The Greatest American Rock Band is...

Damn foreigners making all the best bands. Pearl Jam!!?? Soundgarden, STP, Nirvana... how many better bands were there at the time they came to be popular? I just dont get it.

If you look at it objectively and not subjectively then you can't argue with Aerosmith. Been around longer and been popular longer than anyone else(by far really). Ofcourse music is 100% subjective so the objective point of view is lacking.

How far a stretch is it to count Beastie Boys as a great band that rocks?
They do "rock", but I wouldn't consider them a rock band. While their music frequently crosses over genre lines, and some of their songs are more rock-oriented, they are still primarily a rap group.