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.…
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— go to most recent comments76 - Douglas Mays
Oh yeah, I can think of a bunch of Who songs while I'm at it. Can't Explain, My Wife, Behind Blue Eyes, Underture (instrumental off of Tommy, highlights the fact that Keith Moon WAS a great drummer) and more and more....
77 - Douglas Mays
Eric,
Ah, X-15. I'm showing a bit of my age. But what I am refering to is the music from Seattle that created the whole grunge explosion. The actual punk era ('75-'85) output from that town is really outstanding. Here in Seattle we know it sure beats anything Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, etc. ever did. But it takes stuff like that to get the industry to look your way.
Go to www.cdbaby.com/x-15. It will give you a taste of what primed the grunge youngster's pumps. There is alot more history available from the EMP museum, City of Seattle music archives, etc..
Anyway, like any scene, who was the REAL first beat poet? Ginsberg, Kesey? Of course not. The jewels are buried somewhere.
78 - Al Barger
As to Queen, they really wouldn't qualify as one of the top 10 greatest BANDS. They certainly had some skills, but they really had absolutely NO roll to go with their rock. For example, contrast their original "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" to the superior Dwight Yoakam cover.
On the other hand, they have at least several individual songs which would be good candidates for a top 10 or top 100 list, most obviously "We Are the Champions" and "Bohemian Rhapsody." I have some less renowned personal faves that would make outstanding less popular and thus less obvious picks, especially "I Want It All" and "Spread Your Wings."
79 - hubie
The B-52's were in left field - but they hit the groove and for 10 million suburban boomer college students across the land they proved that the southern Atlanta scene definitely had a rock of it's own. If you accept the cheesey label of "rock" to start with. Forget the stupid ditty "Love Shack" - how about "Private Idaho" or "Planet Strange" instead ?
80 - Bill Sherman
Harrumph, no New York Dolls. (Bill stalks off, muttering to himself. . .)
81 - Douglas Mays
Oh Eric,
Here is a good reference of what I am talking about (above). Go to Amazon.com and look up the book 'LOSER: the Real Seattle Music Story' by Clark Humphrey.
A good research into the actual validity of the music from here.
Thanx man
82 - mike ahern
no jimi hendrix experience?
the entire list automaticaly invalidates itself with that one simple exclusion.
83 - Southern Belle
To Al B,
Hi, I'd just like to say this:
Dwight Yokam wouldn't have had anything to "improve" if it hadn't been for the original song by Queen, right?
Some other great songs by Queen, IMO:
'39, Made In Heaven, Somebody to Love, Brighton Rock.
Diversity, along with obvious musical talent, is the biggest strength in Queen's music (this again IMO), and to quote myself: nobody is perfect. Some of their stuff is less than great.
84 - Peter Duray-Bito
I think this needs to be further distilled.
Is everyone agreed you can't remove the Beatles or the Stones?
85 - Peter Duray-Bito
I agree with the poster on the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Actually belongs in the top five.
86 - Peter Duray-Bito
I can only get to a top Five:
The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
Led Zeppelin
The Who
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
After this, it gets fuzzy.
I don't believe it's possible to replace any of the five above.
U2? Forget it. Maybe top 25.
The Grateful Dead were a great jam band but don't qualify as a major contributor to the rock song catalog.
The Ramones? Not even top 25.
Pink Floyd is a strong number six on my list, but what about Cream?
Bob Marley and Sly Stone are both derivative offshoots.
87 - Larry Finley
I can understand the inclusion of some of these bands in your list, but the exclusion of bands like The Who, The Allman Brothers Band (the original), and The Jimi Hendrix Experience is simply inexcusable. As for stating that the Rolling Stones are a better live band now than in the 70s, I must disagree. I base this on comparing their shows from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and later. I have a number of Stones imports of shows from the 70s and have heard shows from the other decades. There is really no comparison, the shows they put on from 1969 to around 1974 are among the finest live performances by any band, ever. Not to say their recent performances are bad, currently they can still blow away most of the active bands in the world. But back then, they had something to prove. The live performances & studio albums by bands like The Who, ABB, and Hendrix should put them far above groups like The Ramones. How do The Ramones rank over The Who? We could discuss this ad nauseam, most likely we would agree to disagree.
88 - mwanji
No-one's willing to admit that the Four Seasons comment is at the top of the Top 10 comments to Eric's original post.
89 - Ms. Tek
I saw part of the Rolling Stones when they opened their last tour at Soilder Field here in Chicago.
OMG... It was awful!! I was waiting for the nurse to come on stage and help these guys out.
Which is funny, because Bowie is just as old, and I think he's still a "ROCK STAR". I am hoping to see him this summer in Scotland.
Also, U2... I LOVE early U2, however they are a rock band. I don't think they are all that. Not innovative or anything like that.
(but you better not take my U2 cds away from me!!)
90 - Eric Olsen
HENDRIX IS NOT A BAND - HENDRIX IS A SOLO ARTIST WHO HAD MORE THAN ONE BACKUP BAND. HENDRIX DOES NOT QUALIFY.
Re the Stones live, I was talking about post Mick Taylor '70s. I saw them (I think) four times in the '70s and they were better both in '89 and last year. I do not dispute the greatness of the Taylor-era Stones live.
And Bob Marley and Sly Stone are derivative offshoots of what exactly? Each is as original as anyone else on the list.
What many commenters seem to not grasp is that this list is based on many criteria, regarding which, I believe I defined reasonably well in the story. This isn't the list of the bands with the best body of songs, nor the best live, nor the greatest influence, but ALL OF THE ABOVE and more.
Everyone is more than welcome to give their opinions and discuss this, that and my asshairs, but if you are going to directly criticize the list, please do so on its own terms, not terms you make up.
91 - Mark Saleski
U2's Edge was a pretty innovative guitar player. his whole 'chimey' sound was a new thing.
92 - Eric Olsen
Yes, the Four Seasons comment surely had the benefits of passion and eccentricity.
93 - Ms. Tek
Eric,
You will need to post a picture of your asshair if we are to discuss it. ;)
94 - Chris Kent
How can ANY top-10 Rock Band list be complete without Molly Hatchet?!
95 - Jon Sullivan
Maybe at least the Moody Blues should get honorable mention. Their Days of Future Past LP set the stage for a slew of concept bands such as Jethro Tull, and of course Pink Floyd. Their use of full orchestration also was innovative and because of it's success influenced the Who to record Tommy with full orchestra. Does it make them the greatest band.. don't know about that, but I do believe they were an influence in the changing of rock in the late 60's and early 70's.
96 - Peter Duray-Bito
The Jimi Hendrix Experience consisted of Hendrix, Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding. When Hendrix replaced them with Buddy Miles and Billy Cox, he renamed the band Band of Gypsies.
The interplay between Hendrix, Mitchell and Redding absolutely qualifies as a band as much as John, Paul, George and Ringo.
97 - hubie
Eric : How about Crosby Stills Nash and Young ? Were they a "band", or some other kind of "derivative" or something. ... Wouldn't you put "Wooden Ships" or "Almost Cut My Hair" right up there with anything that you might deem to be epochal ?
I know CSNY is way too ancient for the Seattle re-emergence, etc., but if you are trying to write history here, and let's face it that's what you're doing, then it should be accurate.
98 - duane
All this quibbling. God, I hate to sound like a kissass, but I think Eric's band list is pretty much unassailable. If you're all happy with Led Zeppelin being in the Top 10, then any other band that will share the podium had better be HUGE in more than one way. That means Deep Purple, Queen, The Four Seasons, New York Dolls, the B52s, etc., just don't qualify.
Edge was definitely innovative, with the jangly guitar sound. Not enough. Jack Bruce was an innovative bassist, but no Cream on the list. U2 gets points across the board, however. I might mention The Eagles, Bowie (as above), CSN, REM, The Who (as above), The Moody Blues, and others, but I wouldn't argue that they're Top 10 material.
And where's Sla .... oh, nevermind.
I will refrain from commenting on Eric's asshairs for the time being, however.
99 - Eric Olsen
Hubie, CSNY was a band once in a while, they qualify, but they really only made a couple of important albums. If you wre to take the collected works of all the band members (in particular Neil Young) you would have something very impressive, but as a unit they were fleeting.
Peter, yes, the Experience were a band, but Hendrix was the whole show as opposed to, say, the Wailers which had Bunny and Tosh contributing for several years and then was still a cohesive recording and performing unit after they left.
I am not for one second downplaying Hendrix's importance or greatness, etc., but the Experience and Band of Gypsies were there to back up Hendrix - they wre backup bands. It's ludicrous to compare them to the Beatles.
Ms. Tek, it's asshairS, sister.
100 - Chris Kent
That Molly Hatchet Flirtin' With Disaster album ranks right up there with The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.....!
101 - JACKHAMMER
Dude : You are a kissass.
102 - Mark Saleski
man, i love Flirtin' With Disaster.
i was going somewhere one night with my stepson and brought that cd with me.
he comment was that he liked the music but couldn't deal with a singer who sounded like Kermit the Frog.
crap.
103 - Chris Kent
Better Kermit the Frog than Tom Petty I always say......
104 - Blayne
Just want to add another defense of Eric. Sly Stone was the father of funk. Ask any well known funk artist and they'll tell you - Sly was their major influence (ask Herbie Hancock!) so I can see why they are there. Now we need to argue, is funk a part of this RR list? If we agree, then Sly & The Family Stone has to be there. And as someone else rightly pointed out - they ROCK too! You saw Woodstock right? Maybe Parliament/Funkadelic should be there too! If not, then they go but how can anyone deny the influence of Motown on ALL RR? So if we need at least one "soul/funk/R&B" artist (and I would say we MUST - RR IS black music!!), then Sly is as good or better as any band to be there.
105 - Ms. Tek
Okay Eric... then just bend over and get your wife to shoot a photo... I'll maginify it and we all can disucuss each and every single hair on it's own merit.
Sound fair? =)
106 - Shark
Eric, pretty damn good list. Hard to argue with most.
The Doors and The Who might qualify, but I think maybe ya hadda be there(?)
Best Line: Marky Mark's
Radiohead's "OK Computer" = Low Rent King Crimson
I laughed out loud!
Anyway, E, congrats on posted an entry that's sure to set a new INDOOR RECORD before the sun sets.
107 - Kami-chan
I feel that this information is inaccurate, as there are many other foreign bands (in far East, for example) that got no credit in this, and they are some of the greatest. The Japanese rock band X Japan (formerly X) changed Japanese music forever and their CDs are still top selling, despite their break-up in 1997.
108 - Douglas Mays
Blayne:
Good deal, you actually bring up the question: what is rock n roll?
In my book it is two things. First of all its attitude. Mozart rocked. I wanted to add Lionel Hampton's 'Flying Home' from the Live at the Apollo album to my list. If that ain't rock, there is no rock.
Second of all, maybe this story can explain. Back in 1985 I had to be tour manager (USA tour) for the South African band called the Malopoets. The first gig of the USA tour was in Austin, TX (at the Liberty Lunch). We all meet for the first time. I was wondering what the band sounded like. We set up a rehersal.
I look at the stage. There is a drum kit, 2 guitar amps, bass amp, electronic keyboards. So I figured, heck, they are a rock band. The point is that if there is a bunch of electricity on stage then they must be a rock band. Blues, Country, Jazz, Reggae, etc. It all rocks.
Then again, I've heard some buskers at the Market on acoustic guitar that can rock like maniacs. Attitude and presentation.
Anyway, thats how I see it.
109 - Barry Stoller
I'll ask where are the Beach Boys here and get closer to the issue - which is the stranglehold control exercised by Clear Channel and Rolling Stone magazine.
All Eric is doing here, pumping up the predictable, is telling people what they ALREADY think - which, in my iconoclastic eyes, negates any need for a 'rock critic.' I think critics should be taking people to NEW places, otherwise they're pointless. 'Lists' are a bad habit, too - the true hobgoblin of creative thinking.
And we see that on this thread with so many people moaning about Queen, Metallica and all those other bands already squeezed dead by 1984 radio and the dead decrees of Stalinists like Dave Marsh. At least Eric showed a hint of spunk when he threw in Sly & the Family Stone - his one honest moment outside the box. He should have thrown in Traffic, too.
Back to the Beach Boys, then. We all know Clear Channel zapped them off the rock radio back in the early 80s. 'Too wimpy' - just like Chuck Berry (according to those lowest-common denominator polls). Rolling Stone followed suit. So nowadays folks think Sgt Pepper invented orchestrated 'concept' studio musicianship instead of Pet Sounds. (And, for the influence on punk and grunge, Half Japanese got zapped because Jann Wenner preferred Lou Reed as his token oversight.)
Rolling Stone, what a menace. While Wenner was giving literary blow jobs to Creem - continuing to this day for that beer salesman Clapton - the kids were all out buying Iron Butterfly. And they still sound better; who but they fused metal and pop?
If you were stranded on a desert island, would you REALLY want Beatles and Stones, i.e. all that CRAP you've already heard to death? Or would you want something fresh to keep your mind ALIVE? Again, consider Bloodrock; if you don't know their stuff, you're missing the full picture.
It's just like Trotsky was removed from all the Soviet photos. Don't let the corporate powers make your lists for you. Don't let anyone.
110 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Blayne and Shark, Parliament/Funkadelic, the Who and the Doors are all on the honorable mention list and were VERY hard to leave out of the Top Ten, each could easily be there (and maybe should!), but I appreciate the support.
111 - Aaron Wynhausen
It is impossible to pick the best 10 banbs of all time...it is impossible to rank bands period, for there will always be controversy...that being said, The Who, if going for influence, they are at least 5 on that list...
112 - Joe
well i can already tell your a baby boomer from your picks as the top ten bands (if that's what you want to call this list) there is not a band on here that happened later than the 70's if you don't count u2 which you shouldn't because as any self respecting music fan knows the clash were way more important than u2 in fact the clash is what u2 wish they could have been and as for nirvana not making the top ten how can you leave them off they nearly single handly reshaped the face of popular culture nirvana made the punk/grunge/alternitive musicians able to get radio play which was in its day unheard of and if thats not changing the world then i don't know what is and some other bands that desevre to be on the list are the pixies and pavement
113 - Chris Kent
Bravo joe.......I would have dumped U2 and Bob Marley, and included The Clash and The Doors......
Sly slection is brave, but worthy...as are the rest. I don't get the whole The Who thing and am thrilled they didn't make the list. I have no problem with the songs either with the exception of Outkast.....Jury is still out on them, and seems to have been included simply to have a current member on there.....
Band lists are so tough.....does one not include singers (Elvis, Dylan, Hendrix)? Should another list be made of the top-10 singers? As far as these lists go, about as good as one can get....U2 inclusion is a bit out there.....
114 - Joe
i read what you wrote about your reason for not putting the sex pistols on the list is because they only made one album well if that's the way you think then fine, but i belive in quality not quanity take the stones for example they had some good early stuff ,but they are so burned out now nobody wants to listen to any of the new stones albums and the sex pistol's one album is clearly more important than anything the greatful dead made or u2 for that matter u2 is the poor mans version of the clash
115 - Amy Shafer
YOU FORGOT QUEEN! I'm sooory to yell, but honsetly, how can you forget QUEEN! Not only a legendary band, but one, which without music would be forever shy of unforgetable and fun falsetto vocies. Queen has and always have the heart and soul of rock and Roll. Music that's fun, and timeless, yet in their case underrated
116 - Marty Thau
Beatles, Stones, Who, Pink Floyd, Hendrix, U2, Nirvana, Clash, Ramones, Metallica. Guns 'N Roses were pretty great, too, for a moment in time. So were Stone Temple Pilots.
117 - Marty Thau
Beatles, Stones, Who, Pink Floyd, Hendrix, U2, Nirvana, Guns 'N Roses, Clash, Ramones.
118 - mr_destucto
Where is Stairway on ur list? I think u might know what rock is, but this list is a joke. Quit trying to be "Politically Correct" and what where u thinking putting OutKast on a ROCK!!!!! list. The Who needs to be on the list, Aerosmith needs at least honorable mention, and where is KISS???!!!!??? This is almost as bad as Rolling Stone's top 100 guitarists of all time.
119 - dave M
LISTEN UP dont let this stupid "best rock bands" article get you down or pi$$ed. He ment to name the article "The 10 best rock bands ever; but dont listen to me, I dont know what Rock is"
120 - Eric Olsen
Duane, I missed your defense earlier, thanks very much for that - you seem to have grasped the essence of the thing very well. I appreciate it. As I have said, I am not concerned particularly with agreement, just that people understand the rationale and, for myself, that I justified those I did pick in a reasonable manner.
Besides these comments I have received close to 100 emails and what comforts me greatly is that a large number of them may disagree with this or that pick but have said they enjoyed reading it and that it made sense within the guidelines laid out. Beyond that it really is just my opinion and everyone has those.
121 - Eric Olsen
Barry, I haven't read Rolling Stone much in 25 years, the Beach Boys are on the honorable mention list and would have made a top ten list that was based upon making records only.
You can't be serious about Iron Butterfly, Bloodrock and Half Japanese?? It's great to be a champion for the underappreciated, but best is best and they most certainly are not.
And as far as making lists goes: lists are a great way to clarify issues, to make people think and react, and to give credit where credit is due. I was asked to make these lists, it wasn't my idea, but I was honored to be asked and loved working on it. I am also very proud of the way it turned out and appreciate all the positive input among the complaints.
Regarding the songs: as I have already said more than once, I broadened the list to include the "rock era," not strictly "rock" songs. Live with it. And I picked OutKast because I genuinely think it's a great song, it will have lasting impact, and I also thought it would piss a lot of people off. So blow me.
Regarding the role of the critic: it is total steaming-horseshit-sitting-on-the-prairie that the critic's job is to point people in new directions on a Best Bands in Rock History story. The critic's job in a Best Bands in Rock History story is to honestly honor the title, make the choices and then support them to the best of his/her ability.
Tossing out the names of bands that should have been on the list is swell but if you want to actually critique the story then tell me that I didn't support my claims for why a band deserves to be on the list - don't tell me you don't "like" them, or sputter in righteous indignation that I didn't include fucking KISS or Queen.
If you truly think KISS and Queen belong on a list of the best bands in rock history I will laugh at you until blood comes out my nose.
122 - Eric Olsen
Last thought on this: if you are going to debate me on this, you'd better be ready to back up your claims because random insults, baseless assertions and other assorted stupid shit does not cut it.
123 - Jeff
I guess I'm just having a hard time trying to reconcile why this is a list of the greatest rock bands of all time. I'd argue that many of these bands would be tops in their own category (Bob Marley and the Wailers
-> Best Reggae band of all time) but hardly could be considered rock.
-Jeff
P.S. Not even an honorable mention for AC/DC? That's pretty sad...Back in Black is one of the best albums of all time.
124 - Barry Stoller
Some of your responses to my comment:
"So blow me.
"...it is total steaming-horseshit-sitting-on-the-prairie that the critic's job is to point people in new directions...
"You can't be serious about Iron Butterfly, Bloodrock and Half Japanese?? It's great to be a champion for the underappreciated, but best is best and they most certainly are not.
"I will laugh at you until blood comes out my nose.
"... random insults, baseless assertions and other assorted stupid shit does not cut it."
Your right, you egomaniac, they don't cut it. I'm outta here.
125 - Chris Kent
lol.....Your multiple scatalogical comments are very uncharacteristic of you Eric......Nice to see you rattled.....I am well aware as to why you included Outkast on that list....doesn't mean it was the right or best selection. They are the fad of the moment. Let's wait to see their next album, though you have pleased a large segment by including them. U2 is an honorable mention at best, and were influenced by several bands superior to them whom you have chosen not to include - The Clash mainly. U2 at No. 10 would have been more realistic, and even then would have received intense disagreement. But to say they are the third greatest band of all time is simply and absolutely incorrect. But I like your list. To say Queen, Kiss or Aerosmith should be on there is about like saying The Monkees or Grand Funk Railroad should be on there....in other words, no way in hell. To stick one obscure or odd choice in there always makes the list fun - you've done that. My choice would have been Creedence Clearwater Revival.....but they would not have been No. 3. As I said earlier in an earlier post (excluding my Molly Hatchet joke, which amused me to no end), I like the list....