29 Comments
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Marty Slagter's avatar

While I don’t agree with it, there have been pretty convincing arguments that the Grateful Dead are the greatest American band. I love CCR and would probably choose them as mine as the most logical choice. Maybe Fugazi or The Replacements for my own personal choices.

Alex O'Brien's avatar

Yes, the Grateful Dead are contenders for sure - a great band. I love the Replacements. I need to listen more to Fugazi.

Chad Wakefield's avatar

Of the 4 probably CCR. I could make an argument for Aerosmith within this era also. But I’ll go Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers as a wild card. More modern era Band of Horses.

Alex O'Brien's avatar

No worries at all!

Alex O'Brien's avatar

I love that era Aerosmith. And I really love Tom Petty. I was keeping artists with backing bands out of this, otherwise I would have said that Bruce Springsteen tops my list.

Chad Wakefield's avatar

lol. Sorry man. Went a little rogue on your piece.

Chuck Marshall's avatar

I feel the Doors are overrated. Tough call between CCR and The Eagles. I'd have to give it to CCR

Alex O'Brien's avatar

I'm with you on CCR. I love the Doors and am a huge Jim Morrison fan, but wouldn't rank them as high.

Jackson Hinshaw's avatar

easily CCR

many of their songs still seem fresh today

several Eagle songs are frankly overplayed and are no longer appealing

MHO

Alex O'Brien's avatar

Yes, CCR’s songs sound very fresh today!

James Orenchak's avatar

The Greatful Dead.

Alex O'Brien's avatar

A great choice!

Lynn Rugh's avatar

I recall holding Eagles’ Greatest more than once and always deciding the only thing I want to hear is ‘Life in the Fast Lane.’

Alex O'Brien's avatar

'Life in the Fast Lane' is a wonderful song for sure!

Tom C's avatar

When I think Big Lebowski, I think The Man in Me from Dylan's best album, New Morning.

Alex O'Brien's avatar

Yes, 'The Man in Me' is just perfect in 'The Big Lebowski.' Sets the perfect mood right at the beginning.

Tom C's avatar

Is that equalizer noisy as hell?

Alex O'Brien's avatar

I haven't noticed it creating any noise or other problems.

Tom C's avatar

When you move the controls.

Duncan McWilliam's avatar

Little Feat, no brainer

Alex O'Brien's avatar

A great band and contender for the title!

Rae Roer's avatar

I talked about this album back in Feb as part of my FF at 50. I bought this when it came out & represents my fave era of the band. Then they kinda lost me, while I never knew it at the time, in ended up agreeing with The Dude.

Alex O'Brien's avatar

It was a wonderful era. I love the 'Hotel California' album too.

Andrew Diemand's avatar

If we're talking great American bands, The Grateful Dead, The Band, and The Velvet Underground absolutely have to be part of the conversation, to name just a few others. For me, "the greatest" is an arbitrary distinction, though The Grateful Dead easily had the most formative impact on me in my youth.

And I will always, forever tout The Replacements (The 'Mats to those in the know) as one of my all-time favorite bands. They WERE American rock 'n' roll.

Alex O'Brien's avatar

All wonderful bands, indeed! I love the Replacements. Us Canadians usually consider The Band Canadian, though Levon of course was American. I agree that 'greatest' is an arbitrary distinction - I usually try to avoid it because I absolutely love so many bands and usually see no reason to compare them that way.

Andrew Diemand's avatar

I know they're MOSTLY Canadian, but they just had such an "American" sound (if that makes sense), and I just always picture them up at Big Pink in Woodstock, NY ;)

Alex O'Brien's avatar

Yes, they were instrumental in helping create the great 'Americana' roots sound.

Memory Lane Records's avatar

That’s like asking me to pick my favourite parent Alex, I just can’t do it. 🤣

I grew up on them all, they all mean so much to me in many different ways and I have so many memories tied to each.

Superb album that I’ve worn out so much on my turntable that it sounds terrible. Time to buy a new copy I think 😁

Alex O'Brien's avatar

Yes, as a youth and young man I would often name my favourite bands, but over time I've grown to absolutely love the work of so many bands and artists I too usually find it best not to compare them that way.