The Who (Moon era) or Led Zeppelin

[Jack-in-the-Green]

I had to vote for The Who because John Entwhistle is my all-time favorite bass player, and Roger Daltrey is one of my all-time favorite singers. (I actually didn't like Robert Plant's voice at all for a long time, but it eventually grew on me.)

That being said, however, if we were voting on our favorite drummer, I would have to go with John Bonham. Best drummer EVER.

[UngerWoo]

My vote goes to The Who, but I agree with a lot of what's said here -- though I would never file Who's Next under utter crap. The late-60's Kinks may be the best band ever.

This is my "controversial" opinion only, but here goes:

The Who's first 3 Studio LPs and early singles ruled. Live at Leeds is pretty good, and is really all I can tolerate from the post-Who Sell Out era. Tommy is utter crap and so is everything after.

In general though, the Who are pretty overrated...the Kinks were a much better band songwriting wise and made a fantastic string of LPs and singles from '65-71...they put out more music than the Who did during that time and still managed to maintain a very high standard of quality. To this day, they are way underrated. Other bands from the Who era that were better: Small Faces, the Pretty Things, and even the Action and the Creation. The latter two had very limited output, but were still better.

Zep had a few decent songs, but generally annoy the crap out of me and were the epitome of bad, bloated 70s hard rock. Keep in mind this is coming from someone that actually enjoys bands like Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy. IMHO, the Yardbirds at their peak wasted anything Zep could've hoped to do on their best day, even with technically proficient musicians and bigger recording budgets.

[cvac]

My vote goes to The Who, but I agree with a lot of what's said here -- though I would never file Who's Next under utter crap. The late-60's Kinks may be the best band ever.

I've tried so many times to get into Who's Next, but just can't. Maybe it will click with me one day, but I doubt it.

[WesternModern]

The Who, no contest.

[ouch]

I saw them both in their prime (i.e., original drummers) and I give the edge to The Who. I think they put on much better shows.

[Uncle Jackie]

I chose bot as equally as good.

I tend to prefer Zeppelin better as a band, but Townshend is perhaps the greatest lyricist of all time. A remarkable mind on that chap.

[brucered]

The Who, no contest.

there we go.

[Bob the aged Lurcher]

I went with The Who, Keith Moon, an absolute nut case Rolls Royce swimming pool, an icon. What I like in drummers.

[brucered]

I went with The Who, Keith Moon, an absolute nut case Rolls Royce swimming pool, an icon. What I like in drummers.

gotta love Moon...heck, even a shaving shot (electric, but still)

[acesn8s]

I prefer Led Zep over The Who.

I think only in a band like Led Zep can a musician like JPJ be considered, "that other guy."

[BigWill]

The Who. Robert Plant's voice grinds on me the wrong way. No LZ, no Honeydrippers.

[WoodfordReserve-Neat]

I went with The Who, Keith Moon, an absolute nut case Rolls Royce swimming pool, an icon. What I like in drummers.

Indeed, Moon was totally mad ! I love this.............

[joshua1970]

hmmmm, definitely a tough one... both had incredible musicians, rhythm sections to die for (no pun intended) and both continue to influence generations of new musicians with their timeless songs and styles.

For my personal view/taste I'd have to say that the Who overall was musically a better band with a better body of work but Led Zeppelin put out one of the absolute best debut albums of all time - despite stealing a chunk of it from Willie Dixon (alas, that's where it got it's flavor) and they truly were a phenomenon unto themselves (thanks in large part to Peter Grant at the helm of the LZ Empire)


...that said, if we can expand to include similar 'styled' bands who I don't think get their due, I'll add my voice to those who mentioned The Kinks vs The Who... I mean talk about a groove.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPMYkITzxn0


and I'll challenge LZ with some Deep Purple! Robert Plant never had anything on Ian Gillan as this, one of the best songs of all time IMO, clearly shows
(turn it UP!!!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OorZcOzNcgE

just, wow, I mean c'mon that's the voice of Jesus afterall LOL

oh yeah, RIP John Lord.

as with anything, taste is purely subjective... but clearly everyone on this thread can appreciate some good tune-age as well as a good shave :)