Categories per the previous discussion, but let’s start with:
Classic Rock – Votes seem to be heading towards Rush
Alternative Rock – Undecided
Pop Rock – Won’t even venture a guess, need input
Additional “Greatests”:
Drummer
Singer
Guitar
Bassist
Carry on my Wayword Sons…….
UPDATE: So that “old people” who were around for Ludwig von’s baptism don’t feel slighted, you are welcome here to. Sorry for crowding you, Cmac.
LL, Rush is leading the Prog Rock discussion certainly not the best “Classic Rock” group. I would put even Zep over Rush in that category. My vote Floyd.
Alternative Rock (BIG cross section here) – I will go with the Cure (Disintegration was absolutely the best albom ever! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwA8V6hcqQo )
Pop Rock – Those are really good with Coke you know….
BTW, Best Singer… That is really tough. My vote would go to Ray Charles or Patsy Cline but THAT category can go all over the place.
Guitar – Hendrix with a close second of Stevie Ray.
Best songwriter? Hands down Hank Williams, imo.
Bassists? I will leave that to LI… I do like Phil Lesh myself.
Drummer – Peart again hands down.
Well, I consider Rush classic rock but obviously opinions will vary. Maybe pop rock would be “Top 40″ – but other categories can sneak in there.
Best Classic Rock – too many to choose, but I do love me some Boston and Blue Oyster Cult.
Best singer/vocalist – Keely Smith. She is in her 70’s and still recording and touring and sounding wonderful.
Best Guitarist or Bassist – I am no expert but I know what I don’t like – and the one guitarist the comes to mind from recent episodes of bad strumming is Bruce Springsteen. At the end of the Grammy’s they had a jam session with Paul McCartney, Bruce and others and when it was solo time for Bruce it sounded like a cat being electrified. Absolutely Horrible. Most of the time I figured he was just posing with his guitar anyways.
Classic Rock – it’s a tie between CCR & Rolling Stones
Alternative Rock – The Smiths
Pop Rock – Greenday
Additional “Greatests”:
Drummer – Ringo Star
Singer – just on vocal purity I would say; Eva Cassidy
Guitar – Eric Clapton
Bassist – John Paul Jones
I thought Les Paul was the grandfather of all guitarists? I believe he trained Steve Miller. And I will add the Steve Miller Band to my list of Classic Rock favorites cause I’m a joker, I’m a smoker, I’m a mid-night toker.
Honorable mention – Stevie Ray Vaughn.
I posted before seeing this.
Barbara, are you saying LI’s favorite movie is Pulp Fiction?
My 3rd best band would be Deep Purple. Don’t know the others to make comment although I do like NIN.
Drummer is Jon Bonham. There is no other. The only guy who knows drums and can play any tempo-even better than Buddy rich.
Singer I would go with Alison Krause and Freddie Mercury.
Guiter, well, I’m a Jeff Beck and Richie Blackmore fan.
The geezer in me likes Andy, Perry, Bing, Mel and Dean (believe it or not). Glen Miller was my favorite band and the Andrew Sisters for vocal group.
Pop rock – Nick Lowe (Jesus of Cool himself) honorable mention Elvis Costello. Punk – Clash or Ramones – honorable mention Green Day.
One day long ago, a voice from on high came down and said: “Young man, I am making arrangements to have you sent far into the African bush, where you will be pretty much cut off from everything in your prior experience.”
And so it happened. There came a time when the young man, having suffered both hunger and acute dysentery, began asking “Why me?!!! What did I do?!!!” The voice came again: “Stick with it, kid. You may not realize it now, but I am doing you a big favor. Some day you will realize it. Quit grumping.”
And the young man did. Emerging from the African bush, having lost 40 pounds and able to count his own ribs, so thin his own mother didn’t even recognize him at the airport, the young man discovered that he had missed the Beetles craze.
There is good in everything.
Beatles. Missed it by so much that I can’t even spell it correctly.
Classic depends on your definition – but Stones would have to be it, I think.
Progressive? Pink Floyd and Radiohead – but the Cure isn’t a bad choice.
Pop – well, if you want to consider Greenday “pop”, I’ll take Greenday, with REM a close 2nd.
Best vocalist – Hmm, Freddy Mercury is an interesting choice – but Van Morrison must be considered here. And not “best” – but I always thought Tori Amos has a beautiful voice.
Best guitar – no doubt Jimi, followed by Stevie Ray, with hat tips to Ritchie Blackmore, Brian May and Neil Young.
Drummer – Peart, but I always thought Carl Palmer was a contender, here.
I find it too difficult to pigeonhole many bands into the traditional categories.
As far as particular instruments go, that is extremely difficult as well since there are so many individual styles that can be difficult to compare.
My favs by instrument:
Vocalists: Freddie Mercury could indeed belt it out, and in that same kind of theatrical belt it out realm it is hard to beat Queensryche’s Geoff Tate. I am also still amazed every time I hear the late great Brad Delp belt out any of the classic Boston tunes.
Guitarists: Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton set the stage for everyone else to follow. I remain a committed fan of the often atonal but always urgent playing of Adrian Belew, and Eric Johnson is the current king of the craft in my opinion.
Bassists: Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke, Tony Levin, Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, but the all time king of the instrument is Jaco Pastorius.
Keyboardists: It’s hard to beat the prog rock kings Rick Wakeman and Tony Banks. As far as piano skills, no one can compare to Michel Camilo – check him out if you haven;t before. Brilliance personified!
Forgot drummers – Bill Bruford and Neil Peart share the prize. But Phil Collins in his day was a monster as well before he went all sappy on us.
To make it easy, and to hopefully introduce this man to more people, I present possibly the greatest musician of our time, Michel Camilo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlN0bukO5UY&feature=related
While I remain more of a rock and roll fan, the complete mastery of their instruments presented by the guys in this video is breathtaking! (Anthony Jackson on bass and Horacio Hernandez on drums – the guy who sounds like a phenomenal drummer and a Latin percussion section all at once)
OK, sincerely…. best guitar player in the world in my opinion. By far. Calssical guitar. Beats any rock guitarist in sheer technique if nothing else.
I remember the day they found his body. I was working in an office and heard the news from another friend. I walked in and mentioned it to some other colleagues thinking nobody would know who he was. It turned out one of the girls in the office was some kind of recent ex-girlfriend. Before realizing that I had gone into detail about how they found his body. She was very upset. I felt bad.
Here he is playing the harp guitar. For which there is no doubt he is the best in that category. Amazing.
ACT, I didn’t post here yet, so I’m not getting the Tarantino reference.
I’d have to give these categories more thought, but someone not mentioned yet a heavy hitter on many levels and one of my all time favorite rock/blues/electric vocalists: Jack Bruce. Powerful, passionate
Good discussion topic!
I track pretty closely with Eric. I would agree on Beatles for rock band and would throw in Kate Bush for singer though. What about Chris Squire on bass?
Greatest drummer: Buddy Rich
Greatest bassist: Stanley Clarke
Singer: Aretha Franklin. After her debate for second is crowded.
Guitar: Jeff Beck
Greatest Drummer: Lars Ulrich
Guitarist: Eric Clapton
Vocals:Whitney Houston
Rodrigo y Gabriela need I say more…right Barb….
Eric, I treasure that day when we were having a chapter of our endless argument on tc, and we discovered that we had both been to their 11:11 concert at Wolf Trap the night before.
I’ve had a VERY SMALL SOFT SPOT in my heart for you ever since! 
The only guy who knows drums and can play any tempo-even better than Buddy rich.
Rodrigo y Gabriela are total rip offs of the classic Al DiMeola, John McLaughlin, and Paco DeLucia acoustic tour!
Agree LI, especially the brilliance of Al DiMeola.
Rodrigo y Gabriela remind me of Michael Bolton or Kenny G, professional posers.
Al DiMeola, Stanley Clarke, and Chick Corea (Candidate for greatest pianist)
The R&G kids aren’t horrible, but nowhere near the musical prowess of the masters.
Chick Corea is indeed right at the the top, and Return To Forever put a lot of those guys on the map. Here’s some of the reunion tour:
Guys, R & G come to their current work from a metal background. I don’t think they’re trying to be your guys, they’re playing music, making a living at it and enjoying the hell out of themselves.
I don’t expect them to solve the energy crisis or figure out Greek pensions either.
Kenny G and Bolton are doing the same. (although I think KG is playing to an elevator audience). I think this was about the greatest musician? As for economic chops…Probably a different category.
As I said, I think they’re talented, just nowhere near the top.
“Chick Corea is indeed right at the the top, and Return To Forever put a lot of those guys on the map. Here’s some of the reunion tour:”
I am sure those guys are proficient musicians and I would really enjoy their show – I would just worry about keeping my eyes open for the whole thing…
Well, I wouldn’t go so far as o call them “lame”, LI …
Really, my big bro is into Stanley Clarke – I just can never feel the groove… I pretty much feel that way about all jazz (aside from the blues). I suspect if someone stood up at one these shows someone would shoosh them and tell they are spoiling the view.
R&G do a cover of Metallica’s Orion – pretty simple musically – but, man, you can FEEL it…. all on two acoustic guitars…
But, whatever, to each his own in the end…
Saw about half of a rerun of La Bamba this weekend on the tube. Forgot all about Buddy Holly – Pop Rock nominee, imo. Also, you can’t mention rock and roll guitar without mentioning Chuck Berry.
Eric, that is why Kenny G sells so many records. His bland metronome is easier to understand by some and reflects where some folks are on the music spectrum.
Everyone is on a musical journey some are further along and others stay stagnant. I’d encourage you to push yourself a little more.
Try this one for a little motivation:
And to think folks want to cut music and band from the educational budget. Criminal.
Eric, I was calling you lame for not being able to keep your eyes open listening to musical geniuses!
Eric, did you say R & G were the greatest, or that you liked them?
Colleague, I have to say the condescension is right up there with LI’s “Geddy Lee’s voice is an acquired taste”.
While I am prepared to accept the band as innovators and musical titans, they’re still a BAND and should be pleasurable to listen to–his voice is a deal-breaker for me, because it is too distracting. Sometimes like a castrato in the process of becoming one.
Clapton is a genius, but the greatest? I don’t know if I can ever forgive him for “Wonderful Tonight”. Talk about bland and somnolent! Then add in the “we went to a party and I got ****faced and you got me home and poured me into bed, and before I blacked out I said ‘gee, you’re swell’”. barf. Well, some rockstars handle their debauchery more creatively than others, I guess.
“The greatest” will come down to personal taste in any art, and my opinion holds that many artists forget that they have a medium to communicate with an audience, and prefer to use the audience as a means to communicate with themselves. Those who do are in the same boat as comedians who spend so much time laughing at how clever they are that they aren’t very funny anymore (Franken for years before he became Mr. Senator, Maher, Stewart etc etc etc–gorsh, I know if I waz just a little smarter I’d be heeeeyuckin ever time they opened they goldanged mouths, youbetcha). Just distracting from what should be the AUDIENCE’S pleasure, if they’re going to perform.
How long have people been arguing Fred Astaire v. Gene Kelly? Same thing on “greatest”.
Colleague, the tone is more likely an APP from my iPhone. Not spending much time on edits or tone. My apologizes.
Musical taste indeed varies greatly, and Wonderful Tonight is a great ballad, even if it isn’t Clapton’s finest moment.
Great ballad…from a guy’s perspective maybe. Like the perfect woman is three feet tall, busty, and has a flat head to set your beer on. sigh
Colleague, understood, and accepted.
It’s a song, Barb. And I don’t know where you get your ideas on perfect women, but that’s definitely not my idea of one. Maybe you need some new male friends! Wow.
“Eric, did you say R & G were the greatest, or that you liked them?”
I put them on MY greatest list. No jazz musicians make that cut. Sorry but really great music has to speak to me to make the list.
I also think Clapton is one of the top 5 guitarists ever. Derek and the Dominos Fillmore concert or the one’s he played with Duane Allman show what he could do. I would put him under Stevie Ray though – that guy was truly amazing.
It’s an old joke, LI. (like the song–lol)
If we are going to start talking favorites as opposed to greatest…then I will mention Danny Gatton as one of my favorite guitarists. I’d also add Delbert McClinton to my favorites. Never approach a greatest list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNZK6iRMmsU&feature=related
Since we are discussing the greatest!
“Great ballad…from a guy’s perspective maybe. Like the perfect woman is three feet tall, busty, and has a flat head to set your beer on. sigh”
You forgot “mute.”
You’re right!
I usually do…
One of the reasons I can’t stand some of the newer groups (80’s ? on). it has gone from getting your dog and horse back to beating the bitch senseless till she understands or popping a cap in a cop’s head.. It ain’t just dealing with the beat. One of the reasons I like Beck and Jan Hammer (but NOT Kenny G.)
Can’t pick just one. Sorry
Guitar: Danny Gatton, Duane Allman, EC, Jeff Beck, Nils Lofgren, Steve Morse, Vaughn Brothers,
Derek Trucks, Pat Metheny, Vince Gill, Al DiMeola, Roy Buchanan, Robin Trower, Mark Knopfler, Chet Atkins, Albert Collins, Ry Cooder, Dicky Betts, Eddie Van Halen, Warren Haynes
Bass: John Entwistle, Stanley Clark, Jaco Pastorious
Drums: Neil Peart, Lars, Butch Trucks
Keyboards: Jan Hammer, Steve Winwood, Lyle Mays, Gregg Allman,
BTW: The Rolling Stone’s most recent list of top 100 Guitarists was lacking. They had Bruce Springsteen on the list and left off Gatton and Nils Lofgren. Now when you think of the best guitarists in the E Street Band , do you think of Springsteen ? no. I would suggest they go see Lofgren. To leave Gatton off the list was just stupid.
“…Vaughn Brothers…”
Saw them on stage together two separate times. There is really no comparison – Stevie was just playing nice with his big bro but when he let loose, Jimmie just walked off stage shaking his head.
“…Albert Collins…”
Love the Ice Man!
Drums: Kreutzmann and Hart have to rank in there. Also I should mention Anton Fier of the Feelies.
“…Gregg Allman…”
I have a client who would tell you he should be the greatest vocalist entry – I’m not so sure.
Having seen the Allman Brothers some 20 plus times over three decades, I share your friends admiration for Allman. If the catagory was Blues singers then your friend would have an argument, but I would not put him in a greatest vocalist catagory. He is one hell of a Blues singer, as well as a songwriter and organist.
Stone does have excellent musical taste, I have to give him that.
If we are talking live shows, back in the 70s Harry Champing put on a helluva concert.
After thumbing thru CD’s last evening I want to add the following Blues guys and yes gals, I beg forgiveness for their omission.
B.B.King ( I feel like shit for having forgotten the King ) JJ Cale, Buddy Guy, Steady Rollin Bob Margolin, Les Paul ( this was a real crime, I forgot Les Paul ) Joe Bonamassa, Denny Freeman.
How about a couple gals ! Susan Tedeschi ( married to Derek Trucks. They together with their band won the 2011 Grammy for best blues Album, they beat out the ABB and Warren Haynes band Gov’t Mule. How cool is it that all three albums nominated for best blues album in 2011 had a member of the ABB in each band ? A band formed in the late 60’s, in its latest line up is still at the top of blues music in 2011 ), The Red Head herself Bonnie Raitt, a great slide guitar player and fantastic all around talent. I love her guitar and voice.
I will remember others.
Classic Rock – Pink Floyd
Alternative/Punk – The Dead Kennedys
Drummer – John Bonham
Singer – Bono
Guitar – Stevie Ray Vaughan
Bassist – Paul McCartney
Surprised that I have not seen on this thread the names of Dave Brubeck and the Dave Brubeck Quartet. Maybe a bit in the distant past for you younguns. Masters of soft, cool jazz. Some of the greatest ambassadors this nation has ever had for an American style of music and pioneers in the racial integration of bands, Dave himself going all the way back in this respect to the European Theater in World War II. Musical legends in their own time, with their heyday in the 1960’s, especially on the college campuses. A bridge between then and now.
Brubeck was an ambassador even when he was not there personally. Picture this. A train stalled on a ledge high in the African mountains in the middle of the night. All the passengers,mostly African, off the train and spread along the tracks, the only light coming from small candles affixed to the rails. Someone brings out a small, battery-powered record player and puts on an LP. The Dave Brubeck Quartet. American jazz wafting across the tree tops of the jungle canopy below. The dark night and the difficulties seemed much lighter then.
High five to Wolv for Take Five.
Brubeck certainly belongs on the team.
It is May 24, 2013, 12:51 pm
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