The Beatles
Led Zeppelin
U2
Rolling Stones
The Clash
The Doors
The Who
Pink Floyd
Queen
Bob needs to stay off the music threads
My definition of "band" is a kick ass collection of musicians that rock the house. My definition of "group" is a collection of musicians that aren't just great musicians, but are great writers, promoters, and are each iconic. There are exceptions in that some "bands" have some members that are iconic and some members of "groups" can rock the house.
Hell, I don't know what I am trying to say, I just know in my mind there is a distinction.
Probably the 4 most influential bands that I can think of were the Beatles in the 60's, Led Zeppelin in the 70's, REM in the 80's, and Nirvana in the 90's. I quit listening after that. I guess Britney Spears influences the scene today.
I think if you define "best" in terms of influence, the vote would have to go to the Beatles. That's probably a tad unfair since it's probably easier to be more influential if you're one of the first of something -- in this case, rock bands.
I'm still inclined to vote for the Beatles, though, because of the amazing variety in their music. Few groups manage to sound as different over time as they did and still produce good music all along the way.
On a different note, I think you could make an argument that U2 was the most influential 80s band.
I voted Queen out of the bands on that list.
One of my favorite movie moments is in Shaun of the Dead when they start beating a zombie to Don't Stop Me Now (my favorite song)
EDIT: This is because I interpreted the poll as what is your favorite band. I just enjoy Queen more than the others even though some are probably much better.
I'm not sure how I feel about this. I don't think Cross Canadian Ragweed is nearly as good as Creedence (obviously, although also not as bad as people say they are either) but, I mean, those are their initials, too.
The Sports Guy on Espn.com's page 2, whines a lot about how Ladanian Tomilnson should not be allowed to be refered to as LT because that was Laurence Taylor's nickname - but I say if they are your actual initials (person or band) then you get to use them.
It isn't like people are calling them "Creedence" or "The Fab Four" or any other made up nickname.
Not ideal, but I am ok with it.
I voted for the Beatles as "best ever", but U2 is still my personal favorite.
An important distinction.
I have no idea why Cross Canadian Ragweed even allowed someone to use those initials. It's all about individuality. Did you know that there was a sorta-popular singer who went by Davy Jones at the same time the Monkees started getting big. That singer changed his named so there would be no association. We know him now as David Bowie. While there is no moral obligation to use different initials, nicknames, etc, I wouldn't want to be associated with someone else's.
Interesting selection of bands. What, 8/9 are from the UK? Not a knock, just sayin...
I think it was McCartney that was quoted as saying "If there were no Carl Perkins, there'd be no Beatles."
Maybe just me, but isn't it kind of interesting how our music got re-cycled, re-packaged, and re-sold to us from UK bands?
ps: I heard that Ike Turner passed away today. RIP. Ike never needed Tina.
Latter day pop artists who would acknowledge the influence of Carl Perkins include Rick Nelson, John Fogerty, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Paul McCartney, who said "If there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles."
http://www.history-of-rock.com/perkins.htm
Lennon did say, however, "If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'."