The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum » BBC's All Time British Group Is No Surprise. What Would Canada's Be?

RadioActive · October 11, 2024 7:24 am

The BBC asked listeners to vote on the all time greatest British group and tabulated the results for a radio special. The list shouldn't surprise anyone - it's the Beatles, which is the right and only choice for #1. The special broadcast airs on one of their stations (Radio 2) Oct. 19th and can also be heard online.

The countdown made me wonder - if a Canadian radio station tried this kind of listener poll, who do you think would win? The Guess Who? Rush? Someone else? If you're restricting it solely to groups, Gordon Lightfoot and Joni Mitchell wouldn't qualify. So who would you pick? Maybe another special for Boom 97.3 next Canada Day.

Meanwhile, in case you're curious, here's who the British public put on their list.

1. The Beatles
2. Queen
3. The Rolling Stones
4. Pink Floyd
5. Fleetwood Mac
6. Led Zeppelin
7. Take That
8. Coldplay
9. Oasis
10. Electric Light Orchestra
11. The Who
12. Depeche Mode
13. The Jam
14. Radiohead
15. The Smiths
16. Genesis
17. Pet Shop Boys
18. The Cure
19. Duran Duran
20. Madness

The Beatles named the ultimate British group by BBC Radio 2 listeners

Walter · October 11, 2024 8:15 am

For Canada? Blue Rodeo. As for the Brit list, Yes and Jethro Tull should be there, ahead of several that are.

Last edited by Walter (October 11, 2024 8:16 am)

mace · October 11, 2024 8:23 am

Just reading the headline, the first name that popped into my head was the Guess Who. They were quite successful in the U.S. before CanCon arrived. American Woman spent three weeks on top of the Hot 100 in May 1970.

Shorty Wave · October 11, 2024 8:25 am

I can see The Tragically Hip ranking high for Canada, although I have my Canuck list of bands like 54-40, The Pursuit of Happiness, Skinny Puppy(!) to mention a couple, mostly 80s-90s artists.

Easily Amused · October 11, 2024 8:48 am

Trooper.
At least if you listen to Giant FM. 🤨

Glen Warren · October 11, 2024 9:13 am

Supertramp should be on the BBC list...

Walter · October 11, 2024 9:18 am

Glen Warren wrote:
Supertramp should be on the BBC list...

Good suggestion. Roxy Music were ground-breaking and influential, as well.

g121 · October 11, 2024 9:32 am

Would have to be either The Guess Who or Rush ; no-one else should be close.

paterson1 · October 11, 2024 10:40 am

For the greatest it would depend if greatest meant around the world or just at home. Bachman Turner Overdrive actually had more international success than the Guess Who. Rush sold more albums worldwide (over 40 million) than either BTO or The Guess Who. Domestically Tragically Hip sold more albums than all of them, but no real success outside of Canada.

Tq345 · October 11, 2024 11:17 am

paterson1 wrote:
For the greatest it would depend if greatest meant around the world or just at home. Bachman Turner Overdrive actually had more international success than the Guess Who. Rush sold more albums worldwide (over 40 million) than either BTO or The Guess Who. Domestically Tragically Hip sold more albums than all of them, but no real success outside of Canada.

I think it's a poll of personal favourites as opposed to most successful.

For me, I'd have Rush, The Guess Who and Blue Rodeo in my top three, any of which could be number one depending on my mood.

I have to hand it to Blue Rodeo, still going strong after 40 years with no sign of stopping.

newsguy1 · October 11, 2024 1:56 pm

As far as Canada goes I would for sure have the Guess Who up there along with the spinoff BTO.
Obviously the Tragically Hip.
But also Carol Pope with Rough Trade
The Band
The Poppy Family

Dial Twister · October 11, 2024 4:26 pm

newsguy1 wrote:
The Band

In a bit over one month, it'll be 48 years since 'The Last Waltz' farewell concert.

Even after almost five decades since it was over, it's still hard to fathom the incredible talent that four Canadians and one American brought to this legendary band.

I could watch that concert a hundred times and still see and hear something worth noting. What a career!

Dale Patterson · October 11, 2024 5:16 pm

Lighthouse.

Still not in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Evuguy · October 11, 2024 8:17 pm

Drake, The Weeknd, Sam Roberts, Sloan, Rush, Triumph, Max Webster, Saga... but nothing comes close to the Laurie Bower Singers - a CFRB favourate that's continued to haunt me since childhood.

https://citizenfreak.com/titles/287244-laurie-bower-singers-look-what-they-ve-done-to-my-song-ma

They even covered "Up On Cripple Creek". Apparently, there was no stopping them.

mic'em · October 12, 2024 6:48 am

If commercial success is the main criteria, Shania Twain has to be close to the top in dollar value, perhaps Celine Dion also. As the thread is all Time Group, Rush and/or The Guess Who would be the most well known world wide.

Shorty Wave · October 12, 2024 9:00 am

Evuguy wrote:
Drake, The Weeknd, Sam Roberts, Sloan, Rush, Triumph, Max Webster, Saga... but nothing comes close to the Laurie Bower Singers - a CFRB favourate that's continued to haunt me since childhood.

https://citizenfreak.com/titles/287244-laurie-bower-singers-look-what-they-ve-done-to-my-song-ma

They even covered "Up On Cripple Creek". Apparently, there was no stopping them.

I guess it was a case of “no shame, no gain”! I love seeing vintage album covers like this, thanks for sharing!

Dicky Doo · October 12, 2024 9:19 am

There was a rock group called the Diamonds
Comprised of four Toronto darlins
They recorded a tune by Maurice Williams
That sold millions & millions
But in Canada are seldom heard
As the Poppy Family & Laurie Bower Singers
Seem to be preferred

D.D.

Shorty Wave · October 12, 2024 9:29 am

Dicky Doo wrote:
There was a rock group called the Diamonds
Comprised of four Toronto darlins
They recorded a tune by Maurice Williams
That sold millions & millions
But in Canada are seldom heard
As the Poppy Family & Laurie Bower Singers
Seem to be preferred

D.D.

Hey Dicky Doo, The Diamonds are performing in Germany on November 22 at AJOKI in Hanau Am Main, plus some dates in the US early next year, so they’re still rockin’!

Dial Twister · October 12, 2024 9:48 am

Shorty Wave wrote:
Hey Dicky Doo, The Diamonds are performing in Germany on November 22 at AJOKI in Hanau Am Main, plus some dates in the US early next year, so they’re still rockin’!

Given that there are zero original members of The Diamonds in the current group, some guys are still performing under the name...that's all. 😁

Chrisphen · October 12, 2024 11:16 am

Glen Warren wrote:
Supertramp should be on the BBC list...

Not so sure about that - they were a bit too prefabricated. 'Crisis? What Crisis?' is a good album though.

Fitz · October 12, 2024 12:21 pm

I would put the Kinks in the top 4 of British bands:

My favorite Canadian Band is Buffalo Springfield. The original group was 3/5 Canadian:

Leslieville Bill · October 12, 2024 5:39 pm

The tops ones for me would be The Guess Who and Rush. Lots of good names where. Others to be consider should include The Barenaked Ladies, The Band, Simple Plan, Sum 41, April Wine, Nickleback (yeah, I know), Arcade Fire.

paterson1 · October 12, 2024 7:05 pm

Nickleback certainly can't be ignored. They have sold more than 50 million albums worldwide and their first two albums (one self released) charted in the US, UK and Germany but not here. Even in recent years the group is still charting songs and albums in the US rock charts top 40 and in the UK.

Last edited by paterson1 (October 12, 2024 7:11 pm)

Chrisphen · October 12, 2024 7:06 pm

Leslieville Bill wrote:
The tops ones for me would be The Guess Who and Rush. Lots of good names where. Others to be consider should include The Barenaked Ladies, The Band, Simple Plan, Sum 41, April Wine, Nickleback (yeah, I know), Arcade Fire.

I'd take New Pornographers over Arcade Fire.

Walter · October 12, 2024 7:33 pm

My favourite Canadian group was a Toronto punk outfit from the late 70's, early 80's. The Government. Their 'Electric Eye' LP is wonderful. The fact that nobody else has ever heard of it makes it all the more special.

Shorty Wave · October 13, 2024 8:27 am

Dicky Doo wrote:
Dial Twister wrote:
Shorty Wave wrote:
Hey Dicky Doo, The Diamonds are performing in Germany on November 22 at AJOKI in Hanau Am Main, plus some dates in the US early next year, so they’re still rockin’!

Given that there are zero original members of The Diamonds in the current group, some guys are still performing under the name...that's all. 😁
You're suggesting that Diamonds aren't Forever? Shocking.

Snappy comeback DD! Have a good Thanksgiving!

mic'em · October 13, 2024 8:30 am

We are forgetting A Bunch of Fucking Goofs. Most creative band name at least, along with Swollen Members. Man, Toronto had some wild musical acts at one time.

Shorty Wave · October 13, 2024 8:57 am

mic'em wrote:
We are forgetting A Bunch of Fucking Goofs. Most creative band name at least, along with Swollen Members. Man, Toronto had some wild musical acts at one time.

Up there with Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet!