Top 10 Best American Rock Bands

Metallica is undoubtedly the best American export in the last 30 years. My personal opinion, but also an unshakeable fact. Metallica might be criticized for becoming mainstream, but at least their experiments proved to garner more fans. Old, real ones - including me - will always remain loyal.

Ave Burton!

You need to be a hipster for not seeing that clearly Metallica is the best band from the US. Ironically, their huge popularity and commercial success made them underrated.

I love Metallica more than any other band because of their style of playing the drums, guitar, and vocals.

The Doors are the American band that came closest to the otherworldliness of British music. They sound as if they're playing with spirits when creating their records. The Doors, like no other US band, can actually transport you somewhere else - somewhere creepy, ominous, dangerous, but at the same time exciting, rejuvenating, and inspiring.

No other band on this list captured an era like The Doors. They were the most creative, intelligent, and lyrical band on any American list. And no, it was not just Jim Morrison, but also Robbie Krieger, Ray Manzarek, and John Densmore. All were equally talented and creative. No other band on this list captures the imagination like the Kings of Acid Rock!

Aerosmith is the most versatile band I have ever listened to. Starting with "Aerosmith" and working your way to "Music from a Different Dimension," you can hear the great variety of music they have shared with us over the years.

From "Dream On," "Mama Kin," "One Way Street," "Train," "Walk This Way," "Sweet," "Rats," "Nobody's Fault," "Kings and Queens," "Seasons," "Dude," "Janie's," "Cryin," "What It Takes," "Pink," "Street Jesus" - the list goes on. Just a great variety of songs over the years.

Thanks, guys, it has been a pleasure listening to you since the '70s.

This isn't even close. Now with downloads and how music is sold, Aerosmith is not only number 1, but they always will be number 1. The most successful rock band in the United States ever. No band, past, present, or future will ever come close.

Kiss, Van Halen, Guns N' Roses, Nickelback, even Nirvana, all great bands but a distant second at best. They can all dream on. Aerosmith is what the Stones are to the UK, but Aerosmith is better. They are the best of the best, true rock gods.

Aerosmith will always be number 1. Everyone else can Dream On.

Guns N' Roses rule! Axl Rose's unique voice, combined with my favorite guitar player of all time, wait for it... Slash! Sweet Child, November Rain, and my favorite song Don't Cry. But where the hell is Nirvana on this list?

If they hadn't imploded, they would have become the United States' version of the Rolling Stones. Nearly everyone from the music scene back then agrees. Axl was the greatest frontman... EVER! The world's last rock star!

English rock music puts American rock to shame. This is an example of the USA producing similar talent, potency, and emotion. This is epic rock, up there with the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. (I don't like The Beatles at all.)

Rock is about non-conforming. Punk is about the spirit behind the music. I couldn't find a band more true to their roots than Nirvana. The perfect blend of rock and roll, punk, and pop. Nirvana had so many different inspirations it's no surprise they forged such a unique sound and single-handedly destroyed an entire industry of corporate glam/hair metal.

With just three albums, from 1989-1994, they have made their mark on music in the US and worldwide. For such a short experiment with grunge in the '90s, I'd say this is quite significant. Nirvana is better, more creative, and more emotional than bands like Foo Fighters (whom I also love), Chili Peppers, Guns N' Roses, and many others.

Van Halen is hands down the greatest American rock band! There are lists that have them ranked in the top 5 of the greatest rock bands ever. So, why the hell are they number 7 on this "American" list?! Their music speaks for itself, and when they were rolling, no one could touch them! It was them... then everyone else. Crazy list.

Rock is about the guitar. Eddie is the hands-down best American rock guitarist, most influential and innovative player. Great songs, harmonies, and riffs. Should be number one - Pearl Jam number two.

John Fogerty's lyrics are some of the greatest, and they really stand out. The music these guys make is so authentic and Southern. It makes you feel like you're sitting on a porch in the South. They are a great rocking band.

Still the best rock music for every generation of Americans. Simple, straightforward rock and roll tunes. They remain the most popular on the radio today. Classics like Bad Moon Rising, Proud Mary, and Down on the Corner are unforgettable.

Something about CCR's songs makes me feel very American. All of their songs remind me of little league baseball, pool parties, and summer. The most American band of all time has to be Creedence Clearwater Revival.

This should be number one. The Beach Boys are geniuses. They are artists. They did not only create amazing beach songs but also beautiful ballads full of refreshing harmonies that will always bring a smile to my face. The Beach Boys should be known as the greatest band of all time, along with The Beatles.

Their album Pet Sounds was so revolutionary. When the Beatles heard it, it was the inspiration for Sgt. Pepper's. The Beach Boys are by far the most important rock band from the United States.

Jimi Hendrix is the greatest rock guitarist of all time and a brilliant songwriter. It's funny to see Aerosmith at number one. Just one album of Hendrix, Are You Experienced, is by far more important for rock music than the whole discography of Aerosmith.

Only semi-American since they formed in England and all the members, other than Hendrix, were British. Regardless, they're still the best on the list.

What the heck? Why so low on the list? These guys rock the nation and the world! They're better than anything in the top ten!

Green Day has the most songs about American life and what's wrong with our country. Why isn't it first?

Love this band. I literally love all of their songs. Troubled Times, Say Goodbye, American Idiot, and Holiday are my favorites.

Critics slander KISS due to their onstage antics but fail to realize that any band that can survive for over 40 years, with many lineup changes, and sell over 100 million albums, as well as pack out arenas all around the world, must have at least some musical talent, right?

In fact, not only did KISS have more prowess with their instruments than the critics give them credit for, but they were also an incredibly diverse band. They displayed many versions of rock, including hard rock, glam rock, and heavy metal, and they even had a go at disco. I understand disco is not rock, but I am too lazy to go back and change my comment.

The fact that KISS are not higher on this list disappoints me. If there were to be a Mount Rushmore of American rock bands, in my opinion, it would be The Eagles, Van Halen, KISS, and Aerosmith. They should place higher than Guns N' Roses, The Doors, and Nirvana simply due to their longevity and influence on many people in America and around the world. This influence has helped in the creation of the most loyal fan base in the world in the form of the KISS Army.

KISS' most famous songs include "I Wanna Rock and Roll All Night," "Detroit Rock City," "I Was Made for Loving You," "Shout It Out Loud," "Deuce," "Black Diamond," "God of Thunder," and "Beth." As they blast out before every concert to this day, "You wanted the best, you got the best, the hottest band in the world, KISS."

I came in late with R.E.M.'s "Life's Rich Pageant." It was given to me by a friend on cassette in exchange for Bryan Adams, just to trade for a while. At first, I didn't care for it until I listened to it, and then I found myself with "Fables." Then to my joy, there was "Murmur," "Reckoning," and "Dead Letter Office."

I was blown away when "Document" came out (okay, probably literally) at the time. Then "Green," and my first R.E.M. concert. Every album I couldn't wait for. Sorry to see Bill Berry go. Anyone can make arguments on who is the best. I'd make a strong case for R.E.M. Greatest band ever. But then again, they never wanted the attention or to compete with anyone.

Thank you, R.E.M.

The Eagles are the pinnacle of American music to many. They could write, sing, and play with the best. No way they should be outside the top 3. My guess is that they don't appeal to enough of the younger generation of people voting on a list like this. Their music is more deep and timeless than many of the bands ahead of them.

Their songs range from solemn to energetic, but most of them are closer to solemn, which likely doesn't connect to many of the right now generation. But they managed to avoid the '80s where many good bands of the '70s transitioned badly and instead just reawakened in the mid-'90s and continue to make special music today.

For a band to still be here and still rocking certainly makes them who they are.

Their ability to survive trends is a testament to their talent as musicians!

Best band ever! Sad that they're so underrated.

Kansas is so great. They have variety, distinction, complexity, talent, and ingenuity in their music. They balance so many types of emotions and music unlike any other band. It's unfortunate they aren't played more to the average person. I love their sound more than any other band, and there is no band similar.

The only way to know how great they are is to listen to their songs a few times, and chances are you'll fall in love. And not just Dust in the Wind and Carry on Wayward Son. They are great songs, but the band has so much more.

In my opinion, Alice in Chains is the greatest harmonizing band of all time. Just listen to the whole Jar of Flies album.

Terrific writing and a unique sound. They have more great songs than people think.

At least Pearl Jam isn't ranked lower than numerous terrible bands like Nickelback and Linkin Park, like on the Best Rock Band List. Although I would put them at number one, I'm glad they're in the top 10 on this list. Now let's work on getting them to the top 5, then the top 3, and finally to number one.

They pour their heart and soul into every show they ever play. They play as if it was their last show. If you have never seen them live, do yourself a favor and get some tickets. Thank me later.

Lasted over 20 years. Amazing live and great albums. They are not one-dimensional, playing many styles of music, as Zeppelin did two decades earlier.

There's no band like Linkin Park. Their life story, their struggle, their reality is totally different from others. They've come from a decent background and their songs have simply rocked the world, leading to a very loyal fan base. Their album Hybrid Theory hit 28 million copies sold, followed by Meteora at 25 million and Minutes to Midnight at 20 million copies sold.

Their music is simple but creative, and this band really cemented their songs in my heart.

Linkin Park is one of the greatest bands of all time. Their first album, Hybrid Theory, is the best-selling debut album of the 21st century so far. It and Meteora are their most popular albums. People liked these because of the perfect blend of rap and rock. Minutes to Midnight was more rock, and A Thousand Suns was more electronic. What will LIVING THINGS be?

One of the few bands you look forward to a new album from, knowing it will rock your socks off. Hated by critics and loved by their fans, this humble band has become the last shining star of classic rock.

The best, the legendary, the last rock band in the world. The band has a long and rich history. Every new album is popular all over the world!

This incredible band belongs in the top five, to say the least, because they represented an art form that has stood the test of time. Where would we be without this great group of talented musicians who kept us rocking and rolling for 40 fabulous decades?

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were so thrilling to watch in concert, like no other, rain or shine, east or west. They were so talented, so original, and so creative. They need to be near the top of the list because, like American pie, they'll never go out of style. They are the people's choice, an all-time favorite. Your list definitely needs updating. #27? Really? You're way off.

They should be number one. You guys are completely wrong with your "Aerosmith." Obviously, you forgot that terrible asteroid song. The Ramones were America's greasy Beatles, and don't you forget it.

They influenced half of the bands above them. A travesty - albeit not a surprising one - that they are not recognized more.

Founders of one of the best genres of music. If they did something, it was automatically punk.

Another base from which rock and roll started!

Best harmonies ever. Take away the drugs, and they were becoming comparable to the Beatles.