Absolutely. What happens with some groups is that, for whatever reason (and it's not always because of the quality of their music, believe me), they just don't get the airplay or the recognition except for their hits. Groups like Kansas, Cheap Trick, The Kinks, The Who, Radiohead, Weezer, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Rod Stewart, Lou Reed- these groups and artists are much, much more about all their songs than their hits. I admit I fall into this trap, too. I was never really into Elton John, for example, because I only knew stuff like Crocodile Rock, Don't Go Breaking My Heart, Bennie and the Jets, etc. (same with people who think CT has 3 songs: IWYTWM, Surrender, and The Flame). Then, I decided to actually listen to the entire Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and, wow, what an excellent record. Did the same with Captain Fantastic. Same with Alice in Chains. Never actually listened to Dirt, only knew Man in the Box and Rooster. Then, I heard the entire CD and it was a supreme kick in the guts- great stuff, especially Them Bones, Down in a Hole, and Would. So now I tend to reserve judgment on groups for whom I only know their hits until I get to hear more of their stuff.
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This kills. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wqsnfS_Depc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wqsnfS_Depc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
I try to do the same, just recently figured it out about Michael Jackson. Thriller was a mighty good album. I love Alice In Chains more than I like The Who. Their unplugged CD is in my top 10 albums and IMO the best songs on there wouldn't touch the radio. Though Down In A Hole is my all time favorite and it was pretty popular back in the day. As for anyone questioning the Who, listen to the drums and bass on "The Real Me" and you'll think again.
I think the boss is way out of place. That list is glaringly missing Led Zeppelin and Bob Dylan. I'm going to assume you just forgot. Page is up there with Berry, Hendrix, and probably Clapton as the most influential rock guitarists ever. Can't forget Bonham on drums either. Though I don't think anyone touches the Beatles someone could probably make an argument that Dylan is the most influential of anyone on that list.
Actually, the one that made me go "Huh?" as far as impact was The Police. They just didn't put out enough recordings- I think 5, to be exact. They had no more of an influence on new wave than groups like The Cars, The Pretenders, etc. They had one huge album- Synchronicity- and that was it. They COULD have been one of the all-time big groups, but their discography doesn't warrant it. I think when you get to the point where they're making movies about you or starring you, or if you can play in football stadiums, you've become pretty iconic. So, you could say: Elvis Presley Chuck Berry The Beatles The Rolling Stones Bob Dylan Jimi Hendrix The Who Led Zeppelin Pink Floyd Bruce Springsteen (borderline- heavy, heavy popularity on the East Coast- sold-out stadiums, big-selling records- he's probably up there). U2 The Doors (this one's tricky- based on Morrison, he's reached the icon status- the movie The Doors, etc. They're debatable, though). Then there are those who are close: Queen (if you're looking at it from a worldwide perspective) AC-DC (see Queen- AC-DC is huge worldwide) The Eagles The Grateful Dead Several others Now, this is just impact and influence, not who's better or personal favorites.
It's funny. I love the Who. I do kind of hate the song Squeezebox though, but I do think it would be a great theme for CSI. I think Paige may have been a technically better guitarist than Pete. But The Who are way more innovative, and creativity counts for a lot in my book. In fact creativity and originality may be the number one criteria I look at. When it comes to being original and creative Zeplin isn't even close. They do have creativity, and originality, but not in the same league as the Who. Quadrophenia is probably their greatest master piece. Tommy is great, but maybe overplayed, and Who's Next is an awesome album as well. One song that I love that a lot of people haven't mentioned is Pictures of Lilly. That might be my favorite individual song by the Who. "A Quick One..." is also great, especially as it's own mini little rock Opera. The documentary, the Kids Are Alright, is probably the quintessential rock documentary there is.
Yes, yes, yes...solid live version of Tommy! But when I think of Tommy I don't think of Isle of Wight, I think of Eric, Ann, Elton, Jack, and...oh yea, TINA TURNER!!!!!
Also without The Who there might not be an Alice in Chains. A lot of those grunge bands cite The Who as a major influence.
The only artist whose limited discography does not affect his legendary status is Jimi Hendrix. No matter how much one likes The Police, they are not on the same level as those other groups in terms of popularity and cultural impact. They could have been, if they had stayed together.
They were awesome live! Yes I like them. Keith Moon was the best drummer I can remember ever hearing live. But the problem I have is that all the bands I liked in the 60's- 70's I listened to while stoned. There is an effect there. My all time favorite bands heavily influenced by seeing them live are (in order): 1. Jimi Hendrix Experience 2. Beatles (only saw McCartney Wings) 3. Jethro Tull 4. Led Zepplin 5. Eric Clapton (pick a band) 6. ZZ Top (primarily when very high) 7. The Who 8. Heart (70's version) 9. Rolling Stones (for some reason never liked their personalities) 10. Lynyrd Skynyrd I personally was overwhelmed by Hendrix Live and Jethro Tull Live, I will say that The Who were pretty stinking awesome live. There are alot of other bands I saw live that could easily be in my top 10. But Hendrix and the Beatles are pretty much my 1-2
And people forget that Jethro Tull was huge in the 70s- I think they played Shea Stadium in the mid 70s, which was unheard of unless you were the Beatles, Stones, Who or Zep. They also had albums that went to #1, even though they were prog rock recordings that had 1 song over an entire album (Thick as a Brick and Passion Play). Growing up on the East Coast, JT was talked about and played on the radio as much as the 4 above and Pink Floyd- no kidding.
Well....at least Sting got to be in the Quadorphenia movie. So you know he at least was around greatness .
