Happy 60th, Bruce Springsteen!!

[bjornolf]

That's the problem with saying "the greatest bands in American rock". Rock is so all-ecompassing. Alternative is rock (they call it alternative rock). Metal is rock (they used to call it heavy metal/hard rock). SO many things fall under the rock umbrella. If you want to argue that, I'd argue that grunge doesn't belong either, as many used to categorize IT as "alternative rock". I saw many lists that had Nirvana and Pearl Jam categorized in the Alt division.

[Turk]

I've said a number of times that Bruce does absolutely nothing for me. I just don't get it...never have.
For greatest American rock band of all time, I'd submit the following ten, in no particular order: Aerosmith, the Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Velvet Underground, the Beach Boys, the Doors, Nirvana, the Eagles (I guess...they don't do a great deal for me either, but their mass appeal is undeniable), Van Halen, and then someone not necessarily huge but very influential, like the Replacements or the Ramones.

Let's define "greatest" as maximizing the following four categories equally: 1) artistic genius (both lyrics and music), 2) live performance, 3) longevity, and 4) broad appeal.

Let's try a tiered structure. I have the Dead, Dylan, and Bruce in the top tier. I don't have anyone else at that level.

The next tier would be very good but come up short in one category or another. Here are ten more, in no order either: REM, Van Halen (I prefer the David Lee Roth version), Aerosmith, (meh), Allmans, Beach Boys, Doors, Nirvana, Creedence, Pearl Jam, Talking Heads. I have a hard time putting the Eagles, Chili Peppers, or Guns n Roses at this level, but go ahead if you want to. Tom Petty might be in his own "if you hang around long enough people will start thinking you're pretty good" category.

Another tier would be a few contenders in the "maybe someday" category: Dave Matthews, Phish, Wilco

[devildeac]

I've said a number of times that Bruce does absolutely nothing for me. I just don't get it...never have.
For greatest American rock band of all time, I'd submit the following ten, in no particular order: Aerosmith, the Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Velvet Underground, the Beach Boys, the Doors, Nirvana, the Eagles (I guess...they don't do a great deal for me either, but their mass appeal is undeniable), Van Halen, and then someone not necessarily huge but very influential, like the Replacements or the Ramones.

Let's define "greatest" as maximizing the following four categories equally: 1) artistic genius (both lyrics and music), 2) live performance, 3) longevity, and 4) broad appeal.

Let's try a tiered structure. I have the Dead, Dylan, and Bruce in the top tier. I don't have anyone else at that level.

The next tier would be very good but come up short in one category or another. Here are ten more, in no order either: REM, Van Halen (I prefer the David Lee Roth version), Aerosmith, (meh), Allmans, Beach Boys, Doors, Nirvana, Creedence, Pearl Jam, Talking Heads. I have a hard time putting the Eagles, Chili Peppers, or Guns n Roses at this level, but go ahead if you want to. Tom Petty might be in his own "if you hang around long enough people will start thinking you're pretty good" category.

Another tier would be a few contenders in the "maybe someday" category: Dave Matthews, Phish, Wilco

Good way to categorize. I'll still take Bruce. I'd include the Iggles at the 2nd tier, too.