick up 'Chronicle' for 20 good reasons. They tend to get dismissed because they worked in the classic radio format: 3 minute catchy songs. But, dammit, they rocked, and John Fogerty was an incredible songwriter.
PLUS, unlike the Stones and Who, when they knew it was over, it was over.

NOT a great American band: the Doors. Very overrated. Morrison was a lucky drunk, and the band's playing sounds like they're auditioning for the Holiday Inn lounge.

PLUS (again!) the great American rockers tend to be solo: Chuck Berry (without whom there would be NO Stones), Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Bo Diddley, Bob Dylan, and on and on...

Answer 3

KISS gave it a good shot.........
I feel Creedence were a fantastic american band.....shame they didnt last as long as the ones you mentioned....John Fogerty, (lead singer) i believe still performs and tours as well, and was in Australia recently, they still didnt have as much of an impact on the world, as much as The Who or The Stones....but in the same respect i dont think they quite had the same fan base as these other bands did either, being only young i dont know a hell of a lot about that era as far as music goes, but what i do know is that people had a different respect for their music in those days, they Believed in what the stories in the music were telling them.......you dont get that now.....thats why you will never have bands as great as they ever were again....

Answer 4

ACDC has withstood the test of time, don't you think? :)

The british invasion brought some kick azz rock and roll to the entire world, not just the USA. USA has a lot of talented musicians and with every lead singer comes a band. It isn't a competition between musicians, they are all on the same page whether they sell an armful or handful of records. Beauty of music is in the ears of the beholders. We all like different music. The british as well as the Americans, as well as the aussies are all held near and dear to those whose ears can feel their music in their soul. If it makes you move, it's in your groove.

Answer 5

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

i just had to let out some steam here when i saw someone post that rocknroll was started by the british!!!!!!!lol

rock n roll has its roots in america!

as far as america never producing bands "equal" to your list of british bands i'd have to say that is pretty subjective and a matter of opinion, however i do see you point on the fact that there are generally more solo acts from america and more bands from england

Answer 6

Vocal(i'm breakin the regulations)~ Freddy Mercury (gueen) Guitar~ Jimmy internet site (Led Zeppelin) Bass~ Roger Waters (purple Floyd) Drums~ Ringo Starr ( The Beatles gotta placed a beatle someplace) Keys~ Ray Manzarek (The doorways)

Answer 7

I think it's because they have a whole different kinda sound. Americans have some really good bands, too. But I think the British started the whole rock 'n roll thing over here. We try to copy that to a certain degree. Although we do have some original sounds of our own, it seems they were the first big hits here.

Answer 8

My theory is that American bands always have been about selling records. The commercial aspect has always been the biggest aspect of making music, not making music itself. Music has therefor been focused on what was "popular" at that period of time and therefor less "timeless" music has been produced. This is not the foult of the bands, but more of the record companies.
I would have to say though that Nirvana was also one of the greatest Rockbands ever.

Answer 9

Jimi Hendrix was american
Nirvana was american
Grateful Dead ( not my favorite ) is american
Green Day
Ramones
Metallica
The Doors
all of these bands are American and have been big influences on moderen rock and are still played today

Answer 10

Pop music is biased towards English speaking countries. There are many fine non-English speaking bands that never get any exposure in the US or Britain because people don't want to listen to them. There are exceptions, of course, such as Rammstein, but tell me how many Russian or Polish rock bands do you know? My point precisely.