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/geetarboy33 4d ago

For me, R.E.M. Started as a College Rock band on an indie label. Switched to the majors and rode the wave as College Rock became Alternative Rock. Lost their drummer and experimented and transformed into a somewhat post-rock band. All while making great tunes. As a Gen Xer, I consider them the band of my generation.

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u/ThingsOfThatNaychah 3d ago

And they stopped when they knew they were done! So many bands don't. Major credit goes to Bill Berry, who wrote many of their hits, and insisted that the band go on without him when he fell ill. The first post-Berry album, Up, is genuinely one of my favorite albums of all time.

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u/Kriscolvin55 3d ago

It’s so wild to me how forgotten they have become. “Forgotten” might be too extreme, but they were HUGE back in the day. One of the biggest bands on the planet. And now, I feel like they just don’t get brought up very much.

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u/bassettballjones 3d ago

‘Nightswimming’ one of my Top 5 songs…

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u/Loathsome_Dog 2d ago

Oh dude yes. And the influence REM had across many subsequent musicians and genres is remarkable