We're an American Band

I threw out this question on facebook and got to thinking hard about it.

Who is the best US or American Band?

I got some interesting choices from people.  The Roots, Black Keys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, and Bruce Springsteen were the answers I got. Now no offense to those bands, but really the best American band of all time?  I guess it's better than an article that I was reading stating that Pearl Jam was the best one.

I was having trouble thinking about this question because I kept coming up with British bands, like the Beatles, the Clash, Zeppelin, and such.  I guess you could throw out a band like Kiss, maybe not for their music all the way, but the fact that they were able to make themselves an important band.  And why they're not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is way way way beyond me.

But for me, the band has to influence music, and really make a statement.  So finally, I settled upon a band that did that.  And maybe it's not the most popular choice, but I'm going with Nirvana. I've recently been listening to them more often, and really getting in what they were all about.  Look at their timing in the world of music. People were sick of that whole 80s hair metal sound, so they came in and tore the roof off with their punk/grunge/alternative sound.  Kurt Cobain can say all he wants about not wanting to be a rock star, but in a way that made him a rock star.  Go figure, it works that way.

So there you go, my choice for Best American Band is Nirvana, what say you?