The OFTU fellas have given me free reign to be as ridiculous with this list as I like and I assure you it will be. So, without further adieu I bestow upon you the most magnificent list in the history or the world of the “Top 10 Greatest Bands of All-Time.”
10. TLC
Let’s just start off with a WTF. Really? TLC?
Yes, TLC. TLC was a girl group that started out of Atlanta, Georgia in 1990. They made my list not only for their musical influence, but their cultural influence as well. The TLC ladies were never afraid to confront “taboo” topics such as sexually transmitted diseases and safe sex. Not only were these messages in their music but also in their fashion. Seriously, can you name a current artist that could wear a condom attached to sunglasses covering one eye or pinned to their clothes and have an actual meaning behind it and not just as a gimmick? No, me either. The group has scored ten top-ten singles, five of which went to number one; four multi-platinum albums; and won five Grammy Awards. Having sold over 75 million records worldwide, TLC is the best selling girl group in the US and second best-selling female group of all time. Let’s be real, TLC paved the way for so many girl groups who followed including the Spice Girls and Destiny’s Child. So, thank you TLC for sending us Queen Beyonce.
9. Dixie Chicks
I know this is starting the look like a top ten list of girl groups, but hear me out. I guess I have a thing for unapologetic women who speak their mind and are unafraid of the male dominated music industry “suits.” Not only are they singers, songwriters, but they are world class musicians as well. Seriously, can you play; guitar, bass guitar, violin, viola, mandolin, banjo, dobro or the accordion? Yeah, I can’t either. The Chicks for most of their career have stayed true to themselves and have not sold out just to sell albums and it seems to have worked with a list of accolades that include: 13 Grammy Awards and 30.5 million certified albums sold worldwide. The Dixie Chicks became the top selling all-female band and biggest selling country group in the U.S. during the Nielsen Soundscan era (1991–present).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVslp3jBvPU
8. Heart
It’s 1970 and two sisters want to join a rock band, so they join up with four guys from Bothell, Washington. Those sisters were Ann and Nancy Wilson and that band would go on to be named Heart. In the early 70’s there weren’t many opportunities for a rock band fronted by two women. Ann and Nancy Wilson fought against industry executives who didn’t want to give them a chance as well as tabloid rumors and after five decades on the rock stage the sisters are still going strong. Heart was the first rock band I remember as a child that was fronted by women and they showed me that women could rock, in most cases, better than men. To date, Heart has sold over 35 million records worldwide. The group was ranked number 57 on VH1’s “100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock”. Heart has the longest span of Top 10 albums by a female fronted band. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
7. Alison Krauss & Union Station
Let’s get to some Bluegrass, shall we? Alison Krauss is one bad S.O.B. on the strings. It took me a while to come around to Bluegrass, but when I did I ran full force to Alison Krauss & Union Station. Alison Krauss and Union Station have been around since 1987 and have made seven albums along with contributions to nine different movie soundtracks including; Twister, Cold Mountain and O’ Brother Where Art Thou. Not to mention the crazy successful and critically acclaimed Raising Sand album that Alison Krauss recorded with Robert Plant, yes THE ROBERT PLANT! Lead singer Alison Krauss has won 27 Grammy Awards from 41 nominations, tying her with Quincy Jones as the most awarded living recipient, second only to the late classical conductor Sir Georg Solti who holds the record for most wins of all time with 31. She is the most awarded singer and the most awarded female artist in Grammy history. Along with Grammy prestige Alison Krauss and Union Station have mastered the following instruments: Dobro, lap steel, guitar, mandolin, bass guitar, banjo and fiddle.
6. Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band
Anytime Bruce Springsteen is mentioned visions of red, white, and blue instantly dance around in my head. Not only is Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band one of the greatest live acts of a generation, but Bruce Springsteen is one of the greatest songwriters of all time. As a unit Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have won 20 Grammy Awards, Bruce Springsteen alone has won two Golden Globe awards and an Academy Award as well as being inducted into both the Songwriters Hall Of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
5. Alabama Shakes
The only thing you need to know about Alabama Shakes is Brittany Howard, Google her.
4.Tedeschi Trucks Band
Formed in 2010 when Susan Tedeschi and her husband, Derek Trucks, decided to join forces and create the supergroup, Tedeschi Trucks Band. With two albums under their belt and a third on the way, TTB is well on their way to rock-n-roll/blues history. By the age of 12, Derek Trucks had played alongside such musicians as Bob Dylan, Stephen Stills, Joe Walsh and was an official member of the Allman Brothers Band. Susan Tedeschi, having recorded eight albums during her solo career, has opened for such acts as John Mellencamp, Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones, B.B. King, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy and the Allman Brothers Band. Many would describe Susan Tedeschi vocals as a blend between Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin, I would not dare disagree with that assessment.
3. Queen
Freddie Mercury, the greatest frontman of ALL TIME. Brian May, ranked #26 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of all-time. A Queen concert was not only a performance, but a life changing experience. Formed in London in 1970, Queen went on to become one of the world’s best selling musical artists,with a total of 18 number one albums, 18 number one singles, and 10 number one DVDs. Estimates of their record sales generally range from 150 million to 300 million records. Queen received the Outstanding Contribution to British Music Award from the British Phonographic Industry in 1990. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
2. Prince & The Revolution
Formed in 1979 by Prince in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Two number one albums and selling over 16 million in the United States alone. Prince, one of the greatest musicians/singer/songwriter of our century, became not only a household name but created his own style musically and in a fashion sense. Everyone remembers Prince’s 80’s style, with lots of lace and heels. His music has always been a staple in my life, from childhood to adulthood. Prince has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best selling artists of all-time. He has won seven Grammy Awards a Golden Globe and an Academy Award. In 2004 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Rolling Stone ranked Prince at number 27 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
http://www.mojvideo.com/video-prince-in-the-revolution-purple-rain-1984-dvd-rip-wushan-xv/439155bb879cf5fafa6c
1. Fleetwood Mac
“Like a heartbeat drives you mad, in the stillness of remembering what you had…” Stevie Nicks. Lindsey Buckingham. Christine McVie. Mick Fleetwood. John McVie. Formed in London in 1967, Fleetwood Mac has went on to become one of the greatest selling bands of all time selling over 100 million albums worldwide. Not to sell any of the other members of Fleetwood Mac short, but a wordsmith such as Stevie Nicks is gifted to us once in a lifetime. Fleetwood Mac have had unprecedented success and hold the record for second best selling album of all time with Rumours. Listening to Stevie Nicks as a child very much molded me and lead on the path that I am on today. The lyrics that she contributed to every Fleetwood Mac album flooded me with a range of emotions and most importantly, Stevie Nicks makes me believe her. Every lyric, every note I believe and feel down to the very depths of my soul. For me there is nothing else, only Fleetwood Mac.