Best classic rock band of all time?

[wizards8507]

You guys seem to put a huge premium on the technicality difficulty of the music these bands play. I really don't care if a guitar lick or a bass line is technically difficult if it doesn't sound good. Hey Jude and Let It Be are simple AF but they're two of the greatest songs of all time.

Rush has Neil Peart but they also have Geddie Lee and Alex Leifson who are phenomenal in their own right and they, together create great music that is technically superior to heavily produced pop music.

Define "heavily produced pop music." If you mean Jason Derulo and Ariana Grande, I agree with you. If you mean "A Day in the Life" or "Strawberry Fields Forever," you're nuts. The production artistry that went into the post-touring Beatles albums add to their greatness, it doesn't detract from it.

 

[woolybug25]

I think it goes like this:

1) Beatles: This is unquestionable in my mind, not subjective. Their songlist, top hits, albums sold, awards won and impact to music and society is beyond reproach. Any other choice is silly.




2) Rolling Stones
3) Led Zeppelin
4) Pink Floyd
5) Queen

I originally had Grateful Dead as #4, but I think it is questionable if you can call them "classic rock". If you do consider them in this category, slide them into #4 and Queen falls out of the top 5. They would be there because of their impact on society (ranks up there right under the Beatles), touring, fanbase, albums sold, etc.

 

[wizards8507]

 

[Rack Em]

I think it goes like this:

1) Beatles: This is unquestionable in my mind, not subjective. Their songlist, top hits, albums sold, awards won and impact to music and society is beyond reproach. Any other choice is silly.




2) Rolling Stones
3) Led Zeppelin
4) Pink Floyd
5) Queen

I originally had Grateful Dead as #4, but I think it is questionable if you can call them "classic rock". If you do consider them in this category, slide them into #4 and Queen falls out of the top 5. They would be there because of their impact on society (ranks up there right under the Beatles), touring, fanbase, albums sold, etc.

False. The 5 greatest classic rock bands of all time are as follows:

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

 

[ACamp1900]

Some of you guys and Queen man... lol

 

[woolybug25]

The better question is where do you put David Bowie? Is he even "classic rock?"? Certainly not a "band", but would rank right up there for me as "best artist".

 

[ACamp1900]

He's def Classic Rock... Ziggy?... I know he delved into all kinds of stuff but I'd def but him in the C Rock box.....

 

[Rack Em]

The better question is where do you put David Bowie? Is he even "classic rock?"? Certainly not a "band", but would rank right up there for me as "best artist".

How many popular solo artists were there during the 60s-80s? Not a whole lot by my recollection (at least those who didn't develop a name by leaving an already popular band). So I think Bowie could be in the conversation.

But it doesn't matter because he's only popular because he did "Under Pressure" with Freddie Mercury and Queen.

 

[gkIrish]

The better question is where do you put David Bowie? Is he even "classic rock?"? Certainly not a "band", but would rank right up there for me as "best artist".

I don't think you have to be a band to be considered a classic rock artist. I consider Bowie, Elton John, and Billy Joel all to be classic rock.

 

[ACamp1900]

Cocker for sure too...

 

[kmoose]

False. The 5 greatest classic rock bands of all time are as follows:

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

This might be the greatest 25 minutes in the history of Rock n Roll.......

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A22oy8dFjqc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Irish YJ]

I think it goes like this:

1) Beatles: This is unquestionable in my mind, not subjective. Their songlist, top hits, albums sold, awards won and impact to music and society is beyond reproach. Any other choice is silly.




2) Rolling Stones
3) Led Zeppelin
4) Pink Floyd
5) Queen

I originally had Grateful Dead as #4, but I think it is questionable if you can call them "classic rock". If you do consider them in this category, slide them into #4 and Queen falls out of the top 5. They would be there because of their impact on society (ranks up there right under the Beatles), touring, fanbase, albums sold, etc.

I'm good with your top 3, but I'd have a hard time deciding the next 2. Could debate Floyd, Queen, Dead, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Doors, Journey, Eagles, The Who, and a few others. I'd probably have to find a top 5 spot for the Eagles and The Who as my 4 and 5.

To the Rush fans. Great music, but so many others who belong in the top 10 over them. They would make my top 25.

Not top 5, but some of my personal favs are Van Halen/Hagar, Motley Crue, Bad Company, Hendrix, Black Sabath/Ozzy, CCR, +++

Is Elvis classic rock?? Lol

 

[gkIrish]

I'm good with your top 3, but I'd have a hard time deciding the next 2. Could debate Floyd, Queen, Dead, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Doors, Journey, Eagles, The Who, and a few others. I'd probably have to find a top 5 spot for the Eagles and The Who as my 4 and 5.

To the Rush fans. Great music, but so many others who belong in the top 10 over them. They would make my top 25.

Not top 5, but some of my personal favs are Van Halen/Hagar, Motley Crue, Bad Company, Hendrix, Black Sabath/Ozzy, CCR, +++

Is Elvis classic rock?? Lol

No. I don't know what it is, but it's not classic rock.

 

[ulukinatme]

I enjoy some Elvis, but Elvis should not be considered Classic Rock any more than Pearl Jam should be included. Classic Rock consists of a style/era. Generally that time period is considered to be between the very late 60s, the 70s, and some of the 80s. Pearl Jam is generally 90s and was part of a newer wave of rock music, just as Elvis helped pave the way for early Rock and Roll and doesn't belong in the Classic Rock genre.

 

[woolybug25]

No. I don't know what it is, but it's not classic rock.

I agree. Same with Johnny Cash.

 

[ulukinatme]

Some of you guys and Queen man... lol

Not many bands are good in the studio and live. Queen is very good in both venues. I've got a couple of their concerts on DVD and on CD, they're just great performers that can really entertain. Would have loved to see a concert live while Freddie was still alive, he could really play to the crowd. You would be hard pressed to find a front man with a better voice in the Rock genre.

 

[Irish YJ]

Wish we would do an I.E. Top 25. Two rounds of voting for each position starting with #1. First round would be a large list and second round narrowed to the 5 highest vote getters in round 1. Wish I knew how to do polls etc..

 

[bkess8]

Wish we would do an I.E. Top 25. Two rounds of voting for each position starting with #1. First round would be a large list and second round narrowed to the 5 highest vote getters in round 1. Wish I knew how to do polls etc..

I will make this happen today!

 

[ACamp1900]

My personal list... although I would argue my personal number 1 and the answer to the actual thread question is the same, The Stones created the template... Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll, the lead singer lead guitarist dynamic... I mean, they're the Stones... and they're still putting out great stuff... I personally have them over even the Beatles. Just me, if you don't agree that's fine, I respect Queen and Pink Floyd but Queen just doesn't have many songs I really like and I never blew my mind on hallucinogenic drugs so i never understood Pink Floyd lol...

My favs, in no real order honestly:

Stones
Clapton (anything Clapton really, Cream, Dominoes, Solo)
Dire Straights
Fleetwood Mack
Skynyrd
Zep
AC/DC
Aerosmith
Guns N Roses
Boston
Steely Dan
Bowie
Doobie Bros
Allman Bros


I will say this too,... I think Mo Town/Soul deserves some love in this thread... Wilson Pickett, Otis, Mo Town had such a huge impact on a lot of the artists we are naming here and vice versa, they toured together, recorded together and hung out and influenced each other often enough...

I'm still a huge soul/golden era R&B fan, I'd throw them on the list too. Just me, so round my list off with:

Otis Redding
Wilson Pickett
Marvin Gaye
and
Orchestral Manoeuvres

 

[Irish YJ]

I will make this happen today!

Always a rockstar bkess8 !!!!

 

[Irish YJ]

My personal list... although I would argue my personal number 1 and the answer to the actual thread question is the same, The Stones created the template... Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll, the lead singer lead guitarist dynamic... I mean, they're the Stones... and they're still putting out great stuff... I personally have them over even the Beatles. Just me, if you don't agree that's fine, I respect Queen and Pink Floyd but Queen just doesn't have many songs I really like and I never blew my mind on hallucinogenic drugs so i never understood Pink Floyd lol...

My favs, in no real order honestly:

Stones
Clapton (anything Clapton really, Cream, Dominoes, Solo)
Dire Straights
Fleetwood Mack
Skynyrd
Zep
AC/DC
Aerosmith
Guns N Roses
Boston
Steely Dan
Bowie
Doobie Bros
Allman Bros


I will say this too,... I think Mo Town/Soul deserves some love in this thread... Wilson Pickett, Otis, Mo Town had such a huge impact on a lot of the artists we are naming here and vice versa, they toured together, recorded together and hung out and influenced each other often enough...

I'm still a huge soul/golden era R&B fan, I'd throw them on the list too. Just me, so round my list off with:

Otis Redding
Wilson Pickett
Marvin Gaye
and
Orchestral Manoeuvres

Agree on Stones over Beatles. Personal preference but I think the Stones epitomized rock n roll far more than the Beatles. Don't get me wrong, the Beatles were amazing, and are definitely top 2 but I "feel" like they are more of a classic "pop" while the Stones are more "rock". Again, love them both, and they are my top 2, but if I'm wanting to turn some shit up and rock out with my xxxx out, it's the Stones I'm choosing.

Forgot out Fleetwood Mac. Saw them last year. Still incredible. Are likely in my top 10.

GnR, while one of my all time favs, likely doesn't fit given all the feedback. I'm guessing guidelines for classic rock are groups who contributed the initial bulk of their music in the 60s and 70s. Of course some still carried on later or are still carrying on....

Bkess8 - when you do the polls, please clarify definition / requirements so all of us don't get lost in debate on crap other than who's best.

 

[ACamp1900]

Agree on Stones over Beatles. Personal preference but I think the Stones epitomized rock n roll far more than the Beatles. Don't get me wrong, the Beatles were amazing, and are definitely top 2 but I "feel" like they are more of a classic "pop" while the Stones are more "rock". Again, love them both, and they are my top 2, but if I'm wanting to turn some shit up and rock out with my xxxx out, it's the Stones I'm choosing.

Pretty much nailed my thoughts... Stones ARE Rock n Roll.

anyway on Guns, I get that, just sharing my thoughts.. when I listen to Classic Rock they are in my mix... oh!! and I forgot CCR... they are on my list easily.

 

[ACamp1900]

Going back to the 60's soul and Mo Town stuff... with each passing year I love that stuff more and more... it's to the point that I listen to it more than classic rock generally speaking.

 

[Cackalacky]

You guys seem to put a huge premium on the technicality difficulty of the music these bands play. I really don't care if a guitar lick or a bass line is technically difficult if it doesn't sound good. Hey Jude and Let It Be are simple AF but they're two of the greatest songs of all time.


Define "heavily produced pop music." If you mean Jason Derulo and Ariana Grande, I agree with you. If you mean "A Day in the Life" or "Strawberry Fields Forever," you're nuts. The production artistry that went into the post-touring Beatles albums add to their greatness, it doesn't detract from it.

The kind of music where 20 song writers get together to "produce" an album for someone on contract. Rhianna, Beyonce, Katie Perry, any of these. Its on steroids now but was also very much the case back in the 70s as well.

I agree that the Beatles for the most part had limited production and their engineers were roughly the same people the whole time and they are great. They also were great at writing a series of 2min songs. I love that and it matters. A producer can be just as well important to the band as anyone else.

 

[ACamp1900]

Someone did a skit about Beyonce... how she had like four producers and seven song writers for a song that had a total of five different words in it.... lol

I freking hate modern music with a passion... when I listen to what my nieces and nephews, and even my oldest daughter listen to I just shake my head... it's SOOO inorganic and just overly produced/electronic... That episode of South Park where the cynics just hear fart sounds... that's me all day with modern pop culture across the board.. but music especially.

 

[Cackalacky]

Does Zappa count? Surprised Bowie isnt getting much love either.

 

[Cackalacky]

Someone did a skit about Beyonce... how she had like four producers and seven song writers for a song that had a total of five different words in it.... lol

I freking hate modern music with a passion... when I listen to what my nieces and nephews, and even my oldest daughter listen to I just shake my head... it's SOOO inorganic and just overly produced/electronic... That episode of South Park where the cynics just hear fart sounds... that's me all day with modern pop culture across the board.. but music especially.

Yep!

 

[Irish YJ]

Best Classic Rock Bands | List of the Greatest Classic Rock Groups

I don't agree with the order, but decent list of top 100. I forgot about a lot of these.

 

[ACamp1900]

Does Zappa count? Surprised Bowie isnt getting much love either.

imo Yes.

I mentioned Bowie.. I love Bowie... it's funny bc I really didn't like him early on... but over the last ten years he's grown to be one of my fav ever...

 

[Irishize]

Haven't read every post but I'm sure it's been mentioned that top classic rock bands depends on each person's definition of "classic rock".

Since there's sooooo many artists, I tend to categorize them by the following:

Classic Rock (Rolling Stones, CCR, Eagles, Skynyrd)
Pop Rock (Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Beach Boys)
Hard Rock (Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, GnR, Van Halen)
Prog Rock (Yes, Rush, ELP)
Heavy Metal (Metallica, Black Sabbath, Megadeth)

I've always considered the Beatles as Pop but they evolved from bubblegum pop & covers ("I Wanna Hold Your Hand", "Twist & Shout") to Pop Rock where Lennon/McCartney's songwriting really shined & made them HoFers.

What's interesting is to wonder where some of those classic bands from the 70s would be classified as today. Would Lynyrd Skynyrd & the Allman Bros with their Southern Rock brand be considered Country (not pop country...more outlaw country)? The Eagles could fall into Rock &/or Country depending on the song. The Glenn Frey/Joe Walsh stuff is more rock oriented while the Henley/Messina/Schmit stuff leans Country. Of course Henley could pull both off. One of the best vocalists of his time IMO.