Shawn Patrick Greene’s Top 10 List: Rock Bands
Here’s my top 10 Rock bands [includes Alternative Rock and Hard Rock categories]:
- U2
- Foo Fighters
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Soundgarden
- Nirvana
- INXS
- Metallica
- The Doors
- Pink Floyd
- Pearl Jam
U2 was the most influential band to me of all time. even before the Joshua Tree album came out, U2 seemed to have more to say about the world, society, and political statements that I never heard from most bands in the 1980s. Even though there were some people in the political limelight as well, like Bob Geldof, who started the movements to help the world. Bono was more visible and more direct with his lyrics and live performances. The songs that resonated with many of us fans were “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “Pride [In The Name Of Love]” both with powerfully driven music and vocals. Boy, War and Unforgetable Fire were great albums. I loved the slow progression as mostly a punk band to a pop band. But, what put U2 on the map for me as the greatest band ever was that Joshua Tree Album, starting with the lead single and video “With Or Without You“. I not only went to the concert in Buffalo in 1987, but I also recently went to the 30th anniversary concert, which was just fantastic. I plan to write even more about this group soon, but for now, I just want to make it known these guys were my musical heros.
The Foo Fighters have risen to my top 10 with jams like “Times Like These” and “Learning To Fly” and “All My Life“. I was happy to see Rock get a grammy during an era of a saturation of Hip Hop. I have no issues with the genre, I just like balance in my catalog. Too many bands fazed out during the 2000s. It’s been hard to find any newer Rock music that drives it home. Foo Fighters have shown they are carrying the torch.
Red Hot Chili Peppers were my anthem band while stationed in San Diego, California. I dug the Mother’s Milk album with the hottest jam back in the day “Higher Ground“, the Stevie Wonder cover track. The engery was high, their music was funky, their personalities were wild and crazy, just what a 20 year old needs while adjusting to adulthood. My favorite track of all time from them is “Under The Bridge“. Then they blow everyone away with the newer style of Rap Rock setting the pace for the 2000s rock, with “Give It Away“, not to mention that video was bananas.
More to come!
Soundgarden:
Shawn Patrick Greene 