r/musicsuggestions • u/RRE4EVR • 4d ago

Best American rock band of all time

This is obviously a subjective post. As post suggest “all time” so feel free to go back to to the 50’s and please consider that bands from this millennium may not hold up in a couple decades. Also genre blending bands welcome.

Greatful Dead my answer

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u/Prior_Clerk4470 4d ago

One of my all time favorite bands, but they had some lean years and also stopped playing for much of the 80's. Around 73 they were the biggest selling band around. This is not an easy question that the OP asked.

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u/Similar_Tie3291 4d ago

If we’re basing our answers on recorded/album output, I probably wouldn’t pick them, but if this were a battle-of-the-bands type situation (with every band in their prime), I’d say hell yes.

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u/Massakissdick 4d ago

Imo, I can’t think of a better live album than ‘Live at Fillmore East’ and their comeback album - ‘Hittin’ The Note’ from 2003 featuring Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks is arguably one of their best studio albums. Gregg’s voice never sounded so good.

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u/Decent_Brush_8121 3d ago

“Live” is particularly excellent; still holds up. And I was a tangy fetus when I first heard it.

“In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” still haunts me to this day. Thank you, Dickey Betts!

Didn’t one of the original members just die? Butch Trucks?

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u/Prior_Clerk4470 3d ago

Sad to say that Butch committed suicide in 2017. Jaimoe is the last original member who is still alive.

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u/Toad_da_Unc 4d ago

Has any band ever been able to replace dead/lost members with the incredible talent level that they did?

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u/WestBeachSpaceMonkey 4d ago

I’m going to augment your statement to talent level/chemistry. Bc it’s easy to throw money and get talent, but chemistry is something that is hard to find and all of their members (even ones with short tenures) had excellent chemistry with one another (and of course incredible talent as you mentioned)

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u/VocalHotSauce 4d ago

Seems like Mastodon is about to find out. RIP Brent Hinds.

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u/kissmeorkels 4d ago

I saw them in ‘72 and they blew everyone away. Great show! Opening act was Mahavishnu Orchestra.

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u/ImaginaryCatDreams 3d ago

They weren't amazing band and I can't imagine what they might have achieved had Duane not met such an untimely end

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u/Whitealroker1 4d ago

Hurt they liked motorcycles so much. 😞