There are a pretty small number of bands that could objectively be in the discussion. The Beatles and The Rolling Stones are two of them.
Led Zeppelin loses points for ripping off other musicians and pretending it didn't happen. Best live band was The Who with Moon on drums. Moon and The Ox are arguably the greatest rock and roll drummer and bassist. Drumming purists might argue Moon but he is certainly in the top echelon. I'm not sure how you argue against Entwistle as best bassist ever. Add a pretty good lead guitarist/lead singer--both of whom demanded attention when they were performing--and you've got a great band. The first few seconds of this concert are just mind-blowing. The rest is damn good too.
Put me down for Pink Floyd as well. So many hits. Listening to their music is a true experience. Their best work was obviously with Waters, but a lot of their post Waters work is very very good.
I'mma let you finish but RUSH is the greatest 3-piece rock n roll band of all time...OF ALL TIME! They rank third in total album sales behind The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. They've sold over 40 million albums with 25 gold and/or platinum. They only have 3 members that produce a wall of sound that 5 member bands would have trouble producing. They had the greatest rock arena drummer OF ALL TIME who is consistently ranked either #1 by his peers or in the running with Bonham. And, he wrote all the bands lyrics...which are inarguably the most intelligent lyrics in rock history OF ALL TIME! They are the only band whose singer had high pitched lyrics that many then mistook him for a girl when they heard him...the most man-girly voice OF ALL TIME! He sang difficult lyrics, played helluva bass lines, and played keyboards with his feet all at the same time...AT THE SAME TIME! Alex is inarguably the best guitarist at producing organic sounds providing crazy atmosphere (stand aside, Gilmour ) and was able to go crazy solo or classical acoustic on a dime. He is the most underrated guitarist of all time...OF ALL TIME! I'mma let you finish now but RUSH is the greatest 3-piece rock n roll band of all time...OF ALL TIME!
The late 1960s and 1970s were such a perfect confluence of creativity, avant-garde thinking, rebellion, mind expanding drugs and style that will never be replicated. There's no surprise that every band mentioned here either formed or peaked in that era.
I'm actually not a Beatles fan. I don't mind their music but they aren't anywhere near my favorite band. Personal feelings aside given their influence I would give them the title of the Greatest Rock band.
its impossible to pick one but i think a strong case can be made for chuck berry. maybe he wasnt the first r&r'er, but he took it to the next level and set the stage for all who followed. he directly influenced and was a hero to most of the bands mentioned in this thread. innovative in terms of his guitar playing, singing, and great lyrics. perfect soundtrack for the emergence of american car culture in the 50's and the boomers becoming teenagers. his music is about as american and as r&r as you can get. as a live performer he was pure energy and excitement. watch the 2nd video. he was singing, playing and dancing his ass off. i cant imagine how revolutionary this was to hear in the 50's. stones vs. beatles - im more of a beatles fan, but i think the stones were a better "rock and roll" band. beatles went in more directions and were more creative, but in terms of pure r&r its the stones. ac/dc - bon scott gets my vote for best rock frontman of all time. vocals, stage presence and lyrics were everything that r&r is supposed to be. ac/dc is at least the greatest "hard rock" band of all time, imo.
