The 10 best rock bands ever (and we're not listed?!?!)
From Eric Olsen, a regular contributor to MSNBC.com, here is his list.
- Sly and the Family Stone
- Bob Marley & The Wailers
- Pink Floyd
- Ramones
- Led Zeppelin
- Velvet Underground
- Grateful Dead
- U2
- Rolling Stones
- Beatles
Here is his criteria/reasoning:
First, the winners had to be an actual band, which eliminated most of the first wave rock ‘n’ roll greats of the '50s like Elvis and Chuck Berry, who were essentially solo artists with backup bands, other towering figures like Bob Dylan, and vocal groups. The bands had to be within the greater circle of “rock” music and generate most or all of their own material. I took into account musical and cultural influence, popularity over time (staying power), and the “It’s a Wonderful Life” factor: What damage would be done if the band were to be removed from rock history? — the greater the damage, the greater the band. Removal of any of the above 10 would render rock history unrecognizable.
Do you think he's right on? Or completely nuts? Agree or disagree? Let us know by adding your comments (click the "Comments" link below right).
See the list and his explanation on MSNBC.com
3 Comments:
Eric Olsen comments "Number eleven would be MEB"
You can remove Sly and the Family Stone and Bob Marley -- that's not rock! And the Dead?!?!?!? A cult following for sure, but you can remove them from the cultural landscape without any great loss. And I think that critics just like to list the Velvet Underground to sound cool (news flash -- they don't). I don't know how many have listened to them, but they sucked. The rest I can live with (although U2 is a tough one -- The Police might be a better choice), but I'd certainly throw Black Sabbath in there. C'mon, rock without Ozzy? Wouldn't be the same. No Metallica? Is this writer for real?
Yeah, I never got the whole Velvet Underground thing either. I couldn't sing you a single one of their songs if you paid me to, and I think the general public is the same way. How can you say that to remove them "would render rock history unrecognizable?" Bah.
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