# Who is the Dean of Rock and Roll? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 22, 2017, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332 "2017-08-22T03:39:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/1 "2017-08-22T03:39:57Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/2 "2017-08-22T04:48:38Z")
All I know is, it’s not Aretha Franklin…she’s the Queen of Soul. ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/3 "2017-08-22T07:23:24Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/4 "2017-08-22T09:55:34Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/5 "2017-08-22T10:03:25Z")
I would say The Boss is The Dean. Bruce Springsteen. Bono orates as though he is. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/6 "2017-08-22T10:12:40Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > I would say The Boss is The Dean. Bruce Springsteen. If the formula is something like longevity+status+popularity=The Dean of Rock and Roll, then Bruce is a solid choice. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/7 "2017-08-22T10:14:03Z")
Dick Dale? ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/8 "2017-08-22T10:50:09Z")
Mick Jagger or Pete Townsend for me. Until recently it would have been David Bowie or Prince ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/9 "2017-08-22T12:44:22Z")
Just as James Bond should always be British, the Dean of Rock and Roll should be an American. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2017, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/10 "2017-08-22T13:10:49Z")
Are we making a distinction between “Rock and Roll” and “Rock” music? ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/11 "2017-08-22T13:20:35Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Dick Dale? Yeah, he’d have to get my vote. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/12 "2017-08-22T13:30:46Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/13 "2017-08-22T13:59:06Z")
Can only be Little Richard. When Chuck passed, I sighed: At least Little Richard is still with us. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/14 "2017-08-22T15:11:13Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Mick Jagger or Pete Townsend for me. I read an article that described Pete as “The _[eminence grise](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%C3%A9minence%20grise)_ of Rock 'n Roll”. Not the same as a dean, but still a cool title. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/15 "2017-08-22T15:37:14Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > If the formula is something like longevity+status+popularity=The Dean of Rock and Roll, then Bruce is a solid choice. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/16 "2017-08-22T15:41:06Z")
Dave Grohl? ---
**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:** [August 22, 2017, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/17 "2017-08-22T15:50:34Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I read an article that described Pete as “The _[eminence grise](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%C3%A9minence%20grise)_ of Rock 'n Roll”. Not the same as a dean, but still a cool title. It’s a put on. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/18 "2017-08-22T17:46:30Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > People like McCartney, Jagger, Richards, Townsend, Dylan, or Springsteen are all bigger figures in rock and roll but they aren’t the senior figure. 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) ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/19 "2017-08-22T17:47:38Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > It’s a put on. I like what you did there. ---
**Author:** ![Clawdio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@Clawdio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clawdio)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332/20 "2017-08-22T18:24:56Z")
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. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-dean-of-rock-and-roll/794332.md?page=2)