That’s what we’re going to discuss in today's 5 o’clock hour, anyway.
Here are my top 5 best American rock bands of all time:
#1 – Aerosmith. Between body of work, caliber of live performance and longevity, it’s hard to imagine anyone disagreeing.
#2 – Van Halen. Van Halen could almost make this list twice: Once with Dave, once with Sammy. Eddie Van Halen is American rock's best guitarist ever.
#3 – Lynyrd Skynyrd. They took Southern rock to its highest level. Kind of a cross between the Allman Brothers and Led Zeppelin.
#4 – Metallica. They spawned a genre, and there’s no denying their popularity.
#5 – The Eagles. They spawned a genre, and there’s no denying their popularity.
Just off the list:
*The Allman Brothers got a bit boring after their initial run. Perhaps because Duane Allman and Berry Oakley died.
*The Beach Boys. Brian Wilson might be the best songwriter ever. But, while brilliant, their music sounds more dated every day.
*Creedence Clearwater Revival got off the radar too long. But they might be #6.
*The Doors are incredibly overrated. Just a singles band.
*Guns ‘N’ Roses only did four real albums. (The last one wasn't very good, and didn't feature the legit group.)
*Kiss doesn’t have the musicianship.
*Nirvana sparked a musical revolution, but only did three albums.
*The Ramones had zero chops. The music wasn’t supposed to be virtuoso. That was actually the point. But I can’t put them in the Top 5.
I’m sure you think other groups merit consideration. Like the Foo Fighters, Grateful Dead and Pearl Jam, to name just a few. They don’t.
Thumbnail courtesy of Getty Images.