Greatest Southern Rock Band?

Which band truly deserves the title “Greatest Southern Rock band of all time”? I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am going to get drug over the coals for this column, but I’m going to tackle this difficult subject anyway. Looking through an Internet list of eligible “Southern Rock bands”, which includes Michigander Kid Rock and Los Angeles’ Creedence Clearwater Revival, I narrowed it down to eight contenders.

Allman Brothers Band, Black Oak Arkansas, Charlie Daniels Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker Band, Molly Hatchet, The Outlaws, & Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. If Creedence Clearwater Revival wasn’t from LA, they would probably be number one just on lyrics alone.

The eight bands I chose are based on my individual listening observation and not on a book or a Rolling Stone Magazine poll. I’m sure I’ve left a band off that for the moment escapes me and for that, I ask forgiveness. ZZ Top was not considered because they are straight up Texas boogie. No argument there.

For me, the Southern Rock genre has to have a blues influence, slide guitars, and the ability to relate to the Southern laid-back, but Rebel lifestyle and above all, great musicians. They have to be versatile and play bluesy-folk ballads.

Each of these eight bands have left a serious impression on Southern rockers and just a few cords from their unique music styles, will cause memories to rush into our minds. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd has to be one of the all time greatest sounding songs to bless the airwaves, even though it bashes hard-rockin’ Neil Young. He’s the Canadian rocker who chastised the “Southern man” for his abuse of the black man.

I saw Jim Dandy and Black Oak Arkansas at Hofheinz Pavilion in 1975, if I remember correctly (for some reason, it is a little fuzzy) and for a live band, they were truly amazing. Their records don’t seem to convey their stage presence though and they were more of a flash in the pan.

Charlie Daniels and Marshall Tucker both have such rich history that I was compelled to add them. My quest for the greatest Southern rock band just cannot have fiddles as a staple, so even though I love these bands, I have to count them out. Sorry Charlie.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have done it for me many an hour and are second to none when it comes to their unique sound. Tom and his band are at the top of my list. He is a true Southern rocker, hailing from Gainesville, Florida. If it wasn’t for a couple of super strong contenders, the Heartbreakers would get my vote. Molly Hatchet and The Outlaws can jam with the best with their hard driving guitars and pounding Southern boogie beat. Both are very good Southern Rock bands.

This brings us down to two bands, Lynyrd Skynyrd (LS) and the Allman Brothers Band (ABB) and where it might get ugly. My friend Keith Westfall, a lanky drink of water from Georgia, tells me LS is easily the better band and he makes a strong case, being a seasoned concert veteran.

Both bands are versatile, playing folk ballads, blues and hard-driving Southern R&R. Both have great lyrics. Both have endured the test of time and both have loyal followings. I looked for a tie-breaker and the answer wouldn’t come. LS has more air-time history and better known to the masses. Both bands tragically lost members who most likely would have made the bands even greater, had they lived.

In discussing this with an Alabama-native friend of mine I call Tomcat, I remarked LS is not the caliber of band the ABB are and it started an argument. I claimed the Allman’s music has sophistication and depth Lynyrd Skynyrd never acquired and I stand on that to this day. Both bands are great no doubt and I enjoy both, but time and time again, I go back to the Allman Brothers when I have a need and that need is for old school Southern Rock and Roll.

My vote goes to the Allman Brothers Band as the greatest Southern Rock Band of all time.