Worst "classic rock" band?

[SweetZombieJesus]

Poll question: Worst "classic rock" band?

Classic rock stations are an abomination. Not only do they all play a disproportionate amount of music from the likes of Styx, Foreigner, and Boston, but many of them mix Nirvana and Stone Temple Pilots into the mix. I'm sorry, I'm a bit nostalgiac for Nirvana since I was in high school when they hit it big, but it is by no means classic rock, people.

But the worst, the absolute worst element of the classic rock phenomenon, is the continued deification of KISS. Kids, KISS sucks. They always sucked, and they always will suck. They are directly responsible for the "shock rock" bullshit antics of Marylin Manson, and I will never forgive them for unleashing "Beth" on the world. Yes, if The Rolling Stones "Angie" isn't maudlin and annoying enough for you, KISS has an even worse song in that same vein for you.

And Geddy Lee should be shot.

[demnan]

1. I had to pick other - meaning "All of the Above"

[Zomby Woof]

2. tough call!

I went with Foreigner, just because I recently heard "Jukebox Hero" in a restaurant recently, and it was just as horrid now as it was 22 years ago. Gah!!!! Journey sucks a big one too.

Journey, REO, and Styx are all touring together now. Can you imagine the HORROR? All those nostalgic Gen Xers (my generation) are waving lighters in the air, and slowly rocking their bodies from side to side to "Open Arms". :puke: :scared:

[SweetZombieJesus]

7. Journey, Fleetwood Mac, and Cheap Trick are my only guilty pleasures in

this arena. I know full well they all suck, but I listen to them anyway.

[Zomby Woof]

9. The Mac is good, depending on the era

I enjoy the early early stuff, and even up through "Rumours", without guilt.

I confess I like late70's-early 80's Rush, where Geddy doesn't screech so much, and dammit man, they can really play - saw 'em live way back then. They got boring after 1982.

Steve Perry's voice grates on me the way Geddy's grates on you. Perry has a balls-in-a-vice voice, with fake emoting. Oh so sensitive!

But hey, you already admit these are guilty pleasures, so what the hey.

I never cared much for Cheap Trick, but rather neutral on them. They were at their best when produced by Tom Werman on Epic Records.

[SweetZombieJesus]

13. Oh, I hate Steve Perry's voice as much as Geddy's

Journey is the only one I like strictly for the cheese factor. I do actually like Fleetwood Mac and Cheap Trick. I even liked Tusk without the aid of irony.

That being said, you're right, Generation X needs to stop its relentless fetishizization of all things 70s. I don't care how cool you thought H.R. Puffnstuff was when you were a kid, there is no reason for you to force it on your own kids now.

[Zomby Woof]

15. the best Journey material...

Is when they were in Santana, or at least when Rolie and Schon were, such as "Caravanserai".

[SweetZombieJesus]

18. Yeah, I've always found it really funny that those two went from Santana

to Journey. Kind of like going from college back to pre-school.

[geniph]

22. My description of Steve Perry's voice

and many of those other over-emoting "power-pop" 80s "rock" bands - the guy sounds like he's singing while someone stands on Mr. Happy with stiletto heels!

:puke: Journey! :puke:

[EOTE]

78. You're damn right Mac is good!

Rumours is a fantastic album. I picked it up on DVD-Audio a few months ago and it's never sounded better. One of the few albums I can listen to all the way through without getting bored and switching discs.

[dawg]

69. Well, actually, I waved my cellphone

I don't have a lighter! :)

[Emboldened Chimp]

3. I hate KISS

They are the biggest, luckiest hacks ever to be famous. Worst band ever.

[Elidor]

4. Geddy Lee should be shot?

Wow. You should work for Rolling Stone. :+

Yes, talent, skill and drive are indeed horrible.
(Hey! What happened to the finger smiley?)

[SweetZombieJesus]

6. If I wanted to listen to a screeching barn owl hoot at me, I'd do so

Unfortunately, someone somewhere sometime decided that they should get a man who's singing sounds like a dog whistle, and have him sing inane, turgid songs about robots or some other such horrible "futuristic" drivel, and call it "progressive" rock, thereby catering to hopelessly pretentious people who think Yes is the greatest band ever and that anyone who doesn't like them is somehow "musically ignorant".

[Zomby Woof]

20. I always hated Yes

I think my past liking of Rush was a time and place deal, and youth. My art rock tastes could never get past Pink Floyd, Tull, some Rush, or mid-70's Zappa, perhaps a bit of Gabriel-led Genesis. I can't abide Yes, ELP, King Crimson, or other interminably pretentious and yes, turgid bands.

[dawg]

72. You are a blasphemer as well.

Yes is my favorite band. The singer isn't for everyone, and the long-form songs aren't for everyone. But I do think they were original and made music that meant something to them.

Sure beats the 11,000 "alternative" bands of the 90's and now that do little more than recycle the same old Nirvana-isms.

[MissMillie]

73. Steve Howe: one of the best guitarists of all time

Named guitarist of the year several years in a row, by Guitar Magazine.

Rick Wakeman and Chris Squire also very talented and creative. This band had more raw talent and musical know-how than most in the business.

[dawg]

75. You're good people, Miss Millie ....

I bet I would enjoy going through your CD collection.

[DoctorBombay]

30. You're calling OTHERS pretentious?

That's pretty funny after reading your posts in this thread.

[dawg]

71. Yes is my favorite band.

You are a blasphemer.

[mhr]

5. Voted for KISS

but actually think that Cheap Trick should be on the list as well.

I am amazed to see Journey so hated.

I guess I'm just one of those out of shape middle agers that likes to relive my youth.

BTW, I have most of this music on albums and listen to it via my great turntable.

[nomaco-10]

8. Hands down KISS. I also have a confession to make...

since it was a long time ago and I feel I am amongst friends here... I was a closet ELO listener. There I've said it.

[SweetZombieJesus]

11. I will allow no bashing of ELO on this thread

Jeff Lynne, for all his Beatles fetishism, is head and shoulders above ANYONE else on this list.

[Zomby Woof]

28. I like him as a producer...

Far more than as a musician, and when I do like in that regard, it is as a Wilbury.

[Enraged_Ape]

60. I LOVE that ELO!

Been a fan since I first heard "Showdown" on my handheld AM transistor radio.

It never mattered to me how much Lynne loved the Beatles (apparently the surviving Beatles didn't mind either, since he produced several songs for them). Badfinger were Beatle proteges as well, and they too are a favorite.

Hey, the Beatles wrote their own great songs and they played their own instruments with a degree of competence--as did ELO and Badfinger. That's something I can't say for 98% of "bands" today.

[MissMillie]

82. I love ELO too!

My very first concert, in the fall of 1978: ELO touring for "Out of the Blue". Loved the spaceship. Loved the cellos. Loved it. Still do. "A New World Record" is a terrific album.

[trogdor]

62. ELO RULEZ!

Up until 1981, when the rest of the band (besides Lynne) became even more anonymous than they already were.

[Shrek]

10. BTO does not belong on your list!

REMOVE IT AT ONCE.

That is all.

[SweetZombieJesus]

12. Ahem

"Takin Care Of Business" is the most insipid song ever made AFTER "Margaritaville". That is all.

[Shrek]

14. Surely you jest

Maybe you should reconsider.

:evilgrin:

[Zomby Woof]

17. And both after "American Pie" nt

[FlashHarry]

64. YES!

"Takin' Care of Business" is a Clear Channel anthem. It's one of about 10 songs on their master 'classick rock' list. I swear, if you listen to a CC station, you'll hear that awful song at least 6 times a day!

Personally, I'd add "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" or any other Meatloaf song, for that matter.

[FarLeftRage]

16. What? No chicago or Carpenters on

your list...

[SweetZombieJesus]

19. I figured Boston was just as good as Chicago being on there

All place name bands suck. No exceptions.

[mitchum]

21. That naming genre is known as Michener Rock...

and they all uniformly suck

[Cocoa]

49. lol!

I never heard that one, that's hilarious. :-)

Add Kansas and Asia to that list.

[MissMillie]

81. Carpenters are CLASSIC ROCK????

70s pop would be more accurate an assessment, don't you think?

[leftist_rebel1569]

23. I voted for Kiss

Gene Simmons can kiss my liberal ass...stupid wingnut...

[stevebreeze]

33. on NPR Simmons had an interview on "fresh Air"

He was the most obnoxious creep I have ever heard.

[Character Assassin]

24. Uriah "aspirating feces" Heap.

Godallfuckingmighty were they bad.

[trogdor]

25. I almost picked REO Speedwagon

but Foreigner is just plain un-listenable. Period. At least KISS sounds kick-ass when performing live (their studio stuff sounds rather empty).

[AntiCoup2K4]

26. Tough call....

Foreigner? Well, the first two albums were alright....

Styx? For the time, (late 70's) they were OK, but I'll never forgive them for that Killroy bullshit.

Journey didn't truly SUCK until Jonathan Cain joined.

KISS - The Disco Dynasty album and everything after was horrible.

REO - Speedaddicts - never liked em, never will...

But the worst thing about all of the above.......

Is the fact that each and every one of them continue to tour in some perverted mutation with one or two actual members of the band playing with a bunch of unknown hacks. They all could be using the same ones, for all I know. Kiss has their fucking roadie wearing Ace's makeup for shit's sake!

[trogdor]

63. Hey, you're not KISS

Yeah, but we did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[BansheeBarbie]

27. All Music I Had The Good Sense To Avoid

sss

These were bands listened mostly to by young lads.

[incontrovertible]

29. UM, you left out the WORST one.

Led Zeppelin.

PUKE.

Rush's "Grace Under Pressure" was a decent album. Listen to "Red Sector A" sometime.

[Zomby Woof]

31. that was the last album I bought by Rush

And the last tour I saw them for. That is a good song, based on Geddy's mother surviving a Nazi death camp.

For some reason though, I think after Terry Brown quit producing them, they have never been as good. They got slick and boring.

As for Zeppelin, I love 'em, but goddamn if classic rock radio doesn't play them way too fucking much. I quit listening to the radio 3 years ago precisely because they overplayed some bands, even ones I like.

[incontrovertible]

34. I feel kind of bad for Neil Peart

I think his entire family died in a car crash recently.

Pop-philosophy aside, he really is the second-best drummer alive - the best being cEvin Key, who comparatively nobody has heard of, but, still.

I also like "Distant Early Warning" off of "Grace." Fairly popular song, and probably the best music video Rush had.

"Power Windows" wasn't bad either, but wasn't as good as "Grace." After that it wasn't so good - I think "Hold Your Fire" was supposed to be the last one, but, like The Cure after "Disintegration," they kept going just for the money. Ugh, don't get me started on late The Cure, after having produced THE album of the Eighties.

[maveric]

46. The mighty Zepplin are GODS!

With Pages blues guitar work Bonzos double bass drum solos, I cant see how you can say that.
What are your favorite classic rock bands my friend?

[incontrovertible]

70. jeez, I have to pick one?

mm, okay, I guess I'd have to say the 13th Floor Elevators.

More popularly, I like AC/DC all right.

I'm sorry, though, I've had Zepplin crammed into my every Fryhole for decades, and I'm through pretending that I like it.

[stevebreeze]

32. Cheap Trick

I saw them in concert often. They were constantly the opening act for many top tear acts, Tull, Queen and I don't remember who all I saw them open for. They had one gimmick, the Huntz Hall imitation, and played it to death. They might as well have played the same song over and over, and many times I believe they did.

[Leftist78]

35. I hate them all

Kiss is the worst. It's like they were all just hanging out at practice one day, and they decided, "hey we can't play worth a shit, so what can we do to make people come out and see us...hmm...I know, we can dress in stupid costumes and put on a fancy stage show so maybe nobody will notice we can't play.” and the rest is rock and roll history. :puke:

[incontrovertible]

36. ...but...

...They... Wanna Rock n' Roll All Night... And Party Every Day?

[Leftist78]

41. and that's their DEEP song

I mean think about it. They're really trying to say we should all, like, rock and roll and party with each other all night. I mean when you think about it, it's like WOW man.

Kiss rules!!!!! I bet dubya was a fan

[maxanne]

37. tough vote

All of the above would have worked well for me. I went with Styx, because of the high pitched annoying voice and dopey lyric factor. Oh, yeah - and Mr. Roboto fa chrissake.

I'm happy to hear someone else dis Geddy Lee - who sounds as if someone is tweaking his nuts as he sings. Awful. Just plain awful. I knew guys that loved them - but never any girls.

KISS sucks hugely - but the people I hung with didn't really listen to them. We were too busy with the Allman brothers, Derek and the Dominoes, Led Zep, the Beatles, the Stones, and even Queen.

Today I had folks looking at me strangely at a stop light because my sun roof was open and I was blasting a bagpipe CD. My tastes have become much more varied as I've gotten older.

[rppper]

59. heheheh...i watched styx get run off the stage......

...during the old "texas jams" that used to be held in the cotton bowl in dallas in the early 80's. dennis deyoung insisted on doing that wretched album start to finish in a play like forum...not good to do in front of 70k drunk, sweaty rock fans.......

[stevebreeze]

38. The Grass Roots needs special mention

I saw them 3 years ago in Dekalb IL at the "Corn Fest". They made an offensive sex joke about our current President at the time. Then broke into "Let's Live For Today". The crowd seemed to miss the irony.
:kick:

[last_texas_dem]

53. Well that sucks

The Grass Roots are one of my favorite sixties-seventies pop-rock bands that no one has ever heard of today, despite being relatively successful for their time. I just love so much of their stuff from all eras of their career, and they have forever (and will likely forever be) shafted by "classic rock" radio, though they do get the occasional spin on oldies stations.

Though it sucks that they made an anti-Clinton joke and I certainly wouldn't defend it, I saw them three years ago down here in Port Arthur, TX, and the touring lineup only includes one original (actually not "original" as in formation lineup, but as in hit-making lineup), so it's not exactly the same band that had the hits.

[NightTrain]

39. KISS is the best band *in* that poll!

Hell, "Detroit Rock City" alone should exempt them from being voted Worst Classic Rock Band. I'll take KISS over that so-called "progressive rock" shit any old time!

[saoirse]

40. Right on!

"Beth" aside, their songs are foot-stomping, arena-shaking
classics!

And Gene Simmons is the coolest!:P

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ornotna]

43. What?

"They are directly responsible for the "shock rock" bullshit antics of Marylin Manson".....Like David Bowie or Alice cooper or The New York Dolls never existed?

[AntiCoup2K4]

45. How very true....

Kiss, in fact, started off as a blatant New York Dolls ripoff, as this picture proves......



And the stage costumes that came later were a natural progression from the Ziggy Stardust "alien" concept.

BTW, guitarist Lily Tomlin (pictured lower left) quit the band soon after this photo was taken and was replaced by Ace Frehley :evilgrin:

[Section_43]

47. LOL...Lily Tomlin...but he is the best actor of the 4...

[ornotna]

44. And

I picked Boston.....every friggin song sounds the same.

[dawg]

74. but ...

its a GREAT song!

[Fenris]

48. My vote went to KISS but...

My heart said "all of the above". Steve Perry sounds like he's on the toilet. REO Speed-dealer is great if you drive a camaro and sell crank to kids out of the trunk. STYX is a pile of shit unto itself, as Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw churned out consistently terrible wuss-rock songs and turned a former rock band into a Broadway-style puke-fest. Foghat...jesus christ. I can't even respond to that one. Rush and Yes and all of that prog-rock bullshit is just plain awful, because it supplants the soul of music with 18 minute solos and flashy examples of virtuosity. Boston's album covers look like something an acid head reading Asimov might paint (as does their logo). Foreigner was just sad. BTO has two songs that come to mind. You're a very sad person if you knowa third by heart.

This goes for Uriah Heap, King Crimson, Emerson Lake and Palmer, ELO, and any other band with the cojones enough to besmerch the name of rock n' roll with their pretentious/lame/boring/shitty music.

[JVS]

50. Pittsburghers

Gene Simmons will be signing books at the Monroeville Borders bookstore tomorrow ar 2:00 PM. In case you want to see the leader of the worst classic rock band according to DU.

[corarose]

51. I have a backstage Kiss story for you guys

My Sister got us passes for Mott The Hoople which was backing Kiss and the ugly jerks from Kiss came up to us and tried to pick us up.
Both my Sister and I were a couple of bitches and so were our friends and I told them that I would end up puking If I had to go out with one of them that they were damn ugly and they needed to put their makeup back on because they needed it and they were frightening without it.

"They were a bunch of rude jerks and they needed a reality check"

[last_texas_dem]

52. I think I like something by all of them...

As I find my self saying on here way too much, taste is taste.

I voted for Kiss by default because I think they are, all music taken into consideration, the worst band on the list. I'd still see them live, though...

I also don't care all that much for Reo Speedwagon's music, though I have nothing in particular against them. I only know a few of the bigger hits of Foghat. The rest of the bands I'd have to admit to liking.

I'm still proud to own and listen to music by all these bands. Sure, classic rock radio is horribly narrow in its playlists and grating after more than a few songs, but I can still admit to liking and loving plenty of stuff by several of these bands and not be ashamed. Perhaps it helps that I'm young and didn't have to hear any of these bands get overplayed when they came out and have been able to hear their music in limited doses by my own choice. Or maybe it's just me... :-)

[whirlygigspin]

54. Def leppard

:puke:

no Scorpions?

[MRDU]

55. Da-dunt-da....da-dunt-da.

da-dunt-da...."Feel Like Ma-king looooove to youuuuuuuuu!!!"

[Section_43]

56. Other: Ted ****hole Nugent n/t

[Terwilliger]

57. I protest the inclusion of REO Speedwagon

so if you're tired of the same old story

oh, baby, turn some pages

let me hear when you are ready

to roll with the changes

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, yeah

[SmileyBoy]

58. REO Speedwagon was the WORST. Everyone, PLEASE realize this!!

You gotta understand, they were the fucking WORST!!! Their songs are like a virus entering my brain. Ugggghhhh....

[Enraged_Ape]

61. No, April Wine was worse

The only thing worse than REO Shitwagon is an REO Shitwagon imitator.

[Terwilliger]

77. You should not listen to them, then

or, perhaps, start your own band

[FlashHarry]

65. Styx? STYNX! N/T

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

66. They all suck

I grew up listening to that dreck and get the urge to firebomb the local classic rock station everytime it inadvertently comes up on my radio dial. They'll be consigned to the same part of hell as Slim Whitman and Tiffany.

[WoodrowFan]

67. Rush and Beth

Hey, I LIKED Beth! It was the only non-piece-of-crap Kiss ever made!


It was a tossup for me between Kiss and Rush and Yes :puke:. I can't hit the next station button when ANY of them comes on. YUCK :puke:


I have to say, I LIKE most of the other bands on your poll, mostly becuase I listened to them in college. I still associate REO Speedwagon with making out with my girlfriend Becky my senior year!

[underpants]

68. Tough to pick the suckiest but I have to go BOSTON

Blech

[noonwitch]

76. Foghat is the only one listed that doesn't have at least one song I like

All the others do.

[kmla]

79. Styx - the Dennis DeYoung period...

Kilroy has got to be one of the worst albums ever made.

Mr. Roboto? Give me a break!

[LynneSin]

80. SweetZombie - had you put Led Zeppelin on there

there would have been war!

However, great list - can I vote for them all???!!!!

:loveya: