The Greatest American Rock Band Bracket!
Second Round, Classic Rock Division

The Beach Boys (1) vs. the Allman Brothers (9)

The Endless Summer versus the Southern Rock stalwarts
The Beach Boys:
"Beginning their career as the most popular surf band in the nation, the Beach Boys finally emerged by 1966 as America's preeminent pop group, the only act able to challenge (for a brief time) the overarching success of the Beatles with both mainstream listeners and the critical community. [The Beach Boys] constructed the most intricate, gorgeous harmonies ever heard from a pop band. " --AllMusic.com

Popularity
  • Sold over 100 million records worldwide
  • Eight Gold, two Platinum albums
  • 15 top-ten singles
  • Four #1 singles

Influence:
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1988
  • #12 on Rolling Stone's "Greatest Artists" lists
  • Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 2001
The Allman Brothers Band:
"During the early '70s, [the Allman Brothers Band] were arguably the most influential rock group in America, thanks in no small part to At Fillmore East (a high-water mark for concert albums), which redefined the scope of rock's musical boundaries. Duane Allman and Dickey Betts pioneered the twin-lead guitar sound so prevalent during the decade that continued well into the 21st century. The group placed an emphasis on musicianship, in seamlessly melding rock, blues, jazz, and R&B with extended improvisation. They directly influenced virtually all '70s rock acts south of the Mason-Dixon Line, including the Marshall Tucker Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the jam band movement of the '90s."
 --AllMusic.com

Popularity
  • Over 8 million records sold worldwide
  • Seven gold albums
  • Four platinum albums
  • 10 top-100 singles
  • One #1 single
  • One Grammy Award
Influence:
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1995
  • Ranked #52 on Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists"
  • Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 2012

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