Cream is a pretty good choice, actually. In fact, for me I think it's a toss-up between them and - surprise, surprise - Rush. (I'm surprised Doug didn't find a picture of them to post - they're pretty much the definition of a rock power trio. And there's also the Police now that I think of it...) Another serious contender for me is the Jimi Hendrix Experience, although usually people just kind of see that as Jimi and pretty much forget about poor Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell. And does anybody else remember Phantom, Rocker & Slick? They were pretty much a one-hit wonder from the mid-1980s, but what a hit it was: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFM5JoNXEh8
I actually can't think of any other trios I like, unless you count Wings on the occasions when they were down to three members - but they always hit that figure by accident rather than design.
Don't be surprised. I threw this post together in about 5 minutes the day after our Police post ran a few weeks back. I did put Cream in the labels below the post, though.
Steve, I immediately thought of Wings as well. I was going to mention the 'Dirty Mac' consisting of Lennon, Keith Richards, and Eric Clapton, but I forgot they also had Jimi's drummer and Yoko, so forget that (they were an act on the Stones 'Rock and Roll Circus'..).
I can't say there's any particular musical trio I like more than any other, but I do regard the Jimi Hendrix Experience's debut album, Are You Experienced? as the best ever released by any such trio. Cream, the Jam, the James Gang, the Police, XTC and Ben Folds Five are a few other favorites that come to mind.
Apparently no folk music lovers, either, as no one's brought up the Kingston Trio. Being serious, (I like the Kingstons, but they're hardly my fave..) I'd have to cast my vote here for the Police. Rush would be a close second. And Emerson, Lake and Palmer get an Honorable Mention.
As a Canadian, I have to mention Triumph was a really good hard rock band. But as much as I like ZZ Top, Genesis, and The Police, for best trio, hands down it's Rush. nobody comes anywhere close, maybe Cream.
One point I forgot to make in my last comment in response to Edo. I do remember Phantom, Rocker & Slick somewhat. Not as well as I remember their predecessor, the Stray Cats, however. PR & S seems to have been an attempt by the Cats' Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker to keep the band going after Brian Setzer left, replacing him with Earl Slick.
I'd say Cream, but Teresa, thank you for mentioning The Presidents of the United States of America! Those guys were fantastic! Even their videos were great. They definitely deserve an honorable mention. I'm laughing just thinking about "Peaches"...
Cream. Then a toss up between The Jimi Hendrix Experience and "that li'l old band from Texas," ZZ Top (cuz I like my rock with a healthy dose of the blues too).
My first reaction to this question was "Jimi Hendrix Experience!!!!" The original "power trio" - for me, nobody ever got close in terms of technique, song-writing ability, rock 'n' roll attitude etc. ( Sorry Cream, sorry Rush ) But... were they strictly "Bronze Age", as they split up in 1969? Hmmm...
I'll have to mention two very different bands from the '70s: The Jam and Motorhead. The Jam were a perfect combo of Paul Welller's sublime, Who-influenced song-writing and Punk edge. And they looked very cool in their sharp suits. Motorhead never looked cool... but they were the heaviest, loudest, nastiest bunch of rock outlaws in the late '70s. And they made "Ace Of Spades", one of the great artistic statements of the 20th century. Seriously.
Just edging out of the Bronze Age were the largely forgotten Husker Du. This Minneapolis hardcore trio were massively influential on bands like Nirvana, Pixies and pretty much any American "Punk" band of the last 20 years. Wit two wonderful singer / song-writers and a volcanic, psychedelic guitar sound, courtesy of Bob Mould, Husker Du really should have been big, but the world wasn't ready for them...
Rush!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTom
I'd have to go with Rush as well.
ReplyDeleteI like Crosby, Stills and Nash quite a lot, but I liked them much much more as quartet when Neil Young was still with them.
Dang, I almost about "Cream"! My wife may never forgive me, as that is one of her all-time favorite bands.
ReplyDeleteCream is a pretty good choice, actually. In fact, for me I think it's a toss-up between them and - surprise, surprise - Rush. (I'm surprised Doug didn't find a picture of them to post - they're pretty much the definition of a rock power trio. And there's also the Police now that I think of it...)
ReplyDeleteAnother serious contender for me is the Jimi Hendrix Experience, although usually people just kind of see that as Jimi and pretty much forget about poor Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell.
And does anybody else remember Phantom, Rocker & Slick? They were pretty much a one-hit wonder from the mid-1980s, but what a hit it was: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFM5JoNXEh8
ReplyDeleteWhile I respect Rush, I just don't like Rush much. . .
I'd have to say Cream.
I'd say the Police, but they never struck me as great a band live as they were in the studio - and for me a trio has to rock out.
They have not been mentioned, but I have to go with...
ReplyDeletewait for it...
....The Impossibles!!!!!!!
Hanna-Barbera's Rockin' Superheroes!
Coil-Man, Fluid-Man, and Multi-Man RULE!!!!
And if not them, then Cream...I guess.
Rip Off
The answer is simple....MUSE!
ReplyDeleteThe Jam. By a mile.
ReplyDeleteI actually can't think of any other trios I like, unless you count Wings on the occasions when they were down to three members - but they always hit that figure by accident rather than design.
I can't pick only one. In order of personal enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteBronze Age:
The Bee Gees
Jimi Hendrix Experience
Cream
Modern Era:
Nirvana
Sublime
The Presidents of the United States of America
Edo --
ReplyDeleteDon't be surprised. I threw this post together in about 5 minutes the day after our Police post ran a few weeks back. I did put Cream in the labels below the post, though.
Doug
Steve, I immediately thought of Wings as well. I was going to mention the 'Dirty Mac' consisting of Lennon, Keith Richards, and Eric Clapton, but I forgot they also had Jimi's drummer and Yoko, so forget that (they were an act on the Stones 'Rock and Roll Circus'..).
ReplyDeleteI can't say there's any particular musical trio I like more than any other, but I do regard the Jimi Hendrix Experience's debut album, Are You Experienced? as the best ever released by any such trio. Cream, the Jam, the James Gang, the Police, XTC and Ben Folds Five are a few other favorites that come to mind.
ReplyDeleteNo votes for Josie and the Pussycats?
ReplyDeleteApparently no folk music lovers, either, as no one's brought up the Kingston Trio.
ReplyDeleteBeing serious, (I like the Kingstons, but they're hardly my fave..) I'd have to cast my vote here for the Police.
Rush would be a close second.
And Emerson, Lake and Palmer get an Honorable Mention.
As a Canadian, I have to mention Triumph was a really good hard rock band. But as much as I like ZZ Top, Genesis, and The Police, for best trio, hands down it's Rush. nobody comes anywhere close, maybe Cream.
ReplyDeleteTriumph-Follow Your Heart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLEA6QbviVY
ReplyDeleteOne point I forgot to make in my last comment in response to Edo. I do remember Phantom, Rocker & Slick somewhat. Not as well as I remember their predecessor, the Stray Cats, however. PR & S seems to have been an attempt by the Cats' Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker to keep the band going after Brian Setzer left, replacing him with Earl Slick.
ReplyDeleteHound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers. :)
ReplyDeleteI'd say Cream, but Teresa, thank you for mentioning The Presidents of the United States of America! Those guys were fantastic! Even their videos were great. They definitely deserve an honorable mention. I'm laughing just thinking about "Peaches"...
ReplyDeleteCream. Then a toss up between The Jimi Hendrix
ReplyDeleteExperience and "that li'l old band from Texas," ZZ Top (cuz I like my rock with a healthy dose of the blues too).
David from Wisconsin
My first reaction to this question was "Jimi Hendrix Experience!!!!" The original "power trio" - for me, nobody ever got close in terms of technique, song-writing ability, rock 'n' roll attitude etc. ( Sorry Cream, sorry Rush ) But... were they strictly "Bronze Age", as they split up in 1969? Hmmm...
ReplyDeleteI'll have to mention two very different bands from the '70s: The Jam and Motorhead. The Jam were a perfect combo of Paul Welller's sublime, Who-influenced song-writing and Punk edge. And they looked very cool in their sharp suits. Motorhead never looked cool... but they were the heaviest, loudest, nastiest bunch of rock outlaws in the late '70s. And they made "Ace Of Spades", one of the great artistic statements of the 20th century. Seriously.
Just edging out of the Bronze Age were the largely forgotten Husker Du. This Minneapolis hardcore trio were massively influential on bands like Nirvana, Pixies and pretty much any American "Punk" band of the last 20 years. Wit two wonderful singer / song-writers and a volcanic, psychedelic guitar sound, courtesy of Bob Mould, Husker Du really should have been big, but the world wasn't ready for them...
The Beatles when Ringo is on vacation?
ReplyDeleteMatt, too funny ~ I was close to making the very same Beatle comment that day.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhokFOP8IH0
:)
I'd put the previously mentioned Rush, Nirvana, and the Jam high on my list as well (with the Hendrix Experience and Cream honorably mentioned).
ReplyDeleteBut my fav trio might be Sleater-Kinney. They demand to be played loud.
The Three Amigos did some singin'...
ReplyDelete