<p>
[quote]
haha, I listen for the music. I really couldn't care less who wrote the songs.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Their songs still suck.</p>
<p>Yeah, I agree with some of the earlier posters... Greatful Dead & Red Hot Chili Peppers.</p>
<p>Metallica. No band has changed their respective genre as much as Metallica (that is American).</p>
<p>I know, that's why I apologized after my rant. It was definitely too... confrontational, but I like getting into arguments about music. My friend is a Dispatch fanatic, and we always quarrel (good-naturedly!!!).</p>
<p>The insane music fanatic inside of me wants to debate the merits (or lack thereof) of Dispatch further... but I'll listen to my rational side and shut up =)</p>
<p>Metallica is a good call. Not on the top of my list, but I respect that one. Just as I respect the Grateful Dead. But they're really an acquired taste. Still, many points for being long-lived and open source!</p>
<p>For quintessential American rock, however, various incarnations of Tom Petty groups have to step aside for Creedence Clearwater Revival.</p>
<p>I think a strong case could be made for Phish. A couple others who could make the list are:
moe.
Little Feat
War
Santana
Earth, Wind, and Fire
The Talking Heads
Simon and Garfunkel (not exactly a band)
Again, not exactly a band but how about Prince</p>
<p>Jimi Hendrix with his various side men (Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell were British) is about as good as they come.</p>
<p>Alice in Chains. They didn't start anything, but their gritty instrumentals and despotic vocals make them pretty unique.</p>
<p>Aerosmith. Hands down.</p>
<p>Nirvana is the best *uckin band. </p>
<p>I want cookies</p>
<p>Best American <<<<<<<<<<<< Best British IMHO</p>
<p>c'mon, you guys forgot Bad Brains, the only legendary American punk group.</p>
<p>I really don't understand why Nirvana is considered to be such a good band. And, no, I'm not some idiot who has only heard Smells Like Teen Spirit.</p>
<p>the Allman Brothers Band-they had four of the greatest guitarists ever, Duane Allman, Dickie Betts, Warren Haynes, and Derek Trucks. Plus great songwriting.</p>
<p>Stevie Ray Vaughan-his live work is absolutely amazing.</p>
<p>symphony x, dream theater</p>
<p>most of the bands listed were pretty bad</p>
<p>Journey???!!
Don't get me wrong, "Don't Stop Believing" is a fun song to sing..but it's not exactly revolutionary. I put Journey on the same playing field as, say, the Steve Miller Band--fun music, but nothing to get serious about.
And don't even get me started on Nirvana..ew.</p>
<p>This is a tough one..I'm trying to decide between CCR, Led Zeppelin, and maybe the Doors? Definitely not Aerosmith, Guns'n'Roses, or any other borderline hair metal..</p>
<p>Nirvana sucks...</p>
<p>I'd go with Aerosmith</p>
<p>1910 Fruitgum Company. Hellz yeah.</p>
<ol>
<li>metallica</li>
<li>lynyrd skynyrd</li>
<li>aerosmith
led zeppelin is british otherwise i would have picked them</li>
</ol>
<p>^^oh man they are and i never knew it!! i just wikpedia'd that ****..what an epiphany.</p>
<p>i'd pick eric clapton/cream if he weren't british.</p>