now dont get me wrong as I like the pistols but when all is said and done they were only a 1 album band - granted that album is a classic which still sounds fresh.
Punk was only meaningful to a small elite of London based middle class 'rebels' and has been lionised ever since by white, middle class journalists.
Disco music had more of an impact on more people throughout the world but because its not 'cool' it is dismissed.
So how come The Clash are often cited as the Greatest Rock and Roll band ever and The Ramones are revered amongst all the new bands as big big influences, if it was only meaningful to a Small elite of Londoners ?
Punk is good in its own way and its true about the clash and stuff but it probably isnt the best genre ever well actually im pretty sure its not, no offence to anyone, everyone has there own point of view!
It is a matter of opinion as Scatty Mare says. Rock'N'Roll was the new music of the 1950s and is still popular today although referred to as just Rock (my dad said it would never last). The Guitar riffs of Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry set the standard and are still used today as Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton would attest. There are some great 'Rock' bands around today and long may it last.
Punk was a great vehicle for getting people involved & drawing people into creating fresh music, in much the same way as skiffle in the late 50's, however the vast majority of punk output was, with notable exceptions as already mentioned pretty contrived. As for it being the greatest genre, I don't think overall that it was sufficiently innovative to even create it's own niche.