Greatest Rock n Roll Band?

shakermaker · 08-08-2006, 09:53

It's easy to see who were the greatest pop group ever - The Beatles sold over a gazillion records or more, and - more importantly - gave the world a hundred classic songs. But when it comes to that wilder beast, all out rock 'n' roll, it's much more problematic matter. Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Gene Vincent, Chuck Berry and Bill Haley all caused riots in the Fifties yet most of their recordings arguably sound a little tame when compared with the sheer blood and thunder of the wilder chord-driven Sixties' hits like The Kinks 'You Really Got Me' or The Who's 'My Generation' or 'Substitute'.
Those classic recordings, in turn, sound to many ears almost mild when compared with The Who's very own Quadrophenia or the first Led Zeppelin rockers of the early Seventies.
I could go on for hours but you get the gist right? Rock 'n' Roll is constantly evolving into new sounds under some nook or cranny which hides from the major labels trying to pulp them for all they are worth (but that, children, is another story for another time).
So who - for you - is the greatest rock n roll band of all time and why?

Wynonie Harris · 08-08-2006, 10:02

Little Richard and his backing band, the Upsetters. And, Shakey, how you can put the words "Little Richard" and "tame" in the same sentence, I do not know! This music is W-I-L-D!

shakermaker · 08-08-2006, 10:05

I added the word arguably in there just for you, Wyn lol

shakermaker · 08-08-2006, 10:11

Im tempted to say the Stones; just for the sheer cheek of Keith Richards being still alive at 130 after all the stuff he's shoved up his hooter!!

But I'm going for The Who - everything about that band is immense.
Daltrey up front with the howling melodic vocals, Townshends windmills, Ox's bass slappingly stupendous solo's, & of course Keith Moon's ...mentalness.
They were one of those bands that changed youth culture & inspire many generations.
They are the hounds swingers.

Wynonie Harris · 08-08-2006, 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakermaker

I added the word arguably in there just for you, Wyn lol

Well, you'll get an argument from me anyday, if you call the mighty Richard Penniman "tame". Everything about his music was exciting - his full-throated vocals, his pounding, crazed piano style, the full-tilt boogie of his backing band...the excitment fairly jumps from the grooves. I admit that some 50's music might sound a bit tame to modern ears, but not Richard's!

grannyclaret · 08-08-2006, 10:48

I loved all those 50/60s bands mentioned ,That was my era..not forgeting the Shadows who were with Cliff for years,
Then there was Kenny Ball and his Jazz men and not forgetting Lonnie Donegan and Duanye Eddy,,,ohh youve got me going now..

cashman · 09-08-2006, 00:41

thats gotta be one of the toughest questions ever shaker, i think with me it depends on the mood i,m in, jerry lee lewis for me was/still is a genius, somedays i favour the stones, johnny kidd, eddie cochran, frankie ford,chuck berry,but today it was buddy holly. lol

steeljack · 09-08-2006, 06:02

Tough decision, guess on refection and todays mood my vote has to the Who, although my favourite song from the 60's (not really rock n roll) is This Wheels on Fire , Brian Auger Trinity

SamF · 20-09-2006, 20:19

Guns and Roses

Simply timeless, release Paradise City any year from 1950-now and it would get number one.

Slightly more modern - Chillis, though they are still around so technically cant be named as all time greats.

shillelagh · 20-09-2006, 21:02

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody, Fat bottomed girls etc. They were one on their own. Freddie was the ultimate showman.

WillowTheWhisp · 20-09-2006, 21:42

I like so many that it depends on when you ask me and what mood I'm in. We've just been talking about music and remembering things I'd almost forgotten like The Move's 'Night of Fear'

There are some songs I just have to stop what I'm doing and listen to no matter how many times I've heard them before. Most by Ray Charles come into that category and 'These Eyes' by The Guess Who.

waterwall · 30-11-2008, 01:10

between led zeppelin and motorhead for sheer rock n roll. probably zeppelin edge it.

Wynonie Harris · 04-12-2008, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterwall

between led zeppelin and motorhead for sheer rock n roll. probably zeppelin edge it.

What the hell have heavy metal bands like Led Zeppelin and Motorhead got to do with rock 'n' roll? THIS is a rock 'n' roll band!

cmonstanley · 04-12-2008, 23:24

its still the stones

waterwall · 05-12-2008, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

What the hell have heavy metal bands like Led Zeppelin and Motorhead got to do with rock 'n' roll?

heavy metal? haha eh?

listen to LZ 3, its so soft its barely even rock n roll. as for motorhead...be educated...

...heavy metal...haha!