Being the Dean of something means you’ve been part of something the longest. It’s not a definitive position. It clearly requires seniority. You have to have been around longer than other people. But it’s not completely just having lived the longest. You have to have had a major impact in the field.
I think there would be general agreement that Chuck Berry was the Dean of Rock and Roll until his death this year. So who is the new Dean of Rock and Roll?
All I know is, it’s not Aretha Franklin…she’s the Queen of Soul.
I’d say Fats Domino, then Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. Jerry Lee Lewis might be the oldest rock musician who remains an active performer, though I don’t think he tours or does regular appearances any more. Perhaps Bob Dylan is the oldest and longest running major touring and recording act in rock?
I’m not comfortable with any on the list. Either they haven’t had enough of an impact or they are not enough rock and roll.
Mick Jagger/Keith Richards? (co-deans)
mmm
I would say The Boss is The Dean. Bruce Springsteen.
Bono orates as though he is.
If the formula is something like longevity+status+popularity=The Dean of Rock and Roll, then Bruce is a solid choice.
Dick Dale?
Mick Jagger or Pete Townsend for me.
Until recently it would have been David Bowie or Prince
Just as James Bond should always be British, the Dean of Rock and Roll should be an American.
Are we making a distinction between “Rock and Roll” and “Rock” music?
Yeah, he’d have to get my vote.
None of the listed names have the broad appeal necessary.
I vote for Paul McCartney. I can’t think of another living performer who’s had a bigger impact on music.
Can only be Little Richard. When Chuck passed, I sighed: At least Little Richard is still with us.
I read an article that described Pete as “The eminence grise of Rock 'n Roll”. Not the same as a dean, but still a cool title.
In my opinion, it’s not really that. It’s primarily seniority. You just have to meet a minimum threshold for status and popularity.
That’s why I picked Little Richard over Jerry Lee Lewis. They’re both qualified to hold the title. But Little Richard is three years older and Tutti Frutti came out a year before Great Balls of Fire. So Little Richard is senior to Jerry Lee Lewis and that makes him the Dean.
People like McCartney, Jagger, Richards, Townsend, Dylan, or Springsteen are all bigger figures in rock and roll but they aren’t the senior figure.
Dave Grohl?
It’s a put on.
I am now discarding the idea of an overall dean and think that we should have a cabal. A bit like the circle of Jedi masters in Phantom Menace or King Arthur’s knights. That being the case then those guys should definitely get a seat at the round table of rock (and some of them are already knights)
I like what you did there.
I’d vote for Iggy Pop.
I can’t really argue with Little Richard or Jerry Lee Lewis, but I almost see them as another era, where Iggy would be more the Dean of modern rock.
ETA: Iggy also gets my vote because he will always have that element of danger. While guys like Paul & Mick were definitely innovators in their day, Iggy remains a little dangerous even today, so he gets to be Dean. Paul & Mick are too safe these days to be dean of rock n roll.