|
|
Post by Paul on Dec 20, 2005 21:05:30 GMT -5
Wow, I just read about 10 pages (first 5 / last 5)...this is bringing back some memories of the VU vs. Doors board. While I argued w/ Ken quite often there, I never was able to get him to budge (except w/ Break on Through). He however was able to get me to budge, and as a direct result of that board I own 4 VU albums. I can certainly see, err hear, the reasons for liking/respecting VU more, however for some weird reason I simply enjoy listening to the Doors more. Now that I'm not obsessed w/ them as I was in High School and for a large part of college I feel like they've found their place w/ me. I no longer think of them as the most underrated/misunderstood band, and I no longer think they're better than many bands I now find to be superior. Late college/post college I've discovered many bands that have brought me far more joy than the Doors ever did (Kinks, PJ, Beatles, Hendrix, Beastie Boys, the Clash, Wilco to name a few). Having said that, I view the Doors like a high school sweetheart; I've moved on, but there's still a soft spot for them.
To the subject at hand, was it ever determined who was the Greatest North American Rock Band? Or at least the top 10? There are tons to choose from and it's a very difficult decision, and if we're not including Bob, Bruce, Tom Petty, Buddy Holly, Elvis, and Neil Young (they would easily be top ten if so) it makes the selection more difficult if not more interesting. Did we include, or exclude Jimi?
Anyway, a few I would consider (in no order, also excluding Jimi):
CCR, Talking Heads, Wilco, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Fugazi, The Ramones, The Byrds, the Grateful Dead, the Black Crowes, the Doors, the Velvet Underground, the Beach Boys, the Replacements, and the Pixies.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kensterberg on Dec 20, 2005 21:30:39 GMT -5
Here was the definitive list, Paul. The whole thing plays out beginning on page 25 of this thread. I excluded solo artists (I can't remember how many times I had to remind people that Bob Dylan is not a band!), but if people wanted to vote for Johnny Roe and the Whatevers, that was up to them. As I recall, both the E Street Band and the Heartbreakers made the the final list, though not way high up. Yeah, there are several groupings that are just too tight to call it definitive. The VU really kicked the shit out of everyone, but after that it was anyone's game. I can sure live with the following: 1. The Velvet Underground 415 2. R.E.M. 255/Talking Heads 254/Pixies 250 3. Sonic Youth 219/Pearl Jam 217 4. The Band 201 5. The Beach Boys 185/The Doors 184 6. The Replacements 168/Creedence Clearwater Revival 166/X 162 7. Nirvana 148 8. The Ramones 135 9. Wilco 130/Big Star 128/The Byrds 128 10. Tool 121 11. Smashing Pumpkins 114/Allman Brothers Band 113 12. Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band 105 13. Rush 96 14. Aerosmith 92 15. Pavement That seems pretty damn fair to me. And if the Doors have to be on this list, there's something oddly poetic about the fact that they share their spot with the Beach Boys, who virtually defined lightweight poppy rock and roll. I still can't believe the way that VU emerged with such a huge concensus. Named on 14 out of 24 ballots, they walked away with this title. |
|
|
|
Post by Galactus on Dec 20, 2005 21:50:05 GMT -5
Dude, that VU thing makes no sense to me either...
|
|
|
|
Post by rockysigman on Dec 20, 2005 21:55:01 GMT -5
It makes perfect sense.
|
|
|
|
Post by phil on Dec 20, 2005 22:12:40 GMT -5
HÉ ! Where did the Mothers of Invention go ??
I could've swear they were just after the Band ... !!
|
|
|
|
Post by Kensterberg on Dec 20, 2005 22:16:29 GMT -5
HÉ ! Where did the Mothers of Invention go ?? I could've swear they were just after the Band ... !! Phil -- I think that was just on your own personal list!  I think the Velvets deserve their spot at the top (though X topped my own list), I was just surprised at how many other folks had 'em in there as well. Nearly two thirds of voters included the Velvets in their list, which is why they walked away with this title. |
|
|
|
Post by phil on Dec 20, 2005 22:21:41 GMT -5
I demand a recount !  ! |
|
|
|
Post by Galactus on Dec 20, 2005 22:25:13 GMT -5
I guess one of the reasons I find it strange is because outside of these boards I don't know a single person that likes VU that much...
|
|
|
|
Post by Kensterberg on Dec 20, 2005 22:37:45 GMT -5
I guess one of the reasons I find it strange is because outside of these boards I don't know a single person that likes VU that much... Isn't this sort of like Dee saying "outside of these boards, I don't know a single person who believes that silly Darwin stuff?" How many "normal" people would take the time to list their top 25 American rock and roll bands? For that matter, how many could list their 25 favorites? |
|
|
|
Post by phil on Dec 20, 2005 22:48:25 GMT -5
Damn ! Our cover is blown ... !!
Now everybody will know our dirty little secret ...
The fact we're a secret society entierly devoted
to the adoration of the Velvet Underground ... !!
Hé ! Who are we sacrificing this month ?
It's getting hard finding young inept pop singers
who are still virgins these days ... !!
|
|
|
|
Post by Galactus on Dec 20, 2005 23:00:23 GMT -5
Well yeah it is kinda like saying that except that I'm not trying to justify anything by it. I'm not saying that don't deserve the top spot or that any of you are wrong. I'm just saying, I own a record store, music comes up alot and I don't know anyone that likes VU that much...no real qulafier there just a statement more then anything. I have alot of customers who are "like us" and that to me it's strange, pondersome if you will, that I don't think any of them are huge fans of VU. Maybe it's geographical. Maybe VU just doesn't resonate in the south...I don't know...it makes me go "hmmmm"...
|
|
|
|
Post by Kensterberg on Dec 21, 2005 0:29:39 GMT -5
I don't know if it can be called a purely southern thing -- though that certainly may be a factor. But the guys in R.E.M. were all huge VU fans: Stipe used to say that the Velvets were the biggest (sometimes he'd say "only" but that certainly was an exageration) influence on the band c. '83. But I'm sure that things have changed (even in Athens) in the last 20 years ...
I only know a couple of people who are into the VU, but then again, I don't know that many people who listen primarily to rock as opposed to dance or some type of Spanish language music. I had friends in law school (Omaha, Neb.) that were VU fans ...
|
|
|
|
Post by skvorisdeadsorta on Dec 21, 2005 9:22:06 GMT -5
America's greatest rock band? Man, that's a tough one. The Velvets have been a huge influence right here in Austin, which is in the south, but I have to agree with Mantis that I'm not sure if they're THE best. I think honestly on this one I might have to go with The Pixies.
|
|
|
|
Post by Paul on Dec 21, 2005 15:44:32 GMT -5
^^^^^
Pixies are certainly up there....What do you think of Sonic Youth?
that list is pretty good, but I'd have CCR a bit higher -- IMO they're better than the Talking Heads, Sonic Youth, REM, The Band and the Replacements. None of those bands have a song as cool as "Keep on Chooglin." All in all though it's a nice list, I'm kinda surprised Pearl Jam beat Nirvana...
|
|
!