So, what's the best rock band ever?

Community

Rock & Roll

So, what's the best rock band ever? (Discussion)

oLahav said – Mon, 26 May 2008 19:23:43 -0000 ( Edit Link )

Are you loyal to the Beatles? A modern RHCP lover? Maybe the Stones are your tops? Is it U2? Pink Floyd?

Everybody has their own personal favorite rock band. What’s yours?

Mine, in case you’re wondering, is Jeff Lynne’s ELO (electric light orchestra). This band drew inspiration from the Beatles and classical music and brought together a rock band with a complete orchestra to come up with as incredible tunes as their Strange Magic, Evil Woman and Mr. Blue Sky. The combination of classics, rock and some electricity bring up music you’ll never hear anyone else play.

So, I can’t wait to hear some of your favorite rock bands, and why they’re better than mine.

Actions

Respond

Author: oLahav; Authority 712

Vote

Current Rating: 0; Rate Up; Rate Down

No Votes

10 Responses

wmoxam said – Wed, 28 May 2008 18:12:11 -0000 ( Flag Edit Mark / Unmark Best Link )

“Best” is hard to determine, since there are some many variables involved.

Some say the best band is one where the band ends prematurely due to a death shortly after releasing their best work (ex: Nirvana, Joy Division, Jimmy Hendrix). That they never had a chance to release a ‘dud’, increases the band’s mystique.

Other’s say it’s a band that has the most influence on other bands, ex: The Pixies were never very popular themselves while they played, but influenced a lot bands from the early 90’s to this day.

However, for entirely different reasons I’d have to say that the “best band ever” is hands down The Rolling Stones. While I don’t like much of what they’ve released since ‘Some Girls’ (1978), you’ve got to respect that they are still recording and touring to this day even though they are hitting their 70s and clearly don’t need the money. This really differentiates them from all of the other bands who have been getting back to together just to cash in on nostalgia (ex: The Police).

Add all that to the fact that the albums that they released in their prime (Sticky Fingers, Let it Bleed) are some of the best ever produced, and the Stones are no question the best ever.
Actions
1 Reply
Author

wmoxam

Authority 446

Vote

Current Rating

0

Rate Up

Rate Down

No Votes
Post Comments
1. oLahav said – Thu, 29 May 2008 14:34:47 -0000 ( Flag Edit Link )
  
  I agree that it’s hard to pick a “best”. Maybe favorite would be a better word to use…
  I also agree with what you said about the Stones. It’s surprising they’re not dead yet what with all the drugs and what not, and it is impressive that they’re still out there doing their thing. Most people that work stop when they’re in their 60’s, but I guess when you’re doing what you love there’s no point in stopping.
  On the other hand, I wouldn’t diss The Police. So what if the cash motive rules? They’re doing well for themselves, and the audience enjoys it. Most bands these days are in it for the money… look at all the American Idol trash, it’s just people who think they have a nice voice and want to get rich fast cashing in on it. Real rock is pretty much dead, so I rather take whatever I can, even if it’s mostly reunion tours with nearly voiceless old rockers like Genesis, Police and the Eagles. There’s just not many alternatives.
  
  I also have a slight disagreement with the suggestion you raised that bands like Nirvana are considered great because they’ve ended before they could ruin their own career. They were great before the death, and they may have released even better material later on, who knows? Some bands keep on living after the deaths and still do pretty well. Take Queen- I have even more respect for Taylor and May just because they’ve kept going, and some of May’s later songs are incredible. The point being, people should like a band because their songs were good, not because they quit while at the top.
  
  Rating
  
  0
  
  Rate Up
  
  Author
  
  oLahav
  
  Authority 712
Add Comment

Your Reply
ameliorator said – Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:05:53 -0000 ( Flag Edit Mark / Unmark Best Link )

This is an interesting discussion. I agree on both points. The longevity of the Stones is impressive and something to be commended. I can also see Wmoxam’s point about the mystique of Nirvana and Hendrix and Joy Division…artists that die young in general! We will never know if they had the staying power. At the same time all three of those examples were paradigm shifters during the time of their existence! Nirvana showed us that boys could wear skirts and still rock! There’s a great article I read recently about this if anyone is interested. The author talks mostly about how rock has changed from a “fan pleasing” industry to a “rocker worship” industry. But talks about Nirvana at the end, as a “hope” for the future of rock.

Fred Pfeil (1997). “Rock Incorporated: Plugging into Axl and Bruce,” in White Guys: Studies in postmodern domination and difference (New York and London: Verso), pp. 71-104.

Personally, from age 12-14 I listened only to the Beatles. It was a great foundation for me. From there I jumped right into Green Day, the Beastie Boys, Fugazi, the Pixies, and R.E.M. I missed out a lot on some of the rock from my Dad’s era. (I’m 33.) It is a great journey to discover the “classics!” I love hearing what rocks other people!
Actions
Reply To This
Author

ameliorator

Authority 142

Vote

Current Rating

0

Rate Up

Rate Down

No Votes
Post Comments
Add Comment

Your Reply
lucyinthesky said – Sat, 02 Aug 2008 01:29:42 -0000 ( Flag Edit Mark / Unmark Best Link )

For me, it’s the Beatles, through and through. I guess there’s a reason for its popularity – and all the emotional attachment to their songs throughout the years have added value to them. They created something together that they could not really replicate alone, at least in my opinion – and are such a deep facet of so many cultures. I may have favourite bands of the moment through different stages of my life – but the Beatles will always be there when I need them!
Actions
1 Reply
Author

lucyinthesky

Authority 727

Vote

Current Rating

0

Rate Up

Rate Down

No Votes
Post Comments
1. oLahav said – Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:09:52 -0000 ( Flag Edit Link )
  
  I’m guessing that’s where you got the idea for your username?
  
  I agree that the Beatles are great (my top song is a Beatles song after all, check out my list). But some of their songs just don’t speak to me… I think they’re a tiny bit overrated. With Lennon’s death and all that they grew from a band with great music to a sort of mythical phenomenon. Yes, they did have idol status while they were up, but every rocker had that at the time… But I personally have other bands I like better.
  
  Don’t get me wrong, the Beatles have some amazing songs- In My Life, I’m the Walrus, Eleanor Rigby. But I just don’t like the ones that people think are so great… like Yesterday, Penny Lane, or even Lucy in the Sky. I guess I never got them…
  
  A pure matter of opinion. Thanks for contributing.
  
  Rating
  
  0
  
  Rate Up
  
  Author
  
  oLahav
  
  Authority 712
Add Comment

Your Reply
chandra_avinash said – Sat, 16 Aug 2008 21:25:03 -0000 ( Flag Edit Mark / Unmark Best Link )

Though you might not call them a rock band, per se, but for me Iron Maiden does it :). I saw them live – twice and it was mindblowing, especially when they play some of their older songs.

But you know, its funny that among all bands that I have seen perform, the best gig was Alan Parsons Live Project. I have to give it to them and their “ethereal” music and the sheer excess of talent and the fact that everyone in the band sings! When I think of everything that I have heard so far, the Alan Parsons stuff I heard over 3 hours of a gig, comes to the top. Definitely a pure matter of opinion :).
Actions
Reply To This
Author

chandra_avinash

Authority 608

Vote

Current Rating

0

Rate Up

Rate Down

No Votes
Post Comments
Add Comment

Your Reply
oLahav said – Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:37:30 -0000 ( Flag Edit Mark / Unmark Best Link )

Alan Parsons Project rules! Of course, it would depend on when you heard them, their line up completely changed over the years (they still exist actually from what I’ve heard, with no original member). They have some really great songs… never heard them live though, but their studio work is awesome, they’ve taken Pink Floyd’s concept style and took it to a whole new level.
Actions
Reply To This
Author

oLahav

Authority 712

Vote

Current Rating

0

Rate Up

Rate Down

No Votes
Post Comments
Add Comment

Your Reply
chandra_avinash said – Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:25:42 -0000 ( Flag Edit Mark / Unmark Best Link )

I guess it’s the other way round! Alan Parsons was the sound engineer for Floyd. But yeah, they do have their own unique music.

The best part of the concert was when they started jamming and played the intro riff for “Layla”. The other one was when they played the intro to “Shine on” and then commented – “that’s a story for another lifetime”!

Cheers!
Actions
Reply To This
Author

chandra_avinash

Authority 608

Vote

Current Rating

0

Rate Up

Rate Down

No Votes
Post Comments
Add Comment

Your Reply
zeitgeist said – Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:07:27 -0000 ( Flag Edit Mark / Unmark Best Link )

its cliched and in everyone’s fav list but IT…....HAS….....TO….....BE…........LED ZEP!
Actions
1 Reply
Author

zeitgeist

Authority 47

Vote

Current Rating

0

Rate Up

Rate Down

No Votes
Post Comments
1. avicster said – Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:16:28 -0000 ( Flag Edit Link )
  
  Easy tiger! :P
  I agree, but Led Zep isn’t my only favorite. Pink Floyd is right up there too. There are a LOT of other bands I love, but these two are many cuts above the rest. It’s mostly subjective,but for me the criteria for “favorite” is the ratio of songs you’re head-over-heels in love with to songs you’ve heard (minimum 10).
  
  Somebody told me “geeky” is the new cool. Hasn’t worked yet.
  
  Rating
  
  0
  
  Rate Up
  
  Author
  
  avicster
  
  Authority 310
Add Comment

Your Reply
oLahav said – Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:07:16 -0000 ( Flag Edit Mark / Unmark Best Link )

Led Zeppelin is definitely up there with the greatest… they invented a genre, but were versatile enough to create things out of that style too. I hope they do decide to have some sort of a reunion eventually, for more than one show anyway.
Actions
Reply To This
Author

oLahav

Authority 712

Vote

Current Rating

0

Rate Up

Rate Down

No Votes
Post Comments
Add Comment

Your Reply
lucyinthesky said – Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:58:47 -0000 ( Flag Edit Mark / Unmark Best Link )

Actually…Queen could be the best rock band, when I think about how their anthems are so loved all around the world.
Actions
1 Reply
Author

lucyinthesky

Authority 727

Vote

Current Rating

0

Rate Up

Rate Down

No Votes
Post Comments
1. oLahav said – Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:30:19 -0000 ( Flag Edit Link )
  
  You know, I think a lot of people would agree with you. It’s no doubt that Mercury had one of the best voices in history, and their composition team was so great that every member of the band had different classics attached to their name. It’s no wonder that a few of their songs became so big, they’re pretty much on a league of their own.
  
  But to be honest, there’s something that always bothered me with their music. As great as they are, sometimes their songs don’t entirely “connect” in the right way. Not with me anyway, and I can’t point out why that is… (Roger Taylor’s backing vocals may have something to do with it, or the whole messed up period where they tried to experiment with different styles and ended up with mixes that were brutal). I mean, they’re catchy, but maybe there’s such a thing as too catchy. I’d liked to have seen more rough stuff I guess is what I’m trying to say, Queen doesn’t have that.
  
  Rating
  
  0
  
  Rate Up
  
  Author
  
  oLahav
  
  Authority 712
Add Comment

Your Reply
lucyinthesky said – Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:42:48 -0000 ( Flag Edit Mark / Unmark Best Link )

I think their work is fairly accessible. Maybe their music comes off as too theatrical or something? It’s all very happy and dramatic for the most part. When I look at Bohemian Rhapsody and the way that melody is composed my head goes numb.
Actions
Reply To This
Author

lucyinthesky

Authority 727

Vote

Current Rating

0

Rate Up

Rate Down

No Votes
Post Comments
Add Comment

Your Reply