The greatest American rock bands of all time

[LennG]

This is an impossible question to answer because of the evolution of rock over a half century, not to mention "types of rock"

Types:

Rockabilly (Elvis, Tom Jones, etc.)
50's Dance Rock (Chubby Checkers, etc.)
California Rock (ie, rocksurfing&hotrodding (Beach Boys, Dion, Jan and Dean, Safaris, etc.)
British Invasion Rock (Beatles, Who, Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, etc.)
Motown Rock (Supremes, Temptations, Four Tops, etc.
Bubblegum Rock (1910 Fruitgum Company, Archies, Monkees)
Acid Rock (late Beatles, Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Janice Joplin, Moody Blues, )
Hard Rock (Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, AC/DC, Van Halen, Guns and Roses, etc.)
Heavy Metal Rock (Metallica, Pantera, etc.)
Grunge Rock (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, etc.)
Death Rock (I've heard it, I hate it, I don't know any bands that I can even list for you)
Southern Rock (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Alman Brothers Band, Black Oak Arkansas, ZZ Top, etc.)
Country Rock (Kid Rock, Alabama, Credence Clearwater, The Outlaws, etc.)
Christian Rock (Skillet, Thousand Foot Crutch, Switchfoot, etc.)

there are probably more sub-genres of rock like "soft rock"  , but you get the point

Now by decade, I would say the following bands were the most instrumental of the rock and roll world influencing all other bands to come. If they are in bold, that is MY CHOICE for greatest rock band of that era

50's

Without a doubt, Elvis Pressley really turned rock into it's own genre and probably the most influential artist of the decade. Tom Jones (Elvis wannabee according to my father...LOL), Chuck Berry, Chubby Checkers, Little Richie, etc., all took turns in the limelight, but no single rocker had more followers and more hits and more influence than Elvis

60's

The Beach Boys started a new style of rock and was loved country wide, but they were displaced by the most influential band of the 60's, the Beatles! The Beatles hands down turned the USA upside down and fans were delirious over them. Their songs went to number one seemingly every month and they were prolific song writers releasing new music every couple months. In one case, their song "Strawberry Fields Forever" went no. 1 on the day it was released and the flip side of the 45 was "I Am the Walrus", which came in no. 2 on the Rolling Stones top songs list the same time. Speaking of The Rolling Stones, they too were a powerful 60's band, as was the Who, but no one outdid the Beatles...not even the Who, whom I loved at the time

70's

Keep in mind I am very biased and this is not an exact science, but I put Led Zeppelin as the greatest band of the 70's. There were many great ones during the 70's and I'd get carpal tunnel from typing them all out...so I won't

80's

Again, keep in mind I'm biased, but I think Guns and Roses took over the rock world and for good reason, they were just plain that good. Too bad Axl couldn't get his act together and keep the band going 

90's

This is where it gets blurry to me because I had a wife and 4 small children and was working 50 hours a week while trying to build a house and go to college part time. I had literally no time for music or anything that entertained me. For me - when I think of the 90's - I think the continuation of G&R, the reemergence of Aerosmith and Van Halen. I would say my favorite at that time was Aerosmith

2000 and beyond...I haven't a clue

Of all those, as for me, I make it a tie between the Beatles and Led Zeppelin and judging by what I listen to now, I'd have to say the Beatles for me as it's been more than 50 years since they quit making music and if one of their songs are on the radio in the car, I turn it up. Speaking of which, if you haven't seen the movie, "Yesterday", watch it...especially if you like the Beatles. It's about a guy who was an average singer / guitar player who wakes up from a coma and can sing every Beatles song becoming a world sensation, but no one in the world ever heard of the Beatles. It's a very good movie!

Now I'm only kidding you Ric, and I know you are getting a bit 'long in the tooth' and probably didn't have your reading specs on, but it has been mentioned A FEW TIMES, AMERICAN Rock bands ONY.
I had already mentioned the Beatles and got scolded because they are British, so here you come, also touting the Beatles.
Get those glasses on my friend.              

[Sem]

One last thought. Although I don't necessarily consider him rock or a group, the conversation for most influential American artist over the past 60 years probably should begin and end with Bob Dylan.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Now I'm only kidding you Ric, and I know you are getting a bit 'long in the tooth' and probably didn't have your reading specs on, but it has been mentioned A FEW TIMES, AMERICAN Rock bands ONY.
I had already mentioned the Beatles and got scolded because they are British, so here you come, also touting the Beatles.
Get those glasses on my friend.              

You're right that I don't have my reading glasses on and I need them. However, don't know how I missed it. Been extremely hectic the last few days so I scan things and not sure I absorb what I should be absorbing 

[Slugsy-Narrows]

The Beatles
The Beach Boys
Led Zeppelin
Black Sabbath
Metallica

I know not all AMERICAN, but....... These bands for their eras revolutionized music.

There are many others I could list but those 5 bands changed music and brought about a new era of Rock.


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