Okay, I don't care if it's pop, rock, jazz, techno, etc., who are your greatest musical acts of all-time? When I say greatest, I mean the acts whose CDs will always be played by you now and in the future. I have 15 with several honorable mentions: 1) Radiohead - greatest band out there right now 2) Massive Attack - it's a shame that they have broken up, really mind-boggling what they accomplished if you go back and look at their 3 CDs and see how much they changed. 3) Nine Inch Nails - Trent Reznor is one of the greatest musical geniuses of all-time...period. 4) Aphex Twin - Richard D. James, like Reznor, is one of the greatest musical geniuses of all-time...period. 5) Tool - greatest progressive hard rock band out there right now. Think of an angry Radiohead that is very loud and hard & you would have Tool. 6) New Order - one of the most influential bands ever. Their music, IMO, will be considered classical music in a hundred years from now. 7) Smashing Pumpkins - any band that has CDs like Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie... to their credit definitely belongs on this list. 8) Moby - he made techno/electronica available to the mainstream. He is responsible for my "ephiphany" in my musical tastes & there does not pass a day, that I don't thank Mr. Richard Melville Hall for this. 9) Soundgarden - Nirvana & Pearl Jam gets more recognition, but IMO, there was not a better grunge band out there than Chris Cornell and the boys. 10) Miles Davis - Probably should be higher on my list, but I just ordered Kind of Blue...will move up in time. 11) Beatles - Some of you may not believe that I have this group so low, but it's my personal preferences. I enjoy all their stuff but especially the stuff before Magical Mystery Tour. 12) Beck - A master of styles; he will go down as one of the msot influential artists of his time. 13) DJ Shadow - He would be higher if he had more albums to his credit. Endtroducing should be a mandatory listen for anyone who wants to seriously get into good music. 14) Sarah McLachlan - the greatest female artist, IMO, bar none. She can write songs, play a great guitar, and oh yea, most importantly, she can sing like an angel. 15) Beach Boys - Any artist that releases a great & beautiful CD like Pet Sounds deserves to be on this list somewhere. Honorable Mentions: Bee Gees, Bjork, Black Sabbath, Kate Bush, Chemical Brothers, Cocteau Twins, John Coltrane, Dead Can Dance, Delerium, Depeche Mode, Dr. Dre, Enigma, Enya, Fatboy Slim, Peter Gabriel, Jean Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk, Leftfield, Joni Mitchell, Nirvana, Gary Numan, Mike Oldfield, The Orb, Orbital, Pearl Jam, Liz Phair, Portishead, Elvis Presley, Prodigy, Skinny Puppy, Tricky, and ZZ Top. Sorry for all the honorable mentions, but when you have as many CDs like I have then you have a hard time in deciding where to cut things off.
Early Genesis (with Peter Gabriel and the first few albums of the Phil era) Rush Neville Brothers Grateful Dead Bob Dylan David Bowie James Taylor (I used to love the Summer shows) Jimmy Buffett (silly stoned fun) and so many more....
My top 15 1.311 2.RATM 3.The Go-Go's 4.Pink Floyd 5.Beastie Boys 6.The Offspring 7.Jane Wiedlin 8.No Doubt 9.Men Without Hats 10.Ani Difranco 11.Polaris 12.Talking Heads 13.Soundgarden 14.Enya 15.Beatles
My top 5, in no particular order: Rolling Stones Supertramp - Their Paris album is my all time favorite. Rush Billy Squier Early ZZ Top
This is a really difficult topic and what follows will probably be interpreted as a thread killer. But then again, the point of these threads is to generate discussion. Hopefully, I'm giving some food for thought and not just rambling. First off, I've so far only seen artists from the 2nd half of the 20th century, which leaves out a pretty enormous selection of artists. Furthermore, I'm only familiar with maybe 100-200 musical artists. There's alot of stuff out there that I just don't know about. Second, how do you quantify something like "greatest?" A prolific discography? But then alot of artists release a lot of crap. Musical innovation? But what happens when the innovative becomes cliche? Sales? Two words - Britney Spears. Would anyone consider her even good, let alone great? Third, I'm not sure I like the idea of pitting musical artists against each other. While musicians are competitive to a degree, I don't think ranking them ever leads to better music. And really, the only reason the music industry has all of its awards is to promote (and thus increase the sales) of its artists. They're not exactly trying educate the world about who is worthwhile listening. In any case, the point I'm trying to make is that I don't think you can make a "greatest" list. What you can do is list the artists that you like. Although I will say that Beck, who copies everyone yet has no real voice of his own, shouldn't be on you list Manny.
Sub: This thread was designed to be the "greatest" acts in your eyes . So, essentially, it's a list of your favorite acts. Why, then, you may be asking did I use the term "greatest" instead of "favorite"? I used it because I'm sure everyone has CDs that they like to listen to like a Goo Goo Dolls or a Blink 182 (just using my own collection here), but they know deep down, that "Enema of the State" or "Significant Other" by Limp Bizkit are albums that are not going to be talked about 50 years from now (maybe they will, but I don't think that they will, IMO). So, I see where you are coming from. Think of it like this, sub: Who are your favorite, most critically acclaimed acts that you would listen to their CDs 20 to 50 years from now? I would like to see your list, BTW.
easy stuff: (in no particular order) 1) Iron Maiden 2) Judas Priest 3) Deep Purple 4) Tesla 5) Great White 6) Led Zeppelin 7) Van Halen 8) Montrose 9) Sammy Hagar 10) Pantera 11) Testament 12) Joe Satriani 13) Eric Johnson 14) WASP 15) Rush 16) Heart 17) Triumph 18) Savatage 19) Axe 20) Ozzy 21) Dream Theater 21) Fates Warning 22) Night Ranger 23) Journey 24) Queensryche 25) Pink floyd There are more, of course. These are the ones I listen to most of all.
I'm all for everyone having their own taste in music, but Offspring and Billy Squier? I mean granted having your emotions in motion might make you a little loopy, but c'mon, are you serious? Tool? Holy overrated...If you're talking about timeless music... Zepplin - yeah the ripped off the blues like every other 'rock-n-roll' band but damn they did it well. Dean Martin - the only guy cool enough to tell Frank when he was busy. Rage Against the Machine Nirvana Miles Jane's Addiction George Clinton Curtis Mayfield James Brown (I just finished the JB Funky Christmas season -Santa Claus....goes straight to the ghetto...Santa Claus....goes straight to the ghetto...) Cream (the real supergroup) Beatles NWA Elvis (yeah, and don't say Costello or Crespo or I'll smack you good) The Who Willie Nelson Johnny Cash Chet Atkins Stevie Wonder Marvin Gaye Robert Johnson (everyone's had the dead shrimp blues at one time or another)... man, there are so many this is kinda ridiculous. i'm sure we really could all list at least 100 acts. Fatboy Slim Luciano Pavarotti Tony Bennett Neil Young Joni Mitchell Jimi Hendrix John Prine Bob Dylan Al Green Grateful Dead Sabbath
Holy ****. You must be surfin like an alien. Heart? NIGHT RANGER. Jesus, mary, sister christian - they suck. Great White? Once bitten, twice as bad. And Tesla? The group who made ONE BAD COVER?
Hey now Hayes, I don't believe the topic was about the greatest for everyone. Those just happen to be a partial list of acts that I personally like. As for Night Ranger, two great guitar players Don't hate on them just cause of their sucky power-ballads Heart, two words....Nancy Wilson Great White, Had a great stage show and some really nice bluesy rock n roll Tesla, geeze...have you ever actually seen or heard them?? I have seen them 3 times and they are a great live rock band. I list groups that speak to my heart and soul and make me feel better just by listening to them, I'm not here to list critically acclaimed or eclectic bands just to show how well-rounded my musical taste is. btw...your list reminded me of some good stuff I have that I do't listen to enough. Thanks Add to my list: Jimi Hendrix Cream Clinton and P-funk
I don't think I could make that list. There are so many great artists and musicians, it would be impossible especially considering I'd have to vascillate between rock, pop, jazz, latin, new age, funk, soul, r&b and on and on. My head is spinning...must stop thinking...must stop...
come on Jeff, I would be interested to hear yours... what with your extensive musical knowledge.. I'm fortunate, I just have to select between various forms of rock with just a bit of blues jazz and funk thrown in...
The VERY TOP: Dave Matthews Band Bela Fleck and the Flecktones Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals Bob Marley and the Wailers Beatles Keb' Mo Guns n' Roses -- the ORIGINAL band On the Bubble: Devon Natalie Merchant Grateful Dead Allman Bros. Band Michael Jackson Tim Reynolds Others who I love, but are iffy for me listening to forever: Pearl Jam Soundgarden Nirvana U2 Counting Crows Smashing Pumpkins Red Hot Chili Peppers Outkast Wyclef Jean DMX That doesn't include anything like Classical music -- really just stuff from fairly recent times
I'll give it a shot. I separated them for what it's worth into categories and they are in no particular order. I know I missed a bunch, but whatever. You get the idea. <b>Rock & Pop</b> Billy Joel Sting/The Police Steely Dan The Beatles Tears for Fears XTC Jellyfish Seal Black Crowes Elton John Journey Dave Matthews U2 REM Cheap Trick <b>Hard Rock/Industrial</b> Van Halen Led Zepplin Rush (geek ) Foo Fighters Kings X Everclear Prodigy NIN Rage Against the Machine <b>Guitar Rock</b> Joe Satriani Steve Vai Eric Johnson Santana Jimi Hendrix Tony MacAlpine Billy Sheehan <b>Singer/Songwriter/Other Rock & Pop</b> Indigo Girls Suzanne Vega Duncan Sheik Rosanne Cash Julian Lennon Danny Wilde/The Rembrandts Toad the Wet Sprocket Charlie Sexton Ben Folds kd lang Joni Mitchell Andy Taylor Chris Whitley Wendy & Lisa Ten Hands <b>R&B/Soul/Funk</b> Marvin Gaye Wison Pickett Otis Redding Aretha Franklin Prince (could fit rock too) Tower of Power Earth Wind & Fire James Brown Stevie Wonder <b>Traditional & Vocal Jazz</b> Dave Brubek Joe Henderson Milt Jackson Miles Davis Charlie Parker Mel Torme Frank Sinatra John Coltrane Mark Whitfield Christian McBride Roy Hargrove Branford Marsalis Winton Marsalis <b>Fusion/Latin Jazz</b> Ruben Blades Al Di Meola Pat Metheny Jaco Pastorius Chic Corea Mike Stern John Scofield <b>New Age/Other</b> George Winston Michael Hedges Michael Manring Bela Fleck Victor Wooten
Greatest/most influential rock band of all time, is the Beatles. No question about it. Radiohead is the best band today. U2 was a great band too. Hendrix was the greatest guitarist ever.
Dang...thqat had to took some time Jeff...thanks...you reminded me of a few I can't believe I forgot.. Santana Elton John Kings X and Billy (The Bass-God) Sheehan/Talas
Beach Boys Metallica Aerosmith Guns 'n Roses 2Pac Nas Miles Davis Marvin Gaye Al Green Sam Cooke The Temptations Boyz II Men The Drifters The Four Tops Stevie Wonder Bob Marley Creed Jimi Hendrix
