...The Clash, obviously. I do, however, like for people to feel free to express their opinions, even when they are wrong.  Please feel free to put forth your feeble arguments and assertions.

Violent Femmes. No other band holds such a big place in my heart! Quirky and fun, that's all I need!

The Rolling Stones.  All of y'all can kiss my lily white arse.

The Rolling Stones.  All of y'all can kiss my lily white arse.

 with the qualifier "greatest ROCK band of all time" i could get behind this

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

I do love The Clash but not the best of all time imo

Hanson.

Anybody?...Anybody?

Hanson.

Anybody?...Anybody?

 Only their early stuff when the drummer hadn't yet achieved pubic hair.

Hanson.

Anybody?...Anybody?

 Oh, you mean Marilyn Hanson.

 Personally, for me anyway I'd have to say The Doors. Although I know they are an acquired taste for some. Just a great band full stop, Robbie Kreiger was a guitar legend (that riff in Spanish Caravan rocked so much!), Ray Manzarek was superb on the piano/keyboard/organ etc, John Densmore a drumming master...and well Jim Morrison was just an amazing talent, tragic loss of talent at 27! Just the awesome frontman for a band like The Doors, Jim had the look, the voice, the charisma...but a shame he had an addictive personality, in that he dabbled in too many risky drugs, and too much whisky drinking

I'm hafta go with the Stones too. Still goin' strong, 47 years on. Disbelievers can check out Scorsese's sizzlin' doc Shine A Light. (I love The Clash, too. But without The Stones, there'd be no Clash...)

Well, not nearly the level of acrimony I was hoping for expecting.  I love poking people who can't distinguish value judgments from fact judgments.

I have a friend who says THE WHO! I'm sorry, having more than one farewell tour automatically disqualifies you in my book.

One of the reasons I say The Clash is the relatively brief period of their work. Always leave them wanting more.  That and it was the first thing that popped into my head when he said THE WHO!  Best to go with your first thought.

I have a friend who says THE WHO! I'm sorry, having more than one farewell tour automatically disqualifies you in my book.

 The Who is my second fave! It would be my number one if the Femmes didn't speak to me on such a much personal level. 

The thing about opinions is that it allows you to look at things from a different prospective. I always find it interesting how people come to their conclusions about things such as this topic. 

I've been thinking about this for a few days now, and can see how all the bands previously mentioned fit the bill.  So, I went time traveling and revisioned many of my favorite live concert experiences, and I would have to say TALKING HEADS was an outrageously creative and rocking band.  When they came on the scene, the sound was totally new.   Every album they morphed again. (The years with the big band, with the Funkadelic rhythm section, the black chicks singing...you couldn't sit still!) Their shows hit all your senses. And when they came to an end, each of the members went on to make more great music. A vote for David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth, and Chris Frantz.

And when they came to an end, each of the members went on to make more great music.

I think that's part of being a great band, that each individual shines on their own. When each can hold their own, when they come together, it's magical.
 

And when they came to an end, each of the members went on to make more great music.

I think that's part of being a great band, that each individual shines on their own. When each can hold their own, when they come together, it's magical.
 
 You got that right, smeds!!!

No-one's said The Beatles yet! I'm sure REBEL will back me up here at least.

No-one's said The Beatles yet! I'm sure REBEL will back me up here at least.

I'll back you up, too, glospurs.  I admit I was afraid I'd be booed off the board if I said The Beatles.  I recently re-listened to the White Album, and was amazed anew at the variety of styles the fab four covered.  They wrote and played everything, and they were always evolving.

No-one's said The Beatles yet! I'm sure REBEL will back me up here at least.

I'll back you up, too, glospurs.  I admit I was afraid I'd be booed off the board if I said The Beatles.  I recently re-listened to the White Album, and was amazed anew at the variety of styles the fab four covered.  They wrote and played everything, and they were always evolving.
 It seems they never dipped in quality at any stage, they just accumulated new ways of playing.

After spending all day listening to the Kinks today, I'm not sure which is the better band. Probably The Beatles, as their style was more varied, but Ray Davies' songwriting is just as good as Lennon/McCartney. Anyway, the Greatest Band of All Time has to be from the 60s. That's the conclusion...

 It seems they never dipped in quality at any stage, they just accumulated new ways of playing.

 Personally, for me anyway I'd have to say The Doors. Although I know they are an acquired taste for some. Just a great band full stop, Robbie Kreiger was a guitar legend (that riff in Spanish Caravan rocked so much!), Ray Manzarek was superb on the piano/keyboard/organ etc, John Densmore a drumming master...and well Jim Morrison was just an amazing talent, tragic loss of talent at 27! Just the awesome frontman for a band like The Doors, Jim had the look, the voice, the charisma...but a shame he had an addictive personality, in that he dabbled in too many risky drugs, and too much whisky drinking

the doors is my all time favorite as well.  
 

Sonic Youth.  So many good records, and so different from everything that preceeded them.

-cg

I do have to say this, while the Femmes are my all time favorite for various reasons, it truly is hard to narrow it down to one "greatest." I have always said that I have 5 great bands, you know, the ones that if I was stranded on a desert island I would want their music with me. That being said, the 5 are:

1. Violent Femmes
2. The Who
3. The Beatles
4. Oasis
5. Our Lady Peace

It's really difficult for me to decide between these 5.

Sonic Youth.  So many good records, and so different from everything that preceeded them.

-cg

 I love seeing someone give Sonic Youth their props.  Definitely one of my favorites.

How does one define great?  Is it the best musicians?  Is it the best lyrics?  Is it longevity?  Commercial success?  I would just have to go with The Beatles, even though they may not be my number one favorite.  Without them, none of my favorite bands might not be around.  They definitly changed the world of music.  I can't think of any other band that has made such an impact.

In terms of following and cultural influence, I may nominate The Grateful Dead in this category.

Queen, of course!!