I believe Dave Matthews is South African. Could be wrong, though...

Here's my vote for Metallica & Megadeth. Of course, just about everything that everyone else mentioned is great too.

My all-times...

- Sugar (& Bob Mould's solo career)
- Faith No More
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Blondie
- Ramones
- Talking Heads
- Descendents
- Misfits
- Social Distortion/Mike Ness
- NOFX
- Bad Religion
- Alice Cooper
- Ministry
- and the Man in Black (Johnny Cash)

just off the top of my head...

Bren R.

In no particular order:

Hendrix
The Doors
Blondie
The Cars
Slayer
Ministry
Van Halen
Steely Dan (whom I'm seeing next Thursday!!!!)
Earth, Wind and Fire
Stevie Wonder
Heart
Alice In Chains
Nirvana

I'm not trying to nitpick, either, but Graham Nash is British, so that leaves CS.

And I'm pretty sure David Crosby oiginated from some other planet!

In a pure American genre

The Allman Brothers (and now)
Gov't Mule
The Derek Trucks Band

I gave up trying to figure out my favorite group’s nationality when I found out that my all time favorite group (AC/DC) was NOT from the US. I must have been a fan of theirs for better than 20 years before I figured that out…….goes to show how observant I am.

I like Green Day quite a bit, but for some reason I thought they were from England.

While I do like my classic hard rock groups (most already mentioned), I tend to listen to more of the new rock that’s been coming out past five years or so.

Nickelback is one of favorite groups, but they’re from Canada.
Theory of a Deadman is in my top ten list. Another Canadian group produced by Nickleback’s Chad Kroeger. No wonder I like them.
Shinedown is bumping AC/DC for the top honor. I think they are from the U.S., but not certain. Their latest CD (Us and Them) is friggin awesome, both musically and recording quality.
Three Days Grace is bound to be a kick ass group if they don’t fade out. I’m enjoying their One X album right now. Don’t know where they’re from.
I’ve always liked the Goo-Goo Dolls. I think they’re U.S. I got to meet these guys when they visited Alaska and didn’t ever think to ask them any personal questions. Their new CD has got to be the best one yet.
Collective Soul is always good. I think they’re U.S.
Hoobastank is quite good, especially their new CD. It’s got to have the most ‘unique’ sound to it I’ve ever heard. Still ‘their’ sound, but just different. I’m really enjoying it. Don’t know where they’re from.
Seether also on my top ten list. U.S.??
And then there’s always Kenny Wayne Shepherd. He's gotta be from the U.S.?? Heck, I'm not sure now that I ask myself the question.

I just realized that I don’t know much…………

I'll second Nine Inch Nails. Best World Wide band for me, let alone American.

Geez, Mike, thanks for the tips! I've always been a big AC/DC fan, too. See the Live at Donnington video (it's Brian Johnson not Bon Scott, but the production is pretty darn cool).

Guys, you all know that "best" is entirely subjective. I mean, many of the bands mentioned were clearly innovative, influential, creative, successful, etc. But how do you measure "best"? Does it equate with "most enjoyable to me"? Do musicianship, longevity, live performance, etc. count?

Since we've thrown national origin into it, would you include as a criterion whether or not the music expressed a particular and identifiable "American" character? I'm sure it will not surprise many of you to learn that my personal answer to that question is "yes". To echo BrotherBob's sentiments, there are many bands from America who make wonderful and powerful music, but yet fail to express anything that resonates with me as uniquely American. Likewise, it is common for US-originated genres to be improved by the perspective and interpretation of musicians from around the world.

I will grant that - as I get older - the nature of my emotional involvement in music has evolved.

Here are some of my favorites:

John Hiatt (with whatever incarnation of his backup band)
Lyle Lovett and his large band
Allman Brothers
Count Basie Band with Joe Williams
Duke Ellington Orchestra
Miles
SRV and Double Trouble
BB King Blues Band

Now, some of you may object to my list in that it is composed almost entirely of groups dominated by one particularly talented or charismatic leader. I would contend that in all of these cases, the spontaneous creative interplay between musicians is well respected and represented. If that were not true, the music would simply not be as rich as it is.

Mark, get a job.

>>> Collective Soul is always good. I think they’re U.S.

>>> And then there’s always Kenny Wayne Shepherd. He's gotta be from the U.S.??

I do know that Collective Soul is from Atlanta, GA ... isn't R.E.M. and The B-52s from Atlanta also? And Kenny Wayne Sheppard is from Shreveport, LA., I don't know about the others though. Nice list Mike!

I sit like a lump on my couch corrected.

Ah-ha!! Southern routs, no wonder I like them.

Southern gets me thinking about 38 Special. Damn I sure like that band…….the seamed to have lost their sound for a spell, but their last CD (Drive Train) is a pretty good attempt to get back to their roots.

Hey Tom, if you like BB King, pick yourself up Kirk Fletcher, Shades of Blue. The CD sounds great on the Axioms too. Nicely recorded……

Copy / Paste from Amazon

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
KIRK "ELI" FLETCHER
Guitarist Kirk "Eli" Fletcher is, ironically, a rare presence on today’s blues scene: a 20-something African-American man who has thoroughly immersed himself in the classic blues sounds of the 1950s and '60s. Son of a Baptist minister, Kirk's introduction to the blues came as a teenager, through his older brother's copy of B.B. King's "Live At the Regal", and he hasn't looked back since. In Kirk's relatively short time playing music, he's made some big waves and impressed a lot of the right people. Coming up through the ranks of the West Coast blues scene, he's spent valuable time with Al Blake (former frontman of the legendary Hollywood Fats Band), Richard "Lynwood Slim" Duran, and Junior Watson, among others. Eventually he was handpicked for Kim Wilson's Blues Revue, the modern day equivalent of joining, say, Muddy Waters' band in the 1950s. From there he was recruited for veteran harp man Charlie Musselwhite's band, and not long afterwards, with help from Wilson, Blake! and Duran among others, he recorded his first CD, for England's JSP label. While continuing to work as one of the most sought after 'hired hands' on the West Coast blues scene, he began an association with blues producer and promoter Randy Chortkoff, which resulted in Kirk's most recent solo CD, "Shades Of Blue". On that project Kirk was supported by some the hottest and most experienced West Coast blues veterans, among them vocalist Finis Tasby, laying the groundwork for his most recent recording with all-star supper group The Mannish Boys.

Product Description
"Raw blues does not get any better than this"
The essential album by dynamic guitarist Kirk Fletcher, "Shades of Blue" can only be described as classic electric Chicago, Delta, and West Coast blues played with passion and fire by one of the best blues guitarists in the business, with a little help from some high-profile friends.
This is the first time that "Shades of Blue" has been available in the US, newly re-mastered and with 3 previously unreleased tracks!
The album also features a powerhouse of blues talent including: Kim Wilson, Janiva Magness, Finis Tasby, Ronnie James Weber, and more!
With a total 17 tracks this album is a must have for music lovers worldwide.

Just a few more

Creedence Clearwater Revival
Blue Oyster Cult
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Marshall Tucker Band
Montrose

There's been some good suggestions, but hasn't it occurred to anyone that there's no "obvious" choices?

There's no Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin or Who among American rock bands? I thought the Black Crowes were gonna have a shot at it, but they fizzled....

I still have to go with Aerosmith or Green Day for longevity, relatively consistant performance, and overall popularity.

It would seem that you're correct. Although the Doors make a shot at it. (personally, I can't stand them, but that's almost undoubtedly because of overexposure.)

If bigjohn were still around, I'm sure he'd throw a vote in for Pearl Jam.

Me? I think Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers deserves a vote.

A couple that I really thought were great:

- Mr Big ; they seemingly got branded after their ballad "To Be With You"
- Y&T ; a very good Blues influenced rock band from California

Already mentioned - The Allman Brothers.

One that was not mentioned, but alluded to in terms of older artists - Elvis. While he was not necesarily musically gifted, there is no denying the impact to music history.

Don't miss the Robert Randolph Family Band. They put on an awesome show, and have incredible energy. I saw them twice at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, and then saw them a couple of weeks ago when they opened up for the Black Crowes.

I first saw the Crowes in San Francisco in 1991. They were loud. They were rocking. They were raw. They were fun. I've listened to their music over the years, but hadn't seen them (except at the ACL festival last year, where they did play a 60 minute "hits" set).

I was quite surprised. They have mellowed quite a bit, and it really felt a lot more like a Grateful Dead show. They can still rock, but the whole vibe is very, very different. And they only play 2-3 of their top radio hits. On the other hand, they do venture into some interesting stuff. When I saw them they did a cover of the old Pink Floyd song "Fearless". It seemed like only 2 or 3 other folks recognized the song.

Anymore, more info than you probably wanted! Go see Robert Randolph (and the Drive By Truckers -- they're good, too)

Rich

Yeah... I like Robert Randolph and bought their first CD after they blew me away with a great performance on David Letterman. Not familiar with the Drive By Truckers. I oughta check 'em out on Amazon.

I had almost forgotten that Roomful of Blues is playing a free concert downtown tonight!

Jeez, I'm normally lucky to go to one concert per season, and this'll be three including the Allman Brothers and Government Mule in a few weeks!

Kewl.

Kiss isn't mentioned yet, or I missed it. Other than Simon's birth place, they're US, right?

As a youngin I idolized those guys. Along with just about every other kid I knew.

Hmmm... In no particular order.
Pearl Jam
Nirvana
Green Day
Bon Jovi
Matchbox 20?
Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Gin Blossoms?
Live
Stone Temple Pilots
Foo Fighters
Goo Goo Dolls
Collective Soul

>>> As a youngin I idolized those guys. Along with just about every other kid I knew.

That just ain't right Mike. *shaking my head*

What about Anthrax, Clutch, Blue Cheer don't know where they are from but they rock. Black Label Socitey, System of a Down. My fav. of all time RUSH I think they really cook and Neil Peart well I think he is the best drummer ever
Gieseman.

Rush is a Canadian band.

One of my favorites is Sublime, pity the singer OD'd. They were one of a kind in my opinion.

Best American band?
No question - that would be Bob Seger / Silver Bullet Band

I know, really old thread.
Wanted Seger to have his well deserved props!

Jeff