Where Do Great Bands Come From?
09:01 AM,
Monday 7/13/09
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For over 40 years many great bands have come from the United States and Britain. But does any country have a monopoly on producing great bands?
Beach Boys, Eagles, Nirvana, Byrds, Green Day, Talking Heads, MC5, Aerosmith, Smashing Pumpkins, Sly & The Family Stone, Ramones and the Grateful Dead are just a few of the many groups that are Grade-A American bands. But is America No. 1 when it comes to the best of the best?
Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland
June 12, 2009
(AP Photo / Keystone)
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KeyArena, Seattle, Wash.
July 3, 2009
(AP Photo)
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After all, the British gave us The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Clash, Sex Pistols, Cream, Duran Duran, Faces, The Police, The Jam, and, well, we could go on all day listing Brit bands.
September 5, 2002
(AP Photo)
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Rock In Rio, Madrid, Spain, July 5.
July 5, 2008
(AP Photo)
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Then there are bands that transcend geographical / political boundaries. Fleetwood Mac began life as a British blues band, but includes Yanks Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham as members. And one of the most famous bands of all – The Band – consisted of four Canadians and one lone American (Levon Helm).
Of course, other countries have also produced legendary groups. From Australia came INXS and Midnight Oil. Ireland also has its share of influential bands, such as Thin Lizzy and U2. And don’t forget Canada – birthplace of the Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Lighthouse and, most recently, Nickelback.
But which country (or continent) has spawned the largest number of great bands? Kick that around betwixt your ears for a while and then answer the poll below. Oh, and don’t forget to speak your mind in the comment thread.
--Jay Smith