Geezer

I was on the way to work this moring, and they were playing some tune by the Beatles, and it got me thinking, who is the greatest band of all time (so far).

This has nothing to do with whether you like the Beatles or not, that is a separate arguement, but they were only together for a relatively short time, the amount of hits they had, instantly recognisable, whether you like them or not, and people still play them , they were hugely influential.

Others like the Rolling Stones (my personal favourites) have stayed together longer, so their hit ratio per year wasn't as good. Other groups have been the same, or perhaps not as influential as the Beatles in the short period they existed.

All that considered, are The Beatles the 'greatest' band of all?

Geezer

SJ_Skyline

What is the greatest? How many records they shifted? How many other bands they influenced? How many number ones?

The Beatles and The Stones have certainly got to be amongst the greatest (caught myself humming Ob-la-di Ob-la-da this morning!). Other bands that might appear on this list might include Aerosmith and U2 although at the risk of being flamed to death I won't say if I think they are greater or not!

HankScorpio

I think the Stones as so little of what they've done has dated. Fresh and relevant today as it ever was and although the Beatles can certainly bash out a tune and they have some absolutely great tracks in their repertoire, they just don't stand up as well

IMHO obviously.

And I'd have the Eagles in the nominations as well.

Jamz3k

If i had to choose, i'd probably say The Beatles but it reality they have produced alot of ****e especially closer to the end of their career!

Timwinner

iTrader: (3)

I have spent many hours and many bottles of wine talking about this very thing. Some friends and I worked out a formula, one that we forgot when we were sober but the result was:
Queen.
Queen are the greatest group ever.

mrs_b4

Agreed they are

Coffin Dodger

Pink Floyd.

No further debate needed






Having said that I would rate The Beatles (later stuff especially), Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Queen, and Genesis (before Phil Collins ruined it) right up there too

Iain Young

Don't forget ELO

Geezer

Queen are great, I agree, but from a purely technical, non opinionated view, they were together a lot longer then the Beatles. Bang for Buck, I sitll think the Beatles have it.

Quite a few views expressed still mention how they thought some of their stuff was ****e, but popular opinion, and probably their chart position would disagree. So we have to be objective about this. As Paul wrote some cracking hits for Wings, it's safe to assume that thad the Beatles stayed together they would have churned out even more hits, so that still means they have no equals, yes?

Geezer

Jamz3k

Wings had good songs? pull the other one!

Coffin Dodger

Let us not forget the true greatness that is the Frog Chorus too

Simon C

Whats the critera? Influence on other artists, total sales, total top 10 hits?

On those, the below will hold good standing.

Beatles
Abba
Black Sabbeth
Iron Maiden
The Who

David Lock

The Beatles


But I would have given a lot to see Freddie's stunning performance with Queen at the Live Aid show.

Led Zeppelin, Hendrix and early Stones are also up there on my list.

dl

ScooByer Trade

What about The Kinks, Lola and Ape Man for example.

Turbohot

It's gotta be U2 for me. Cool, calm, collective and cultured- well, since I know of them, anyway.

derek sti

STRANGLERS

Bubba po

There's a 'c' word you've missed out, Turbs.

Bubba po

^^^^
Ooh, look! A kindred spirit!

blubs

For me, AC/DC.

Has a lot to do with memories as a kid I suppose, and saving/selling everything I owned to get a picture of the Powerage album cover pro painted on the back panel of my denim jacket, (after a suitable bleaching session....oooer).

I bought 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap' as my very first album and I still love 'em. I love the fact they are not that technical, (compared to say Rush, or Dream Theatre). I love the basic blues that underpins their tunes and I love that Angus has maintained the same image for his entire career. I learnt the guitar as a kid because of Angus Young and still play in a band now that does a couple of DC covers, and I have an Gibson SG.

Going to see them at the MEN on the 24th - can't wait!!!

blubs

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Weird how so many of us are agreed that some of the greatest bands ever are hard rock bands... yet you hear so little of it on the radio these days

Probably Queen for me too... though if Metallica had quit before they turned sh*te then they might have had my vote too.

RA Dunk

another vote for pink floyd here, awesome stuff years ahead of their time, infact i would go as far as saying their stuff is pretty much timeless, i will still be listening to their stuff in another 30 years (if im still here) this is the difference between good music and **** music, will anybody still be listening to the spice girls in thirty years time, im thinking not!

nixxon

The Jackson 5 !
But seriously, the greatest band ever has to have some choons you can hum...

No, make that tunes you can't get out of your head, and hum all day. Kinda rules out Pink Floyd, except maybe St Tropez, even if it was a turd in a swimming pool.

Snazy

Anberlin !

Well at this precise moment in time anyway, only cos im listening to them for the first time in ages haha.

RA Dunk

why does that rule out pink floyd then, i often hum there songs?

PeteBrant

Pulp, obviously. And Radiohead, plus the Stones and Bowie and Led Zep

PeteBrant

Oh yeah, and floyd.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

For me as I'm probably classed as a young 'un I would go for either Queen for their diversity in rock music, or U2 for the continuous sound they reinvent which always sounds fresh.

Slightly controversial, but I would like to throw The Prodigy and Faithless into the pot. Admittedly dance acts, but both fantastic live with bands, and have made some fantastic music, The Prodigy's being more crossover.

kingofturds

iTrader: (1)

Foo fighters / thread

nixxon

Which ones?