What band best defines the term "rock band"

[Jack]

So when you think of a rock band, what band best exemplifies this, or is the heart and soul of the genre, or the epitome, or however you wish to define it?

I'll have to think about my pick(s) for a while.  Interested to see your opinions first.

[Trevor]

For me, it's always been these guys who can do a power ballad, rock and roll or a song that makes you think. They came knocking at my heart when I was a young pup, I opened the door, they came in, made themselves at home and the buggers never left.*  

Mike Pinder, Graeme Edge, Justin Hayward, Ray Thomas and John Lodge of The Moody Blues



* I never wanted them to leave anyway. 

[Leah]

The Who.
-Played louder than anyone else at the time
-Played better (imo) than anyone else at the time
-Was as crazy as any rock band that did the usual rock band stuff while traveling.

[ChaosTheory]

Definitive Rock Band, in terms of balancing technical skill, showmanship and (in Freddy's case at least) lifestyle outrageousness

I will also give a nod to Cream, since they laid a lot of the foundations for what we think of as rock.

[LilCerberus]

Neil Young had already been doing rock with Crazy Horse, so when a producer suggested he make a "Rock & Roll" album, he thought they meant rockabilly, & did that album with The Shocking Pinks...

[Ed, Ego and Superego]

DAS SCOPRION ROCK!

[zelmo73]

Suck. The band called Suck, in other words. They came and went in 1970, out of Johannesburg, South Africa, with one full album and the worst tour ever. Their live show was so crazy that they literally destroyed every set that they played on repeatedly, to the point where no venues wanted to book them, they couldn't make any money touring, and were forced to break up after only eight months. Now that's a rock band!

http://www.rock.co.za/files/timetosuck.html

To top it all off though, they were a very talented band; kind of a cross between Cream and The Who. I'm sure that there are YouTube videos of their greatness out there!  

[Ash]

The Greatest Rock Band in the World!

[lester1/2jr]

MC5 - Looking At You (Live 1970)

[VenomX73]

The Greatest Rock Band in the World!

Great pick.

also -

[retrorussell]

The Beatles really set the standard IMO.  Always loved 'em.
One of my faves of theirs:
The Beatles- Think For Yourself

[Allhallowsday]

[tracy]

Back in the day,these guys said 'rock' for me....

Van Halen - Running With The Devil (1978 Video)

[Ed, Ego and Superego]

Honestly though they were not real, but these guys are sort of the platonic ideal.

[FatFreddysCat]

This band formed 40 years ago this year, and ithey still rock like a ton of bricks. Bow down mofo's!!

Ramones-Ramones (Full Album) 1976