I actually did a subject at University as part of my Political Science minor called "Sex Drugs and Rock n Roll" (no kidding!)

It studied the impact on modern western society of some of the most influential phenomena in pop culture since the 1950s - the two most notable phenomena (because that's what they were - phenomena - not "bands"):

1. The Beatles
2. The Rolling Stones.

The Stones went further than the Beatles in pushing the boundaries of what was morally acceptable in western society, and paved the way for bands like LZ, Metallica, Nirvana, etc.

The Beatles were the greatest because they appealled to the masses - the Stones changed what was acceptable to be played to the masses.

Also, I'm surprised more people have not mentioned Queen, AC/DC, U2 or INXS - these bands have had some of the greatest live shows ever seen (whoops I forgot...they aren't American!)

there are still some great bands around... you jsut have to get past the radio bands liek linkin park

kraftwerks



"the fon fon fon of the autobahn"... god damn thats a cool song

Rush. No one outplays Alex, Neil, and Geddy.

The Beatles have to be number one. Nobody gets that many number 1 singles.

Personally, I like Zep, Floyd all time.

Check out Air - Moon Safari.

BBBOOOO to led Zepplen!..

Maybe I am too young..

But I'm not to young to know for a fact....
that The greatest band of all time is Radiohead.
But before them...
The beatles changed music all together,The Doors and Pink floyd took it to the fucking limit in their day... and look what the Beastie boys brought about.....James Brown rocked too hard before his time,Maybe it started long before that... Didn't the Archangel play a harp? He could have been good.. We don't know.

System of a Down

No maybe about it. Without Zep, none of the noise that passes for rock on the radio these days even exists.

However, as integral to fusing the blues with what was beginning to become rock as Zeppelin was, (I do overstate a little. If it hadn't been Zeppelin, it would have been someone else. Indeed there were others. Cream, f'instance, and the Stones), no band is now or ever has been as good as

Blue Öyster Cult

BEATLES

Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

Parliament Funkadelic, no one can touch them

without a doubt the beatles. they revolutionized the music industry.

Thats a tough question. Just without really thinking about it.

old-school/ led zep
new/ creed

Hmm, good point. it's hard to argue with...
<img src="http://www.groove-on.cz/img/photo/bootsy.jpg"><img src="http://www.musicimagery.com/photos/Funk/George.jpg">

... However, I am going to have to give P-Funk the best Pop Band ever (sorry, Beatles, you'll have to settle for having popes named after you), and maintain that B&Ouml;C is the best ever Rock Band.

to me.....Opeth or Lacuna Coil...everything they do is gold

The best, imo is Rush. great musicians, intelligent lyrics, no bullshit temper tantrums from superegos like many other bands, and 21 consecutive gold albums over a thirty year career. Rush is the thinking man's rock band. and if a band can only crank out a few albums before imploding, it is not a greatest band. A few good tunes does not make a great band.

Air Supply

Rush has all the talent in the world, and results to back it up. If their lyrics didn't get so damn pedantic they'd really give B&Ouml;C a run for their money. Rush was my favorite band in high school.

Barkeep! Cut that man off.

Nine Inch Nails.

Indeed.