If you had to pick only ONE great band or musical group of the past 50 years who would it be?

[Bigtigermike]

I love all kinds of music and I know everyone’s taste of music is different but if forced to pick only one group since 1970 that was awesome, encompassed uniqueness and range and just fun music overall it would be Earth Wind & Fire. I just loved how they mixed R&B, Jazz, Soul, Pop, Latin and Disco and had lyrics to many of their songs that had meaning and message. Maurice White was a genius and his instrumental arrangements for the bands top hits was bar none. Great Car music

‘That’s the Way of the World’ ‘

Fantasy’

‘Reasons’

Getaway’

‘After the Love is Gone’

‘Serpentine Fire’

‘Shining Star’

‘Can’t hide Love’

Boogie Wonderland’

‘Gratitude’....etc

[Secret Agent Man]

:)

[howlinhound]

The Moody Blues “Days of Future Past”

[freedomjusticeruleoflaw]

Tricky question... Big Star

[dfwgator]

Ahh, I knew there’d be another one here.

I too, pretty much start with Drums and Wires.

With the passage of time, I consider “Nonsuch” to be their best album, and Andy’s best writing.

[dfwgator]

This is my favorite Bread song....

Been Too Long on the Road
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRWfyA1WxbE

Damn, good stuff there.

[smvoice]

Led Zeppelin.

[Major Matt Mason]

I think we may have had this conversation before, but I have always been partial to The Big Express. Not an album for everyone, obviously, and not their most successful, but I think it was a strong mix of what came before it, and what was to come over their next 3 albums. But, trying to pick a favorite from their catalog isn't an easy task.

[Fungi]

Good one like that too. Consider thi; Easy love. Rather interesting lyrics for a conservative band and a great tuba riff. Off the same album. Cannot post the link. Late for bed.

[Trump Girl Kit Cat]

Doobie Brothers

[Trump Girl Kit Cat]

LOVE Marshal Tucker SO MANY great bands back in the day!!

[Big Red Clay]

Yep. The best live band to ever walk the boards. I am saying in the last 50 years they are the best. I love the Stones and Zeppelin but I place them outside that time frame since they all started in the sixties. VH is without question the greatest American rock band of all time (please note the American designation).

Good choice!

Van Halen kicks ass!!!!!!!

[Othniel]

Sparks. THE best band nobody's ever heard of.

Seriously. Ron and Russell Mael have been making tunes for 50 years. They've had hits in Europe and Japan, and their latest disc, "A Steady Drip-Drip-Drip," debuted at #4 this week in England. They are all over the place musically, but their songs are always good. They're both over 70 now, I think. About 15 years ago they did 21 concerts in 21 days, each day covering a disc, and all the songs were played IN THE ORDER THEY APPEARED ON THE DISC. Lesse some other band match that marathon. They've performed with orchestras, opera singers, small bands, and, believe it or not, Queen. Their lyrics are topical, sarcastic, and fun. For great musicianship, coupled with sheer staying power, they get my vote. Check 'em out.

[Irenic]

I don’t know how great but if there was only one band I could listen to forever— Tom Petty

[smvoice]

There were SO many!

Blind Faith
Humble Pie
Jethro Tull
Deep Purple

[Truthoverpower]

Led Zeppelin

[JohnC2004]

Read through all responses before posting. TON of legit answers. I wanted to say Prince, but that’s not a band, so Prince and The Revolution. Or Prince and NPG. But early on in reading thru responses I saw Steely Dan.
No doubt. Steely Dan. Can’t knock Hendrix or Beatles or any other answer.
For me... Steely Dan then Prince and any band he played with.

[Treeless Branch]

Beastie Boys. Obviously.

[dfwgator]

I always think that “Ladybird” from Mummer is the one song McCartney wished he’d written. Brilliant stuff!

[FranklinsTower]

Grateful Dead

Franklins Tower

In another time’s forgotten space
Your eyes looked through your mother’s face
Wildflower seed on the sand and stone
May the four winds blow you safely home

Roll away, the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew

I’ll tell you where the four winds dwell
In Franklin’s tower there hangs a bell
It can ring, turn night to day
It can ring like fire when you lose your way

Roll away, the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew

God save the child who rings that bell
I may have one good ring baby, you can’t tell
One watch by night, one watch by day
If you get confused just listen to the music play

Some come to laugh their past away
Some come to make it just one more day
Whichever way your pleasure tends
If you plant ice you’re gonna harvest wind

Roll away, the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew

I’ll tell you where the four winds sleep
Like four lean hounds the lighthouse keep
Wildflower seed in the sand and wind
May the four winds blow you home again

Roll away, the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew

[Crucial]

I like Bread too. And Led Zepplin and almost all the bands on this thread. Is the aim of this thread to torture?