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.