All-time Best American artists?
 

So, I was thinking of all the good music I like from the past...Led Zepplin, The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones....

...and none of them are American. What are some of the definitive legendary American artists?

Just to start: Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, The Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye

Eagles

Tom Petty

Aerosmith
Pearl Jam

The White Stripes (Michigan)
The Strokes (New York)
The Black Keys (Ohio)
Beastie Boys (New York)
Nirvana (Washington)
Pearl Jam (Washington)
Soundgarden (Washington)
Alice in Chains (Washington)
Modest Mouse (Washington)
The Decemberists (Oregon)
Tool (California)
Red Hot Chili Peppers (....I forget :P )

Stevie Wonder
Prince
Bruce Springsteen
The Beach Boys (Brian Wilson mainly)

Some others not yet mentioned...

Alice Cooper
Van Halen
Cheap Trick
The Allman Brothers
Lynyrd Skynyrd
The Doors
Kiss
Jimi Hendrix

Grand Funk Railroad

natch

Miles Davis
Charlie Parker
Hank Williams
Frank Sinatra
Muddy Waters
Elvis Presley
Bob Dylan
Chuck Berry
Otis Redding
Johnny Cash

Tom Petty is #1.

Madonna!

My Personal Favorites:
1. Tool
2. Nine Inch Nails
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers
4. Stone Temple Pilots
5. Guns N Roses
6. Foo Fighters
7. Alice In Chains
8. Pantera
9. Jane's Addiction
10. Faith No More

Classics:
1. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers (true American rock and roll with an epic 30 year career and a touring act that draws as young as college students today)
2. Post-surfer music era Beach Boys (Beatle-esque brilliance)
3. Johnny Cash (started strong at Sun Records, closed strong with Rick Rubin)
4. Elvis* (not a huge fan myself, but I've taken a rock history course)
5. Dylan* (see Elvis)
6. Creedence Clearwater Revival
7. Marvin Gaye
8. Guns N Roses (classic rock songwriting with an image that defined an era)
9. Metallica (what heavy metal band has not looked to Metallica as an influence)
10. Nirvana (another generation definer, symbolic of the shift from hair metal to Lollapalooza)

Bruce Springsteen

For me one name stands above all others: Johnny Cash

After him:

Chuck Berry
Roy Orbison
Jimi Hendrix
Elvis Presley
Bob Dylan
Tom Petty
James Brown

I thought she was British now?

even though I know we totally are on different sides of the fence when it comes to her, I can't lie and say that comment didn't crack me up

X
Ramones
Blondie
REM
Stan Ridgway
Talking Heads
Dwight Yoakam

...and don't forget this guy:

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Elliott Smith

American born. However, like nothingfails, I will agree that comment is funny. Hell must have frozen over! ;)

good list...I'll add..

Johnny Cash
Prince
Frank Sinatra
B.B. King
Bruce Springsteen

I'd definitely include Paul Stanley on the list...

The most influential rock band of all time -- The Velvet Underground. Without them there'd be no punk, goth, glam, alternative or indie rock.

Believe it or not there was great music before 1990.

This is a joke right?