The Best "And The" Band Of All Time

What do I mean by an "and the" band? Examples: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band; Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Graham Parker and the Rumour....

So which 'and the' band was the greatest of them all?

My pick? If ever there was a backing band that would be a dream to play with it would be....The Heartbreakers as in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Can you imagine being Tom Petty and going in to the studio with a simple song you wrote on acoustic guitar and knowing that the brilliant band you have with you will be able to flesh it out? Campbell, Lynch and Tench will be adding their parts.....WOW! Astonishing and creative players. The Heartbreakers: the best "And The" band of all time.

Runner up --
The Spiders From Mars simply because of Mick Ronson. Once again...imagine bringing a sketch of a song to the studio and it will be Mick Ronson who will be adding his guitar to it. Wow!

 

E-Street, by a country mile.

 

Booker T. & the MGs (and the Memphis Horns (= the MarKeys), and whichever singer(s) they were backing at the moment).

 

It's just a naming convention, I don't think it necessarily reflects any real difference in group dynamics vis a vis bands with more properly collective names.

 

Flash and the Pan

 

No contest here: Prince & The New Power Generation

 

Reparata and the Delrons

 

& The Attractions
& The Heartbreakers
&The E Street Band

 

Ned Nostril and the South Seas Paradise, Puts Your Blues On Ice, Cheap at Twice The Price Band. Ikky Ikky Ukky Ukky.

 

Brian Jones & The Rolling Stones

 

Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros

 

Any recommendation?

 

Buddy Holly & The Crickets
Elvis Presley and the "two unacknowledged guys that did more for the songs than the king himself"

 

I wasn't being serious.
One big hit in '65 with "Whenever A Teenager Cries".
I could just as easily have said Ruby and the Romantics.

 

Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two

 

This is a great name, as is Brenda and the Tabulations.

 

Johnny and The Moondogs. You all know there's always a way to turn any thread into a Beatles thread.

 

Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers of course.

 

I agree 100% with the OP. For me, although I really like Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, and a few more, for me Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers are my absolute favorite "& The" group. Music, like any art, is subjective so I wouldn't say "best" but they are definitely my #1.

 

Iggy and The Stooges

 

RichieRichie & The Sweaty Jelly, they were my band and easily the Greatest `The Best And The Band Of All Time`

 

Neil Young and Crazy Horse

 

& The Bunnymen

 

Jason & the Scorchers