re: Rank these 5 bands in terms of how influential they were/are

Because you say somebody is the most influential doesn't they were the only influence. IMO The Byrds' success -- and yes, one of their #1 hits was a Dylan song -- was the key moment for folk-rock, and Sweetheart Of The Rodeo (featuring one Gram Parsons) was the key for country-rock. And if you accept they were the biggest movers for country-rock, that includes in their sphere of influence not only all the Eagles copycats but cowpunk bands like the Long Ryders and Green on Red up to alt.country and Americana today.

But I must hasten away, for I have stayed too long already, and we have seen Souljah posting about how The Grateful Dead were "bigger and better". Soon we will be overrun with Widespread Panic and Phish, then the land will be laid barren by posts nominating Tupac.

So farewell my friends, and good luck....