USA Today settles best American Band debate..

Kramer

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jul 2, 2005
Messages
437
And the winner is... PEARL JAM! USA TODAY must be keeping tabs on Papa Duece and his DIS threads. Since they are my favorite band and I've seen 'em 17 times I can't complain... but I am pleasantly surprised.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/popcandy/2005-07-05-pop-candy_x.htm

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

Yes, the Seattle rockers outranked powerhouses such as Van Halen (No. 3), The Doors (No. 9) and Nirvana, which landed at No. 18. At first, I was shocked by the choice (to be honest, I fully expected Aerosmith to win). But the more e-mail I read, the more it began to make sense.

Why is Pearl Jam the greatest? Here's what you said:

•They've stayed true to themselves. "Instead of selling out with videos and constant press coverage, they pulled back at their height, and focused on the music," wrote Willie McNabb in El Dorado, Ark. "They belong up there with Neil Young, Zeppelin and The Beatles because they never compromised their integrity, which is really all any of us have."

•The music rocks. From Atlanta reader Tom Baker: "They've continually reshaped their sound, album after album, and are still making great, vital music 12+ years into their career. What else could you want?"

•Their records sell ... "... because they're good, not because they've been hyped to death by the media," McNabb added.

•There have been scores of imitators. "How many Pearl Jam/Eddie Vedder knockoffs have invaded rock radio since Ten?" asked Scott Jordan, another Atlanta fan.

•Their concerts are first-rate — and affordable. Jake Mohlman from Barrington, R.I., praised the band for keeping ticket prices low. "It's unique in an era when most artists gouge their fans to the limit," he wrote. "Likewise, releasing their shows on low-cost bootlegs brings a new dimension to seeing one of their shows."

The complete list of the top 20 greatest American rock bands, according
to USA Today readers, is:

1. Pearl Jam
2. Aerosmith
3. Van Halen
4. The Eagles
5. Journey
6. Guns N' Roses
7. The Grateful Dead
8. Queensryche
9. The Doors
10. R.E.M.
11. The Allman Brothers Band and Fleetwood Mac (tie)
12. Metallica
13. Kiss
14. The Ramones
15. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and Creedence Clearwater
Revival (tie)
16. Dave Matthews Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd (tie)
17. The Beach Boys
18. Nirvana
19. The Replacements
20. Bon Jovi
 
In my perfect world with only those choices and leaving the ties the same I give you my list (ignore the numbers)


2. Aerosmith
3. Van Halen
4. The Eagles
15. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and Creedence Clearwater
Revival (tie)
6. Guns N' Roses
11. The Allman Brothers Band and Fleetwood Mac (tie)
12. Metallica
7. The Grateful Dead
18. Nirvana
1. Pearl Jam
9. The Doors
5. Journey
13. Kiss
20. Bon Jovi
14. The Ramones
16. Dave Matthews Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd (tie)
17. The Beach Boys
10. R.E.M.
19. The Replacements
8. Queensryche
 
Granted rock is not my usual choice of music but I do not know of a single song by Pearl Jam. I have heard of them, lol, but not even one song.

I wonder the typical age of USA Today readers??

On their list, hands down I'd give it to The Eagles. Love, love, love them!!
 

Pearl Jam WAS a great band over their first few albums. I don't think they've been very consistent. If you're looking for an act that never had a bad show, it's BRUUUUUUUUUUUUCE & the E Street Band. :)
 
Always like Alice in Chains over Pearl Jam and Nirvana. Can't believe ZZ Top is not on the list. My vote would have gone for Aerosmith for their longevity. Oh well, interesting list.
 







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