The Ten Best Rock Bands Ever

I just came upon this article and top ten list, by MSNBC Contributor, Eric Olsen from last March. Below I list his choices, followed by a bit of my commentary.

1. The Beatles
2. The Rolling Stones
3. U2
4. The Greatful Dead
5. Velvet Underground
6. Led Zeppelin
7. Ramones
8. Pink Floyd
9. Bob Marley and the Wailers
10. Sly and the Family Stone

First, it's agreat list, but how can any all-time top ten list of rock bands exclude The Who? Olsen has been legitimately swayed by "cool" over "big;" still...Lou Reed (Velvet Underground) may have been a Punk innovator, but he is nearly unknown to the masses (quick: name three of his songs) and Jerry Garcia (Greatful Dead) once graced Haight Ashbury when it was really happening, but his following was greater in the years before his death, when the Dead was a "continue to celebrate the 60s on weekends band." If the Ramones are included, why not The Clash?

A lot of great acts one might consider are known more for their lead performers (e.g. Springsteen, Bowie).

If readers Comment in any significant number below, by naming their top ten all-time favorite bands, I'll dedicate a future post to blog readers' choices.

Here's the link to Olsen's article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4595384/