Surfing on a tidal wave of hubris, I have selected the Top Ten Rock Bands of all time for MSNBC, and while I was at it, thrown in the Top Ten Rock Songs also. I already have a flood of emails respectfully begging to differ with my selections and/or questioning my sanity - the more the merrier.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Craig Lyndall
I can't stand the dead, but their contribution to the culture of the music industry and their fanbase and everything is too big to be ignored.
27 - Craig Lyndall
Nirvana was Grunge ROCK. I could see arguing the others, but to argue that Nirvana isn't rock and roll because they are considered a sub-genre (grunge) of rock and roll, then you are more than ignorant.
28 - Andrew Ian Dodge
How about Iron Maiden or Black Sabbath? Both bands were far more influential than Nirvana (after all Grunge was very Sabbath-esque). And no Queen is pretty tough to stomach as well.
29 - Hewetson
No Aerosmith? Dude, I know you limited it to ten bands but not even an honorable mention? For me, I have enjoyed Aerosmith's music over the years as much if not more than anyone in your top 10. Again, its all subjective, but that's my opinion.
30 - Eric Olsen
MH, I - obviously - disagree on several levels. To state that the Velvets and Dead aren't among the most influential bands of all time is just plain wrong. There is no punk or alternative rock without the Velvets and no group EVER has more loyal fans than the Dead, who have spawned the entire jam band way of life.
You are also just wrong about Sly and reggae. The Family Stone was as much a rock band as anything else, as their Woodstock performance amply demonstrates; and reggae is directly derived from New Orleans-style rock 'n' roll.
The songs probably should be titled the "Rock Era" rather than just rock - I'll give you that one.
31 - Eric Olsen
It is interesting to see this much support for Aerosmith, they have a few great albums but I don't really see much influence: if they were removed from rock history it wouldn't look all that different.
Andrew, Black Sabbath is on the honorable mention list. I would put Metallica ahead of Iron Maiden for metal.
32 - JT
Eric,
Congratulations on showing your true age… I have never seen a top ten rock band list worst than the one you posted. While I will admit I agree with a few of them… it again is only a few. I have to ask what about Aerosmith? A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and all the adversity they had to over come to get to the point they are at make them one of the best bands ever. A band that is so highly thought of they are doing movie sound tracks, Super Bowl half time shows, GAP commercials, NFL commercials, a band that is so highly thought of that Kiss will go out and tour with. Aerosmith is a band that is list by many of today’s hot groups as an influence… don’t you read any other articles other than your own?
I am only thirty two… I know people older than fifty that think Aerosmith is one of the best bands ever, even my nine year old loves there music. Don’t you think that a band that can appeal to so many different age groups would be classified as one of they best bands of all time?
Getting back to the Kiss thing… where are they on that list?
33 - Jeff Peace
I cannot take your top 10 list seriously without Deep Purple included. They were not even on your honorable mention list. That is quite an oversight.
34 - mark simpson
This is a list seen through the rosy filter of times gone by. The only one of these bands who has done anything of note in the last 15 or 20 years is U2. Sly and the Family Stone bigger than AC/DC, Metallica, or Van Halen? Give me a break. And what about Nirvana, Pearl Jam, STP, or even Queen? The list is all great bands, but where's the objectivity?
35 - Eric Olsen
Just because a band isn't on the list doesn't mean they aren't excellent or even great. They just aren't in the very top echelon, in my opinion. There are all kinds of bands in the Rock Hall who aren't on the list.
36 - Evan
Mr. Olsen,
I cannot believe you did not include Queen. They were extremely influential, extremely talented, and very cutting edge. I have heard many interviews with bands that say how influenced they were by Queen. If you remember, until 1980's "The Game" they never used any synthesizers! All of the sounds you heard were by pure talent! Everything you heard on "A Night at the Opera" including Bohemian Rhapsody were done sans synthesizers. Queen was a hell of a lot more than "We Will Rock You." Also, to inclde Outkast in the top 10 songs of all time, and not even think about Bohemian Rhapsody is ridiculous. I would like to know who decided you are such an authority on rock music, because they obviously need to have their head examined.
37 - Eric Olsen
The list isn't the "biggest" bands, it's the bands I think are the best and most important. And yes, this is looking at the big picture over 50 years of rock history.
38 - Eric Olsen
Queen isn't on the list because they put out as much godawful shit as they did great or even good songs. I would exclude them for "Bohemian Rhapsody" alone.
39 - sheri
I agree with Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit. There were quite a few excellent bands who contributed to the culture of the 90's ...Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots... but Nirvana DEFINED the era.My opinion.
40 - rlplan
I thought your list was a pretty good effort. Earth, Wind & Fire by the criteria you used to select your top ten bands should without a doubt be on the list probably in place of Sly & the Family Stone.
Let us no forget Queen easily a better choice over the Greatful dead. The Romones are also questionable as well as Velvet Underground.
How can U2 be selected and not Nirvana? On the whole though not a bad effort.
41 - Webster
I read with great disappointment the "10 Best Bands" ever. I simply and cannot believe that the author(s) did not include The Four Seasons. This group was an incredible band that wrote and produced many, many, many of their own songs and introduced new drumbeats, sounds, extraordinary vocals and harmonies, the likes of which were never heard before, or since!!
The amazing falsetto's that Frankie Valli warbled inspired every young boy in the country to emulate the high-pitched sounds of "Sherry", "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Dawn", "Working My Way Back To You", "Marlena", "Candy Girl" and the list goes on and on and on.... and these are just the hit sides!!
Some of their greatest songs, albeit less popular (except amongst true fans), were the "B" sides; these included such songs such as "Beggin",
"Huggin My Pillow", "Pity", "One Clown Cried",
"Too Many Memories", and so many more that it's just impossible to do them justice here.
From their humble beginnings as "The Four Seasons" through their experiment as "The Wonder Who", to their growth/maturity into "Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons" to Frankie Valli's solo career this was, and still is, one of the greatest bands that ever performed.
I guess you would have had to live during the times when this band performed and whose recordings were constantly being played on the radio to really appreciate the sounds and the staying power of this group. After 40 years, I can still recall all of the the lyrics of every one of their songs immediately upon hearing the first chord of any one of their songs or the first wail of Frankie Valli's powerful falsetto's.
I challenge the author(s), researchers of this article to go back and really listen to the power, the driving rhythms, the never-ending-energy that The Four Seasons performances / recordings produced. If you do, I am certain that you will amend your list and include - not just as honorable mention - but as part of the top 10 -the memorable group (which was also a band) which will live forever....THE FOUR SEASONS.
42 - Eric Olsen
Thanks rlplan, to answer your last question, U2 has been around for over 20 years with great albums sprinkled throughout, and Nirvana really only had one great album (in my opinion!!).
43 - Mark Saleski
Queen isn't on the list because they put out as much godawful shit as they did great or even good songs.
c'mon eric, you love that "I Want To Ride My Bicycle" song....admit it now!!
44 - sheri
But are we talking about the best bands/songs in terms of the quality of the music, or the song/bands role in influencing an entire generation? Guys were dying their hair blonde to look like Kurt Cobain. Picking up guitars for the first time.
45 - HUBIE
I guess you don't include many American bands unless they have something to do with political correctness.
Dude .... you left out the Dan. You left out Steely Dan. Are you nuts ?? This article is all about the 70's.. and you leave out the art and the archetype of Steely Dan ...
HELLO !!
46 - Eric Olsen
I love Steely Dan but they are too insular and eccentric for something like this - i don't see them as havign much influence beyond themselves. But there is no doubting their greatness.
Sheri, I tried to weigh my favorites with my conception of "best," with influence, with cultural significance. I wish Nirvana had been around a while longer - it is possible that in 20 years they will be viewed much like the Velvet Underground, in which case they will make that list. None of this is written in stone.
47 - HUBIE
OK, Eric, well, let me put it this way ..
Who died and made you potentate of a popular civilization in Britain and America ? Led Zep did wail, but in the end they were about selling records period... You don't include Springsteen, you know, Born in the USA ? Asbury Park, NJ ? Ever heard of it ? No Elvis Costello or Joe Jackson for you either ? You don't acknowledge the Cars ? Or the Allmans or Little Feat ? No Queen ? Talking Heads for that matter ? The better, artistically alive material of Bowie and Billy Joel don't make your list.
I was there, I lived it when FM was a beacon for America. I think you've got a little too much bubble gum fouling up your transistor radio.
48 - Eric Olsen
Hubie, I only had ten spots for bands and ten for songs. Springsteen, Allmans and Bowie are all in honorable mention.
49 - Ms. Tek
I would have to very respectfully disagree with this list.
In fact, the whole idea of the "ten top rock bands and songs EVER" kinda just kills anything in the future or things that may have not caught on at all.
Radiohead I find interesting because radiohead has spawned so many knock offs (at least in the UK and Europe) its not even funny. Pulp has some very witty lyrics. Suede as well. I think rock history would look very different if Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, or The Sex Pistols had never come along... Jimi Hendrex played a mean guitar. The Afghan Whigs- once again lyrics and doing a good fusion of R&B soul into rock.
I just can't see there being a "top ten".
50 - Eric Olsen
There is only a Top Ten if we say there is.
51 - sheri
I agree with you Eric.What qualifies a band to be in this category,in my opinion, is/was their ability to facilitate change in culture.
I can point to Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and say that there is where big hair went bye-bye.Welcome grunge, alternative, and Alanis Morisette. We became suddenly sentimental about the 60's and 70's,and there was a renewal of interest in older bands such as Pink Floyd.
Other bands may have been just as good if not better, but they were kind of there and riding the wave, maybe brought to our attention from obscurity because of the sudden shift in music trend.
52 - hubie
I agree with Ms. Tek : there is little point to some sort of Letterman Top Ten.
The art band from Ohio, DEVO, said a lot in their signature song when they relate that .... "Critics and teachers - they all dance the poot.." "Are we not men ?"
53 - Ms. Tek
=(
I see. The "We". Is that the "royal" we or the "I have many voices in my head " we?
54 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Sheri, and I agree Nirvana and Pearl Jam were hugely influential. Too bad PJ sort of petered out pretty quickly - they looked like world beaters after the first album.
55 - Mark Saleski
the funny thing is that first the hair bands petered out (because of grunge) and we became sentimental about the 60s/70s...then at some point the aggro rap-metal took over and we became nostalgic for the hair bands.
(ok...maybe it was just me)
56 - Ms. Tek
Ah, sheri... if I were to go with that, then why are the Sex Pistols not listed? Malcom McLaren and his "boy band" of the 70's certainly is the reason why "goths", "new wave", and even "grunge" ever came about. And it WAS the Sex Pistols and not any other "Punk" band at the time that really got the kids into wearing safety pins and the whole DIY thing. Sure, there were other "punk" bands at the time- but no other punk band had as far reaching influence, not even "The Clash".
I guess that is why the top ten never makes sense to me. Q magin teh UK likes to to a top 100 it seems every year. I agree with it far more than the top 100 that Rolling Stone or any other Yankee mag puts out because they tend to put more bands on it that may not be popular with the masses, but are popular with musicians, and therefore are IMHO more influential. Still, they always seem to be missing someone who I think is important to the evolution of music.
I do miss Select Magazine, however. *cry*
Eric, if you know of a way for me to somehow get a press pass for this event. I would love to cover it and get some heads up for things over the Pond. I have a most excellent photographer that I know in Scotland as well. ;)
57 - sheri
MsTek, here's the difference.And this is just from my perspective. I had never listened to the Sex Pistols until I heard Nirvana. Maybe I can find a better way of articualting it, but until then, that's the best I can do. :0)
58 - sheri
*articulating, spell check, if anyone cares
59 - Ms. Tek
I can understand what you are trying to say. =)
If you are interested in Punk and some of the pre-history of "alternative music" please check out these books. I cannot recommend them enough!
England's Dreaming Focuses on the Punk Movement in the UK
Please Kill Me Focuses on the Punk Movement in the US.
Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs Johnny Rotten (John Lydon)'s biography. I love this guy... hes a hoot!
60 - Mark Saleski
hey, not bad....59 comments and not one mention of Slash.
it's still early tho...
61 - Ms. Tek
Uh.. you just mentioned Slash.
62 - Eric Olsen
TEk, just get in touch with the promoters and tell them you want to cover it for Blogcritics - I will verify and confirm. This applies to all Blogcritics who want to review concerts. You have to make the contact but I will be happy to verify, give support info or whatever. More reviews of live shows!!
Re the Sex Pistols: they aren't on here for the same reason they aren't in the Rock Hall (at least yet) - they only made one freaking album.
63 - Mark Saleski
(**shhh***...but i didn't say "Where's Slash?!")
64 - sheri
Thanks, I'll defo give it a looksie :0)
Slash...hasn't he been around since God was born? ;0)
65 - Eric Olsen
he is prominently featured in Jews Who Rock
66 - JR
WHERE'S QUEEN?!?!?!
67 - Ms. Tek
Thaks Eric. I'll see what I can do. I have a few contacts in Scotland who do events... Maybe one of them will know who exactly I need to speak with.
68 - Blayne
Not a bad job for such a daunting task. Most modern bands DON'T belong here -they are just carrying on what many others started way before them - sorry youngsters.... (including BORING RadioHEAD) 1 telling point - what would have happened if one of these bands never existed? Based on that criteria the list is good except for U2. They don't belong - PERIOD. Aerosmith should NOT be here - because with no Zep (or Yardbirds for that matter) there wouldn't have been an Aerosmith (and I luv these guys, don't get me wrong). And by that same criteria Buddy Holly and the Crickets SHOULD - the FIRST real Rock 'n Roll band. Metallica (fathers of modern metal) and Nirvana (fathers of grunge) SHOULD for that same reason (but you'd need more than 10 slots). And replace Velvet Underground with the Doors. Same essential legacy (and VU was very good) but the Doors were WAY more popular and WAY better musicians. And throw out Pink Floyd and replace them w/ Sabbath -the major influence on all Metal bands. Bob Marley had major influence but..... I think reggae would have happened regardless. Throw him out too. One last point HENDRIX!! The FATHER of modern rock guitar! I know that had to be a tuff one to leave him out but I understand why you did. Perhaps Van Halen should have been here - that's a group w/ an astonishing influence on rock guitar as we know it - but not as much as Hendrix. The Dead? Other than Garcia they could barely play..... I'd take the Allman Bros for a jam band before them (but they do have a big legacy, God knows why - too many drugs maybe?). But you can't make everyone happy! Now your song list - OH GOD!! OUTKAST?????
69 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Blayne, good points all, although "musicianship" is only one criterion and not necessarily among the most important. I didn't only use influence and the "It's a Wonderful Life" factor to select either, though. The Doors and Crickets could have eaily made it, and did make honorable mention. Hendrix I am lumping in with the solo+band guys.
70 - hubie
If only OutKast were to be cast out with all the other THUG hoodlum crack prison rape and robbery acts that actually sell records now. And ..... that make the 8 song playlist for Clear Channel in a thousand "markets" across North America and beyond.
71 - sheri
OutKast needs to stay off the Native American platform. The least they could have done, was a little homework.Feathers are a sacred symbol.
72 - Donald Lee
The Who are clearly in top 5 before Sly and Stone, Ramones and Velvet Underground. Think of what the who did: Monterrey Pop, Woodstock, Who's Next, 40 years of touring. Tommy (inventing the whole concept album genre). I can imagine a world without the Velvet Underground -- not the Who.
73 - andy
I think that people are confusing longevity or numbers w/ influence.
Sly and the Family Stone was DEFINATELY a rock and roll band. Anyone who disagrees probably never listened to them, just saw that they had black people in the band and passed them off as funk. But Sly changed the way albums were produced. That heavy bass and drum drive on so many rock albums origionated w/ them.
The Velvet Underground-like someone else said, alternative, punk, ect. would NOT exist w/out these guys.
As far as Nirvana...no band from my generation inspired kids to pick up a guitar more. They were important because they did what the Ramones did almost 20 years before....made rock adn roll rock and roll again. Brought it down to it's essentials. Put the "passion" back into it. God knows what would have happened if they didn't break through to the main stream(cause Fugazi certainly wouldn't swallow their pride and do it)
74 - Douglas Mays
Oh Eric, I love how your blog subject matter is sure open to attack. Yet another list that is impossible to narrow down to 1000. It is all so subjective. Like a beauty contest, who is prettiest depends on the judge's preference. I would love to see an ugly pageant.
Anyway, off the top of my head, let me name a few songs that rock me.
'Can't You Hear Me Knockin'' by the Rolling Stones. A great song at 2am while on a LSD-cocaine-chronic high. Then you discover it is a great song when clean. It reactivates the drugs.
'Franklin Towers' by the Grateful Dead. Song craftiness is defined in many ways.
'Rainy Day-1984' by Jimi Hendrix. The lead off tracks on the 3rd side of Electric Ladyland. I don't know if the title is correct, the coffee is still tryin' to kick in. I just got up. A great piece orchestrated in the studio.
'Memphis' by Faces. A Chuck Berry classic interpreted so well by Faces.
'Kentucky Woman' by Deep Purple. A great interpretation of a Niel Diamond song.
'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' by the Beatles. Don't you just get a rush when the album kicks into that track? Ringo's drum beats and simulated live audience...
'Mad Again' by X-15. If only the recording industry discovered Seattle a few years earlier. Kurt, Chris, Eddy and others can tip their hats to these guys.
'What Goes On' by Velvet Underground. Well, they were in the top band picks, so I happen to like that song of theirs.
Oh man, I can't narrow this list down to 1000 picks. Alot of songs are a case of the right song at the right time in life, etc. Unless we are all robots with the exact same life and programming, the top 10 will never be agreed upon.
For instance, I like the song 'Greasy Heart' by the Jefferson Airplane. And Grand Funk Railroad or Ten Years After had some crafty works that can't be discounted. Elvis did some great stuff (Hound Dog or In the Ghetto). Well, Big Mama Thorton's version of Hound Dog remains the killer. Or how about?......
The list goes on and on and on... no one is wrong except to slam someone else about their choice.
75 - Eric Olsen
Douglas, great songs all, although I don't know X15 - who are they?
Thanks Andy, glad to hear from a real working musician!
Donald, I love the Who truly and don't deny anything you say - just thought the others are even more important.