Who is the best American Rock Band of all Time?

[Darth Biscuit]

Even more important...can you even name a contender from the last 10 years?

Good point, there are some good newer bands... Chevelle comes to mind... and can you count bands like Velvet Revolver and Audioslave? Foo Fighters kind of fits in that category, but really they are a 90's band that's still playing.

Deftones are one of my all-time favs, but I wouldn't consider them the "best" band... they are kind of a niche sound.

[davos]

There is no correct choice. But my personal top-6:

1 - Creedence Clearwater Revival

2 - The Replacements

3 - Pearl Jam

4 - The Doobie Brothers

5 - My Morning Jacket

6 - Clutch

edit: honorable mentions - GD, Talking Heads, Wilco, Beach Boys, The Mountain Goats, Morphine, STP, & Nirvana

[davos]

*and I can't believe CCR was only mentioned once

Definitely agree with the Foo Fighters assessment. Grohl and Co. still make solid tunes and have world wide appeal

[Kitten Diver]

Springsteen/Aerosmith

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Based on longevity alone I believe they are the only contenders unless you count bands like Phish/Grateful Dead/Widespread who are/were great live but generally play the same songs along with some cover songs..