The Greatest American Rock Band is...

bon jovi should really be higher than 20 too... and no ozzie/black sabbath? come on...

of course i'm still more partial to soilwork/dark tranquility/darkest hour/at the gates/etc though, but i know that's just me...

Guys, the key word here is "AMERICAN", that's why no Ozzy, Black Sabbath, etc. LOL

I'm a huge PJ fan so I can't argue with the results.

to me, Pearl Jam is a niche band, just as KISS, Grateful Dead, Jimmy Buffett...there are certain people who love them, some that tolerate, and some that don't care for them.

Rockers like Aerosmith, the Stones, Van Halen, et al. are rock bands that stand the test of time, and relate to more than one generation. depending on the flow of music, my kids may find other interests besides Pearl Jam.

the funny thing about polls like this is it's not really that they think Pearl Jam is #1, but that they can defend it easiest (generation), and allows people to talk about it and debate.

I'm not sure I would call PJ a niche band, any PJ show I've been to you see quite an extensive age range of people there.

They're just a rock band in my book, perhaps our generation's Stones or Aerosmith... a band that will stand the test of time.

To me Guns and Roses is better than Pearl Jam. Event hough GnR hasnt been around for a long time that is part of what makes me like them more. Its kind of like they leave you wanting more of their music......

How about Bob Segar and the Silver Bullet Band, Jethrotall, and if the Eagles are considered a rock band than how about Chicago. How many number one albums and songs did they have? I saw them about three years ago and I did not realize how many hits they had. They were playing one hit after another for about 21/2 hours.I think Joe Coker could make the list.

to me, Pearl Jam is a niche band, just as KISS, Grateful Dead, Jimmy Buffett...there are certain people who love them, some that tolerate, and some that don't care for them.

Rockers like Aerosmith, the Stones, Van Halen, et al. are rock bands that stand the test of time, and relate to more than one generation. depending on the flow of music, my kids may find other interests besides Pearl Jam.

the funny thing about polls like this is it's not really that they think Pearl Jam is #1, but that they can defend it easiest (generation), and allows people to talk about it and debate.
I tend to agree with this. It is also note worthy that niche type bands generally have fervent fans. Fervent fans are the ones who vote in polls like this in general and I'd say that gives them a boost. PJ is defnitely more of a niche band than a general appeal band.
Someone explain this...how is DMB considered a Rock band? Never once have I heard a DMB song and thought "wow...that really rocked!!!" They're a unique pop band. I like DMB but no way they and some others (Eagles, Journey, et al) are rock bands.

How about Bob Segar and the Silver Bullet Band
Is there a better song than Turn the Page ever??

I guess it depends on what your definition of rock is.

I know plenty of DMB songs that rock, especially live.

I saw them last week in Saratoga and the balcony was literally shaking during some songs.

I can't really argue about Pearl Jam being up there, although I'd agree that if I had to guess, I would have probably said that Aerosmith would have come up on top.
But really, I'm just shocked that that many people actually know who The Replacements are!!! (my all-time favorite band)

As for defining rock, we all know it's technically short for Rock 'n Roll, but these days, when someone just says "rock", it tends to be more connected to moderate to hard rock, which bands like Aerosmith and Pearl Jam fit into. The way I see it, DMB is a groove-oriented folk rock band...switch the guitar to an electric, and it would sound much more "rock".

I like them, but how in the world did Queensryche get on there, and especially that far up the list??? And to comment on what someone else mentioned, Chicago is a (soft) rock band, so if Journey and Fleetwood Mac are included, they should be as well. But keep in mind that a ton of #1 hits doesn't make a band a great rock band, it makes them a great pop band.

Also, I'd put a few others up there or close (bands I think have made an impact, not necessarily my favorites):

Stone Temple Pilots
Smashing Pumpkins
Motley Crue (currently out there proving how big their fan base is)
Rage Against the Machine
Heart
Janes Addiction
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Green Day
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (if you're gonna include Bruce and the E Street Band)

i'm shocked that the INSANE CLOWN POSSE did'nt make the list:laughing- but seriously if i was putting this list together PEARL JAM wouldn't even make my top 10 , possibly not even my top 20.