Dylan
Clapton
Didn’t originally think of Adam Duritz, though I do love Counting Crows - but I will say his songwriting has become less clichéd and more substantial with each album. I think Hard Candy is an excellent CD, but I’m not quite sure if he’s in my top ten just yet…
However, I’ll agree wholeheartedly with David Byrne, Peter Gabriel, Bob Dylan, and especially Paul Simon. And my own original contribution: Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. His songwriting style reminds me of the poetry of Sylvia Plath for some reason.
Billy Corgan
MIKE PATTON!!
Blixa Bargeld and Serge Gainsbourg (not quite rock, but liked by lots of rock lovers).
[insert your personal favourite musician here]
While I agree with a lot of the names that have already been mentioned, I’ll have to throw in Eddie Vedder as well.
True Genius’ of Rock and roll?
Barry Gordy. Founded Tamla Motown and his genius changed the way an entire generation listened to music.
Pete Waterman. Love him or hate him ( I hate him) few can deny the contribution he has made to Popular music over the last 25 or so years. He knows exactly how to make an act popular and is able to spot upcoming trends.
I didn’t see Steve Winwood mentioned. Look at the groups he was a major player in; Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith, Traffic plus some fine solo albums. He played all the instruments on his Arc of a Diver album.
Paul McCartney
Quick question: Are we talking about great musical minds or great all around minds?
In either case, I second (third? tenth?) Frank Zappa and I’ll throw Ian Anderson’s (of Jethro Tull) name in the mix.