When it comes to music, the mantra “beauty lies in the eye of the beholder” holds truer than ever. Nevertheless, we've worked hard to pinpoint the best American bands ever. Surely nobody will disagree.
1. Creedence Clearwater Revival
You can disagree with this answer. But even if you disagree, you can't ever say that Creedence Clearwater Revival is the wrong answer to the question. It's just one of the correct answers.
1. Creedence Clearwater Revival
Put any American band's top five songs against Fortunate Son, Born on the Bayou, Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising, and Green River with your life's savings on the line. You won't.
2. Jimi Hendrix (and His Band)
Over a four-year career cut short by a rockstar's lifestyle, Jimi Hendrix put more than enough material on wax to solidify his legendary status. You'll find Voodoo Child, All Along the Watchtower, Foxy Lady, and Purple Haze on the jukebox at any dive bar worth its salt.
3. The Allman Brothers Band
Few bands that can claim The Allman Brothers Band's commercial success are as near-universally beloved by fans. Usually, you'll attract your fair share of haters when you have hits with the magnitude of Melissa, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Midnight Rider, Blue Sky, Soulshine, and Whipping Post.
3. The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band's relative lack of hate indicates their gigantic stature in the American musical landscape.
4. The Miles Davis Sextet
When you think “bands,” you don't necessarily think “jazz.” Even so, The Miles Davis Sextet is a veritable All-Star Team of jazz heavyweights, including John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, and Jimmy Cobb. So whether or not you appreciate jazz, The Miles Davis Sextet objectively deserves your respect.
5. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Petty heads will look at this selection and say, “of course, Tom Petty made a list. He should rank higher.” In truth, Petty's nasally voice isn't for everyone. Even so, the karaoke-ability of “Free Fallin” alone warrants Tom Petty and his crew a spot on this list of greatest bands.
6. The Grateful Dead
Lamented by some as the band that single-handedly destroyed more American brain cells than others, history dictates that The Grateful Dead has earned top-ten status. No band has been more culturally impactful than The Grateful Dead—some may be as impactful, but not more.
7. The Beach Boys
No, this is not a joke. As corny as The Beach Boys might seem to some, hits like “Surfin' USA,” “Good Vibrations,” and “Wouldn't It Be Nice” are the definition of timeless. Plus, the Beach Boys prove that a handful of average-looking dudes can (or at least could) make it to the music industry's top. Talent wins.
8. Talking Heads
New York City's own Talking Heads shot to stardom in the 1980s and remains a favorite band for those who developed their identities in the New Wave era. Though lead singer David Byrne was born in Scotland, Talking Heads are considered an American group.
Director Jonathan Demme's (The Silence of the Lambs) concert film Stop Making Sense remains one of the most beloved music-centric productions ever.
9. Parliament-Funkadelic
Also known as P-Funk, Parliament-Funkadelic has thrived through several iterations, including The Parliaments and Funkadelic and Parliament. Known to some simply as Parliament, the George Clinton-helmed group is responsible for hits like “Give Up the Funk (you gotta have that funk),” “One Nation Under a Groove,” “Atomic Dog,” and “Flash Light.”
9. Parliament-Funkadelic
Far from the most commercially successful group on this list, Parliament-Funkadelic is by far the funkiest.
10. Prince and The Revolution
Also known as The Revolution, Prince's band is behind his smash hits, including Kiss, Let's Go Crazy, Purple Rain, and I Would Die 4 U. Though every spot on this list will garner controversy, the man who turned himself into a symbol is a worthy candidate.
Let the debate commence.
This thread inspired this post.
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