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Simpsons star Hank Azaria started a compelling chat about who is America's best rock band

Simpsons star Hank Azaria started a compelling chat about who is America's best rock band
via Twitter

The great debate over who the greatest rock band of all time is usually centered around three British bands: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.

Honestly, there's not much of a debate, The Beatles have a distinct leg up on the other two, especially when it comes to songwriting, impact on culture and how they changed rock 'n roll from teeny-bopper music into art.

The only argument for the Stones and Zep are that they may have been better live performers.

Being that American rock bands are shut out of the age-old debate, actor Hank Azaria (The Simpsons, The Bird Cage) asked his followers the following:

His question inspired a great debate that spans generations.

First of all, let's clear the table of bands that were mentioned frequently but have zero reason to be in the discussion: The Foo Fighters and KISS.

Dave Grohl may be rock's biggest cheerleader at a time when the art form is losing its relevancy. But his band hasn't done anything groundbreaking enough to be considered among the greats. Now, his first band is worthy of consideration.


KISS has been dining out on only having two good songs for five decades. If they're the best America can offer up, it says something debilitating about or national character. Thankfully, they are not.

A lot of people think the Eagles are the greatest American rock band. Jeffery Lebowski would disagree.





Beastie Boys could technically be called a rock band because they played their own instruments but their catalog is too hip-hop heavy for consideration.


Aerosmith are one of the most popular bands in the tweet thread.


Nirvana is no doubt the greatest American band of the '90s, but are they the best all time?


Some people who responded had a long list of contenders.


The Dead's long, strange trip may be America's greatest.


Joy Reid from MSNBC chimed in.

Those are three incredible acts. Prince should absolutely be part of the discussion of greatest performers who ever lived in any country on any planet. However, Prince was so good he played most of the instruments himself, so Prince and the Revolution feels more like a solo act than a proper band.

Can the the Jimi Hendrix Experience be considered an American band when two of the three members were British?

Sly and the Family Stone are definite contenders.

The Sandmen enter the debate.



But is Metallica better than G 'n F'n R?


The Brits may think they invented punk, but it was started in New York City by one of the greatest bands ever, The Ramones.

1, 2, 3, 4!


The Beach Boys from Hawthorne, California were once billed as "America's Band."


New Jersey checking in.


Pearl Jam came up a lot in the debate. But, if Nirvana is the best band of the '90s, how can Pearl Jam be the best ever?



Let's not forget The Doors.


As someone once said: "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture." And they're right. For my personal take— I'd say it comes down to The Grateful Dead and The Beach Boys.

The Grateful Dead were an innovative band that went out a night without a net and reimagined their own material, in the moment and under the influence. Each member was a virtuoso at their instrument with Jerry Garcia's expressive guitar at the forefront.

They dared to take their audience on a journey and people followed them on their long strange trip across the country year after year. The current incarnation of the band, Dead and Company, with John Mayer more than competently filling Garcia's shoes has been hugely successful selling out ballparks across the country for the past five summers.

Grateful Dead - Terrapin Station 12-31-78www.youtube.com


But as Garcia once said, "We're like licorice. Not everybody likes licorice, but the people who like licorice really like licorice." So the number one spot has to go to the universally loved Beach Boys.

The Beach Boys were one of the first rock groups to become famous while writing their own material, a few years before The Beatles made it popular. Brian Wilson and Mike Love had an innate ability to make catchy pop tunes with intricate, beautiful harmonies.

But the band would go on to be much more than a barber hop quartet with hollow-body guitars. Wilson would break new ground in the studio creating sonic masterpieces such as "Good Vibrations" and "God Only Knows."

But that's just one opinion. Who do you think is the greatest American rock band of all time?


THE BEACH BOYS 1966 God Only Knows YouTubewww.youtube.com







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Meet the 18-year-old advocating for teen mental health, one inspiring podcast at a time

All images provided by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Collins after being selected by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

True

A changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve an ongoing problem—be it in one’s own community or throughout the world.

And when it comes to creating positive change, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective can hold just as much power as years of experience. That’s why, every year, Prudential Emerging Visionaries celebrates young people for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

This national program awards 25 young leaders (ages 14-18) up to $15,000 to devote to their passion projects. Additionally, winners receive a trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, where they receive coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities with mentors to help take their innovative solutions to the next level.

For 18-year-old Sydnie Collins, one of the 2023 winners, this meant being able to take her podcast, “Perfect Timing,” to the next level.

Since 2020, the Maryland-based teen has provided a safe platform that promotes youth positivity by giving young people the space to celebrate their achievements and combat mental health stigmas. The idea came during the height of Covid-19, when Collins recalled social media “becoming a dark space flooded with news,” which greatly affected her own anxiety and depression.

Knowing that she couldn’t be the only one feeling this way, “Perfect Timing” seemed like a valuable way to give back to her community. Over the course of 109 episodes, Collins has interviewed a wide range of guests—from other young influencers to celebrities, from innovators to nonprofit leaders—all to remind Gen Z that “their dreams are tangible.”

That mission statement has since evolved beyond creating inspiring content and has expanded to hosting events and speaking publicly at summits and workshops. One of Collins’ favorite moments so far has been raising $7,000 to take 200 underserved girls to see “The Little Mermaid” on its opening weekend, to “let them know they are enough” and that there’s an “older sister” in their corner.

Of course, as with most new projects, funding for “Perfect Timing” has come entirely out of Collins’ pocket. Thankfully, the funding she earned from being selected as a Prudential Emerging Visionary is going toward upgraded recording equipment, the support of expert producers, and skill-building classes to help her become a better host and public speaker. She’ll even be able to lease an office space that allows for a live audience.

Plus, after meeting with the 24 other Prudential Emerging Visionaries and her Prudential employee coach, who is helping her develop specific action steps to connect with her target audience, Collins has more confidence in a “grander path” for her work.

“I learned that my network could extend to multiple spaces beyond my realm of podcasting and journalism when industry leaders are willing to share their expertise, time, and financial support,” she told Upworthy. “It only takes one person to change, and two people to expand that change.”

Prudential Emerging Visionaries is currently seeking applicants for 2024. Winners may receive up to $15,000 in awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters with a parent or guardian, as well as ongoing coaching and skills development to grow their projects.

If you or someone you know between the ages of 14 -18 not only displays a bold vision for the future but is taking action to bring that vision to life, click here to learn more. Applications are due by Nov. 2, 2023.
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