OT: Best musical artist of all time
larryfisherman
California
Being as unbiased as you can (of course there is going to be some bias), who gets your vote of best musical artist of all time?
If you can’t limit it to one, who is in your Mt. Rushmore? (Top 3 or 4).
This encompasses all genres of music, not just one genre.
I’m gonna go with Michael Jackson. It’s pretty tough to beat when you can say you have the songs: Thriller, Billie Jean, Man in the Mirror, Bad, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, Black or White etc etc etc.
The Eagles and The Beatles are in the Mt. Rushmore.
What do you say?
If you can’t limit it to one, who is in your Mt. Rushmore? (Top 3 or 4).
This encompasses all genres of music, not just one genre.
I’m gonna go with Michael Jackson. It’s pretty tough to beat when you can say you have the songs: Thriller, Billie Jean, Man in the Mirror, Bad, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, Black or White etc etc etc.
The Eagles and The Beatles are in the Mt. Rushmore.
What do you say?
63 comments
Joe Walsh is kind of cool though
Beatles, Black Sabbath, The Clash, Jimmy Hendrix
Beatles have to have them
Black Sabbath birth of heavy music
The Clash seminal punk band Sex Pistols and Ramones could be close but the Clash were more versatile.
Hendrix - no one played guitar like him
Honorable Mention - Run DMC they really seemed to bring hip hop to the mainstream a lot in part walk this way
AC/DC all their songs may sound the same but it is a good song
Iggy Pop
Black Flag
I would do a whole other set for punk rock
I'm up for an argument with Michael. He was groundbreaking, but he didn't write his own shit. He released as much garbage later in his career as he did hits earlier. At least the Beatles wrote their own shit.
If you're looking for ideas, I don't think anyone has a valid argument is their band is not on this list:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ro…
Andy Williams
Engelbert Humperdinck
Bing Crosby
Based off influence as well as music, I'd add The Beatles and Michael Jackson.
Hard to narrow down, as there are so many greats from decades ago as well as so many who died young.
Janis Joplin
The Doors
Beatles
Stones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLV4_xaY…
No one can sing a Dylan song like Dylan. Yes, his voice is rough but it conveys the feeling. Take Mr Tamborine Man:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYF8Y47q…
Singer songwriter: Jim Croce
One of the many greats who died young. She was also one of many who died at 27 (along with Morrison).
Me and Bobby McGee was the first song I taught myself on guitar. :)
I know. My dad taught me about all of them. Although his favorite artist of all time is Bob Dylan. I got to know about a lot of the greats because of him. And it was because of Janis Joplin that I used to sneak Southern Comfort into school and drink it after lunch hour, before theater class.
I had a gorgeous Fender. I don't play anymore, because my Fender was stolen years ago. I remember the confusion I had in deciding how I wanted to play guitar, since I'm left handed. I thought of playing like Hendrix, who played his right-handed guitar upside-down. But I'm no Hendrix and that seemed confusing. Then I thought of getting a left-handed guitar, but I didn't limit myself. So I just got a normal one and found it to be easy, as the fretting is done with the left hand.
I actually named that guitar "Joplin." I wonder where she ended up...
You all are aware that The Eagles created the “Hotel California album correct??
More current AC/DC and the Stones. These days, can't think of any.
And then the Beatles and their longevity and diversity over the years makes a lot of sense too.
But then if you include Michael then I don't see how you can leave out Prince. And if you include the Beatles then to me U2 belongs in the same convo as them.
So to me Prince (and trust me he's not my personal favorite) is #1 because he was overall
the most talented at music as a whole. He could sing, play numerous instruments (a virtuoso on piano and electric guitar), write lyrics, compose, produce, and edit music. His music was diverse too. Plus he understood the theatrical production of it and could perform. Also he was a promoter of other musicians. I don't know any other musician that I was so good at so many facets of it. So to me Prince is #1.
As far as greatest bands I say U2, Led Zeppelin, and the Beatles close out my Mt. Rushmore with Prince. All three of these bands consistently produced hit after hit but also were both musically diverse while also being true to a sound that defined them. For example the Beatles had hits from bubble gum pop (like Penny Lane) to trippy drug music like Lucy in the Sky. U2 was alternative rock before it was called that with Gloria but also could do big stadium rock like It's a Beautiful Day. And last but not least Led Zeppelin had folk type hits like Battle of Evermore and epic ballads like Stairway to Heaven. But still these bands had a sound of their own and they had longevity.
My highly biased and personal Mt. Rushmore would include Suicidal Tendencies, Tool, Tupac Shakur, Cocteau Twins, and Heather Nova
Founder,check out This Ain't No Tribute,The Rolling Stones Paint It Blue.
For me, you need to write and perform music to make my list of Greatest Musical Artists. The females at the top of my personal list are Carol King and Joni MItchell, both great song writers and performers but unlikely to make most lists unless you like folk or folk rock.
The Who
Fleetwood Mac
no mention of van halen? the police? queen? damn
Creedence Clearwater Revival
The Band
Electronman - I am aware of this. Like I said earlier, my dad taught me everything about these people. I knew that she didn't write it, she just OWNED it. That's how amazing she was. You think of Me and Bobby McGee and you automatically think of Janis.
And I didn't put Janis Joplin on my list of the best of all time. That was Jackslash. I did, however, say that there are many people who died young (specifically many who died at 27), and with Janis being in that group, she would have done so much more if she hadn't tragically died like so many other greats.
So while I did not put her on my list, there's a special place in my heart for her. She brought so much soul into everything she sang and to everything she did. I think my dad first started teaching me about her when I was 14 or so. I'd love to have some SoCo and share a blunt with mid-20s, alive, Janis.
That's why I named my guitar after her. :)
@MisterWonderful- Lmao
My main requirements for best musical artist ever: longevity, classic albums, impact/influence
Nas
Tupac
Brenton Wood
Nina Simone
https://youtu.be/cwQgjq0mCdE
With my own criteria I had to include overall musical talent and diversity which is why Prince is #1 (hands down) even though he didn't quite have the influence and classic albums as Michael.
I like hip hop the best, so I’m super biased in that genre. Biggie is a legend I think, I can’t put him in the Mt. Rushmore because he only put out two albums before he was killed, but both of those albums were classic. 2Pac on the other hand is in the top 20 of greatest musical artists ever, he died young at 25, but he put out lots of albums, had classics, had impact/influence.
Mt. Rushmore of bands: Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Who and The Eagles (I kno
Nas
Big Pun
Rakim
Biggie
Tupac
Eazy E