DAILY DIRT: So, who should be No. 1? Led Zeppelin? Beatles? Rolling Stones?

Daily Dirt for Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,091 of The Daily Dirt

1. Forbes magazine’s top 10 rock bands of all time include one, maybe two surprises.

The most obvious talking point surrounding it, however, is probably the order.

Let’s take a look:

• 1. Led Zeppelin: I have no problem with Led Zep being ranked high, just not this high.
• 2. Beatles: How any list of this nature does not have the Beatles or Rolling Stones at No. 1 is … for lack of better phrasing, just not right.
• 3. Queen: This may start an argument, but Queen, in my humble opinion, was likely the most versatile of any of these groups. (In their primes, of course.)
• 4. Pink Floyd: I’m not challenging this band’s overall excellence, but a large portion of its music is … well, an excellent match for a Sominex commercial. 
• 5. Jimi Hendrix Experience: For me, this is a real reach. I probably would not have this band in the top 10, let alone the top five. If nothing else, the Jimi Hendrix Experience was only around for three years. (And for the record, I bought Jimi’s debut album … back in the seventh grade.)
• 6. Rolling Stones: Personally, I’d have the Stones no worse than the top two. Flip a coin between the Stones and the Beatles for No. 1. 
• 7. Van Halen: The epitome of a rock band, in terms of flash, music and personalities.
• 8. Eagles: Just don’t play “Hotel California”. Please. 
• 9. Metallica: This is my other question for top-10 inclusion. Most of the other bands are more mainstream. I’m not downplaying Metallica’s importance or abilities, but I would categorize heavy metal more as a niche rather than mainstream.
• 10. AC/DC: There might not be a better overall rock song “You Shook Me All Night Long?”

Here are some other mainstream possibilities to consider, in no particular order, as replacements for the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Metallica:

• Aerosmith
• ZZ Top
• KISS
• Journey
• Heart
• U2
• Doors
• The Who
• Fleetwood Mac

2. Did you know (Part 159)

• That Pumpkin Spice Moon Pies have returned to many supermarkets for the fall season.
• That King’s Hawaiian (yes, the bread folks) has released Sweet and Salty Pretzel Bites.
• That Blue Bell Ice Cream has two new fall flavors in Dr. Pepper Float and A&W Root Beer Float.
• That Raspberry and Peanut Butter Uncrustables from Smuckers should be arriving in stores at any time.
• That Hostess is providing Pumpkin Spice Twinkies for your autumnal enjoyment.
• That Lay’s continues to roll out new flavors in potato chips seemingly every other day. Habanero Kettle Cooked is another new one.

3. Our celebrity birthday wishes this week go to:

• Rapper/media personality Snoop Dogg is 52 today.
• Kim Kardashian (I’m not sure exactly what to classify her as) turns 44 Monday.
• Singer/comedian “Weird” Al Yankovic will be 65 on Wednesday.
• Singer Katy Perry turns 40 on Friday.
• Former game-show emcee Pat Sajak will be 78 on Saturday.

Steve Thought O’ The Day – OK, I would definitely replace the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Metallica with The Who and Heart. By the time you are reading this, my letter to Forbes will have been sent.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. I didn’t realize that Forbes Magazine was considering as an authority on music. Doesn’t look like they are, actually.