With the news that Green Day would be getting their own Rock Band game a la The Beatles, that made us wonder... what other muscians should get the Rock Band or Guitar Hero treatment?
In addition to The Beatles: Rock Band, we've gotten Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, Guitar Hero: Metallica, Guitar Hero: Van Halen (out next week) as well as a live AC/DC Rock Band track pack.
And no offense to Green Day, but I wouldn't put them on the same shelf as The Beatles. So with the mainstream rock trio getting their own full band game, it opens the door wide open for possibilities.
Here are a few we think could work:
The Who
Singer Roger Daltrey recently let it slip that they're already working on something with Rock Band makers Harmonix, so it's got to be a full band game like The Beatles. We can't wait to see the trippy dreamscapes they'll come up with for Tommy and Quadrophenia.
The Rolling Stones
The Beatles or The Rolling Stones? It's a classic rock 'n' roll debate. If The Beatles got a game, it would make sense for The Stones to get one too. And unlike The Beatles, The Stones already have music appearing in both Rock Band and Guitar Hero. We say it's only a matter of time before we see a virtual Mick Jagger struttin' in a game.
Led Zeppelin
No "Stairway"?! Denied! There's one band noticeably absent from all these music games, but we suspect there are licensing issues. Until Led Zeppelin realizes that music games are the hot ticket and a way to make their music relevant to young listeners, it could be a while before we see this one.
U2
I stopped listening to U2 several albums ago, but the Irish rockers are no doubt one of the biggest bands ever. They recently expressed interest in having their own band game, so we'll soon see if Guitar Hero or Rock Band comes out on top.
Grateful Dead
If the legendary jam band got their own game, there would be plenty of Deadheads lined up to buy it. Not only do they have the catalog to support a full title, but the imagery. Their iconic artwork -- the dancing bears, skull and roses, the Jester, Uncle Sam Skeleton, etc. -- would be perfect for the game's backgrounds.
Iron Maiden
As a metalhead, nothing would please me more than to rock out as Eddie, the band's demonic mascot. Thankfully, Iron Maiden's music appears in some games already, but the band's elaborate stage set-ups could really work for their own title. And two words: The Trooper! We've got to teach these young kids to shred.
Jay-Z
We've finally got the first real hip-hop-dedicated game with DJ Hero, but we think it could be taken up a notch with a Rap Hero or Hip-Hop Hero starring Jay-Z. Jigga's one of the most successful rappers of all time, and the game could easily have Beyonce, Eminem, Kanye and his other big-time associates appear in it as well. There's already a hip-hop game called Def Jam Rapstar in the works, so it's definitely doable.
Nirvana
While no longer making music, the classic grunge group certainly has enough hits to have their own game, which would prevent Courtney Love and the rest of the band members from suing Activision over singer Kurt Cobain's likeness being used to sing No Doubt songs. The only thing is, if the game is biographical, it'd be awkward to portray, um, how the band split up. But we say don't lie to the kids and make a dreamscape of Cobain floating up to heaven to meet Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin. Problem solved!
Coldplay
Yeah, I said it. Coldplay. A lot of people say they hate this band, but the British rockers somehow manage to sell a ton of albums, so somebody's buying them. If Green Day gets their own game, why not Coldplay? Plus, we predict the first video game developer to make a game with a working keyboard peripheral is going to go gangbusters.
Lady Gaga (top photo)
Maybe we could wait for a few more albums, but Lady Gaga is so hot right now. Band Hero's covered pop music with Nelly Furtado and Taylor Swift, so a Lady Gaga game wouldn't be a huge stretch as far as genres go. Also, it'd be interesting. Imagine all the ridiculous costumes you could choose for your Lady Gaga avatar and all the blood, fire and feathers that would be on stage.
What do you think?
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I liked Green Day when I was in 6th grade...that was 17 years ago! They're still relevant? Do the kids know who they are?
Courtney
Dec. 15, 2009 13:18pm
Coldplay? Are you serious, Tracey?
Peter Ha
Dec. 15, 2009 13:27pm
Listen, I'm not saying all these bands are necessarily good. I'm saying they will sell games.
And Peter, I'm sorry I didn't put your favorite band, Nickelback, on the list. Maybe in the next one.
Tracey John
Dec. 15, 2009 13:29pm
I'd go for the Talking Heads. Good music plus plenty of personality and unique quirks.
okkervil1
Dec. 15, 2009 13:52pm
There's one band noticeably absent from all these music games, but we suspect there are licensing issues.
Zep's always been protective of their music...only recently have they softened a bit, mostly for movies and one overblown car commercial. Maybe it's partly to preserve their 'integrity', maybe it's because their music borrows heavily the Blues tradition of using lyrics from other songs in their own, in which case licensing gets more tangled up.
grape_crush
Dec. 15, 2009 14:28pm
@grape_crush, I agree, and think it's more the licensing.
Tracey John
Dec. 15, 2009 14:40pm
I'd love to see tool if for nothing else but to watch amateur drummers struggle with Danny Carey's drum parts on harder settings. However, the singer would have to stand behind the band in darkness as per Maynard's seeming rules.
I also want an entirely indie rock band. I'd get no greater satisfaction than walking down Bedford Ave. and seeing hipsters conforming in yet another way but preaching their nonconformity. And yes, I am a peeping tom like that.
Or Phil Collins -- Think of the people who would love belting out "Sussudio" with images of "American Psycho" in their head.
In serious thoughts, what about Beck, Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Hendrix, Cream, or Muse? Rockband is all about the hooks, right -- well, each of those bands has the hooks.
jsnyde
Dec. 15, 2009 14:45pm
@jsndye - Metallica does have Guitar Hero: Metallica. TOOL would be rad, and they do have their own section in one of the Guitar Heroes with neat TOOL-inspired backgrounds. No Maynard, though.
Tracey John
Dec. 15, 2009 15:14pm
I agree with the Green Day comments up until American Idiot. It took me a while to buy it, but eventually the music won out over my snobbishness.
That said, it's hard to follow The Beatles Rock Band with a band that only recently took off creatively. It would be like having The Beatles Rock Band right after Rubber Soul came out.
djtrudeau
Dec. 15, 2009 15:52pm
@djtrudeau - True, but most likely they're going after everyone who *didn't* buy The Beatles.
Tracey John
Dec. 15, 2009 16:39pm
Pearl Jam!
carel29
Dec. 15, 2009 16:43pm
I have never played one of these games... mostly because I think pressing button-combos on a plastic guitar to mime chords is silly. Just learn to play the real guitar.
But the reason I'm commenting is that I'm disappointed this post wasn't about artists appearing as characters in video games. Now that would be rad. Like Lady Gaga as an alien musician in a Mass Effect-style RPG. Or you get to drive Snoop Dogg around in Grand Theft Auto. The possibilities are endless!
crispy4
Dec. 15, 2009 17:23pm
@crispy4 - But real guitar is hard. In Rock Band, I'm an "expert" guitar player!
Lady Gaga isn't already an alien? And Snoop Dogg should be in every game, regardless of genre.
Tracey John
Dec. 15, 2009 17:38pm
Hah! Have you seen the Snoop Dogg skin for GPS devices? It's really all I want for Christmas.
crispy4
Dec. 15, 2009 17:41pm
Oops, sorry... I didn't know that was going to embed. Fancy.
crispy4
Dec. 15, 2009 17:42pm
@crispy4 - HAAAAAA, I want that too! I need a car first though.
Tracey John
Dec. 15, 2009 17:45pm
And a driver's license would also help.
Tracey John
Dec. 15, 2009 17:46pm
WOw, look at all the comments...
1. Is that Snoop Dogg / Tom Tom real? I would buy it.
2. Comparing Green Day to Coldplay? American Idiot is considered by many to be one of the great rock albums of the decade. Coldplay, I think generously, is a solid pop band.
3. Pearl Jam! I hadn't considered Pearl Jam as an option but I think they're perfect for the RB treatment.
4. Most of Tracey's suggestions make perfect sense to me - U2, The Who & of course, The Stones all would make great subjects.
lazarusl
Dec. 15, 2009 21:01pm
What about the Dave Matthews Band - one of the highest grossing acts around for quite some time!
PS - I'm a fan too!
steveo327932
Dec. 16, 2009 00:13am
Ah yes, I completely forgot about Metallica already having a game. I'm actually quite happy with myself that I forgot this fact.
Also, the better GPS voice is Gary Busey....
jsnyde
Dec. 16, 2009 00:43am
I love how this has turned into a thread for celebrity GPS voices. Keep 'em coming.
@lazarusl - I'm not really into new Green Day stuff, but everyone else is so... *shrug* And Pearl Jam would be good, too.
@steveo327932 - No offense to your musical tastes, but would I be the only one thinking we certainly do NOT need a game for Dave Matthews Band?
Tracey John
Dec. 16, 2009 07:28am
I know I'm going to be the odd-ball poster in this thread because most here are talking about popular, recognizable musicians, groups etc.
My suggestion would be some sort of game based on one of the pioneers of the various sounds and genres we hear today (with regards to the stylized/electronica-infused dance pop).
The group I refer to of course is Kraftwerk.
As much as I respect people citing groups such as the Beatles, Zepplin etc. in terms of their impact modern music-wise, no group from the late 20th century has left more of an impact with regards to production and the way what we hear sounds than Kraftwerk. If you don't believe me, you can Wiki them or just do some searching to dig up various articles and critical assessments of what they've given us. It would only be fitting that they be paid tribute to by having a game that involves not just twitch reaction to sound and events on screen but one in which the music works along with creative thought processes to achieve an end goal - or be free form as well - many possibilities.
thecrankyfuturist
Dec. 16, 2009 16:54pm