Who are the greatest minds in Rock and Roll

Cafe Society
1

What musicians would you say are not only excellent performers, but are also innovative and intellectual songwriters, incrediably polished musicians, have staying power (as a testament to their greatness) and put their unique stamp on any music they touch whether as artist, composer, or producer. The two people who top my list would be:

David Bowie

Phil Collins

I might add Prince, but the only work I’ve heard of his (AFAIK) is Purple Rain. An excellent, excellent album, not enough of a sampling for me to confidently put him on this list.

Who else is there?

2

Frank Zappa

Bob Dylan

Roger Waters and David Gilmour

3

Definitely with you on David Bowie. I’d also throw in David Byrne, Tom Waits, and Leonard Cohen. And yeah, we can toss in Prince too. Purple Rain is one of those must-have albums that’s often conveniently on sale.

4

I’d add Paul Simon, Sting and Randy Newman.

5

How could I forget Frank Zappa!

I’ll also agree with David Byrne, and Sting (was he the songwriter for the Police?).

Here’s another thing we could add ('cause a number of the people listed I’ve heard of, but don’t know any of their music): what 1 album would you recommend for each person listed which best exemplifies that person’s most significant contribution to the music world?

6

Brian Eno

Todd Rundgren

Glyn Johns

Nile Rodgers

Quincy Jones

7

Neil Young

8

Oh, and though is output has been spotty over the years, when he is at his best, you can’t be Lou Reed.

9

Robert Hunter, lyrcist for most of the Grateful Dead’s output. A very, very bright guy who also manages to write inciteful lyrics. Pick any album after Workingman’s Dead and you’ll find a great Hunter lyric.

Brian May, guitarist for Queen. He developed a signature sound, wriites terrific riffs, and has always seemed to be not in the least concerned with the trappings of a rock and roll lifestyle. Plus, he’s pretty damn close to holding a PhD. in astrophysics, so the guy has to have a pretty sharp mind.

10

I would add Brian Wilson (pre-break down, of course) of the Beach Boys and John Phillips (sp) (pre-death, of course) of the Mammas and Papas.

Strange, no one has said Ozzy.

11

Ladies and gentlemen, Donald Fagan and Walter Becker, Steely Dan!

12

I have always held up Prince and Peter Gabriel as great minds and great musicians…

13

Well, shit, all of the ones I thought of are taken (Sting, Prince, Nile Rogers, Quincy Jones, David Byrne), but where are the women up in heah???

Can I get a Joni Mitchell???

Can I hear a Carole King???

14

A lot have been mentioned already, but don’t overlook Pete Townshend.

I think John Lennon, George Harrison and Robbie Robertson would have to be included as well.

15

Neil Peart, of Rush, for his lyrics.

I’ll take out Phil Collins (nice enough guy, but not a musical genius), and toss in Gabriel (as others have done).

Gilmoure is mostly a great guitarist. Obviously, the creativity lies with Waters.

Janis Joplin.

Hendrix!

Well, if you forget about the staying power for a while. :wink:

Same category: Phil Lynott.

And of course, the King of them All: Nigel Tufnel. :wink:

16

Peter Townsend would top my list. Not only are his lyrics and music top-notch and very clever, but his comment in interviews usually contain one or two amazing insights.

John Lennon is a special case. A genius, but an untrained one, so he’d often run off in bizarre directions.

Frank Zappa

17

Freddie Mercury - Taken away much too soon.

18

:smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

19

I must throw in Kurt Cobain. I think he’ll go down as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. His lyrics are great, and his song structures were Beatlesque in simplicity and brilliance.

And I’ll add Laurie Anderson for good measure.

20

Y’all took my list. I second most of these.