# Who are your favourite music artists of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 1, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793 "2010-10-01T23:53:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/41 "2010-10-03T04:42:24Z")
Big Star Nirvana PJ Harvey Radiohead X-Ray Spex Belly Neutral Milk Hotel Aphex Twin The Beatles Leonard Cohen Richard Thompson Tom Waits Tim Buckley ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/42 "2010-10-03T04:42:28Z")
\*Yes, Rush, Jayhawks, Jeff Buckley \*only to mention a few. Most others as well, but whats the point of listing our CD collection? ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/43 "2010-10-03T05:21:07Z")
Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nanci Griffith, and the Gin Blossoms. I will forever grieve the short creative life of the Gin Blossoms… ---
**Author:** ![Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunshine_and_Smiles)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/44 "2010-10-03T05:48:01Z")
Damn, like many people I could go for dayyyyys. Showing a little self-control, though: Wilco Bright Eyes Okkervil River Spoon Aphex Twin Modest Mouse Pavement Yeah, that’d do for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/45 "2010-10-03T07:39:47Z")
My brain hurts trying to pick because we’re so blessed with musicians. The Beatles - because of their diverse sound and number of hits. Pink Floyd - rock opera genius Lead Zeppelin - same reason but second to Floyd Jimi Hendrix - best nuanced timing in blues/rock Stevie Ray Vaugn - following in Hendrix’s footsteps - would like to have heard his later stuff Buddy Guy - for his style of music and or inspiring SRV. John Lee Hooker - too many blues legends to list - liked his younger and older voice Patsy Cline and Roy Orbison for their exceptional voices Michael Hedges - for abusing a harp guitar Santana - a musical classification by itself Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, Duke Ellington - it’s all good Benny Green Trio - 3 piece jazz with a piano - how can anyone not like a piano ZZ Top - Texas blues AC/DC - lots of energy It’s almost cruel to ask for a list. ---
**Author:** ![nachtmusick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ac91a4/32.png) [@nachtmusick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nachtmusick)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/46 "2010-10-03T08:41:11Z")
Oh Boy, an opportunity to self-indulgently list my comfort music: Barenaked Ladies Flaming Lips Neko Case ABBA Otis Redding Pink Floyd Terry Callier Holst/Planets Reverend Horton Heat Regina Spektor ---
**Author:** ![Acorns.but\_not\_Bacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@Acorns.but\_not\_Bacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acorns.but_not_Bacon)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/47 "2010-10-03T13:38:53Z")
> [@koeeoaddi](#): > > > [@Acorns.but\_not\_Bacon](#): > > > > Incredible String Band > > Boochy, boochy, boochy, boochy, boochy, boochy, boochy > Squidly, squidly, squidly, squidly, squidly, squidly, squidly > Sham sham shadoo, oh sham sham shadoo > > I. Am. Not. Aloooooone. 🙂 > [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > I always wondered if that screen name was a “Big Ted” reference. 🙂 I’m happy somebody recognised it! 🙂 koeeoaddi you are so not alone, I love ISB, I was wondering when you were going to come back because hadn’t seen you on the board for aggggggges, or maybe I’m just blind, I dunno. I really like Koeeaddi There but my ultimate favourite ISB song has to be The Iron Stone, the version from this album [Introducing The Incredible String Band (International Release): Amazon.co.uk: CDs & Vinyl](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Introducing-Incredible-String-Band/dp/B000GINI2S/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1286112654&sr=8-21) it’s a bit more “polished”? And love Empty Pocket Blues. Also favourite album is Earthspan, _phew_ so happy to finally write that. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/48 "2010-10-03T15:58:19Z")
> [@Acorns.but\_not\_Bacon](#): > > Also favourite album is Earthspan, _phew_ so happy to finally write that. Interesting! That’s a very underrated album. I love “My Father Was a Lighthouse Keeper.” ---
**Author:** ![Acorns.but\_not\_Bacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@Acorns.but\_not\_Bacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acorns.but_not_Bacon)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/49 "2010-10-03T16:24:30Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > > [@Acorns.but\_not\_Bacon](#): > > > > Also favourite album is Earthspan, _phew_ so happy to finally write that. > > Interesting! That’s a very underrated album. I love “My Father Was a Lighthouse Keeper.” Very underrated, wrongly so. The Actor is a work of genius in my opinion, also didn’t anyone realise The Pet Shop Boys ripped off The Sailor and the Dancer beginning for Go West? I mean, Neil Tennant didn’t even acknowledge that did he? I know he’s fan…but it kind of makes me angry people love that song without knowing The Pet Shop Boys just stole the melody. ---
**Author:** ![E.Thorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@E.Thorp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E.Thorp)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/50 "2010-10-03T16:29:50Z")
Bach, Händel, Mozart, Beethoven, Ellington, Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, Eric Dolphy, and Bill Evans. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/51 "2010-10-04T16:17:45Z")
Metallica, Misfits, Guns & Roses, Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Eagles, Alan Jackson, Patty Loveless ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2010, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/52 "2010-10-04T19:55:33Z")
Just a few: The Beatles John Lennon Paul McCartney George Harrison Ringo Starr The Who The Rolling Stones Led Zeppelin The Eagles / Don Henley The Doobie Brothers Abba Jim Croce Olivia Newton-John The Bee Gees Elton John Barry White The Stylistics The Spinners Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes Hall and Oates Carpenters Jackson Browne Gordon Lightfoot Paul Simon Art Garfunkel Neil Daimond James Taylor Billy Joel Carly Simon Carol King Kris Kristofferson Heart Alan Parsons Project John Barry Jerry Goldsmith John Williams ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2010, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/53 "2010-10-04T20:34:41Z")
Judging by the frequency of songs by particular artists appearing on my mp3 list: Everly Bros. Elvis The Drifters and Ben E. King Brenda Lee Fleetwood Mac Gene Pitney Judy Collins Linda Ronstadt (Including the Trio songs) Mamas & Papas Roy Orbison The Shirelles Simon & Garfunkel The Beatles Yes, I am old. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/54 "2010-10-05T19:04:41Z")
I forgot: Frank Zappa “Weird Al” Yankovic Beethoven Brahms Tchaikovsky Debussy Glenn Miller Buddy Rich Chicago Johnny Cash Dave Brubeck Roger Miller Scott Joplin Itzhak Perlman Eric Clapton Nicky Hopkins ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/55 "2010-10-05T19:20:07Z")
Given the OP’s reference to “singers and bands,” it’s unclear whether or not composers are also included. If they are, I’d have to add to my list: Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Dvorak, Schumann, Prokofiev, Handel, Mahler… and many more. If I could have actual performances by these people, so much the better (at least in some cases)! ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/56 "2010-10-05T19:38:40Z")
R.E.M., The Kissers, The Moody Blues, Flogging Molly, Bad Religion, The Offspring, and Mercury Rev. It’s a very hard question, though; I’m a piecemeal listener, and there are songs by artists I’m otherwise only okay with that I’d want on a desert island. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/57 "2010-10-05T20:01:08Z")
> [@multimediac17](#): > > It seems every few weeks or so we have a thread about worst songs ever, worst artists ever, lots of discussions about whether so-and-so artist is shit - which is all well and good but how about some positivity? > > So who are your absolute favourite music artists ever, and why? These are your “desert island” singers and bands, if you had to pick a handful of artists that mean the most to you/have given you the most enjoyment over the years, who would they be? The Beatles Mozart Bach U2 Beethoven ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/58 "2010-10-06T03:01:25Z")
The more I read this thread, the more “favorite artists” I realize I forgot to list. ---
**Author:** ![bahia\_hombre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@bahia\_hombre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bahia_hombre)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/59 "2011-07-05T01:01:42Z")
Queen, Boston, Journey, Steely Dan, Hall & Oates, Bee Gee’s, John Denver, Fleetwood Mac, Chicago, Earth Wind Fire, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Taylor Dayne, Maynard Ferguson, James Taylor, Steve Winwood, J.S. Bach, Jackson Browne, Beach Boys, Dan Fogelberg, Sheryl Crow…I could go on… ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-your-favourite-music-artists-of-all-time/555793/60 "2011-07-05T01:21:00Z")
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