Guitarist David Gilmour joined the group as insurance against Barrett's volatility in '68, but when Barrett was forced out for unreliability his "backup band" became a democratic foursome sharing writing, singing and leadership duties. As Floyd headed more deeply into experimental symphonic explorations in the sonic chill of space — about as far removed from rock 'n' roll's origins in amped-up American teenage hormones as possible — the more popular they became.
"Meddle," released in 1971, was the band's transition album from the Barrett-influenced '60s to the Waters-Gilmour Floyd of the '70s, highlighted by a pillar of space rock greatness "Echoes," over 23 minutes of confidently creative meandering, ingratiating harmony vocals from Waters and Gilmour, burbling organ from Wright, atmospheric axemanship from the incomparable Gilmour, otherworldly pings and drifting whale noises. You can hear the fertile seeds of "Dark Side of the Moon" here.
"Dark Side," released in '73, stayed on the album chart for an outrageous 741 weeks, a masterpiece of creative studio craft and a remarkably unified exploration of time, greed, and existence - the album is an indispensable rite of passage still. "Wish You Were Here" is an exceptional, ruminative, ambient, long-form look at the disintegration of Barrett intermingled with Roger Waters' souring view of the world, and in particular, the music industry.
That dim view of life found its ultimate expression in "The Wall," which used its title to represent literal and metaphoric isolation. In elaborate theatrical presentations of the work, a wall was physically constructed throughout the performance, the collapse of which at the end of each show neatly presaged the group's fate. Waters went solo in the early-'80s and the group has reunited periodically without him, but neither the group nor he have ever been the same since.
9. Bob Marley and the Wailers
The greatest singer, songwriter, and cultural figure in Jamaican history, Bob Marley brought the righteous message and "positive vibrations" of reggae music to the world, and is the only towering figure of the rock era not from America or the U.K.
Marley and his band the Wailers created transcendent music around the entrancing, inverted reggae beat and unforgettable melodies that equally decried poverty and injustice and celebrated physical and spiritual ecstasy - all of it grounded in Marley's abiding Rastafarian faith. Marley's influence is so pervasive, his music so seductive, and respect for him so great throughout the world that it is easy to forget the beliefs and customs of the Rastas are rather, in a word, odd: reverence of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia as a living god who would lead the oppressed black diaspora back to an African homeland (rather more difficult after he died in '75), smoking the holy herb of enlightenment, ganja (marijuana), as daily sacrament, growing their hair in dreadlocks.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Matt Fanslow
How is Metallica not on the list, much less an honorable mention? They alone are responsible for making metal/speed metal mainstream. They are just as important as Nirvana.
2 - Barry Stoller
NOPE - due to corporate radio's overkill, almost all of these bands now qualify for nothing but most boring; the others, similarly falling victim to standard rock critic worship, qualify for the same. What we need is a postmodernist re-evaluation, a cultural archeological dig to finally break fresh strata. Allow then a real contender to kick off the new vision: BLOODROCK as number 1. Let's go (fresh)... from there.
3 - Craig Lyndall
There is no way Metallica is as influential as Nirvana. If you look at the span of their careers and the fact that Nirvana had 3 real albums, 1 b-sides album, and an unplugged album from the 1989 - 1994. They have achieved far more in that painfully short period of time than Metallica has to this point.
4 - Craig Lyndall
"7. Marvin Gaye - "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" (1968)
Motown's greatest singer's greatest singing performance."
I would argue with this completely and totally. There are so many other songs by Marvin Gaye that I like so much more. Specifically, "What's Going On."
5 - Eric Olsen
Metallica could very easily be on the honorable mention list, but I think Black Sabbath is a more important metal band.
6 - WarrenP
Rock and Roll? Aretha Franklin? Outkast?
Are you for real?
Marvin Gaye? Dude - get a life you 'sell-out' kiss ass! People LIKE categorys for a reason. Bob Marley? Sly and the Family Stone? Rock? I mean - I listen to these entertainers, too - but, ROCK is ROCK! I wish the media would stop trying to 'gender cross' musics all over the f*&^'en map!
It's insulting.
7 - Craig Lyndall
Damn it and another thing. I hate the Rolling Stones. Really, I can't stand them at all. I do understand their contributions to rock and roll, but to say that one of their songs is number 1 is preposterous. Maybe top twenty, but how is this song ahead of Stairway and that song isn't even on the list. Stairway and Zeppelin put the effing Stones to shame.
8 - A Girl
Dude, you just took yourself out for a nice Italian Dinner... You dated yourself. Radiohead much?! The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A etc. (heck even the sketchy Pablo Honey). That retro era doesn't have a lock on thoughful innovation and raw emotion, you know.
9 - Ace
How come Queen wasn't even mentioned?
Thanks to them, stadiums all over the world have not one, but two himns repeatedly being played on every match... "We will rock you" is the thing you hear when everybody is slapping their seats rhytmically... And what song other than "We are the champions" come right in handy when your favorite team wins??
10 - Ace
(sorry for this second post)
PD: Of course, Queen is not great only because it's affinity to sports...
11 - Eric Olsen
Craig, you really need to check into the STones a little more. How much have you listened to them? You have too good taste to dismiss them so completely - give them another shot.
RE those complaining about the "rock" category: there will never be agreement on what should or should not fit. I interpreted "rock" fairly broadly. Perhaps the songs should have been called the "Rock Era." I have no problem thinking of Sly and Bob as rock bands.
12 - mwanji
Eric,
Why even write such an article? You know you'll only get abuse for it. I hope they paid you well, at least.
"I wish the media would stop trying to 'gender cross' musics"
What is gender-crossed music?
13 - h price
What!!! No Jimi Hendrix Expereience, Come on, PLEASE! Hendrix did more in 4 measly years than Ueffing2, Marley, Velvet Underground could possibly do in 40. The only thing Hendrix didn't do with an ax was invent it. This is crazy.
14 - Eric Olsen
Mwanji, I have no problem with the controversy - you sort of answered your own question as to why they would ask me to write it (smile). While there has been all kinds of disagreement, I have already had a ton of very complimentary notes even from those who disagree. All I'm really concerned about is whether or not I did a good job of supporting those I did pick.
15 - Mark Saleski
mighty fine drivel, mr. olsen.
;-)
16 - Southern Belle
Nope, nobody is perfect...Still, I can't get over the fact that one of the most innovative, artistic and talented bands ever, the Queen, was never mentioned. Shame on you for this oversight.
Otherwise it was an interesting article.
17 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Southern Belle, As much as I like some Queen, I don't think they overall rate the very top echelon. Thanks for your kind words otherwise!
Thanks Mark, you are coolest!
18 - Mark Saleski
hey, ya coulda thrown 'ole Al a bone and at least had them add Elvis Costello to the msnbc "who's missing" pole.
19 - Eric Olsen
I put him in the "solo+backup" category.
20 - Mark Saleski
You dated yourself. Radiohead much?! The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A etc.
Radiohead's "OK Computer" = Low Rent King Crimson.
21 - Bill
Hey Eric,
Ever hear of a little band called Aerosmith? Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? 30+ years of making music? 60 million + records sold? Pioneers of the rock/rap genre? Any of this ringing a bell?
22 - Eric Olsen
Bill, If Aerosmith had made more albums like Get Your Wings, Toys In the Attic and Rocks they would have received more consideration. As it is, I see them a second tier. But it's just opinion, okay?
23 - Craig Lyndall
Aerosmith is probably the greatest American rock band, but unfortunately for them, they cam after Zeppelin and the Stones. They should win an award for longevity, but there would be no Aerosmith without a Zeppelin, Stones, etc.
24 - MH
Where do you come up with Velvet and the Dead? I saw these bands live and they sucked..They sold no records and influenced very few others. Ask either of them to open for The Who and you have all the makings of a nice little riot. Your need to be hip and diverse clouds any real conviction and I find your list nothing but a political comprimise of misguided PC dribble. If Sly and Bob Marley are ROCK then so is Maria Carey and the Spice Girls.
25 - Don Geddis
What drugs were you on in the seventies!!!!! Most of your list isn't even what any moron would call rock & roll!!!!!!!! Bob Marley is reggae, aretha franklin is soul and nirvana was grunge.............Get A Clue!!!!