SECOND Greatest Band of all Time

[MikeA]

The thread that Jess started concerning the poll for Greatest AMERICAN BAND of all time got me thinking. What or Who is the Band with the greatest influence of all time in the opinion of the Members here on The Border?

I don't think we should exclude Solo performers either. Or maybe we should!

In fairness, I think that because of the Justifiable Bias we here have for "Eagles", that they should be excluded from the poll. It's a foregone conclusion that we would pick them.

In the same vane, I think that the "Beatles" should be excluded from consideration. Their influence and popularity is undisputed and in fact, at least from a standpoint of "influence" probably outweigh the Eagles if not in popularity as well. Exclusion would encompass individual members of the Beatles and Eagles.

So, let's put together a poll after we decide on who should be included and discuss the reasons for selection. Note that I am not thinking of selection based on our personal preferences but rather as an objective exercise in noting the INFLUENCE on the music scene that a group or individual might have had.

A few that I can think of are;

"Led Zeppelin"
"Simon & Garfunkle"
"Madonna"
"The WHO"
"Rolling Stones"
"Fleetwood Mac"
"Beach Boys"
"Eric Clapton"
"Cream"
"Doors"
"Janis Joplin"
"Jimi Hendrix"
"Stevie Ray Vaughn"
"Lynard Skynard"
"Alman Bros"
"Creedence Clearwater Revival"
"Elvis Presley"
"Queen"
"Kiss"
"Aerosmith"
"Crosby, Stills, Nash" (both with and without Neil Young)
Neil Young
Stephen Stills
David Crosby
Graham Nash
Dire Straits
Bee Gees
Chuck Berry
Little Richard
Buddy Holly
The Clash
Bob Marley
Velvet Underground/Lou Reed
Nirvana
John Mayal's "Bluesbreakers" (don't laugh...Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor all came out of the mentoring of Mayal's band)
Heart
Black Sabbath
Pink Floyd
Van Halen
Styx
The Animals
The Hollies
Sweet
Otis Redding
Marvin Gaye
Prince
Michael Jackson (yes)
Sly Stone
Sam Cooke
Al Green
Bob Dylan
Byrds
Elton John
Aretha Franklin
Van Morrison
U2
Poco
Ramones
Frank Zappa
David Bowie
Bruce Springsteen
BB King
Robert Johnson
Grateful Dead
Joni Mitchel
Dolly Parton
Aretha Franklin
Lionel Richie
Stevie Wonder
Journey
Boston
Kansas
REO
Bon Jovi
Motley Crue
Yes
Def Leppard
Run DMC
P.O.D.
Megadeth
Alice Cooper

[TimothyBFan]

Mike--did you actually just leave Zeppelin off your list? I'm sorry I can't play with you if you're going to be like that!

[luvthelighthouse]

I think you have to add "Led Zepplin" to that group. ... and not that I'm a huge fan, but "Madona" has been around for a long time and done much for music. Also, how about "Simon and Garfunkel"?

I agree with

"The Who"
"Rolling Stones"
"Beach Boys"
"Elvis Presley"
"Queen"
"Kiss"
"Aerosmith"
"Crosby, Stills, Nash" (both with and without Neil Young)

[EagleLady]

Madonna isn't really a band. Just a singer

[luvthelighthouse]

Madonna isn't really a band. Just a singer

So is Elvis. I think Mike mentioned it would be okay to add a solo artist, unless everyone decides to leave off the solo act.

Also, TBF, I was typing as you were posting... so yes, Led Zepplin needs to be included.

[MikeA]

So is Elvis. I think Mike mentioned it would be okay to add a solo artist, unless everyone decides to leave off the solo act.

Also, TBF, I was typing as you were posting... so yes, Led Zepplin needs to be included.

For cryin' out loud! Of COURSE Zep should be there!!!!!!!!!! I have an MP3 player with nothing but EVERYTHING that Zep has ever done!

I will try to keep the original post updated with suggestions so help me if I fail to pick up on anyone's suggestions. Be good to have them all listed in one place. Then we eventually get the list narrowed down to true contenders.

[Freypower]

I would not include Kiss in terms of 'influence'. Neither would I include Lynyrd Skynyrd. As for Aerosmith, I am dubious that they have had lasting influence.

I will push my own barrel here and say that you can't leave out Dire Straits, but perhaps that is just me. Same with the Bee Gees.

My husband would want me to mention Frank Zappa.

Others:

Chuck Berry
Little Richard
Buddy Holly
The Clash
Bob Marley
Velvet Underground/Lou Reed
Nirvana