The Best American Bands Of The Past 50 Years
The year 1964 belonged to The Beach Boys — at least that’s what writer Steven Hyden argued in his Grantland article, “The American Band Championship Belt,” when he awarded boxing-style championship belts to the best American bands of the best 50 years.
“It’s obviously the most scientific way of determining greatness in our culture,” says Hyden, in a conversation with Soundcheck host John Schaefer.
Sarcasm aside, Hyden meticulously laid out definitive criteria for determining winners: Champions were crowned based on popular appeal, critical acclaim, and lasting impact on American culture. They had to be true bands, rather than a supporting band for a superstar -- thus, no Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. And only American bands were considered -- thus, no Beatles. Some of his choices, like The Beach Boys, Guns N’ Roses, and Nirvana, seem like obvious picks. But many of the bands he crowned might inspire some controversy. For instance, Hyden awarded the championship belt to the somewhat obscure band, Deerhunter, from 2008 to 2010.
“I’m not gonna sit here and say that this is totally impartial,” says Hyden. “I am imposing my own taste on this.”
Interview Highlights
Steven Hyden, on Guns N' Roses, champions from 1987-1990:
For my money, Appetite For Destruction is the best American rock record released in that period…. To me the 80’s, overall, is the greatest decade for American bands.
On Wu-Tang Clan, champions from 1994-1995:
Even when the group members were doing solo projects, they were still projecting a group identity. I would say that during that period, they did influence culture in a very broad way. Not just with music, but they also had the clothing line…. They had such a wide reach.
On LCD Soundsystem, champions from 2004-2007:
In terms of the 2000‘s as a decade, that they are one of the bands that are going to be remembered as an important band. And they certainly went out on a high note.
On Deerhunter, champions from 2008-2010:
The Deerhunter choice is the single most controversial choice that I made. To me, they just put out the best records during that period, and I think that those are the records that are going to be remembered when we look back.
On The Black Keys, champions from 2011-2014:
They’re almost an anachronism right now, in the sense that they’re a mainstream rock band that you can see play on television. They play sporting events, they get songs on the radio, they sell a lot of records, and they play arenas. There’s just not a lot of bands that are like that anymore.
