There has been so much pushback here in the comments about my choices I am preparing a seperate video to answer some of accusations that I don't know what I am talking about and why I didn't put Pink Floyd or Queen or whatever on this list. It will be called THE 10 MOST IMPORTANT BANDS IN HISTORY | Why I was right
You pretty much nailed this list! It seems to me that you did your best to put personal biases aside... something many of the commenters have failed to do. Pistols, Nirvana and Kraftwerk are absolute no-brainers. I'm stunned to see ANY pushback on either of them. Solid stuff, glad i found you. New Sub
Absolutely. You’re not alone in the admiration for John Paul Jones. I don’t like when someone says “the best ever” like the Americans do, or discredit all others, etc., but dare I say he is the most amazing bass player that the whole era of the art form we call rock produced.
I can't say that I agree with everyone on your list, but man was it really engaging hearing you articulate your reasons for having them where you had them. Great video.
Andy: you absolutely *nail* what The Beatles were in this vid. I can't believe you didn't grow up in that era - I did, and you channel it like you were there. Bravo.
It's the same thing with me. I grew up in the same hometown as Kraftwerk, Düsseldorf. Their recording studio was very near the main station. A friend of mine owned an indian restaurant near Kraftwerk's studio. There i saw Florian many times eating his favourite food.
Great video! -Just one minor correction. George Harrison didn't write Michelle. That was credited to Lennon/McCartney, but I believe was written by Paul.
10 - The Who 🇬🇧 9 - Nirvana 🇺🇸 8 - The Sex Pistols 🇬🇧 7 - The Velvet Underground 🇺🇸 6 - Led Zeppelin 🇬🇧 5 - Black Sabbath 🇬🇧 4 - Kraftwerk 🇩🇪 3 - The Rolling Stones 🇬🇧 2 - Cream 🇬🇧 1 - The Beatles 🇬🇧 Your list is subjective, as is any list. However, one thing ALL lists will have in common, no matter who compiles them or where they are from, is that as different as they may be from each other, the top 10 are ALWAYS dominated by British bands.
@ because in the 1970’s (when all the bands mentioned above were performing) about 99.11% of the UK population was white, according to The Office of National Statistics. Today, it’s about 87.5%. And that rise in the ethnic population also saw a rise in non-white British musicians who (unsurprisingly) were not into Rock, so they wouldn’t appear in the list above anyway. Some of the most famous black British artists didn’t appear until the 80’s onwards when the demographic started to change like Billy Ocean, Soul II Soul, Seal, Sade, all the way up to Stormzy today. Not only that, a lot of the white bands started to become influenced by black British immigrants. That’s what gave birth to new genres like Ska Punk, Acid Jazz and Trip Hop. And you might be surprised that the biggest selling Reggae band of all time, are from Birmingham, England - UB40!
@@RecycledBikes-jj There is a thing like "white blues" and even black voices in white bodies: Steve Winwood, Jack Bruce, Eric Burdon, and many many more.
I don't know if the Kinks should be on the list but they are certainly in the next 10. They influenced everyone from metal to prog. You really got me 1n 1964 Christ that's amazing guitar distortion and weight. Marvellous creative band. The two brothers fighting each other decades before Oasis. Influenced directly or indirectly everyone who followed.
Townsend is on record saying "Can't Explain" was attempt to imitate Kinks. Kinks legacy is to remain forever the world's greatest under appreciated band.
I remember reading an article about Eric Clapton, he was being interviewed in the mid 60's, I think it was around the time Revolver had been released. He said that there were really only 4 bands in the UK that were trying to push the musical boundaries at that time. The Beatles, The Stones , The Who and The Kinks.
Couldn't agree more re the Kinks, you really got me, all day and all of the night, along with thems Gloria must have been the advent of punk. Also his comments re the Jimi hendrix Eperince not being a band were rubbish, Mitchell wasn't interchangeable with any other drummer, He was as important to Jimi , as Jimi was to mitch
I had an experience that highlighted the god status of the Beatles. I was part of a harm reduction conference in Liverpool and as an introductory party we had a Beatles cover band. The conference participants came from roughly 100 countries, the participants ranged from academics, researchers, social workers, activists, addicts and sex workers and ranging in age from 18 to 80 and when the songs hit the floor so did everyone. I was thinking at the time that no other band had the global reach - the true everyman (everyperson) appeal. And was still art.
As a “musicmaniac” of years there is no doubt in my mind that, past the times of Bach, Mozart and Bethoveen, which constitute the Old Testament of music, Beatles constitute its New Testament. That’s saying a lot, considering music is perhaps the most transcendent art form of all.
The Beatles knocked the world off its feet; not just musically, but culturally as well! Overall they produced an incredible 27 number one hit singles! Of their 12 studio albums, all but one went to number one! They had an incredible charisma that psychologists tried to explain but couldn't. Girls screamed uncontrollably and fainted at their concerts and some even went into convulsions! On August 15, 1965, they played to a packed house of 55,600 people at Shea Stadium in Queens, N.Y. near New York City! No one before The Beatles even dared to fill a venue so large.They wrote over 200 original songs appearing on their 12 studio albums. The Beatles are the biggest selling band of all time, selling over 500 million records! Amazingly, they accomplished all of this in a mere seven years! The Beatles were magic and fortunately I was there to experience their magic!
The Beatles started a new musical revolution with multiple influences from the US and Europe , everyone was always checking out what the Beatles were doing!
I stumbled on this channel a couple of days ago (I’m quite elderly and stumble quite a lot these days!) and have been watching your content, which is uniformly excellent, since then. I have much catching up to do! But fantastic throughout. The Beatles? I was there and if you weren’t maybe it’s hard to grasp their colossal impact. When younger folk ask me about them I ask ‘who is your favourite band’. When they tell me, whatever band/artiste they mention , I always say “if it wasn’t for The Beatles, they wouldn’t exist. The Beatles were that important”. And I usually advise that they check where they started with Love Me Do and where they finished with Abbey Road - its mind blowing and the more so when you see what they did in between. Oh yeah, and I’ve subbed!
I am in my 60s and have been listening to rock since I was in first grade. It started with the Beatles. Then I progressed through the years through Pink Floyd and Zeppelin, Punk and New Wave then Grunge. I stumbled onto Penny Lane last week on RUclips and watching it I realized just how important they were to rock in general over the years. They were so far ahead, so innovative and creative that like many I took them for granted until then. That video made me re-think and appreciate them for their monumental influence.
@@DianeLake-sw3ym You get it! The other thing that’s astonishing is that if their output was over thirty odd years it would still be amazing, but it was all done in just under a decade. That hardly bears thinking about, it’s that incredible!
@@DianeLake-sw3ym sounds similar to my experience being that I am in my mid 60s. In my youth I had the 45 of Yesterday, and would listen to it several times in a row, because I loved that song a lot. I don't know if you know the show name that tune, but I used to play it with my brothers and sisters. I would play a few notes of the beginning of a song and see who could identity it, and they would do the same. It was a lot of fun.
The Beatles were outrageously important. The most important. But to leave the Beach Boys and the Doors off and basically relegate Jimi Hendrix to a derivative of Eric Clpation is all outrageous, as well. I love Cream. I love Eric Clapton. Perhaps they do belong on this list. But Andy is driven to promote England. I'm not saying England and the British invasion and all was not important. It was a central factor, for sure. And the Beatles ARE the greatest band of all time. But the Beach Boys were a huge factor because of Brian Wilson as well and Hendrix put the fear and awe of god in Clapton, not the other way around. I don't know about Beck but even Clapton knew and said he was entirely over-matched. Same with Page. I get why the Experience is not here on the list as a band but to speak so dismissively of Hendrix as a virtuouso and influential force is an ignorant sacrilege. And saying "everyone" sees Bonham as the best drummer when many, many say that of Moon. And to say 50s American rock was NOT about rejection of the parental establishment and heaping ALL that credit on The Beatles is silliness. The Beatles embraced 50s rock in part because they saw and embraced that 50s rejection of the establishment. They emulated it. And then placeing the Sex Pistols over The Ramones and Nirvana when the Pistols were themseives derivative one record wonders is crazy. And I am not saying all this because of an American bias. I can easily see The Bealtles and The Stones as 1 and 2. I can see The Beach Boys around or at the bottom of the ten. Andy is fascinating and he makes me think a lot and hard but he definitely does not get it all right. A Brisith bias and his upbringing on the edge of the edges and edginess drive him off track at times when he talks about Rock 'n' Roll. Great channel and excellent video though.
Also, Clapton met Hendrix much earlier, before even Wrapping Paper, Cream's first single, was released. At that point, when Hendrix showed up. it was instantly known that there was another God in town. See Episode 166: “Crossroads” by Cream, on the "0A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs," which blows away this one. Hendrix showed up and played "Killing Floor" for Cream. "There had been a rivalry between the London guitarists. Up to that point there were basically six electric guitarists in London who mattered as far as innovation on the instrument went - Clapton, Beck, Jimmy Page, Peter Green, Pete Townshend, and Dave Davies. As soon as Hendrix turned up, there was only one."
All popular music before the Beatles is in the Beatles and the Beatles are in all popular music that came after them. I am a musician, just imagine to be in a Band that changed the world, amazing.
Well put, my friend. Every form of music is not an exaggeration. Classical, R&B, folk, big band, rock, heavy metal, ballads, electronic, Eastern Indian, avante-garde, pop synth, etc. It's almost inaccurate to call them a rock band.
Am I crazy? So there was no great bands before the 60's? Didn't both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones (stole) borrowed thier music from Black bands and musicians. They acknowledge as such!
@@ExploradorX-e4pYou are over looking that standards were...The Standards of the day. People didn't write their own songs. In fact there are many famous songs that were actually written by famous song writers/singers but everything thinks someone else wrote the song because the famous version is not theres. Babe Ruth and Ali would be destroyed today. Course they would be a inch or two taller with staked muscles, personal chefs and workout gurus along with those tens of million dollar checks. So you really can't judge eras without looking at it from that era's perspective.
As someone who’s old enough to have seen live nearly every one of the bands in your list (except the Beatles) I can appreciate your nearly excellent and somewhat radical perspective. Bravo!
We agree on four of them that should be in the top 10: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Led Zeppelin, and we agree The Beatles are #1. Some of the others I might have included somewhere on my list would be: Pink Floyd, The Doors, Traffic, The Police, Yes, and Talking Heads. - From a 66 year old in the States.
The Rolling Stones, really? Important in what regard? In filling stadiums? Alice Cooper does not qualify as a band (though it was first meant as the name of the WHOLE band), but he invented horror rock and crafted his own music. By how far I have listened to them they started as a mediocre blues rock band, followed trends after that and then went retro. Or take the Yardbirds, they were ahead of their time and were mostly musicians´ musicians.
Nirvana is above any of those bands you mentioned, easily the best American band of all time. Literally jump started an entire genre of music and clothing style that shaped the youth of an entire generation. When I was in high school 25 years after their demise nobody cared about Pink Floyd or the police or even led Zepplin. Everyone had nirvana shirts and listened to them.
I get this is just Andy's opinion. Here are my thoughts. Some important bands missed: Post-grunge: Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Primus, Rage Against the Machine, Animal Collective, Portishead. Pre-grunge: King Crimson, Sonic Youth, The Grateful Dead, Rush, The Moody Blues, Bikini Kill. Other genres: Beastie Boys, Wu Tang Clan, Public Enemy, Modeski Martin and Wood, Outkast, The Jackson 5, Menudo. The one undeniable truth is that the Beatles are the most important band since the creation of rock and roll.
This popped up on my feed, and with Top __ lists I usually skip forward to just see the choices - but you are so intelligent and interesting I watched it through
The Beatles international career (1964 to 1970) coincided with my primary school years. Throughout those early years they were like an amiable presence. Like guidance officers of the better kind. I could evaluate their evolution through a child's senses. The entire experience was massively important to me. And when I hear some Beatles songs I am still taken back to landscapes long gone from that 1960's childhood. Experiences such as these are priceless. And they were all for free. Cheers.
My parents weren't into records or playing music. I was too young to buy records during the Beatles career. The Beatles songs I heard were on the radio and television. Therefore, free. Got it? @@ktcarl
It's impossible to escape the influence of the Beatles. When a record was going to be released (i.e., the Now & Then single recently), it was a major event.
Very worthwhile, like others I might want a few others on my list. However, I do appreciate the indepth analysis and the social context you have given. Thanks, really satisfying and could lead to many discussions.
I believe he was using 'Sunshine of Your Love' as a central reference point, as in 'If you think 'Sunshine of Your Love' is all Cream are about, well, 'Fresh Cream is so much more than just that.'
Disraeli Gears was simply CRAZY Good! My Favorite Song on there is “The Tales of Brave Ulysses.” Just one of the Greatest Albums Ever! And Cover for that matter IMHO!
Beatles, pink floyd , led Zeppelin, deep purple, génesis , king Crimson, black sabbath ,cream , rolling Stones ,the doors , formy , all influence , rock history.
This has been just incredible! I really have to hand it to you. So well said, so insightful and just about 100% spot on! BRAVO and thanks so much Andy Edwards
The Chicago Aesthetic!! Chess Records house band laid the groundwork for virtually all of the British rock bands of the next three or four decades. Little Walter on harmonica Otis Spann on piano Jimmy Rogers (or Buddy Guy) on guitar Willie Dixon on bass Fred Below on drums. (as a house band, they backed up Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Junior Wells, and many other Chess blues singers.) Led Zeppelin, Cream, The Stones, The Yardbirds, The Animals, John Mayall, and numerous others were all striving to duplicate their sound with varying degrees of success. The Beatles were one of the few exceptions. They also were a huge influence on many US groups.
Allman Bros. - Southern Rock Grateful Dead - Jam band The Meters - New Orleans instrumental rock Andrew Sisters - Tight harmony singers Motown girl bands... *Edwards' list is infuriating in its narrow scope.
The Beatles influenced everything!! How people looked, how they dressed, the way they wore their hair, the way they viewed politics, the way they viewed drug use, the way they viewed racial equality, the way they viewed war, and the way they viewed Mother Earth. Peace ☮️ and Love ❤️
They were at the vanguard of flower power as well along with the Byrds, the Doors, the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Jono Mitchell, Joan Baez and the Lovin' Spoonful.
Another great list. I understand your arguments for Cream, but that is a band that I never think of as important as all the other bands in the list. I really appreciate your take on The Beatles. I always took it for granted that they were the archetypal band because they were so big and came right at the beginning. I realize now that you're right, they are the opposite of that. They are a transcendent band who wholly embody the values of the culture that they ushered in, and nobody else could be like them no matter how they tried. Great job Andy!
No jam bands without Cream and the Grateful Dead. Andy says it - Cream really are the first really popular band to be stretching out in a serious way - their studio albums are OK but it's their live material that really broke new ground, and opened things up for bands that came afterwards.
I was in first grade when the Beatles came to America. And I was lucky. My mother let my brother and me buy and listen to Beatles music and frankly all rock music in the 60s as kids. Last week I stumbled onto a video on RUclips of Penny Lane and realized I forgot just how important the Beatles were to music and its development during a 30+ year span. And their influence on music everywhere for many years - including their single careers. they were always creative and always ahead of everyone else.
Cream essentially raised the bar for instrumental ability (along with the Mothers and the Who) and they basically, along with Hendrix, radically changed the sound of rock. They also set up the foundation of prog rock, fusion, so much that we take for granted now. They were really the first group I can think of that actually had nearly universal acclaim for all three musicians' instrumental musical skills.
Sex Pistols, like it or not, were an extremely important band. I didn't like them, honestly, but I don't deny their importance. I really like John Lydon as a person, btw. He seems very honest and genuine. That's very rare.
I feel like you should have included one funk /soul group. You pretty much wrote off a huge genre of music by not doing so. Did we really need zeppelin , stones , the Beatles , and the who ALL to make the list ? James Brown or funkadelic paved the way , laid the foundation , and inspired just as many bands as the ones I listed.
Some points and thoughts: - Yes, Pete Townshend's comments for louder amplification prompted Jim Marshall to move from just 45-watt amps to 100-watts. - Townshend also requested an 8 x 12" speaker cab. This proved unwieldy so was cut in two, thus creating the 4 x 12" cab and the Marshall stack setup. - Worth noting that it was John Entwistle who proposed the idea of roundwound strings to James Howe, of Rotosound. Entwistle wanted piano-style strings for his bass. The band included an ad with the lyric 'Hold your group together with Rotosound Strings' on their 'Sell Out' album. - The Doors were a blues band with a flamenco guitarist who only started on electric just prior to joining the band. Most other west coast bands including the Grateful Dead and Jefferson were folk and bluesgrass players who went electric and got into the blues. - One could argue that punk was the attitude of Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochrane and Vince Taylor combined with early Kinks power chording and Beck-era Yardbirds riffing. - Malcolm McLaren was a genius re: marketing punk via the Sex Pistols. Indeed, many bands benefitted from visionary managers - the Beatles with Brian Epstein, the Stones with Andrew Loog Oldham, Led Zeppelin with Peter Grant.... Other suffered, like the Small Faces with Don Arden, the Move with Tony Secunda, Humble Pie with Dee Anthony. - The Blue Cheer tune was 'Summertime Blues', not 'Something Else'. The Move did a great live version of the latter on their live EP title 'Something Else', which also includes great covers of the Byrds' 'So You Wanna be a Rock 'n' Roll Star' and Spooky Tooth's 'Sunshine Help Me'. - Mention of the Stones' 'Paint It Black' is a reminder that Mick Jagger produced a killer version of that tune by Chris Farlowe, with the band including Jimmy Page, Albert Lee and Carl Palmer. Go listen on RUclips. - Did Cream influence Hendrix? Absolutely! He loved them (see his impromptu 'Sunshine of Your Love' tribute on the Lulu show clip on RUclips). Before he settled on the Experience his band was to have been a soul revue with horns. Due to costs that was reduced to a 4-piece with keys. But after seeing Cream, Hendrix and manager Chas Chandler agreed that going with a 3-piece was worth a shot. Fortunately Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding fit the formula. - And yes, the Beatles were every bit as influential with societal transformation as they were with influencing the direction of contemporary music. I think that only those of us who experienced the before and after appreciate just what a rapid and massive change that was. Indeed, we've never seen anything even remotely close to it. Cheers!
Great list. I would need The Beach Boys on mine, not just for the adventurous vocals, but Brian's song structure, production, and backing tracks opened things up for The Beatles and everyone else.
But, on their records, you basically heard the Wrecking Crew with The Beach Boys just contributing the vocals. Great vocalist but not a band in the typical sense.
@@dosstodd8014 Brian was a good songwriter. They were a band live on stage. A lot of bands in the 60's used the Wrecking Crew.....The Monkees as an example.
@@dosstodd8014 ...just recenly several very famous musicians including Bob Dylan made a congratulation video for Brain Wilson with Elton John calling him the genius of pop or something like that. The Wrecking Crew did what Wilson told them to do just like Phil Spector told him what to do. ''Most important'' is a rather difficult subject as it is with lots of musicians influencing one another with stealing going on as well. With also popular music not being the best music out there..instrumental music is on a higher level since it is more complex. A band like Weather Report outperformes every band in that list in this video for instance.
A VERY solid list. Surprised not to see YES on here, since you clearly love them. You should've put them on! I was disappointed that you didn't mention AIC when you discussed Grunge in the Nirvana section. But other than that, I applaud your attempt to be fair, and yes, the Beatles are a proper choice for number 1. But you should feel free to put your personal faves on a top 10 list! Please do it soon!
So good to see Cream near the top of your list. I agree that they were the forerunners of Prog and Fusion. I also agree with you that Clapton was the most important rock guitarist in the world in 1965/1966, before the emergence of Jimi Hendrix. Eric was the archetypal lead guitarist at that time simply put.
I listened to your new album yesterday. I thought it was brilliant. I wasn’t expecting the lovely strangeness. I’ll be listening to some of your other stuff on band-camp. Nice one.
Really happy to have found this place. Not only enjoyed your journey through the bands, but searched almost all songs you mentioned like "Smokestack Lightning" and "Summertime Blues" and I like your finale speech. My personal list rranks The Jimi Hendrix Experience pretty high though.
@@malegrissusran8847 Two wildly different styles, c'mon. Blue Cheer went total acid-rock freakout with Cochran's rockabilly teenage lament...always interesting when a song is 'interpreted' by another - think Devo doing the Stones "Satisfaction", Johnny Cash on " Personal Jesus", Santana covering Chuck Berry's "Havana Moon", and hilariously, Pat Boone getting tough covering " No More Mr. Nice Guy" from Alice Cooper. A lot of cover versions sound just like the originals, why? I don't get it. 🔊
Eddy cochren is a classic song! Till today ! Blue Chear was a noisy hard Rock Trash !! If you like to listen it - Its up to you ! I never heard it since 1976 ! No need ! Listen to Syd Vicious - Com ón Everybody !! Also a Eddy Cochran Cover ! Nice Video ! There is a Live Version of Summertime Blues of the Who !!
I humbly add: Public Enemy - their impact on the lives of so many people over the past 40 years throughout the world is incalculable. I've had interactions with people from Asia, Eastern Europe, South America, Africa as well as Western Europe and North America who have pointed to Public Enemy as a key catalyst in their lives, especially their social and political awakening. Oh, and they're still active.
The Sugarhill Gang invented Rap in the 1970's And since then Rap has been taken over and weaponized Also If 90% of the world speaks another language then the idea is mute.
@@4thlinemaniac356 Andy Edwards is clearly familiar with a lot of music history. I think he hearted my comment because he recognises Public Enemy as a legitimate contender for a top 10 spot. Btw the Sugarhill Gang didn't invent rap. I don't quite get your final comment - there are plenty of bands with English-language lyrics that have a global impact like Public Enemy or Depeche Mode or Sepultura. Approx. 1.5 billion people worldwide have English as their second or additional language
@@joelwilson289 YES they did and my second part about the greatest music by popularity would come from non English speaking countries We tend to over rate these things take them out of context. Sugarhill Gang invented Rap using Chico's iconic bassline on Good Times. It is documented.
They certainly influenced a lot of young lads to take up guitar and spend hours drawing pictures of Stratocasters! And some of the more successful ones will admit to the early influence of Hank Marvin. Mark Knopfler, Brian May, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, David Gilmour and even Neil Young!
Good comment - and most young teenagers in those early days could tell you the name of each member of the Shads and what instrument they played so they meet Andy's criteria of what makes a 'band'.
Agreed. Co-incidentally, I was discussing with a friend just the other day what we would have as our eight soundtrack-of-our-life tunes were we on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs programme. Without hesitation I said my first would be Apache by the Shadows. What kid dldn't want to get their hands on one of their flashy (then, hugely expensive) red Fender Strats. I know I did. No prizes for guessing what this now 69-year-old has, attached to his Marshall MG50DFX amp.
Interesting choice as a lot of the Shadows hits were covers from similar American guitar bands and even some Burt Weedon songs (Apache), but you are right, I know Tony Iommi, Brian May and David Gilmour all site Hank Marvin as a major influence on their music, they were all at a recording of a charity record and it was being filmed and the 3 of them were caught playing Shadows licks and riffs in their down time all laughing and joking together, seemed like a very strange scene to me but so interesting.
I just wanted to say RUclips linked me to your channel last time I listened to Chumbawamba’s “pictures of starving kids” which I really love. It sent me to your video about band aid ruining rock lol. Your channel is great!
Great list and compelling arguments for your entries. The distinction between "bands" and accompanied solo artists is a valid one. Very happy to see Cream so high up, totally agree. Some of my candidates for positions between 13 and 20: Fleetwood Mac (two installments), Pink Floyd, and Joy Division, and from the other side of the pond, Jefferson Airplane.
Re: Cream, there is a clip of Jimi Hendrix playing on a tv show and starts with Hey Joe and suddenly switches to Sunshine of your love as an acknowledgement of it's power
Hendrix loved Cream and when he broke into Sunshine of your Love, he interrupted his own song and said something like "**ck this shit I want to play tribute to Cream!
Was waiting for Pink Floyd at number two, Cream was a shoker, anyway, amazing list and well explained, not my favorites or the ones I listen the most but the most influential and of course every record collector needs to have most of what they did on LP or CD. Anyway, my ten favorite bands and artists are: Bjork, David Bowie, Depeche Mode, The Cure The Ramones, Sonic Youth, Ministry, Prince, Radiohead and The Beastie Boys, and I'll do a video like yours explaining why they are the most important artists in history. I think I could do that believe it or not.
I think this is a good way of appreciating the rapid change. To play with the idea, “Love Me Do” September 1962 to “Tomorrow Never Knows” April 1966. 3 years and 7 months. It is now March 2024. The music from August 2020 is, to my ear, not easy to pick as being different from now. Something has definitely happened between “Love Me Do” and “Tomorrow Never Knows” though. If you prefer “Eleanor Rigby” to “Tomorrow Never Knows”, the same dates apply.
The marked change in their music was quick, and by extension, in all of popular music. One of the most important changes actually has less to do with their sound, but with their change in focus from making singles to making albums as complete works of art. That might have been a reaction to Brian Wilson’s “Pet Sounds.”
I was 6 and remember hearing about them for the first time. going Home that Friday I told my mother we needed to make sure to watch Ed Sullivan Sunday. My brother and I were in front of the black and white tv watching the Beatles. But, I also remember not being able to hear them much because of all the screaming from the teen girls in the audience.
sounds like you are referring to the Ed Sullivan appearance(s) which were early pop songs in the beatlemania period. The All You Need Is Love broadcast was entirely different and more impactful- "The song was Britain's contribution to Our World, the first live global television link, for which the band were filmed performing it at EMI Studios in London on 25 June. The programme was broadcast via satellite and seen by an audience of over 400 million in 25 countries."
I'm sure you have heard that lists are for arguing about. But to some like me that's the fun of it. You make good arguments for all of the bands on the basis of their influence on later music. I don't really like quite a few of these bands, but you really make a good case for each. (Praise comes from retired history teacher. ) Good analysis of music scene's influence on culture. Some of my friends and I have frequent discussions about music; especially about what is the difference between music that musicians like and the music that is widely popular ? You can never stop liking the music of when you were a teenager. But being a musician myself, I tend to favor music that features more complexity and virtuosity. Fortunately for me, I grew up in a time when some artistic music broke into to the world of pop music.
Thank you for mentioning Graham Bond. He not only had Baker, Bruce and McLaughlin as co-players (in actual fact he joined a band in which Baker was already a member, and Jack Bruce sort of barged his way into the band). But he also helped in the British transition from jazz to R and B. He also employed Jon Hiseman and Dick Heckstall-Smith who formed Colosseum and employed John Weathers from Gentle Giant. Also, Prog Fans, he featured organ and Mellotron in the band (before the Moody Blues, as I recall.) Into Crowley before Page. It was said that musicians admired Bond in the same way that the public admired the Beatles. One thing about excluding the Mothers and Beefheart-arguably, their biggest influence in the mainstream occurred when they had their original lineup. The Velvet Underground started bleeding members after their first two albums and Doug Yule was leader for their last three albums or so. I also get the distinct impression that a great many bands just name checked the VU to look hip. I could be miles off, BUT I remember the VU being so hyped in the mid 1970s. Velvet Underground not selling a lot is a myth, by the way. They sold 200,000 albums from 1966-1971. That's far more than the low figures often cited. That's what I call creating a fake exclusive club! So you can feel special if you like them...😅 In defense of disco...a lot of the credit you are giving Kraftwerk also belongs to disco, especially EDM.
Led Zeppelin is way more than a posturing band that only influenced hair bands. Please, Led Zepp was pure magic, incredible sounds, many innovations, and so much groove and imagination. Led Zepp changed pop and rock much as the Beatles and Queen. ¿What´s wrong with british no loving one of their biggest muscial inputs?
Beach Boys and Deep Purple are not in this list, but they are ones of the most influential bands ever. The songwriting of Brian Wilson and Deep Purples innovative style are just remarkable.
What was happening "on the ground" in the 1960's was the black R 'n B in the clubs and on the radio. I know because I was playing in various bands up and down the East Coast. While going to Berklee School of Jazz in Boston, all the musicians were excited about Sly and the Family Stone, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, James Brown coming to town. You didn't mention The Band, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix - that's who musicians were interested in. As a Britisher you overlooked the American musicians. I very mush appreciate your analyses of the impact that music had on our generation. I was blown away when going to concerts of Led Zeppelin, Yes, King Crimson, David Bowie and others when they fist came to the States. And that's the story - and I'm sticking to it!
Loved the video, Andy! Any chance you could do a follow up down the road regarding, say, the 11th to 20th most important bands in history? You had mentioned that a lot of the punk music by Sex Pistols and the Clash, etc., was anti-disco music; made me wonder if possibly the most important disco (WHAT?!!!!) band might have a spot -- Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards' band Chic was massively influential, with artists sampling their music to this day?
Although I'm not a huge fan (probably because I didn't discover them till very late in my life), I stumbled across "Rock and Roll" in the last 3 months and was blown away by the sound quality and overall feel of the mix. It actually sounded like it could have been released in 2023 using modern audio tech. It's quite uncanny that something recorded 50 years ago sounds so fresh!
@@chetsenior7253 Great that you love the Pixies. I don't listen to them. It my style of music and they did not have anywhere near the influence of Nirvana, which I do like.
Innovative live sound. System designed by Bob Heil in St Louis for February 2, 1970 concert at FoxTheater in St Louis superior as instate of the art. There's a wiki page for Bob Heil, and a book by Rock Scully which goes into some detail on this. Excellent biography if that band. Also: Lesh was classically trained trumpet player whose bass lines can were as notable as Entwistle or Bruce, to name couple UK greats. Jack Cassidy was also crafting an individual style on bass. If you care to listen. Andy. Compare Anthem of of the Sun to A Saucerful of Secrets, both 1968. Oh wait, The Pink Floyd sound (like the dead) are album bands, who listens to them?
A solid selection of important bands. I think a case can be made for the inclusion of Roxy Music. Their aesthetics is so different from the other bands you have listed, bringing a sense of dandyism into rock and roll. They were also a huge influence on the New Romantics of the first half of the 1980s.
Yes, I think it also came from David Bowie though, I think Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno's aesthetics were very influenced at that early contemporary point by what Bowie was doing and so were the New Romantics.
I think that Black Sabbath is the miss here - just my opinion, obviously. I’d say that’s an overrepresentation of the genre of heavy metal of which Led Zeppelin is really the seminal band. I think that Roxy Music might fill that same space for new wave or whatever you wanna call it. Of course you could argue that Bowie proceeds them, but then you’re talking about bands
@@johnwullschleger4351 No, Black Sabbath definitely has to be in. They were simply more truly representative of proto metal in their sound and aesthetic. Led Zeppelin built on what Cream, Hendrix, Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group did but they were still rooted in the blues. Black Sabbath in 1970 pioneered the doomy metal sound, they effectively were the first heavy metal band and created the entire doom metal sub genre. There are bands still with obvious Sabbath influence today, even more frequent than Zeppelin. If it's just one band representing heavy metal influence in this list, I'd have to go with Black Sabbath over Led Zeppelin (and I'm a bigger Zeppelin fan. You just can't deny Sabbath this.)
Difficult to argue with this list, although i would question Cream being there and also have doubts about the Who being that important. For me, it is tough to focus on just rock, and thereby ignore bands like Abba, the Supremes, the Wailers etc.
Excellent video. I was shocked when you said you are not a Stones fan, but not entirely surprised. I have noticed the dog that didn't bark for a while. Beggars in 1968 and Let It Bleed in 1969 set templates the band followed pretty much ever since. Jagger said not long ago "I get the cultural importance of the Stones, of course I do", and I regard their influence on music, musicians, fashion, culture, the cool of illicit substances, etc as vast. They also did more than any other band, in my view, to marry (mesh) rock and country music. But I will always wonder what they would have become had Mick Taylor not left them in late 1974. He wrote Sway and Moonlight Mile with Jagger, and Winter, and Time Waits For No-one (and more), and Jagger was by all accounts extremely upset when he left the band. I have long suspected they could and would have become more inventive, jazzy, stylised, if Taylor had stayed, and that Jagger saw him as an opportunity to do so. It would have worked. We'll never know, as they then chose Woody, a player I think of as The World's Luckiest Sideman (although he's very good on lap steel and plays a mean slide).
Well put. Woody had some great moments with Faces but either the star machine of being in the Stones or substances, caused him to lose his guitar lead mojo. Watch the long, multi-disk doc of their multi-city tour of Latin America. About 1/2 way through I realized that I hadn't heard a guitar solo once. Taylor was a great player and I thought, fit in perfectly with Keith's gritty rhythm playing.
Excellent comment, the Taylor years were extremely special. When I first heard "Ya-Ya"s" it was absolutely amazing, incredible solos throughout, and then the Taylor-era studio albums came out over the next four years and we saw the Stones take a whole new direction. It's always been a pause for reflection to try and imagine what the Stones would have done if Mick Taylor had never left. We can't ignore that Woody understood the personalities of the Glimmers and what needed to be done to keep the band together. He really cared and played an important "fixer" role in the 80's when Mick and Keith weren't speaking. On top of that, when Ronnie first showed up, listen to his soloing in the 1975-76 tours, very up front and truly delightful. After those tours, things got toned down a bit, and the Keith-Ronnie dynamic was one of "weaving" as Keith himself explained on more than one occasion. All in all, Ronnie turned out to be a perfect fit for the Stones.
I think jagger wrote winter. I love that song! I'm by no means a hater of mick Taylor and the albums he was on are mostly great. But....his solos, for the most part, especially live, were pretty noodly. He was a kid and surely would have gotten more willing to leave notes out. Like Ron wood. The interaction between woody and Richards was the best for my ear. Some girls being that versions of the band's peak. Like sticky fingers was the mick taylor years peak
I appreciate your list and to be honest, I haven’t to this whole video. I stopped at this guy’s comment about the stones. Simply put, I don’t think there’s a more important rock band ever than the Rolling Stones. There’s no one that really has had their kind of impact period!! I mean, I know the Beatles kicked open the door and they were a social and cultural revolution and all that, and I loved listening to them like most people, but essentially to me, they were just an extra creative pop band. And we’re talking rock ‘n’ roll here and I agree rock ‘n’ roll should be made to sound like it’s best played live. And there’s no other greater live rock band from the start of Mick Taylor’s years to the end of his years (from John Mayhal, and Mick T was a virtuoso back then as good as the likes of Clapton, Paige, and Hendrix). They did have a few decent tours with Woody, and he was exceptional with Keith in making of Some girls, which is an incredibly underrated album in my opinion. I’m not calling them Great simply because they’ve been around the longest, but I mean their breath of music is so extensive and includes so many genres within, I don’t think it was ever met especially how rock should best be heard and that’s Live and really don’t think that was met by any other Band like them i.e. 72 tour “ladies and gentlemen…” I mean, there are a lot of bands that made great efforts, but not on the massive scale that I think the stones did!!! I mean, I don’t think there’s any front man that can compare to the power, energy and influence of Jagger and never a greater rhythm guitar player rock ‘n’ roll writer than his partner Keith Richards. You also have got Charlie Watts simple as he may have sounded at times, put the most unique sound that was absolutely perfect with the stones rhythm blues rock funk all that made the stones what they were. I’m not talking about banging the living hell out of the drums. I love Keith moon, John Bonham, and all these guys and especially Neil Piert… I could go on and on and on, but I truly think they really do deserve the title, world‘s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band title simply because I find most of their music timeless, as powerful today, much of it (and again their “live” music), as it was back in the 60s and early 70s and a little of their later stuff but…anyway regardless how objective we all might try to be, I do realize still for most it’s a matter of personal taste…. BUT, there was a comment by someone in the comments here also about all the black artists who are truly the heart of where the soul & the essence of rock came from and there’s no other rock band that expressed the rhythm and blues to the core on a massive scale with endless great songs with that “core”, than none other, than the Rolling Stones…..maybe that’s the key element here that might be missed too… thank you for your contribution and I will definitely come back to finish listening…. side note: Can’t forget the suburbs of the best rock saxophone player of all time Bobby, Keys, and of course Nicky Hopkins and on…
I believe the Doors were quite an influential band and a pioneer at psychedelic rock in the late 60’s, so they would enter my list. Honorable mentions: Steely Dan, Roxy Music, Supertramp, Pink Loyd, Depeche Mode.
As has been said countless times about Velvet Underground, only a thousand people bought their debut album, but every one of those thousand went on to form an iconic band.
I love the Beatles; they are, without a doubt, the GOATs of music. To say nothing of their songwriting and composition - their innovation in music alone would put them on top. Their influence can not be understated.
Bravo! From the perspective of this 68 year old, your logic for the choices made was well thought out and articulated. I couldn't agree more with the Beatles and no you can't find anything else to say about them (or Led Zeppelin for that matter), the second most important band in my life. Well done!
@@STMRecords1I would disagree from punk , electronic to new wave Roxy were highly influential, in fact they influenced more bands in the 80s than i could mention.
And for the fact Brian basically created an industry…first artist to be credited as writer, performer, arranger and producer, pretty much the first to have total control and own his own publishing, one of the first if not the first major artist to have a home studio. They set up their own label (Brother Records) king before it was common place. All these thing are the norm these days, but Brian was an absolute trailblazer and doesn’t receive the acknowledgment he deserves, for as I said, creating an industry not controlled by record label fat cats. Aa a 22 year old, he was the one American artist keeping US pop/rock relevant against the British Invasion. No wonder he had a breakdown in 64.
There is no Beach Boys without Brian Wilson. Period. But that's what makes the Beatles unique, they had three great multi-instrumentalist songwriters, and they all could sing. You don't usually see that in most groups, even great ones.
@@josephmango4628 from 1967-1973 the Beach Boys came to very much a cohesive band, coming out of Brian’s shadow, all members contributing amazing talent and songs, and eventually becoming one of the greatest live bands of the 70s
Nice list and mostly I agree, but I’m very very surprised that Pink Floyd are not there! They were and are absolutely more influential of the majority of those bands. Personally I kick out Cream and slide Kraftwerk at number 11 in favor of Pink Floyd and Radiohead
Really enjoyed this … as you might expect I didn’t agree with all your choices but then you have a wider knowledge than me … and I know what I grew up through and I’m now 70 - thank you!
Nicely done. I always enjoy your perspective, Andy. You provide reasonable premises and draw reasonable conclusions. That's all one can ask, about anything.
@@rayerscarpensael2300 Unnoticed??? LOL Macca is still filling stadiums at 80 yo, and that's only 1/4 of The Beatles. As for the audience, they are older, younger and middle-age. The Beatles just transcend generations... And Brian May himself will tell you why the fab four are the greatest of all time.
I'm a Californian in my 60s, and I grew up with a very different experience of Punk and it's core ethos. Clearly, what's offensive here is Andy's British-centric perspective on how the Pistols plagiarized a uniquely American music culture. Freedom of expression in the "new world" has been the catalyst for many completely original forms of expression, and Punk rock is one of them. With this in mind, I'd like to share a perspective that respects the origins of this music, and its influence on this side of the pond. While the UK quickly moved on to Post Punk, and New Wave, the Punk scene in the US continued developing in relative isolation. From there it splintered into Hard Core, Psychobilly, Seattle Grung, and West Coast Ska Punk. The angst of disillusioned youth is the river that runs through it. Photo-punk ethos in the US stretches back to Social Realism, the Beat Poets, and musicians like Woody Guthrie, Buster Brown, Johny Cash, and Eddie Cochran. In rebellion against the industrialization of blues based rock in the 70s, punk's legitimacy was its authentic underground status, total disregard for capitalist ideals, and fabricated pop culture. In fact, California was extremely protective of their punk scene, and viewed mainstream attention as the enemy. In sharp contrast to this, the attention whore Sex Pistols were responsible for turning this authentically American form of expression into a cheep product for mass consumption. Malcolm McLaren came from a family of wealth. He used his entitlement to finance his Let It Rock fashion business, and political provocateur lifestyle in London. As his public persona, Malcolm adopted Andy Warhol's style of snide condescension to create an air of artistic superiority. Lydon turned it into a cartoon character and Brit's hungry consumers ate it up like it was brilliantly original. To advance his political fashion ideas abroad, Malcolm tried using his fony exclusivity act in NY, and it failed to impressed. After he tanked the NY Dolls career with his provocative fashion statements, he was labeled poser #1, and was cordially invited to go back home. With everything he learned here, the ambitious Mr. Mclaren appropriated the tattered close and raw energy of NY punk to update his business image. Like building a post hippie version of The Monkeys, Mclaren manufactured the Sex Pistols as his antihero boy band, in order to market his new political rock esthetic. If the distinction of an "important band" is making money by imitating the original artists, The Sex Pistols were very important indeed.
The Sex Pistols were not McLaren, they were John Lydon, a visionary and poet. The Sex Pistols were not The New York Dolls, or The Ramones or Patti Smith.They were not the product of middle class entitlement. Lydon found a tight rock band and implanted his vision onto it. His starting point was Beefheart, Can, Peter Hammill as well as the US garage music. He did to these influences what The Beatles did to Chuck Berry. This music moved and bands that followed on quickly progressed; Sex Pistols>Joy Division>New Order>all dance music today. That is just one strand of musical development. Sex Pistols>Adam and the Ants>Blur>Coldplay. Or even considering the US music scene Sex Pistols>Beastie Boys>Eminem. The Ramones were a mighty influence, their debut album is 1976. The year The Sex Pistols emerged. They were an influence on The Sex Pistols but I believe The Sex Pistols defined punk. All the elements we associate with punk were not fully present in The Ramones, not the look, subject matter or nihlism.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I respect your insight and opinion; that's why I'm here. My comments are directed at your romanticized version of history, because it does not comport with facts and first hand reports of these events. In fact, Lydon himself confirmed he had no previous musical experience. It was based on his ratty appearance that McLaren asked him to audition for the band he was forming with other teenage musicians working in his clothing shop. McLaren took his music fashion business model, and his public persona from Warhol's Velvet Underground. I agree the Beatles advance Rock n Roll to new heights, but they didn't claim credit for inventing it. All the elements I associate with punk were here long before it was introduced in the UK. The term "Punk Rock" was coined in the US way back in the early 1960s. It was used to describe what was considered "DIY 3 cord garage bands" at the time. Lydon's vocal style, lyrical cadence, and nihilistic stage persona came straight from the Stooges. There is no distinguishable synergy between Johnny Rotten and Captain Beefheart's experimental music. I also agree that music is an ongoing creative conversation. I understand that you're a huge Lydon fan, and why you might view his contribution through that prism. However, linking The Pistols to music derived from American rap/hip hop is truly one step beyond madness. To be fair, I can hear a strong Pistols influence on California's junk evolution with Suicidal Tendencies, Cypress Hill, and Ska Punk bands like The Mighty Bosstones, Rancid, and Fishbone.
Really enjoyed that mate!! I’d be interested in your views on Charlie Watts. I grew up a Moon fanatic and never quite understood why so many people loved him but have grown to love his feel over time, as well as his attitude & general style. I heard Townsend say he was his favourite drummer he ever played with…..
Good evening, it is a difficult exercise to select groups. I'm pretty okay with his presentations. I would have rather chosen depp purple instead of black sabatt.
You’re kinder than I am. But even so, I find it absolutely incredible that someone calls it “ten most influential bands” and only three of them are not British bands from the 60s and 70s…I’m surprised the Monkees aren’t on here instead of Nirvana. It’s that silly. No Platters, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Chuck Berry? Theoretically could argue Platters weren’t true rock yet (but again, you didn’t specify), and Chuck Berry played with session musicians, not a band. But not for Buddy. Or Ike and Tina, or Jimi Hendrix. And minus the carping at the genre margins, Muddy Waters, James Brown, P-Funk…the list goes on, but the point bears repeating. No, even renamed, rock n roll was not invented by white people in England in the 60: and 70s.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
There has been so much pushback here in the comments about my choices I am preparing a seperate video to answer some of accusations that I don't know what I am talking about and why I didn't put Pink Floyd or Queen or whatever on this list. It will be called THE 10 MOST IMPORTANT BANDS IN HISTORY | Why I was right
Really fascinating discussion. Thank you. So happy about bands 1 and 2. You nailed it.
Ignore the haters Andy!😊Really enjoyed your video by the way.
You pretty much nailed this list! It seems to me that you did your best to put personal biases aside... something many of the commenters have failed to do. Pistols, Nirvana and Kraftwerk are absolute no-brainers. I'm stunned to see ANY pushback on either of them. Solid stuff, glad i found you. New Sub
How about The 10 Best One Hit Wonders --
The Wee Five
Zager & Evans
No ACDC or Metallica, sorry! 🤦♂
Still nothing changed!
When talking about Led Zeppelin, can anyone ever just mention John Paul Jones for a second?
Absolutely. You’re not alone in the admiration for John Paul Jones. I don’t like when someone says “the best ever” like the Americans do, or discredit all others, etc., but dare I say he is the most amazing bass player that the whole era of the art form we call rock produced.
@@BassicVIC and much more than just Bass…he was the secret weapon in that band
Our host was kind enough to mention John Entwistle
Yes! Especially when talking about virtuoso musicians - JPJ was the most virtuosic of the whole band!
I always feel like he was their secret weapon-always in the background -an amazing musician
I can't say that I agree with everyone on your list, but man was it really engaging hearing you articulate your reasons for having them where you had them. Great video.
Andy: you absolutely *nail* what The Beatles were in this vid. I can't believe you didn't grow up in that era - I did, and you channel it like you were there. Bravo.
Glad you enjoyed it
It's the same thing with me. I grew up in the same hometown as Kraftwerk, Düsseldorf. Their recording studio was very near the main station. A friend of mine owned an indian restaurant near Kraftwerk's studio. There i saw Florian many times eating his favourite food.
What I always marvel at is that the Beatles were done before any of them had their 30th birthday. Stunning
Stunning, and a huge shame. "Imagine" what could have been, both musically and culturally.
There was a well established wisdom those days- «You can`t trust anyone over 30 (years old)»
I thought Ringo had turned 30????
@@Fuzcapp John Lennon left the Beatles in September, 1969. Ringo turned 30 in July, 1970.
@@9Ballr Oh ok. Thanks for that. Can we add 9 months gestation time? 🙂
Great video! -Just one minor correction. George Harrison didn't write Michelle. That was credited to Lennon/McCartney, but I believe was written by Paul.
Yes
with John.
@@dustbinfilms John co-wrote the bridge.
McCartney did write it.
@@GeorgeSams-p9c Yes, and John co-wrote the bridge.
10 - The Who 🇬🇧
9 - Nirvana 🇺🇸
8 - The Sex Pistols 🇬🇧
7 - The Velvet Underground 🇺🇸
6 - Led Zeppelin 🇬🇧
5 - Black Sabbath 🇬🇧
4 - Kraftwerk 🇩🇪
3 - The Rolling Stones 🇬🇧
2 - Cream 🇬🇧
1 - The Beatles 🇬🇧
Your list is subjective, as is any list. However, one thing ALL lists will have in common, no matter who compiles them or where they are from, is that as different as they may be from each other, the top 10 are ALWAYS dominated by British bands.
We used to have a culture
@@darkmatter6714 ALL WHITE GUYS!! How can that be...
@ because in the 1970’s (when all the bands mentioned above were performing) about 99.11% of the UK population was white, according to The Office of National Statistics.
Today, it’s about 87.5%. And that rise in the ethnic population also saw a rise in non-white British musicians who (unsurprisingly) were not into Rock, so they wouldn’t appear in the list above anyway. Some of the most famous black British artists didn’t appear until the 80’s onwards when the demographic started to change like Billy Ocean, Soul II Soul, Seal, Sade, all the way up to Stormzy today.
Not only that, a lot of the white bands started to become influenced by black British immigrants. That’s what gave birth to new genres like Ska Punk, Acid Jazz and Trip Hop. And you might be surprised that the biggest selling Reggae band of all time, are from Birmingham, England - UB40!
@@RecycledBikes-jj There is a thing like "white blues" and even black voices in white bodies: Steve Winwood, Jack Bruce, Eric Burdon, and many many more.
@@darkmatter6714 Jimi Hendrix Experience???
Yardbirds? Beachboys?
Police??
I don't know if the Kinks should be on the list but they are certainly in the next 10. They influenced everyone from metal to prog. You really got me 1n 1964 Christ that's amazing guitar distortion and weight. Marvellous creative band. The two brothers fighting each other decades before Oasis. Influenced directly or indirectly everyone who followed.
Townsend is on record saying "Can't Explain" was attempt to imitate Kinks. Kinks legacy is to remain forever the world's greatest under appreciated band.
I have my own opinion on the best rock bands.
I remember reading an article about Eric Clapton, he was being interviewed in the mid 60's, I think it was around the time Revolver had been released.
He said that there were really only 4 bands in the UK that were trying to push the musical boundaries at that time. The Beatles, The Stones , The Who and The Kinks.
Couldn't agree more re the Kinks, you really got me, all day and all of the night, along with thems Gloria must have been the advent of punk.
Also his comments re the Jimi hendrix Eperince not being a band were rubbish, Mitchell wasn't interchangeable with any other drummer, He was as important to Jimi , as Jimi was to mitch
KINKS "Give the People What They Want" is my favorite album ever.
I had an experience that highlighted the god status of the Beatles. I was part of a harm reduction conference in Liverpool and as an introductory party we had a Beatles cover band. The conference participants came from roughly 100 countries, the participants ranged from academics, researchers, social workers, activists, addicts and sex workers and ranging in age from 18 to 80 and when the songs hit the floor so did everyone. I was thinking at the time that no other band had the global reach - the true everyman (everyperson) appeal. And was still art.
All you need is love waging heavy peace man
As a “musicmaniac” of years there is no doubt in my mind that, past the times of Bach, Mozart and Bethoveen, which constitute the Old Testament of music, Beatles constitute its New Testament. That’s saying a lot, considering music is perhaps the most transcendent art form of all.
@@JoseAntonioDuclaud agreed, and in time to come, the Beatles music will be seen as something classic to be analysed and learned from
@@siroswaldfortitude5346Also in agreement. That’s exactly what being “classic” is all about.
@@siroswaldfortitude5346 It's already happened..The Beatles music has been studied and analyzed since the 1970's.
The Beatles knocked the world off its feet; not just musically, but culturally as well! Overall they produced an incredible 27 number one hit singles! Of their 12 studio albums, all but one went to number one! They had an incredible charisma that psychologists tried to explain but couldn't. Girls screamed uncontrollably and fainted at their concerts and some even went into convulsions! On August 15, 1965, they played to a packed house of 55,600 people at Shea Stadium in Queens, N.Y. near New York City! No one before The Beatles even dared to fill a venue so large.They wrote over 200 original songs appearing on their 12 studio albums. The Beatles are the biggest selling band of all time, selling over 500 million records! Amazingly, they accomplished all of this in a mere seven years! The Beatles were magic and fortunately I was there to experience their magic!
Did you get the opportunity to see them playing live?
Hard data that speaks for itself. The Beatles phenomenon will never happen again.
There’s no one to touch the Beatles for the consistent quality of their artistic scope
There’s no one can touch the Beatles for the consistent quality of their artistic scope
Tavistock
Surprised Pink Floyd not there.
I am wearing my Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon Sweatshirt right now. that album was on Billboard's top 100 for 865 weeks.
I’m sure in 50 years time P.F.will be in top 3
Me too,
@@DianeLake-sw3ym Quite possibly the greatest studio album ever recorded
Too many drugs can lead to memory loss?
The Beatles started a new musical revolution with multiple influences from the US and Europe , everyone was always checking out what the Beatles were doing!
I stumbled on this channel a couple of days ago (I’m quite elderly and stumble quite a lot these days!) and have been watching your content, which is uniformly excellent, since then. I have much catching up to do! But fantastic throughout. The Beatles? I was there and if you weren’t maybe it’s hard to grasp their colossal impact. When younger folk ask me about them I ask ‘who is your favourite band’. When they tell me, whatever band/artiste they mention , I always say “if it wasn’t for The Beatles, they wouldn’t exist. The Beatles were that important”. And I usually advise that they check where they started with Love Me Do and where they finished with Abbey Road - its mind blowing and the more so when you see what they did in between. Oh yeah, and I’ve subbed!
I am in my 60s and have been listening to rock since I was in first grade. It started with the Beatles. Then I progressed through the years through Pink Floyd and Zeppelin, Punk and New Wave then Grunge.
I stumbled onto Penny Lane last week on RUclips and watching it I realized just how important they were to rock in general over the years. They were so far ahead, so innovative and creative that like many I took them for granted until then. That video made me re-think and appreciate them for their monumental influence.
@@DianeLake-sw3ym You get it! The other thing that’s astonishing is that if their output was over thirty odd years it would still be amazing, but it was all done in just under a decade. That hardly bears thinking about, it’s that incredible!
their growth was incredible....from yeah yeah yeah to rubber soul in late 1965 was a quantum leap......i was born in 1950
@@ianpark1805Even more impressive when you consider the overwhelming majority of their most cherished music was done in 6-7 years (1964-1970)
@@DianeLake-sw3ym sounds similar to my experience being that I am in my mid 60s. In my youth I had the 45 of Yesterday, and would listen to it several times in a row, because I loved that song a lot.
I don't know if you know the show name that tune, but I used to play it with my brothers and sisters. I would play a few notes of the beginning of a song and see who could identity it, and they would do the same. It was a lot of fun.
I’m a boomer (76)). and I have to say you are the only commentator who has got anywhere near how important the Beatles were back then . Thank you.
It was interesting to be there. Great take from someone who wasn’t.
The Beatles were outrageously important. The most important. But to leave the Beach Boys and the Doors off and basically relegate Jimi Hendrix to a derivative of Eric Clpation is all outrageous, as well. I love Cream. I love Eric Clapton. Perhaps they do belong on this list. But Andy is driven to promote England. I'm not saying England and the British invasion and all was not important. It was a central factor, for sure. And the Beatles ARE the greatest band of all time. But the Beach Boys were a huge factor because of Brian Wilson as well and Hendrix put the fear and awe of god in Clapton, not the other way around. I don't know about Beck but even Clapton knew and said he was entirely over-matched. Same with Page. I get why the Experience is not here on the list as a band but to speak so dismissively of Hendrix as a virtuouso and influential force is an ignorant sacrilege. And saying "everyone" sees Bonham as the best drummer when many, many say that of Moon. And to say 50s American rock was NOT about rejection of the parental establishment and heaping ALL that credit on The Beatles is silliness. The Beatles embraced 50s rock in part because they saw and embraced that 50s rejection of the establishment. They emulated it. And then placeing the Sex Pistols over The Ramones and Nirvana when the Pistols were themseives derivative one record wonders is crazy. And I am not saying all this because of an American bias. I can easily see The Bealtles and The Stones as 1 and 2. I can see The Beach Boys around or at the bottom of the ten. Andy is fascinating and he makes me think a lot and hard but he definitely does not get it all right. A Brisith bias and his upbringing on the edge of the edges and edginess drive him off track at times when he talks about Rock 'n' Roll. Great channel and excellent video though.
good job on #1 & #2. Best original melodies, best virtuosity & harmonic counterpoint.
I am quite young, I didn't live in 60s, but there is no band even close to Beatles influence, geniality, innovation
Also, Clapton met Hendrix much earlier, before even Wrapping Paper, Cream's first single, was released. At that point, when Hendrix showed up. it was instantly known that there was another God in town. See Episode 166: “Crossroads” by Cream, on the "0A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs," which blows away this one. Hendrix showed up and played "Killing Floor" for Cream. "There had been a rivalry between the London guitarists. Up to that point there were basically six electric guitarists in London who mattered as far as innovation on the instrument went - Clapton, Beck, Jimmy Page, Peter Green, Pete Townshend, and Dave Davies. As soon as Hendrix turned up, there was only one."
Fascinating presentation, I absolutely loved your commentary. Quite a good list I think, given the preconditions you outline.
Glad you liked it!
All popular music before the Beatles is in the Beatles and the Beatles are in all popular music that came after them. I am a musician, just imagine to be in a Band that changed the world, amazing.
What a great way to explain their use of and influence on popular music, and they changed the culture of the world..
Well put, my friend. Every form of music is not an exaggeration. Classical, R&B, folk, big band, rock, heavy metal, ballads, electronic, Eastern Indian, avante-garde, pop synth, etc. It's almost inaccurate to call them a rock band.
Am I crazy? So there was no great bands before the 60's? Didn't both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones (stole) borrowed thier music from Black bands and musicians. They acknowledge as such!
Even more than Elvis, I think that the Beatles were the single most magical thing that has ever happened in pop culture.
Agree 100 percent.
Elvis was an opportunist with a lot of sex appeal and zero creativity
he had talent. probably the best rock vocalist of all time.
Star Wars 1977
@@ExploradorX-e4pYou are over looking that standards were...The Standards of the day. People didn't write their own songs. In fact there are many famous songs that were actually written by famous song writers/singers but everything thinks someone else wrote the song because the famous version is not theres.
Babe Ruth and Ali would be destroyed today. Course they would be a inch or two taller with staked muscles, personal chefs and workout gurus along with those tens of million dollar checks. So you really can't judge eras without looking at it from that era's perspective.
I like Rolling Stones but I think if they never existed, rock would still be the same. Cream too.
As someone who’s old enough to have seen live nearly every one of the bands in your list (except the Beatles) I can appreciate your nearly excellent and somewhat radical perspective. Bravo!
We agree on four of them that should be in the top 10: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Led Zeppelin, and we agree The Beatles are #1. Some of the others I might have included somewhere on my list would be: Pink Floyd, The Doors, Traffic, The Police, Yes, and Talking Heads. - From a 66 year old in the States.
The Rolling Stones, really? Important in what regard? In filling stadiums? Alice Cooper does not qualify as a band (though it was first meant as the name of the WHOLE band), but he invented horror rock and crafted his own music. By how far I have listened to them they started as a mediocre blues rock band, followed trends after that and then went retro. Or take the Yardbirds, they were ahead of their time and were mostly musicians´ musicians.
@@ruedigernassauerthe Rolling Stones is probably the most important band ever. Have a nice day.
Lynyrd Sknyrd & Queen , AC/DC were 3 of top .
Nirvana is above any of those bands you mentioned, easily the best American band of all time. Literally jump started an entire genre of music and clothing style that shaped the youth of an entire generation. When I was in high school 25 years after their demise nobody cared about Pink Floyd or the police or even led Zepplin. Everyone had nirvana shirts and listened to them.
@@barkley8285 Mainly cause Millenials or Gen Z or whatever they were called had lack of Brains .
I get this is just Andy's opinion.
Here are my thoughts.
Some important bands missed:
Post-grunge: Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Primus, Rage Against the Machine, Animal Collective, Portishead.
Pre-grunge: King Crimson, Sonic Youth, The Grateful Dead, Rush, The Moody Blues, Bikini Kill.
Other genres: Beastie Boys, Wu Tang Clan, Public Enemy, Modeski Martin and Wood, Outkast, The Jackson 5, Menudo.
The one undeniable truth is that the Beatles are the most important band since the creation of rock and roll.
This video should've really been titled "Most Influential Rock Bands" or "Most Influential British Rock bands".
@@JB-ti7bl I love Andy's opinions and our opinions on how wrong Andy is. I am sure Andy does as well, because he is not a fascist. lmao.
This popped up on my feed, and with Top __ lists I usually skip forward to just see the choices - but you are so intelligent and interesting I watched it through
The Beatles international career (1964 to 1970) coincided with my primary school years. Throughout those early years they were like an amiable presence. Like guidance officers of the better kind. I could evaluate their evolution through a child's senses. The entire experience was massively important to me. And when I hear some Beatles songs I am still taken back to landscapes long gone from that 1960's childhood. Experiences such as these are priceless. And they were all for free. Cheers.
Yeah it’s impossible for me to separate Beatles from childhood.
FREE?!?!?!?!!? I had to buy their music from 66 to 70. My parents bought the records for me from 63 to 65.
My parents weren't into records or playing music. I was too young to buy records during the Beatles career. The Beatles songs I heard were on the radio and television. Therefore, free. Got it? @@ktcarl
Lennon was able to articulate what we were trying to - through music.
It's impossible to escape the influence of the Beatles. When a record was going to be released (i.e., the Now & Then single recently), it was a major event.
Very worthwhile, like others I might want a few others on my list. However, I do appreciate the indepth analysis and the social context you have given. Thanks, really satisfying and could lead to many discussions.
Sunshine Of Your Love was on Disraeli Gears, not Fresh Cream.
I believe he was using 'Sunshine of Your Love' as a central reference point, as in 'If you think 'Sunshine of Your Love' is all Cream are about, well, 'Fresh Cream is so much more than just that.'
Disraeli Gears was simply CRAZY Good! My Favorite Song on there is “The Tales of Brave Ulysses.” Just one of the Greatest Albums Ever! And Cover for that matter IMHO!
You lost me at kraftwerk. Never heard of them. And, left out Pink Floyd and Creedence Clearwater?
You noticed that too!
Beatles, pink floyd , led Zeppelin, deep purple, génesis , king Crimson, black sabbath ,cream , rolling Stones ,the doors , formy , all influence , rock history.
Agree with your list, except for Pink Floyd. Lol
@@sylviaowega3839 why except Pink Floyd?
@@isrifaldy1663Because she's another dummy.
Perfect list
The Kinks. Massive influence on heavy music with You Really Got Me. Massive influence on Britpop( Blur, Oasis, Pulp...).
This has been just incredible! I really have to hand it to you. So well said, so insightful and just about 100% spot on! BRAVO and thanks so much Andy Edwards
No Pink Floyd?
I would have included the Allman Brothers. They inspired an entire genre, but they're not British, so....
The Chicago Aesthetic!!
Chess Records house band laid the groundwork for virtually all of the British rock bands of the next three or four decades.
Little Walter on harmonica
Otis Spann on piano
Jimmy Rogers (or Buddy Guy) on guitar
Willie Dixon on bass
Fred Below on drums.
(as a house band, they backed up Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Junior Wells, and many other Chess blues singers.)
Led Zeppelin, Cream, The Stones, The Yardbirds, The Animals, John Mayall, and numerous others were all striving to duplicate their sound with varying degrees of success. The Beatles were one of the few exceptions.
They also were a huge influence on many US groups.
Allman Bros. - Southern Rock
Grateful Dead - Jam band
The Meters - New Orleans instrumental rock
Andrew Sisters - Tight harmony singers
Motown girl bands...
*Edwards' list is infuriating in its narrow scope.
Thank you.
The Beatles influenced everything!! How people looked, how they dressed, the way they wore their hair, the way they viewed politics, the way they viewed drug use, the way they viewed racial equality, the way they viewed war, and the way they viewed Mother Earth. Peace ☮️ and Love ❤️
musically Delta Blues influenced all music but your right on everything else
@@mega00760 Delta Blues is another subject.
@@mega00760delta blues didn’t influence classical music.
They were at the vanguard of flower power as well along with the Byrds, the Doors, the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Jono Mitchell, Joan Baez and the Lovin' Spoonful.
The Beatles really did change the world.
Your musical knowledge is incredible. Love your videos!
Another great list. I understand your arguments for Cream, but that is a band that I never think of as important as all the other bands in the list. I really appreciate your take on The Beatles. I always took it for granted that they were the archetypal band because they were so big and came right at the beginning. I realize now that you're right, they are the opposite of that. They are a transcendent band who wholly embody the values of the culture that they ushered in, and nobody else could be like them no matter how they tried. Great job Andy!
No jam bands without Cream and the Grateful Dead. Andy says it - Cream really are the first really popular band to be stretching out in a serious way - their studio albums are OK but it's their live material that really broke new ground, and opened things up for bands that came afterwards.
I was in first grade when the Beatles came to America. And I was lucky. My mother let my brother and me buy and listen to Beatles music and frankly all rock music in the 60s as kids. Last week I stumbled onto a video on RUclips of Penny Lane and realized I forgot just how important the Beatles were to music and its development during a 30+ year span. And their influence on music everywhere for many years - including their single careers. they were always creative and always ahead of everyone else.
Cream essentially raised the bar for instrumental ability (along with the Mothers and the Who) and they basically, along with Hendrix, radically changed the sound of rock. They also set up the foundation of prog rock, fusion, so much that we take for granted now. They were really the first group I can think of that actually had nearly universal acclaim for all three musicians' instrumental musical skills.
Sex Pistols, like it or not, were an extremely important band. I didn't like them, honestly, but I don't deny their importance. I really like John Lydon as a person, btw. He seems very honest and genuine. That's very rare.
Yes - but critically, they were, unlike the Who and Zappa, improvising all the way.@@garygomesvedicastrology
Beach boys?
I feel like you should have included one funk /soul group.
You pretty much wrote off a huge genre of music by not doing so.
Did we really need zeppelin , stones , the Beatles , and the who ALL to make the list ?
James Brown or funkadelic paved the way , laid the foundation , and inspired just as many bands as the ones I listed.
Some points and thoughts:
- Yes, Pete Townshend's comments for louder amplification prompted Jim Marshall to move from just 45-watt amps to 100-watts.
- Townshend also requested an 8 x 12" speaker cab. This proved unwieldy so was cut in two, thus creating the 4 x 12" cab and the Marshall stack setup.
- Worth noting that it was John Entwistle who proposed the idea of roundwound strings to James Howe, of Rotosound. Entwistle wanted piano-style strings for his bass. The band included an ad with the lyric 'Hold your group together with Rotosound Strings' on their 'Sell Out' album.
- The Doors were a blues band with a flamenco guitarist who only started on electric just prior to joining the band. Most other west coast bands including the Grateful Dead and Jefferson were folk and bluesgrass players who went electric and got into the blues.
- One could argue that punk was the attitude of Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochrane and Vince Taylor combined with early Kinks power chording and Beck-era Yardbirds riffing.
- Malcolm McLaren was a genius re: marketing punk via the Sex Pistols. Indeed, many bands benefitted from visionary managers - the Beatles with Brian Epstein, the Stones with Andrew Loog Oldham, Led Zeppelin with Peter Grant.... Other suffered, like the Small Faces with Don Arden, the Move with Tony Secunda, Humble Pie with Dee Anthony.
- The Blue Cheer tune was 'Summertime Blues', not 'Something Else'. The Move did a great live version of the latter on their live EP title 'Something Else', which also includes great covers of the Byrds' 'So You Wanna be a Rock 'n' Roll Star' and Spooky Tooth's 'Sunshine Help Me'.
- Mention of the Stones' 'Paint It Black' is a reminder that Mick Jagger produced a killer version of that tune by Chris Farlowe, with the band including Jimmy Page, Albert Lee and Carl Palmer. Go listen on RUclips.
- Did Cream influence Hendrix? Absolutely! He loved them (see his impromptu 'Sunshine of Your Love' tribute on the Lulu show clip on RUclips). Before he settled on the Experience his band was to have been a soul revue with horns. Due to costs that was reduced to a 4-piece with keys. But after seeing Cream, Hendrix and manager Chas Chandler agreed that going with a 3-piece was worth a shot. Fortunately Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding fit the formula.
- And yes, the Beatles were every bit as influential with societal transformation as they were with influencing the direction of contemporary music. I think that only those of us who experienced the before and after appreciate just what a rapid and massive change that was. Indeed, we've never seen anything even remotely close to it.
Cheers!
Great list. I would need The Beach Boys on mine, not just for the adventurous vocals, but Brian's song structure, production, and backing tracks opened things up for The Beatles and everyone else.
The Beach Boys were the first band to employ the thermion in their music.
But, on their records, you basically heard the Wrecking Crew with The Beach Boys just contributing the vocals. Great vocalist but not a band in the typical sense.
@@dosstodd8014 Brian was a good songwriter. They were a band live on stage. A lot of bands in the 60's used the Wrecking Crew.....The Monkees as an example.
@@dosstodd8014 ...just recenly several very famous musicians including Bob Dylan made a congratulation video for Brain Wilson with Elton John calling him the genius of pop or something like that. The Wrecking Crew did what Wilson told them to do just like Phil Spector told him what to do. ''Most important'' is a rather difficult subject as it is with lots of musicians influencing one another with stealing going on as well. With also popular music not being the best music out there..instrumental music is on a higher level since it is more complex. A band like Weather Report outperformes every band in that list in this video for instance.
any band that pushes the Beatles cannot be overlooked
A VERY solid list. Surprised not to see YES on here, since you clearly love them. You should've put them on! I was disappointed that you didn't mention AIC when you discussed Grunge in the Nirvana section. But other than that, I applaud your attempt to be fair, and yes, the Beatles are a proper choice for number 1. But you should feel free to put your personal faves on a top 10 list! Please do it soon!
So good to see Cream near the top of your list. I agree that they were the forerunners of Prog and Fusion. I also agree with you that Clapton was the most important rock guitarist in the world in 1965/1966, before the emergence of Jimi Hendrix. Eric was the archetypal lead guitarist at that time simply put.
Hendrix far more influential in my book, and he had a band...
@@jonunderscore Cream was a better band and came out earlier than The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Jack was a much better singer than Jimi as well.
@@rft2001 Jimi's music had a spiritual fire that Cream couldn't touch.
@@jonunderscore Hendrix stole Cream's thunder, but Cream stated it all.
@@robrtfranchina Ask Eric about it
I listened to your new album yesterday. I thought it was brilliant. I wasn’t expecting the lovely strangeness. I’ll be listening to some of your other stuff on band-camp. Nice one.
It’s really good
It’s really good
Really happy to have found this place. Not only enjoyed your journey through the bands, but searched almost all songs you mentioned like "Smokestack Lightning" and "Summertime Blues" and I like your finale speech. My personal list rranks The Jimi Hendrix Experience pretty high though.
Didn’t Blue Cheer cover Summertime Blues?
Yes
Original by Eddy Cochren !
Blue Chesr ----- not good
@@malegrissusran8847 Two wildly different styles, c'mon. Blue Cheer went total acid-rock freakout with Cochran's rockabilly teenage lament...always interesting when a song is 'interpreted' by another - think Devo doing the Stones "Satisfaction", Johnny Cash on " Personal Jesus", Santana covering Chuck Berry's "Havana Moon", and hilariously, Pat Boone getting tough covering " No More Mr. Nice Guy" from Alice Cooper. A lot of cover versions sound just like the originals, why? I don't get it. 🔊
Made it better.
Eddy cochren is a classic song!
Till today !
Blue Chear was a noisy hard Rock Trash !!
If you like to listen it - Its up to you !
I never heard it since 1976 !
No need !
Listen to Syd Vicious - Com ón Everybody !!
Also a Eddy Cochran Cover ! Nice Video !
There is a Live Version of Summertime Blues of the Who !!
Wonderful, insightful,entertaining and your sterling intellect … as always !!
I humbly add: Public Enemy - their impact on the lives of so many people over the past 40 years throughout the world is incalculable. I've had interactions with people from Asia, Eastern Europe, South America, Africa as well as Western Europe and North America who have pointed to Public Enemy as a key catalyst in their lives, especially their social and political awakening. Oh, and they're still active.
The Sugarhill Gang invented Rap in the 1970's And since then Rap has been taken over and weaponized Also If 90% of the world speaks another language then the idea is mute.
@@4thlinemaniac356 Andy Edwards is clearly familiar with a lot of music history. I think he hearted my comment because he recognises Public Enemy as a legitimate contender for a top 10 spot. Btw the Sugarhill Gang didn't invent rap. I don't quite get your final comment - there are plenty of bands with English-language lyrics that have a global impact like Public Enemy or Depeche Mode or Sepultura. Approx. 1.5 billion people worldwide have English as their second or additional language
@@joelwilson289 YES they did and my second part about the greatest music by popularity would come from non English speaking countries We tend to over rate these things take them out of context. Sugarhill Gang invented Rap using Chico's iconic bassline on Good Times. It is documented.
Agreed. While I'm not a rap fan, this list is ridiculously heavy on 60's Brit rock. How about The Meters?
@@4thlinemaniac356 Moot.
If we're talking "influential" then there's a band most of the above and tons more openly acknowledge as an inspiration: The Shadows!
They certainly influenced a lot of young lads to take up guitar and spend hours drawing pictures of Stratocasters! And some of the more successful ones will admit to the early influence of Hank Marvin. Mark Knopfler, Brian May, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, David Gilmour and even Neil Young!
Good comment - and most young teenagers in those early days could tell you the name of each member of the Shads and what instrument they played so they meet Andy's criteria of what makes a 'band'.
The actual prototype . And younger than the Beatles .
Agreed. Co-incidentally, I was discussing with a friend just the other day what we would have as our eight soundtrack-of-our-life tunes were we on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs programme. Without hesitation I said my first would be Apache by the Shadows. What kid dldn't want to get their hands on one of their flashy (then, hugely expensive) red Fender Strats. I know I did. No prizes for guessing what this now 69-year-old has, attached to his Marshall MG50DFX amp.
Interesting choice as a lot of the Shadows hits were covers from similar American guitar bands and even some Burt Weedon songs (Apache), but you are right, I know Tony Iommi, Brian May and David Gilmour all site Hank Marvin as a major influence on their music, they were all at a recording of a charity record and it was being filmed and the 3 of them were caught playing Shadows licks and riffs in their down time all laughing and joking together, seemed like a very strange scene to me but so interesting.
Love this guy's enthusiasm. Very interesting and entertaining.
I just wanted to say RUclips linked me to your channel last time I listened to Chumbawamba’s “pictures of starving kids” which I really love. It sent me to your video about band aid ruining rock lol. Your channel is great!
Great list and compelling arguments for your entries. The distinction between "bands" and accompanied solo artists is a valid one. Very happy to see Cream so high up, totally agree. Some of my candidates for positions between 13 and 20: Fleetwood Mac (two installments), Pink Floyd, and Joy Division, and from the other side of the pond, Jefferson Airplane.
Greetings and blessings from Bangladesh Dear Andy.... Nice to see you after a long time from here ☺️🙏❤🎉 Superb❤️
Excellent points all. This is great analysis from someone clearly committed to understanding music.
fantastic list, enjoyed this a lot!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Re: Cream, there is a clip of Jimi Hendrix playing on a tv show and starts with Hey Joe and suddenly switches to Sunshine of your love as an acknowledgement of it's power
Because Cream had broken up!
I'm sure Lulu remembers it well. 😊
He did it after learning Jack Bruce considered him as one of the song's influences.
*its
Hendrix loved Cream and when he broke into Sunshine of your Love, he interrupted his own song and said something like "**ck this shit I want to play tribute to Cream!
Love this video Andy!
Was waiting for Pink Floyd at number two, Cream was a shoker, anyway, amazing list and well explained, not my favorites or the ones I listen the most but the most influential and of course every record collector needs to have most of what they did on LP or CD. Anyway, my ten favorite bands and artists are: Bjork, David Bowie, Depeche Mode, The Cure The Ramones, Sonic Youth, Ministry, Prince, Radiohead and The Beastie Boys, and I'll do a video like yours explaining why they are the most important artists in history. I think I could do that believe it or not.
Bjork?
The Beatles went from "Love Me Do" to "Abbey Road" in 7 years!
Not to mention the vias :)
Now that was quite the journey.
I think this is a good way of appreciating the rapid change. To play with the idea, “Love Me Do” September 1962 to “Tomorrow Never Knows” April 1966. 3 years and 7 months. It is now March 2024. The music from August 2020 is, to my ear, not easy to pick as being different from now. Something has definitely happened between “Love Me Do” and “Tomorrow Never Knows” though. If you prefer “Eleanor Rigby” to “Tomorrow Never Knows”, the same dates apply.
What took them so long???
The marked change in their music was quick, and by extension, in all of popular music.
One of the most important changes actually has less to do with their sound, but with their change in focus from making singles to making albums as complete works of art. That might have been a reaction to Brian Wilson’s “Pet Sounds.”
Andy the reason l like listening to your ability to be objective. Was happy to see my fav band at the top of your list.
I was 12 when I saw the global broadcast of All You Need Is Love. Mesmerising. I bloody love The Beatles.
the world watched that broadcast, they brought a beautiful event. Besides, it's a damn good song!
I was 6 and remember hearing about them for the first time. going Home that Friday I told my mother we needed to make sure to watch Ed Sullivan Sunday. My brother and I were in front of the black and white tv watching the Beatles. But, I also remember not being able to hear them much because of all the screaming from the teen girls in the audience.
sounds like you are referring to the Ed Sullivan appearance(s) which were early pop songs in the beatlemania period. The All You Need Is Love broadcast was entirely different and more impactful- "The song was Britain's contribution to Our World, the first live global television link, for which the band were filmed performing it at EMI Studios in London on 25 June. The programme was broadcast via satellite and seen by an audience of over 400 million in 25 countries."
You nailed it mate with I bloody love the Beatles!!
And at their feet sat Mick Jagger and numerous London musical luminaries in full hippie regalia
I'm sure you have heard that lists are for arguing about. But to some like me that's the fun of it. You make good arguments for all of the bands on the basis of their influence on later music. I don't really like quite a few of these bands, but you really make a good case for each. (Praise comes from retired history teacher. ) Good analysis of music scene's influence on culture.
Some of my friends and I have frequent discussions about music; especially about what is the difference between music that musicians like and the music that is widely popular ? You can never stop liking the music of when you were a teenager. But being a musician myself, I tend to favor music that features more complexity and virtuosity. Fortunately for me, I grew up in a time when some artistic music broke into to the world of pop music.
Thanks for that, I can't stick some of the bands on this list
I just luv people talking about the Beatles in that way, with so much passion!
Thank you for mentioning Graham Bond. He not only had Baker, Bruce and McLaughlin as co-players (in actual fact he joined a band in which Baker was already a member, and Jack Bruce sort of barged his way into the band). But he also helped in the British transition from jazz to R and B. He also employed Jon Hiseman and Dick Heckstall-Smith who formed Colosseum and employed John Weathers from Gentle Giant. Also, Prog Fans, he featured organ and Mellotron in the band (before the Moody Blues, as I recall.) Into Crowley before Page. It was said that musicians admired Bond in the same way that the public admired the Beatles.
One thing about excluding the Mothers and Beefheart-arguably, their biggest influence in the mainstream occurred when they had their original lineup. The Velvet Underground started bleeding members after their first two albums and Doug Yule was leader for their last three albums or so. I also get the distinct impression that a great many bands just name checked the VU to look hip. I could be miles off, BUT I remember the VU being so hyped in the mid 1970s. Velvet Underground not selling a lot is a myth, by the way. They sold 200,000 albums from 1966-1971. That's far more than the low figures often cited. That's what I call creating a fake exclusive club! So you can feel special if you like them...😅
In defense of disco...a lot of the credit you are giving Kraftwerk also belongs to disco, especially EDM.
Man, you've gotta focus on John Paul jones. His musicianship and musicality was the glue that made Led Zeppelin such a solid band.
I not only agree with your list, but absolutely love the music analysis that you express! This makes your videos so much the enjoyable.
Glad you like them!
Led Zeppelin is way more than a posturing band that only influenced hair bands. Please, Led Zepp was pure magic, incredible sounds, many innovations, and so much groove and imagination. Led Zepp changed pop and rock much as the Beatles and Queen. ¿What´s wrong with british no loving one of their biggest muscial inputs?
I played drums for Robert Plant for three years. What do you think the comments would be full of if I put them up so high?
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer...that shouldnt really matter. Facts are facts.
@@MJEvermore853 Not facts, Led Zep are subjective
never been a massive fan...those tight jeans have a lot to answer for.
Great show Andy very well formulated and expressed
Beach Boys and Deep Purple are not in this list, but they are ones of the most influential bands ever. The songwriting of Brian Wilson and Deep Purples innovative style are just remarkable.
people like Paul Weller understood TheWHO. as far as 'Summertime Blues',TheWHO's 'ODDS 'N' SODS re-issue has a killer studio version of it, from '67.
What about the Beach boys?
Not British
What was happening "on the ground" in the 1960's was the black R 'n B in the clubs and on the radio. I know because I was playing in various bands up and down the East Coast. While going to Berklee School of Jazz in Boston, all the musicians were excited about Sly and the Family Stone, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, James Brown coming to town. You didn't mention The Band, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix - that's who musicians were interested in. As a Britisher you overlooked the American musicians.
I very mush appreciate your analyses of the impact that music had on our generation. I was blown away when going to concerts of Led Zeppelin, Yes, King Crimson, David Bowie and others when they fist came to the States.
And that's the story - and I'm sticking to it!
Loved the video, Andy! Any chance you could do a follow up down the road regarding, say, the 11th to 20th most important bands in history? You had mentioned that a lot of the punk music by Sex Pistols and the Clash, etc., was anti-disco music; made me wonder if possibly the most important disco (WHAT?!!!!) band might have a spot -- Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards' band Chic was massively influential, with artists sampling their music to this day?
That Chic guitar sound was irresistible! Nile's genius cannot be questioned.
I always love the idea that while the Velvet Underground didn’t sell a ton of records, everyone who bought one, started a band
Although I'm not a huge fan (probably because I didn't discover them till very late in my life), I stumbled across "Rock and Roll" in the last 3 months and was blown away by the sound quality and overall feel of the mix. It actually sounded like it could have been released in 2023 using modern audio tech. It's quite uncanny that something recorded 50 years ago sounds so fresh!
@@roughtakes7271 Now check out "Venus in Furs"
Pixies we’re the same for early 90s bands.
@@chetsenior7253 Great that you love the Pixies. I don't listen to them. It my style of music and they did not have anywhere near the influence of Nirvana, which I do like.
Everyone who bought a VU album started aband b/c they figured is music that sounded that bad could make money....
A very respectable list. Pretty much spot on.
Glad you enjoyed
You forgot the Grateful Dead. I enjoy your introspective on the bands and your channel.
Innovative live sound. System designed by Bob Heil in St Louis for February 2, 1970 concert at FoxTheater in St Louis superior as instate of the art. There's a wiki page for Bob Heil, and a book by Rock Scully which goes into some detail on this. Excellent biography if that band. Also: Lesh was classically trained trumpet player whose bass lines can were as notable as Entwistle or Bruce, to name couple UK greats. Jack Cassidy was also crafting an individual style on bass. If you care to listen. Andy. Compare Anthem of of the Sun to A Saucerful of Secrets, both 1968. Oh wait, The Pink Floyd sound (like the dead) are album bands, who listens to them?
Absolutely correct on the Velvet Underground!
Yeah, no matter what their haters say.
@@alternativepreacher4516 Exactly. Maybe in TOP 3.
Only sold 50,000 records, but everyone who bought one started a band. Apparently.
@@Eclecticompany Total bollocks, just an urban myth. They weren't nearly as influential as time has made them out to be.
@@Eclecticompany🤣🤡
Very good list, and I really appreciated the concise, accessible breakdown of the distinction between modernism/postmodernism.
A solid selection of important bands. I think a case can be made for the inclusion of Roxy Music. Their aesthetics is so different from the other bands you have listed, bringing a sense of dandyism into rock and roll. They were also a huge influence on the New Romantics of the first half of the 1980s.
Yes, I think it also came from David Bowie though, I think Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno's aesthetics were very influenced at that early contemporary point by what Bowie was doing and so were the New Romantics.
I think that Black Sabbath is the miss here - just my opinion, obviously. I’d say that’s an overrepresentation of the genre of heavy metal of which Led Zeppelin is really the seminal band. I think that Roxy Music might fill that same space for new wave or whatever you wanna call it. Of course you could argue that Bowie proceeds them, but then you’re talking about bands
@@johnwullschleger4351 No, Black Sabbath definitely has to be in. They were simply more truly representative of proto metal in their sound and aesthetic.
Led Zeppelin built on what Cream, Hendrix, Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group did but they were still rooted in the blues.
Black Sabbath in 1970 pioneered the doomy metal sound, they effectively were the first heavy metal band and created the entire doom metal sub genre. There are bands still with obvious Sabbath influence today, even more frequent than Zeppelin.
If it's just one band representing heavy metal influence in this list, I'd have to go with Black Sabbath over Led Zeppelin (and I'm a bigger Zeppelin fan. You just can't deny Sabbath this.)
Difficult to argue with this list, although i would question Cream being there and also have doubts about the Who being that important. For me, it is tough to focus on just rock, and thereby ignore bands like Abba, the Supremes, the Wailers etc.
This was a really excellent, engaging video.
Excellent video. I was shocked when you said you are not a Stones fan, but not entirely surprised. I have noticed the dog that didn't bark for a while. Beggars in 1968 and Let It Bleed in 1969 set templates the band followed pretty much ever since. Jagger said not long ago "I get the cultural importance of the Stones, of course I do", and I regard their influence on music, musicians, fashion, culture, the cool of illicit substances, etc as vast. They also did more than any other band, in my view, to marry (mesh) rock and country music. But I will always wonder what they would have become had Mick Taylor not left them in late 1974. He wrote Sway and Moonlight Mile with Jagger, and Winter, and Time Waits For No-one (and more), and Jagger was by all accounts extremely upset when he left the band. I have long suspected they could and would have become more inventive, jazzy, stylised, if Taylor had stayed, and that Jagger saw him as an opportunity to do so. It would have worked. We'll never know, as they then chose Woody, a player I think of as The World's Luckiest Sideman (although he's very good on lap steel and plays a mean slide).
Well put. Woody had some great moments with Faces but either the star machine of being in the Stones or substances, caused him to lose his guitar lead mojo. Watch the long, multi-disk doc of their multi-city tour of Latin America. About 1/2 way through I realized that I hadn't heard a guitar solo once. Taylor was a great player and I thought, fit in perfectly with Keith's gritty rhythm playing.
Excellent comment, the Taylor years were extremely special. When I first heard "Ya-Ya"s" it was absolutely amazing, incredible solos throughout, and then the Taylor-era studio albums came out over the next four years and we saw the Stones take a whole new direction. It's always been a pause for reflection to try and imagine what the Stones would have done if Mick Taylor had never left. We can't ignore that Woody understood the personalities of the Glimmers and what needed to be done to keep the band together. He really cared and played an important "fixer" role in the 80's when Mick and Keith weren't speaking. On top of that, when Ronnie first showed up, listen to his soloing in the 1975-76 tours, very up front and truly delightful. After those tours, things got toned down a bit, and the Keith-Ronnie dynamic was one of "weaving" as Keith himself explained on more than one occasion. All in all, Ronnie turned out to be a perfect fit for the Stones.
I think jagger wrote winter. I love that song!
I'm by no means a hater of mick Taylor and the albums he was on are mostly great.
But....his solos, for the most part, especially live, were pretty noodly. He was a kid and surely would have gotten more willing to leave notes out. Like Ron wood.
The interaction between woody and Richards was the best for my ear. Some girls being that versions of the band's peak. Like sticky fingers was the mick taylor years peak
Woody was also a pretty amazing bass player- check him on The JeffBeck Group’s debut. With that said the Mick Taylor era is my favorite Stones’ era
I appreciate your list and to be honest, I haven’t to this whole video. I stopped at this guy’s comment about the stones. Simply put, I don’t think there’s a more important rock band ever than the Rolling Stones. There’s no one that really has had their kind of impact period!! I mean, I know the Beatles kicked open the door and they were a social and cultural revolution and all that, and I loved listening to them like most people, but essentially to me, they were just an extra creative pop band. And we’re talking rock ‘n’ roll here and I agree rock ‘n’ roll should be made to sound like it’s best played live. And there’s no other greater live rock band from the start of Mick Taylor’s years to the end of his years (from John Mayhal, and Mick T was a virtuoso back then as good as the likes of Clapton, Paige, and Hendrix). They did have a few decent tours with Woody, and he was exceptional with Keith in making of Some girls, which is an incredibly underrated album in my opinion. I’m not calling them Great simply because they’ve been around the longest, but I mean their breath of music is so extensive and includes so many genres within, I don’t think it was ever met especially how rock should best be heard and that’s Live and really don’t think that was met by any other Band like them i.e. 72 tour “ladies and gentlemen…” I mean, there are a lot of bands that made great efforts, but not on the massive scale that I think the stones did!!! I mean, I don’t think there’s any front man that can compare to the power, energy and influence of Jagger and never a greater rhythm guitar player rock ‘n’ roll writer than his partner Keith Richards. You also have got Charlie Watts simple as he may have sounded at times, put the most unique sound that was absolutely perfect with the stones rhythm blues rock funk all that made the stones what they were. I’m not talking about banging the living hell out of the drums. I love Keith moon, John Bonham, and all these guys and especially Neil Piert… I could go on and on and on, but I truly think they really do deserve the title, world‘s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band title simply because I find most of their music timeless, as powerful today, much of it (and again their “live” music), as it was back in the 60s and early 70s and a little of their later stuff but…anyway regardless how objective we all might try to be, I do realize still for most it’s a matter of personal taste…. BUT, there was a comment by someone in the comments here also about all the black artists who are truly the heart of where the soul & the essence of rock came from and there’s no other rock band that expressed the rhythm and blues to the core on a massive scale with endless great songs with that “core”, than none other, than the Rolling Stones…..maybe that’s the key element here that might be missed too… thank you for your contribution and I will definitely come back to finish listening…. side note: Can’t forget the suburbs of the best rock saxophone player of all time Bobby, Keys, and of course Nicky Hopkins and on…
I believe the Doors were quite an influential band and a pioneer at psychedelic rock in the late 60’s, so they would enter my list.
Honorable mentions: Steely Dan, Roxy Music, Supertramp, Pink Loyd, Depeche Mode.
He said the Doors would have been 11th.
As has been said countless times about Velvet Underground, only a thousand people bought their debut album, but every one of those thousand went on to form an iconic band.
I love the Beatles; they are, without a doubt, the GOATs of music. To say nothing of their songwriting and composition - their innovation in music alone would put them on top. Their influence can not be understated.
I dunno, music's a pretty big place.
Probably the most influential, but that doesn't necessarily make them the best.
Radiohead are a better band.
@@Blackshirt88 their biggest song was a serious ripoff of The Hollies, themselves a much better band than Radiohead.
I think the correct phrase is, their influence cannot be overstated.
I think The Yardbirds, Pink Floyd and The Clash are worth an honourable mention. Terrific list though. Obviously The Beatles had to be No.1.
The Clash absolutely great shout.
Bravo! From the perspective of this 68 year old, your logic for the choices made was well thought out and articulated. I couldn't agree more with the Beatles and no you can't find anything else to say about them (or Led Zeppelin for that matter), the second most important band in my life. Well done!
How did I know that Roxy Music would not be on the list, one of the most influential bands ever, but also one of the most overlooked bands ever!
Rixy Music share that discrepancy with Supertramp
agree and why the doors at '11?
Not more influential than any of those mentioned. I can name one or two of their songs tops, great band but not up there at the top.
I loved the first two Roxy albums, but they started to sound dated pretty quickly.
@@STMRecords1I would disagree from punk , electronic to new wave Roxy were highly influential, in fact they influenced more bands in the 80s than i could mention.
The beach boys should be on there just for the genius of Brian Wilson and how much they inspired so many artists
And for the fact Brian basically created an industry…first artist to be credited as writer, performer, arranger and producer, pretty much the first to have total control and own his own publishing, one of the first if not the first major artist to have a home studio. They set up their own label (Brother Records) king before it was common place. All these thing are the norm these days, but Brian was an absolute trailblazer and doesn’t receive the acknowledgment he deserves, for as I said, creating an industry not controlled by record label fat cats. Aa a 22 year old, he was the one American artist keeping US pop/rock relevant against the British Invasion. No wonder he had a breakdown in 64.
@@mauricedowsett9182 100% agree.
There is no Beach Boys without Brian Wilson. Period. But that's what makes the Beatles unique, they had three great multi-instrumentalist songwriters, and they all could sing. You don't usually see that in most groups, even great ones.
Still, The Beach Boys should be on the list, absolutely!!
@@josephmango4628 from 1967-1973 the Beach Boys came to very much a cohesive band, coming out of Brian’s shadow, all members contributing amazing talent and songs, and eventually becoming one of the greatest live bands of the 70s
Nice. As always. But, Andy, can you do a video on the 10 greatest composers (classical and non-classical)?
Nice list and mostly I agree, but I’m very very surprised that Pink Floyd are not there! They were and are absolutely more influential of the majority of those bands. Personally I kick out Cream and slide Kraftwerk at number 11 in favor of Pink Floyd and Radiohead
I’d have “The Animals”and “The Doors” to that list!
Also for Psychedelic Rock I would have The Moody Blues in Days of Future Passed!
Yes, The Doors. They'd have to be on my top 10 list somewhere.
Really enjoyed this … as you might expect I didn’t agree with all your choices but then you have a wider knowledge than me … and I know what I grew up through and I’m now 70 - thank you!
Nicely done. I always enjoy your perspective, Andy. You provide reasonable premises and draw reasonable conclusions. That's all one can ask, about anything.
I wonder where Queen comes in your list?
queen were never an important band- they didnt really influence anybody-there was never a big opera /ballet rock movement
a great band, but really that important
Sorry Queen could still fill stadiums while the Beatles go unnoticed by the younger generations.
@@rayerscarpensael2300 that is only because Queen is still playing.
@@rayerscarpensael2300 Unnoticed??? LOL
Macca is still filling stadiums at 80 yo, and that's only 1/4 of The Beatles. As for the audience, they are older, younger and middle-age. The Beatles just transcend generations...
And Brian May himself will tell you why the fab four are the greatest of all time.
I'm a Californian in my 60s, and I grew up with a very different experience of Punk and it's core ethos. Clearly, what's offensive here is Andy's British-centric perspective on how the Pistols plagiarized a uniquely American music culture. Freedom of expression in the "new world" has been the catalyst for many completely original forms of expression, and Punk rock is one of them. With this in mind, I'd like to share a perspective that respects the origins of this music, and its influence on this side of the pond. While the UK quickly moved on to Post Punk, and New Wave, the Punk scene in the US continued developing in relative isolation. From there it splintered into Hard Core, Psychobilly, Seattle Grung, and West Coast Ska Punk. The angst of disillusioned youth is the river that runs through it. Photo-punk ethos in the US stretches back to Social Realism, the Beat Poets, and musicians like Woody Guthrie, Buster Brown, Johny Cash, and Eddie Cochran.
In rebellion against the industrialization of blues based rock in the 70s, punk's legitimacy was its authentic underground status, total disregard for capitalist ideals, and fabricated pop culture. In fact, California was extremely protective of their punk scene, and viewed mainstream attention as the enemy. In sharp contrast to this, the attention whore Sex Pistols were responsible for turning this authentically American form of expression into a cheep product for mass consumption.
Malcolm McLaren came from a family of wealth. He used his entitlement to finance his Let It Rock fashion business, and political provocateur lifestyle in London. As his public persona, Malcolm adopted Andy Warhol's style of snide condescension to create an air of artistic superiority. Lydon turned it into a cartoon character and Brit's hungry consumers ate it up like it was brilliantly original. To advance his political fashion ideas abroad, Malcolm tried using his fony exclusivity act in NY, and it failed to impressed. After he tanked the NY Dolls career with his provocative fashion statements, he was labeled poser #1, and was cordially invited to go back home.
With everything he learned here, the ambitious Mr. Mclaren appropriated the tattered close and raw energy of NY punk to update his business image. Like building a post hippie version of The Monkeys, Mclaren manufactured the Sex Pistols as his antihero boy band, in order to market his new political rock esthetic. If the distinction of an "important band" is making money by imitating the original artists, The Sex Pistols were very important indeed.
The Sex Pistols were not McLaren, they were John Lydon, a visionary and poet. The Sex Pistols were not The New York Dolls, or The Ramones or Patti Smith.They were not the product of middle class entitlement.
Lydon found a tight rock band and implanted his vision onto it. His starting point was Beefheart, Can, Peter Hammill as well as the US garage music. He did to these influences what The Beatles did to Chuck Berry. This music moved and bands that followed on quickly progressed; Sex Pistols>Joy Division>New Order>all dance music today. That is just one strand of musical development. Sex Pistols>Adam and the Ants>Blur>Coldplay. Or even considering the US music scene Sex Pistols>Beastie Boys>Eminem. The Ramones were a mighty influence, their debut album is 1976. The year The Sex Pistols emerged. They were an influence on The Sex Pistols but I believe The Sex Pistols defined punk. All the elements we associate with punk were not fully present in The Ramones, not the look, subject matter or nihlism.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I respect your insight and opinion; that's why I'm here. My comments are directed at your romanticized version of history, because it does not comport with facts and first hand reports of these events. In fact, Lydon himself confirmed he had no previous musical experience. It was based on his ratty appearance that McLaren asked him to audition for the band he was forming with other teenage musicians working in his clothing shop. McLaren took his music fashion business model, and his public persona from Warhol's Velvet Underground.
I agree the Beatles advance Rock n Roll to new heights, but they didn't claim credit for inventing it. All the elements I associate with punk were here long before it was introduced in the UK. The term "Punk Rock" was coined in the US way back in the early 1960s. It was used to describe what was considered "DIY 3 cord garage bands" at the time. Lydon's vocal style, lyrical cadence, and nihilistic stage persona came straight from the Stooges. There is no distinguishable synergy between Johnny Rotten and Captain Beefheart's experimental music.
I also agree that music is an ongoing creative conversation. I understand that you're a huge Lydon fan, and why you might view his contribution through that prism. However, linking The Pistols to music derived from American rap/hip hop is truly one step beyond madness. To be fair, I can hear a strong Pistols influence on California's junk evolution with Suicidal Tendencies, Cypress Hill, and Ska Punk bands like The Mighty Bosstones, Rancid, and Fishbone.
Sincerely appreciate your passion, your breadth of view and your avoidance of cliches. Well spoken..
After the Beatles. The Sex Pistols were the most important British band ever. Maybe you had to be there to understand. 😊
Really enjoyed that mate!! I’d be interested in your views on Charlie Watts. I grew up a Moon fanatic and never quite understood why so many people loved him but have grown to love his feel over time, as well as his attitude & general style. I heard Townsend say he was his favourite drummer he ever played with…..
The Beach Boys,Americas greatest band,still today,highly influential,over 100M records sold,but not on your list.
Don’t use records sold as a measure of greatness, unless you’re willing to admit Madonna and Rhianna are 2.5 times better than The Beach Boys.
@@vicariousjohnson9823bang...
Good evening, it is a difficult exercise to select groups. I'm pretty okay with his presentations. I would have rather chosen depp purple instead of black sabatt.
That is your choice, but Black Sabbath is highly regard as the beginning of Heavy Metal and thus why the are on this list.
Very much appreciate the depth of musical wisdom that assembled your list.
This video has to be retitled The 10 most INFLUENTIAL ROCK bands in history.Great work as always Mr Edward’s.Be well.
*Edwards
You’re kinder than I am. But even so, I find it absolutely incredible that someone calls it “ten most influential bands” and only three of them are not British bands from the 60s and 70s…I’m surprised the Monkees aren’t on here instead of Nirvana. It’s that silly.
No Platters, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Chuck Berry? Theoretically could argue Platters weren’t true rock yet (but again, you didn’t specify), and Chuck Berry played with session musicians, not a band. But not for Buddy. Or Ike and Tina, or Jimi Hendrix. And minus the carping at the genre margins, Muddy Waters, James Brown, P-Funk…the list goes on, but the point bears repeating. No, even renamed, rock n roll was not invented by white people in England in the 60: and 70s.
Nailed it with the Beatles. They drove the cultural revolution. They were it.
The actual top ten is in many ways less important than the discussion of the assessment criteria. Top job 👏