GUITAR DAD

 
 

Ranking rock bands, or anything for that matter, is a dicey endeavor. It's thoroughly subjective and invariably contentious.

My list is not only biased but skewed toward so-called "classic rock" and "progressive rock," the latter of which evolved the genre into more dynamic and, some would say, self-indulgent territory in the late 1960s and 1970s. For what it's worth, here is Guitar Dad's carefully considered and definitive list:
 
                          1. The Beatles 
                          2. King Crimson
                          3. Pink Floyd 
                          4. Led Zeppelin 
                          5. The Who
                          6. Genesis
                          7. Yes
                          8. The Replacements 
                          9. The Rolling Stones 
                        10. Radiohead 
                        11. Cream 
                        12. Black Sabbath 
                        13. Traffic 
                        14. Van Halen
                        15. The Byrds 
                        16. U2 
                        17. The Allman Brothers
                        18. Big Star 
                        19. ZZ Top 
                        20. The Yardbirds 
                        21. Jimi Hendrix Experience 
                        22. REM
                        23. Foo Fighters 
                        24. The Police 
                        25. The Clash
 
Any questions?

 


Comments

gilligan

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 06:43:21

Can't really argue with the list. However, I might replace the Foo Fighters with AC/DC, The Doors or Deep Purple.

And sorry, the Replacements should just flat be replaced. Not a big fan. Maybe replace them with Yes, Fairport Convention, or best of all - Steely Dan.

Enjoyed your post!

 

Penelope Kaplan

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:08:30

Oddly enough, approx. 90% of this list is currently on my Ipod... Plus I have bands like Sex Police, Let's Active and Ben Folds...that is, on my ipod, not my top 25 list....they are lesser known but still great.
To consider for your list: Queen, David Bowie, Elton John, Aerosmith and AC/DC. I'll let Eric Clapton slide because you have Cream on your list.
I am pleased to say that if you asked my older 3 kids to tell you the Number 1 band of ALL TIME, they'd each say, without hesitation, The Beatles. However, my 6 year old boys have 2 favorite songs: Iron Man and Cat Scratch Fever, so I really need to work on them. They just may be too far gone already...

 

jackpatzer

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:25:02

I don't agree with placing Yes that high on the list. Definitely not above the Rolling Stones. Have you ever considered the White Stripes?
Just a thought.

 

nomp

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:07:45

Did you copy this list directly off the radio station's playlist?

 

Guitar Dad

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:23:43

nomp - I didn't copy this list but please tell me which radio station you're referring to. I'd love to dial it in.

 

Epiphone Sheraton

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:38:21

Love that Gibson-ES 335 on your guitars page. Is that yours?

 



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