He sang “The Letter” when he was 16 years old. And that isn’t even on top if his resume.
(Listen to Big Star Third LP)
On a technical basis, I think of Frank Zappa as being the greatest American rock musician although not all of his oeuvre would fall under ‘rock’.
In my view, Hendrix embodied the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll more than anyone else American or otherwise although it’s not as if his songs are that difficult to play if you have the upside down Stratocaster, the modified Marshall Superlead amp stack rig and the proper effects pedals. I prefer listening to Hendrix than any other American.
So amazing, he can be the best American rock musician of all time without even being an American!
Frank Zappa. Composer, bandleader, songwriter, guitarist, smartass… he was the complete package.
Look, Elvis wins this hands-down. He brought black blues music to the masses.
I really am surprised that Buddy Holly hasn’t been mentioned though.
Both Elvis and Buddy were huge influences on The Beatles.
I nominate Carole King.
Depends on how you define American 
[QUOTE=Rolling Stone]
[Peart] claims to stand by the message of “The Trees,” but other than that, his bleeding-heart side seems dominant. Peart just became a U.S. citizen, and he is unlikely to vote for Rand Paul, or any Republican.
[/QUOTE]
I’ll stick by my obsession with Rush and include Peart here, but stipulate that any claim to his being an American is recent at best. 
Big vote for Jackson Browne. One of the most outstanding composers ever and a great performer.
He’s basically the Edgar Allen Poe of Power Pop. Brilliant, addictive personality who was known and had some songs that are deeply, deeply respected by a wide array of musicians, but who couldn’t get out of his own way. Problems with record labels were a big factor, too.
Carole King: wonderful choice.
I respect Browne for sponsoring Warren Zevon’s early career.
Come to think of it, Warren Zevon would be another damn good nominee.
If you’re including the 21st century then you’ve got to include producers because that can be THE fundamental in a creative process.
So straight outa Compton … Dr Dre.
Even with that aside, how bout my boy Eminem
In that case, Rick Rubin, aka “the best ears in the business” would be at the top in the modern era. Rap, Metal, Americana, Funk - what hasn’t he been involved with in important ways with some of the most respected artists.
Yeah, I tend to agree and actually cut my post short.
I think his particular contribution includes taking musicians - often by the hand - into territory they didn’t think was in them (at all, or any more). His work, and inspiration of, Johnny Cash comes to mind first. This stuff is absolutely part of the creative process, imo. And then there’s what he does behind that mixing desk …
Yeah, maybe, depending on your definition of “musician,” or “greatest.”
Certainly it’s true that without Chuck Berry, rock music would be a very different thing than it is today. Every electric guitar player (and that’s probably literally true) learns to play Johnny B. Goode very early on.
I don’t have time to start another thread right now, but I’d certainly nominate Chuck Berry (or maybe Ray Davies) as the greatest rock lyricist of all time.
If Stevie, Marvin and Smokey are not eligible, then how Dr Dre, or E?
IMO the term “Musician” is too broad.
My votes for THE greatest
Instrumentalist:
Composer/Arranger:
Or the Greatest Rock Star Ever never achieved much fame. Personally, I take it to mean that the person:
- Played rock music
- Is/was a great musician
- Expanded the borders of rock
- Wasn’t outdone by others later. He/she is still enjoyable to listen to today
- Has a good “rock” personality
It’s entirely possible for someone to fulfill all of those and be largely unknown except to a few cult fans.
I’d nominate Buddy Holley if for no other reason that he and The Crickets were among the first “rock and rollers” to arrange and sing their own songs. Prior to them , most people sang other people’s songs, especially Elvis.
Yes, but, most of it sucked.
Yes indeed. His music was truly superb. However, his woman beating escapades will always remain a terrible, terrible … I don’t know what to say.
How can those things ever be explained or forgiven or … oh shit! What a terrible stupid thing to do. Not just because they ruin his life. But also because they ruing the lives of the women that he beat on. At the very least, he would need to suffer in proportion to the amount of suffering he cased those ladies. How else could he ever begin to pay back? How? Baffling. Just Bafflng.
Is there anyone here who can attempt to explain such things? Holy Shit!
It’s not even close for a woman to beat on a man. But given that most all men are so much physically stronger than women, the whole thing is just disgusting. Maybe it would make sense to banish this guy to some place far, far away? Very far away? I’m thinking maybe like Mars? Huh?
I would just so much like to hear from someone who thinks such things could be justified.
I would really like to see a “grudge match” with an unarmed female and an unarmed male - fighting it out … oh never mind. It just can’t make sense on any level at all. So ridiculous.