Tricky question... Big Star
Led Zeppelin.
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.
I don’t know how great but if there was only one band I could listen to forever— Tom Petty
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.
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
They’re overplayed but I have a soft spot for Metallica. And Tool and Nirvana...
Besides ABBA?
hmmm.... that is a toughy.
So many great songs and singers and instrumental players.
One thing is certain, it is very tough to find anyone these last few decades that have anything lasting like below.
Hooked On Swing Dancing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHANNkKBSNU
I wish I knew the titles for this compilation of songs
Wow, I am surprised no one even mentioned Pat Benetar, she was popular in highschool.
Grand Funk Railroad, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Bob Seager, Led Zepplin.
I can’t name just one.
The Grateful Dead.
New Order. Next question?
Radiohead!
Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters
The Philadelphia Orchestra?
The Berlin Philharmonic?
La Scala opera?
There’s only one reasonable answer for the musically-educated, which is “Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention”; and all serious discussion would be who the second choice was to be.
“If you could pick only one great band ind the last 40; years who would it be?”
“Who”
“Yes who?”
“Yes who”
“No who?”