We put it to a vote, and these are our selections for the greatest American Bands of all time. The USA restriction wipes out The Beatles, Stones, U2 and lots of other acts that usually show up on the best-of lists. Most of these selections had their best years in the '70s, and many are still active. California bands got a lot of love in this one.
Here are our picks for the Best American Bands, as chosen by the Songfacts community.
Here are our picks for the Best American Bands, as chosen by the Songfacts community.
10. Steely Dan
Key Tracks:
Rikki Don't Lose That Number
Deacon Blues
Kid Charlemagne
Donald Fagen and Walter Becker of Steely Dan are kind of like the Keith Olbermann's of music - highly intelligent with a slight air of superiority and meticulous in their work. Kenny Vance, who recorded them when they were in Jay and The Americans, told us that Becker and Fagen were indeed odd ducks, but they always had depth and wrote in a way that "the whole song is a hook."
Nominated by Yellowsnow
9. R.E.M.
Key Tracks:
Losing My Religion
The One I Love
Shiny Happy People
Early on, R.E.M. decided to split songwriting credits, which kept royalty disputes at bay. They started out in 1980 as a quirky college band and quickly became quirky superstars. What do they have over everyone else on this list? They're the only ones to appear on Sesame Street.
Nominated by Lucky
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers
Key Tracks:
Under the Bridge
Californication
Give It Away
In the mid-'80s, you wouldn't have pegged these guys for massive Rock impact - they were too raucous and too naked. Their strength is their ability to turn their many Behind The Music moments into meaningful songs. A proud American export, RHCP has been well-loved in the UK for quite a while, where the scathing rock press took to them quickly.
Nominated by Farin
7. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Key Tracks:
American Girl
Learning To Fly
Refugee
Formed in 1975, these guys have nailed just about every rock star milestone - MTV awards, Hall of Fame induction, Superbowl halftime show - and they have a way of showing up on other projects with when something great happens. Petty was in The Traveling Wilburys with Dylan, Harrison, Orbison and Lynne, and showed up on the last episode of The Larry Sanders Show. Heartbreaker Mike Campbell came up with the track for "Boys Of Summer" and played on "Sixth Avenue Heartache" for Dylan's kid.
Nominated by MC Kenne
6. The Beach Boys
Key Tracks:
Good Vibrations
Sloop John B
God Only Knows
Lots of ink has been shed describing the genius of Brian Wilson, and there were definitely a few years where he was pushing the limits of what a song could do. What is sometimes lost is the harmony vocals that made those Beach Boys songs so listenable and so timeless.
Nominated by RonJonSurfer
5. Lynyrd Skynyrd
Key Tracks:
Simple Man
Free Bird
Sweet Home Alabama
Southern Rock is unlikely to ever get better. They pride themselves on keeping it simple, but judging from the comments their songs have racked up, they are a lot more intriguing than they claim. They are also one of the most resilient bands in history, recognized in the Guiness Book of World Records for carrying on for the longest time after the deaths of two original members.
Nominated by Shawna
4. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
Key Tracks:
Born To Run
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
Thunder Road
Bruce and the band showed remarkable stage stamina, often playing 3-4 hour sets. Music was the only job Springsteen ever had, yet he knew just how to relate to us working stiffs. He would regularly show up on stage with bar bands even when he was immensely popular.
Nominated by Laurie
3. Eagles
Key Tracks:
Hotel California
Take It Easy
Take It To The Limit
In 1994, the Eagles decided they were worth $100 a ticket, and they had no problem getting it. For a while, their Greatest Hits album even challenged Thriller for sales supremacy. Their distinction on this list is three members who have had hits as solo artists: Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Glenn Frey.
Nominated by Shawna
2. The Doors
Key Tracks:
Light My Fire
Hello I Love You
L.A. Woman
Probably the most polarizing group on this list, the Songfactors overall have a positive view of The Doors enigmatic sound. They made just 6 albums and were better known for Jim Morrison's misadventures than for their music, but the songs have shown remarkable staying power and continue to dominate classic rock playlists.
Nominated by Yellowsnow
1. Creedence Clearwater Revival
Key Tracks:
Proud Mary
Bad Moon Rising
Fortunate Son
Our #1 band never had a #1 hit, but they hit #2 five times and took Swamp Rock to new heights. They were really big in that magical year 1969, when they played Woodstock and had three different albums go platinum.
Nominated by Laurie
August 23, 2011
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