The Best Rock Band of All Time

lumberjim · 11-20-2003, 07:16 PM

It is my contention that Led Zeppelin is by far the best overall rock band ever.

Here's why:

1. Good song/ bad song ratio
10 albums.....maybe 5 bad songs in total and they were mostly on presence and in through the out door

2. Power
They move me

3. Versatility
They cover all the bases. rock, heavy metal, regae, ballads, folk, country( appropriately only 1 song)

4. Lifestyle
They tore hotels up, abused groupies, and created general mayhem wherever they went

5. Formula
2 front men and a super talented rythm section ( this is the model for most successful bands today)

6. Timelessness
their songs still rock, and bear repetition

7. Longevity
11 years at the top

some of the other big 4 have some of these factors, but none have it all.

SteveDallas · 11-20-2003, 07:33 PM

You left out an "ummm... who?" choice on your poll!

slang · 11-21-2003, 01:21 AM

This "Led Zeppelin" fellow sounds pretty good by your description.

Maybe I'll see if there are any bootleg songs on the net by him.

be-bop · 11-21-2003, 03:24 PM

"Led Zep" were a great band,but the thing is they are no more
(Mores the pity)So I think the Stones just shade it for me.
On a good night they can blast anything off stage...

Elspode · 11-22-2003, 07:18 AM

This poll is inherently unfair to old people like me. My sentimental favorite is The Who, as they are my all-time favorite band. But greatness is measured by more than my personal preferences, and it is difficult for me to find an argument against choosing the Fab Four. IMHO, there is no such thing as a bad Beatles song, period. They had terrific range of style when they chose to use it, and each subsequent album they released showed clear growth and forward movement, even to the point of defining a genre.

I didn't include the hotel-trashing criteria, because it is irrelevant to the music, but had I used it, The Who would probably have come out on top for me.

Undertoad · 11-22-2003, 07:20 AM

I don't think the Beatles were really rock anyway.

And Radiohead is missing from the list.

Elspode · 11-22-2003, 07:38 AM

They were rock...and much more.

Beatles rock songs (not a complete list, by any means):

Back in the USSR
Revolution
Birthday
Everybody's Got Something to Hide (cept for me and my monkey)
Get Back
Come Together
Glass Onion
I Want You
Savoy Truffle
...and about half of their early work.

You could make a good argument for them not having been a *hard* rock group, though.

slang · 11-22-2003, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Undertoad
I don't think the Beatles were really rock anyway.

What would you classify them as?

Undertoad · 11-22-2003, 07:43 AM

Pop.

lumberjim · 11-22-2003, 08:47 AM

from a purely musical stand point, i still like zeppelin, but i wanted to incorporate the whole picture here. el, you should have voted with your gut....that's what i'm after. all things considered. i think the beatles have several lame songs(their early stuff was just so queer), but i'll need some time to look through and tell you which ones i mean......im at work now, and time is limited.

Elspode · 11-22-2003, 01:24 PM

The Beatles were a product of British popular music, and their early work reflected that in many cases. Since I personally have always had a very broad appreciation of musical styles, I *admire* the early work of The Beatles. Where others might find their renderings of music from our grandparents, and even great-grandparents' day, *I* think it is proof positive of their genius.

The Beatles were equally comfortable with a wide variety of styles, from Standards to Country to British Music Hall, and on through being one of the progenitors of psychedelica.

Doesn't get much better than that, IMHO.

Griff · 11-22-2003, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Elspode
Doesn't get much better than that, IMHO.

Only the Monkees did it better than the Beatles.

elSicomoro · 11-22-2003, 03:31 PM

UT, I'd say the pre-1965 Beatles is pop, but 1965-70 is definitely rock.

Let's make the case for Radiohead though, based on Jimbo's factors:

1. Very rarely do they make a bad song....not even "Fitter happier" could be considered bad.

2. One need to only see Thom Yorke on stage to see the power of the band.

3. Britpop to grunge-like to electronic to straight ahead rock to jazzy.

4. Cool and collected--people seem to be in awe of them.

5. 5 guys taking music all over the place.

6. "Creep" still sounds as good today as it did in 1993. Their songs could easily fit anywhere into the last 20 years of music...maybe 30.

7. 10 years, 6 critically acclaimed CDs that actually sell well with minor radio and video play.

Another person not listed that also fits the criteria: Bowie

lumberjim · 11-22-2003, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sycamore

Another person not listed that also fits the criteria: Bowie

are you out of your goddamn mind?

ps syc, title suggestion: "list maven"

One entry found for maven.
Main Entry: ma·ven
Variant(s): or ma·vin /'mA-v&n/
Function: noun
Etymology: Yiddish meyvn, from Late Hebrew mEbhIn
Date: circa 1952
: one who is experienced or knowledgeable : EXPERT; also : FREAK 4

Undertoad · 11-22-2003, 04:03 PM

The pre-1965 Beatles is "rock n roll".

Rubber Soul and Revolver are the transitional albums, rock-n-roll with pop infused

Sgt Pepper's = pure pop
Magical Mystery Tour = pure pop
White Album = rock
Abbey Road = bridges rock and pop with psychedelia
Let It Be: pop

Enough said

View Poll Results: Who is the very best rock band ever?
The Beatles	8	40.00%
The Rolling Stones	2	10.00%
The Who	0	0%
Led Zeppelin	8	40.00%
The Grateful Dead	2	10.00%
Pearl Jam	0	0%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll

11-20-2003, 07:16 PM	#1
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	The Best Rock Band of All Time It is my contention that Led Zeppelin is by far the best overall rock band ever. Here's why: 1. Good song/ bad song ratio 10 albums.....maybe 5 bad songs in total and they were mostly on presence and in through the out door 2. Power They move me 3. Versatility They cover all the bases. rock, heavy metal, regae, ballads, folk, country( appropriately only 1 song) 4. Lifestyle They tore hotels up, abused groupies, and created general mayhem wherever they went 5. Formula 2 front men and a super talented rythm section ( this is the model for most successful bands today) 6. Timelessness their songs still rock, and bear repetition 7. Longevity 11 years at the top some of the other big 4 have some of these factors, but none have it all. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan Last edited by lumberjim; 11-20-2003 at 08:57 PM.

11-21-2003, 03:24 PM	#4
be-bop Operations Operative Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: scotland/uk Posts: 664	Best rock band "Led Zep" were a great band,but the thing is they are no more (Mores the pity)So I think the Stones just shade it for me. On a good night they can blast anything off stage...

11-22-2003, 07:18 AM	#5
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	This poll is inherently unfair to old people like me. My sentimental favorite is The Who, as they are my all-time favorite band. But greatness is measured by more than my personal preferences, and it is difficult for me to find an argument against choosing the Fab Four. IMHO, there is no such thing as a bad Beatles song, period. They had terrific range of style when they chose to use it, and each subsequent album they released showed clear growth and forward movement, even to the point of defining a genre. I didn't include the hotel-trashing criteria, because it is irrelevant to the music, but had I used it, The Who would probably have come out on top for me. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

11-22-2003, 07:38 AM	#7
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	They were rock...and much more. Beatles rock songs (not a complete list, by any means): Back in the USSR Revolution Birthday Everybody's Got Something to Hide (cept for me and my monkey) Get Back Come Together Glass Onion I Want You Savoy Truffle ...and about half of their early work. You could make a good argument for them not having been a hard rock group, though. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

11-20-2003, 07:33 PM	#2
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	You left out an "ummm... who?" choice on your poll!

11-21-2003, 01:21 AM	#3
slang St Petersburg, Florida Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,423	This "Led Zeppelin" fellow sounds pretty good by your description. Maybe I'll see if there are any bootleg songs on the net by him.

11-22-2003, 07:20 AM	#6
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	I don't think the Beatles were really rock anyway. And Radiohead is missing from the list.

11-22-2003, 07:43 AM	#9
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Pop.

11-22-2003, 08:47 AM	#10
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	from a purely musical stand point, i still like zeppelin, but i wanted to incorporate the whole picture here. el, you should have voted with your gut....that's what i'm after. all things considered. i think the beatles have several lame songs(their early stuff was just so queer), but i'll need some time to look through and tell you which ones i mean......im at work now, and time is limited. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

11-22-2003, 01:24 PM	#11
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	The Beatles were a product of British popular music, and their early work reflected that in many cases. Since I personally have always had a very broad appreciation of musical styles, I admire the early work of The Beatles. Where others might find their renderings of music from our grandparents, and even great-grandparents' day, I think it is proof positive of their genius. The Beatles were equally comfortable with a wide variety of styles, from Standards to Country to British Music Hall, and on through being one of the progenitors of psychedelica. Doesn't get much better than that, IMHO. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

11-22-2003, 03:31 PM	#13
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	UT, I'd say the pre-1965 Beatles is pop, but 1965-70 is definitely rock. Let's make the case for Radiohead though, based on Jimbo's factors: 1. Very rarely do they make a bad song....not even "Fitter happier" could be considered bad. 2. One need to only see Thom Yorke on stage to see the power of the band. 3. Britpop to grunge-like to electronic to straight ahead rock to jazzy. 4. Cool and collected--people seem to be in awe of them. 5. 5 guys taking music all over the place. 6. "Creep" still sounds as good today as it did in 1993. Their songs could easily fit anywhere into the last 20 years of music...maybe 30. 7. 10 years, 6 critically acclaimed CDs that actually sell well with minor radio and video play. Another person not listed that also fits the criteria: Bowie

11-22-2003, 04:03 PM	#15
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	The pre-1965 Beatles is "rock n roll". Rubber Soul and Revolver are the transitional albums, rock-n-roll with pop infused Sgt Pepper's = pure pop Magical Mystery Tour = pure pop White Album = rock Abbey Road = bridges rock and pop with psychedelia Let It Be: pop Enough said

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