So who’s the best band?

[Mrs M]

No-one has said Queen yet.

Queen

 

[DRM]

TBF the 2000s were a horrendous decade for what you might call conventional guitar music. But since I guess the 80s with technology improving and getting cheaper, music production has become more democratised and whole new genres are appearing all the time. I do wonder if now that recording, sampling and synthesising has become so cheap and easy that we're missing out on the innovation which comes from exploring the limitations of what's possible with the equipment at your disposal but I guess we'll see.

There’s hope, Greta Van Fleet are a brilliant new band, with influences from Led Zeppelin and other 70’s rock bands

 

[Grant Fondo]

Queen

I'll go Queen again. That's, er, QE II

 

[Alex321]

At university I saw Spencer Davies, Geno Washington and the RJB, Status Quo (pre their rock image days), PJ Proby, Cliff Bennett and the RR, plus the Bonzo Dog DD band. Unironically, but quite drunk.

When I was at Uni, I saw Steeleye Span, The Chieftains, Lindisfarne (three times), The Strawbs, Chas & Dave, Charlie Dore.

TBH, I'm still more into Folk and Country than pop/rock music (the most recent concert I've been to was Fishermen's Friends), although I do have fairly eclectic tastes.

 

[AndyRM]

There’s hope, Greta Van Fleet are a brilliant new band, with influences from Led Zeppelin and other 70’s rock bands

If someone played me Greta Van Fleet followed by Led Zeppelin, I wouldn't be able to tell you which was which.

 

[Oldhippy]

From a pure longevity and raw talent all round pap like Steps is not even comparable to a Floyd or Led Zep etc.

There’s hope, Greta Van Fleet are a brilliant new band, with influences from Led Zeppelin and other 70’s rock bands

They aren't bad actually.

 

[DRM]

I think that bands put together by people like Simon Cowell are doomed to have a short lifespan, whereas bands that are formed by one or two mates, who then get other mates involved because they can play a certain instrument and get their fame the hard way, playing the dodgy pubs, clubs are the ones with staying power

 

[Blue Hills]

Similarly, Beethoven was the first in a long line of rock stars who shocked the establishment.

And Listz as well, hence Russell's Listzomania - though watching that might be a step too far.

 

[Blue Hills]

I think that bands put together by people like Simon Cowell are doomed to have a short lifespan, whereas bands that are formed by one or two mates, who then get other mates involved because they can play a certain instrument and get their fame the hard way, playing the dodgy pubs, clubs are the ones with staying power

except most of those pubs/small venues have - sadly - gone.

 

[slowmotion]

This thread reminds me of the letters page of Melody Maker in about 1969....

"Clapton is God"
"Complete crap, Man. Page is way faster."
"Alvin Lee makes them both look like stoned-out snails."

Happy memories.....

 

[FrankCrank]

A few years back I saw The Zombies in Reading. Before playing each song, Rod Argent took the trouble to give a potted history - who wrote it, who covered it, how the song came about. First time I'd seen anyone do this. Making a connection with the audience is an important part of an enjoyable and memorable concert, as opposed to the ones that just go through the motions. Couldn't narrow it down to only one favourite for me, and stuff I like changes as the years roll by.

 

[yello]

This thread reminds me of the letters page of Melody Maker in about 1969....

Melody Maker? Pah! Wasn't even the best music paper!

 

[matticus]

They were very innovative of course but can't find myself humming any while I'm on the bike or elsewhere after just hearing them, apart from The Model and Robots.

Agreed - I'm far more likely to sing the tune of "Popcorn". If it wasn't for the links with Tour de France coverage, I'd probably forget all the Kraftwerk material!

 

[yello]

I'd probably forget all the Kraftwerk material!

Gotta say, on a personal level, yes, I'm kinda there too. Yep, sure, I know people cite Kraftwerk as influential, and maybe rightly so, but I find it very difficult so sit through an album of theirs. Jeez, even certain tracks do, um, go a a bit... now, which one is that gets me? Trans Europa Express?? I mean, I know it's supposed to have the rhythmic repetitiveness of a long train journey... but does have to do it so darned well!

 

[winjim]

Gotta say, on a personal level, yes, I'm kinda there too. Yep, sure, I know people cite Kraftwerk as influential, and maybe rightly so, but I find it very difficult so sit through an album of theirs. Jeez, even certain tracks do, um, go a a bit... now, which one is that gets me? Trans Europa Express?? I mean, I know it's supposed to have the rhythmic repetitiveness of a long train journey... but does have to do it so darned well!

I could say similar about the Beatles. Sure, I recognise the huge influence they had but I'm not terribly keen on actually listening to any of their music. And despite their influence, I don't agree with the assertion that if it wasn't for the Beatles we wouldn't have xyz or whatever. If the Beatles hadn't done it then someone else would have. Studio recording would still have progressed, George Martin would have worked with someone else, people would still have gone to India and dropped acid and got all mystical, some other band would have recorded a tedious song with a boring four minute outro. It's culture and it comes from society, it's bigger than any single artist or band.

See also: Shakespeare.