Pearl Jam Voted Greatest American Rock Band Ever

[secondtube]

According to USA Today...

And the greatest American rock band ever is ...

I knew last week's column would spark heated debate among music aficionados, but I didn't realize just how intense it would get until the e-mail started pouring in — more e-mail, in fact, than I've received about any other column.

And though the results were close, there could only be one winner. So, without further ado, I present your top pick for the greatest American rock band of all time:

Pearl Jam.

Everybody's all-American: Pearl Jam outranked Nirvana, Van Halen and The Doors in last week's poll.

By Danny Clinch

1. Pearl Jam

2. Aerosmith. "Their first hit was in 1973, and they're still selling out concerts," wrote Brooklyn Center, Minn., reader Darren Slack, who added that "fans don't boo them if they play stuff off their latest album" and they're "probably one of the first groups teenagers and parents both dig (and not in a Pat Boone kind of way, either)." Said David Matthews from Tampa: "No one died, no one got p—-ed and left the band, no one got kicked out and was replaced — and their ability to rock the house is still going strong."

3. Van Halen. "How many bands from America have been as huge as Van Halen, then had to replace the lead singer and still be as popular, or even more popular, than before?" asked St. Louis reader Christopher Cokenour. "Van Halen's songwriting, whether with David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar, took you to a place of happiness, never getting too heavy, never being too stupid." In addition, Patrick Beam in Little Rock was one of several readers to say "Eddie Van Halen influenced every guitarist that was alive or has been born since."

4. The Eagles. "They win for longevity (I've got my ticket stub to their 1977 Hotel California tour), concert performances (also have ticket stubs from six 'farewell' concerts), they write their own songs and have tons of records sold," said longtime fan Sheri Broom from Savannah, Ga.

5. Journey. "No contest!" said Deer Park, Texas, fan Bob Barney. (He went on to type the band's name 12 times using a large font and a spectrum of colors.) From Ronda Nelson in Terre Haute, Ind.: "They have been rockin' for over 30 years and are out on tour right now supporting a new CD."

6. Guns N' Roses. "A lot of people have said that it's unbelievable that Welcome to the Jungle, Sweet Child O' Mine and Patience could have all come from the same band," wrote Laurie Hamilton from Bennington, Vt. Said Marlborough, Mass., reader Matthew Sychantha: "These guys practically set up the world, combining punk, thrash metal and hair metal in an interesting, twisted style."

7. The Grateful Dead. "I feel a band's records are limiting; true musical genius comes through live music," wrote Carl Fuller, a Dead fan from Flagstaff, Ariz. "The Dead also created an entire tribal subculture in society. Few bands can claim this honor."

8. Queensryche. Some reasons why, according to David Russell in Fishkill, N.Y.: "They've endured 25 years of the changing rock scene. They still tour all the time, selling out all the time and putting on an unbeatable live show. Their music has evolved with the times and has never failed to succeed. Their lyrics are constantly full of thought-provoking material and deep meaning. They are the best all around band ... period!"

9. The Doors. "They had the complete package: musicianship, lyrics, songs and stage presence," wrote Michael Morris from Bourne, Mass. "But more importantly, their music has far transcended the band (even with the cult-psycho-martyr status of Jim Morrison) and stands the test of time. No one was doing, or will ever do, what The Doors did. They were the original alternative band, and that makes them the greatest American band."

10. R.E.M. "Their ability to link lyrics with great depth to an alternative/folk/rock sound is unparalleled in the world of music," said Lebanon, Pa., fan Jay McCumber. "There is no one who sounds like R.E.M. except R.E.M. Automatic For The People is the greatest American rock record ever."

11. The Allman Brothers Band and Fleetwood Mac (tie). "Duane Allman was one of the greatest guitar players that ever lived; a legitimate argument could even be made that he was the best," wrote Pittsburgh fan Ned Twyman. Jeff Sprankle from East Haddam, Conn., agreed, adding, "this band has had benders that have lasted longer than most bands' careers." As for the Mac, Debbie Gultice in Xenia, Ohio, said "harmonies between Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie are haunting. And who has ever heard of a band with three songwriters who can create hits?"

12. Metallica. From Patrick Dickens: "Although I don't like where heavy metal is today, Metallica essentially created an entire sub-genre of rock 'n' roll. Even if some won't give them credit for creating heavy metal, there is no doubt that they defined it and carried everybody else along on their backs."

13. KISS. "Thirty-two years, millions of records, massive merchandising and a fan base that does not want them to stop touring, ever" qualify them as the best band, according to Christopher Burke in Colorado Springs. As for those live shows, Michael Gershe in Akron, Ohio, said they're "the most fun you can have for two hours with your clothes on."

14. The Ramones. "Every band, American or otherwise, has been influenced by them in some fashion," said Raleigh reader Tom Maeser. From Matt Cox: "They didn't burn out, they didn't fade away, and they weren't a one-hit wonder. They were a band who played to make music and turn people on. I got turned on to the Ramones in the fifth grade, and today, 20 years later, they are still my favorite band, and my kids' favorite band."

15. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and Creedence Clearwater Revival (tie). Steve Howell from Bear, Del., had a few things to say about E Street: "From a recorded album perspective, (their) stuff is indescribable. If you haven't seen them, don't walk, run, to get tickets the next time they are in town. The first thing you will think after the show is, 'I want to — no, I need to — go again tomorrow night.'" And Creedence? "They define good ol' American rock," wrote Andrew Neuburger in Olathe, Kan. "They have 20+ songs that get regular play on many different radio formats. A great combination of rock, country, R&B, rockabilly and swamp pop made their songs accessible to everyone."

16. Dave Matthews Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd (tie). "DMB is the epitome of what American rock stands for: huge tours, loud rock and the working class," wrote Gabriel Wallis in Greenville, S.C. Mike Minnick in Morton, Pa., praised Skynyrd's "killer songs ... and they still tour in spite of losing so many members. And the music still sounds the same as when they were still complete."

17. The Beach Boys. "The Beach boys, fueled by Brian Wilson, were the only band to compete with arguably England's best-ever rock band, The Beatles," wrote Milwaukee fan Nick Blavat. "Pet Sounds still pushes what music is, even by a 2005 standard. Brian Wilson's George Lucas-like re-touching of the Beach Boys' unreleased masterpiece, Smile, clearly shows their staying power and influence in American music."

18. Nirvana. From Greg Mahoney, a college professor in Georgetown Township, Mich.: "The first time I heard Nevermind, to paraphrase Beck out of context, I knew things were gonna change, I could feel it. To bolster the point: I do most of my research in China, (and) during the nation's first Beer Festival, held in Shenzhen, a teenage cover band fronted by a punked-out Chinese girl ripped through Smells Like Teen Spirit with all the ferocity of Cobain and Co. Indeed, things had changed, and you could feel it."

19. The Replacements. Among Bill Walsh's long list of reasons for picking the 'Mats, the Illinois reader said that "Tommy Stinson was 13 when they recorded their first album, Sorry Ma, Forgot To take Out the Trash, "the high school in Heathers is Westerberg High" and, finally, "What other band would have the cojones to name an album Let It Be, which is better than the Beatles' version?"

Rounding out the list is ...

20. Bon Jovi. Unfortunately, most voters chose not to elaborate why Jon, Richie and the gang were tops. I guess they wanted the music to speak for itself — or maybe they were just too busy rocking to type.

http://www.theskyiscrape.com/

Edited July 7, 2005 by Guest

[secondtube]

this was a poll by USA today readers, it should be noted...

guess they have lots of fans of the band that are USA today readers, lol.

[dave-O]

Well at least they beat Journey and Queensryche in that list...

[Gr8FuL]

That list is bogus....Where are the Red Hot chilli peppers in that list..I like me some pearl jam....but the RHCP should be above them on any list of great bands

[TomFoolery]

This one's the best

8. Queensryche. Some reasons why, according to David Russell in Fishkill, N.Y.: "They've endured 25 years of the changing rock scene. They still tour all the time, selling out all the time and putting on an unbeatable live show. Their music has evolved with the times and has never failed to succeed. Their lyrics are constantly full of thought-provoking material and deep meaning. They are the best all around band ... period!"

I doubt I need to go into the humour in this one...

[AD]

That list is bogus....Where are the Red Hot chilli peppers in that list..I like me some pearl jam....but the RHCP should be above them on any list of great bands

RHCP better than Pearl Jam? I understand that it's your opinion and all, but why do you have to be so wrong??

Without Flea and a gimmicky live show the Chili Peppers wouldn't have had near the success they enjoy now, or back when they released good music (BloodSugarSexMagik)

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[TimmyB]

So sad how the world forgets how significant the Byrds were as a band from the United States of America.

The Byrds were on the forefront of folk-rock, psychedelic-rock and country-rock. They influenced many of the artists on that USA Today list, like the Eagles and R.E.M. to name a couple.

It is amazing that they are now an underrated band in the 21st century, when they did so much for 20th century music.

[AD]

So sad how the world forgets how significant the Byrds were as a band from the United States of America.

I wouldn't worry about it Tim, the world doesn't forget, just the readers of USA Today.

THe Minutemen aren't on there, or MC5, or the Replacements, or Sonic Youth, or Husker Du, or....

They missed plenty of good bands. [color:purple]Glad they didn't forget Journey though

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[PalacePrincess]

the only thing that makes me want to vomit more than pearl jam being voted the #1 rock band is that turd matthews band scored higher than nirvana.

baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrffffffffffff!!!!!!!

and by the way, ad, i must vehemently disagree with you. RHCP is WAY better and WAY more talented than pearl jam can even dream to be!!! at least RHCP has their own sound, as opposed to the nirvana-ripoff-thrown-together-by-their-record-label farce that is pearl jam. ew, anthony kiedis over eddie vedder ANY day.

p.s. replacements are at #19

edit: jane's addiction deserves to be on there more than sonic youth!

Edited July 7, 2005 by Guest

[AD]

Yup, missed the Replacements. Oops.

There are a million bands I could name that would belong on that list, but that's what happens every time a list comes out.

Vedder can sing. Keidis can... Out of tune 'rap'?

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[PalacePrincess]

Keidis can... Out of tune 'rap'?

*gasp* HARDLY!!!!! anthony keidis has a beautiful singing voice! have you ever seen them live? i saw them about 2 years ago and that is one band that i was absolutely blown away by, their talent FAR exceeded my wildest expectations, i was very pleased & impressed. i hate eddie vedder's voice, he has that nasally, "look at me i am grunge" gravelly whine. EW. he's as bad as the hip in that regard.

[TomFoolery]

I like Keidis' style more than Vedder but g*ddamn he can't sing in key to save his life.

[Esau]

Where's Zeppelin or Black Sabbath?

Perhaps not the greatest but definatley should be on that list well before many of the other bands..especially before bands like Nirvana (rock?..laugh-able),G&R & Journey.

[secondtube]

"as opposed to the nirvana-ripoff-thrown-together-by-their-record-label farce that is pearl jam."

you are the first person i've ever heard claim Pearl Jam ripped off anything from Nirvana...

But, everyone is entitled to their own opinion...

Most males i've met respect PJ a heckuva lot more than Nirvana...Nirvana was a chick band....oh curt, he's so dreeeamy...

bah.

[bradm]

Where's Zeppelin or Black Sabbath?

They're British; the poll was restricted to American bands.

Aloha,

Brad

[secondtube]

you and your facts Brad.

(insert eyeroll here)

[Esau]

d'oh...thanks Brad...looks like my brother & I drank more then I remember last night.

I still stand though that there are bands well more deserveing then the bands mentioned.

[Esau]

Most males i've met respect PJ a heckuva lot more than Nirvana...Nirvana was a chick band....oh curt, he's so dreeeamy...

bah.

Agreed,but I spell it "c-r-a-p" opposed to "c-h-i-c-k".Somthing about self-pity music that just turns me off.

[Freak By Night]

I am surprised The Partridge Family was left of the list. Wholesome American band with great singing and song-writing. And how Keith Partridge got his amazing guitar sound still baffles many. Some people say he had a "secret button" on his guitar, others contend that a backstage roadie with an effects unit gave him that signature sound.

[Guest Low Roller]

Nirvana was a chick band? Huh?? That's a new one. Nirvana is directly responsible for the re-emergence of rock in the mainstream to kick C&C Music Factory and MC Hammer to the curb. They brought balls back into mainstream music, and that's definitely not a bad thing.

RHCP were IMHO always overrated. However they do manage to release a cool little tune every three years or so.

As far as Pearl Jam making the top of the list... I don't know about that one. What was the criteria for voting? Pearl Jam was the first band to fight Ticketmaster, Pearl Jam was the first band to counter bootlegging by releasing live CDs for all of their shows, they had a massive music library, and basically did as they pleased and their fans seemed to stick with them. Isn't that the true spirit of rock 'n roll?

I seem to be underestimating the legacy of the Grateful Dead. I always thought they'd be historically remembered only by the "tribal" fans and mocked by the remainder of society. I was pleasantly proven wrong by this list.

Edited July 7, 2005 by Low Roller
cleaned up some spelling mistakes

[Velvet]

Nirvana all the way, no question in my mind.

[Patchoulia]

All I have to say is:

Turd Matthews Band

Bahahahahahahahhahaahahaha!

=)

[Jaimoe]

Frank Zappa & The Mothers did not suck either.

The Replacements deserve to be on any list.

Top 10 list or not, all members of Journey and Queensrych should be lined up and shot.

[Del]

edit: jane's addiction deserves to be on there more than sonic youth!

Agreed...

[dJEd]

UGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH! PJ are garbo. well not quite garbo, but they're not the greatest anything.

lists like this are so stupid. everyone has their own opinion so what is the relevance of a list like this? X number of USA today readers submitted or something right? so thus is the list of great yankee rockers according to those 750 people. my own list has only a handful of that crap on it.

Queensryche?