list of greatest US musicians

[NAOS]

Who are the best?

John Coltrane
Miles Davis
...


discuss. thanks.

 

[fishonjazz]

Miley cirus

 

[Stoked]

I think Elvis and Michael Jackson have to be on this list. Their impact on music (and society as a whole) and reach were huge.

 

[NAOS]

I think Elvis and Michael Jackson have to be on this list. Their impact on music (and society as a whole) and reach were huge.

ok, impact on society. Who makes the list based on qualities like skill, vision, etc. (i.e. based on something besides populist metrics)

 

[AlaskanAssassin]

The answer starts and ends with Bob Dylan.

 

[Stoked]

ok, impact on society. Who makes the list based on qualities like skill, vision, etc. (i.e. based on something besides populist metrics)

You've already got Miles Davis and Coltrane.

Possible candidates include Hendrix, Sinatra, Cash, BB King, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa, Haggard, Hank Williams and Armstrong.

That list has musicians that started genres (or redefined them) and talents for instruments and singing.

 

[Duck Rodgers]

Mayer

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

The answer starts and ends with Bob Dylan.

Worst live show I have ever seen was Bob Dylan.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

ok, impact on society. Who makes the list based on qualities like skill, vision, etc. (i.e. based on something besides populist metrics)

Elvis didnt even write his songs, so I would never put him on the list.

 

[NAOS]

The answer starts and ends with Bob Dylan.

cute.

 

[NAOS]

John Fahey would be on my list somewhere

 

[Jamezz]

Guitarists

Stevie Ray Vaughn
Jimi Hendrix
John Petrucci


Drummers

Mike Portnoy
Art Blakey
Buddy Rich


Bassists

Bill "Buddha" Dickens
John Myung
Larry Graham


Singers

Janis Joplin
Ronnie James Dio
Nina Simone


Just to name a few, the list is huge. I have a very eclectic taste in music myself so it's hard to name top artists if you take all music styles into account. One thing is for sure, America has given the best drummers in the world. Great great drummers in the US. If the list was international things would change in my list.

 

[NAOS]

I don't want to turn this into a hatefest, but I don't think there are many musician more overrated than Stevie Ray Vaughn

 

[fishonjazz]

Kenny G

 

[NAOS]

McCoy Tyner would make my list

 

[fishonjazz]

And Michael Bolton

 

[addictionary]

Fats Waller for swing music
(Ron Thal) Bumblefoot for guitar virtuoso-class
James Hetfield for song writing skills I'm not kidding
Victor Wooten for Bass playing
Kevin Moore for keyboard players - he is a genious to give the vibe you need on a song you have
Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie for Jazz
I agree with Stoked about popularity and effect on society since the criterias are blurry opening this thread,
Offspring for punkrock they really are great
Kansas for writing Carry on Wayward Son
African American blues roots and gospel music for changing the face of the entire popular culture in a way they probably never imagined
Electric Six for their success at inserting humor into music
Experimental f.ed up rocky music: PRIMUS!
And of course, the person who composed the music for the Dixie Song.

 

[fishonjazz]

Seriously though.
Les claypool ftw

 

[Jamezz]

I don't want to turn this into a hatefest, but I don't think there are many musician more overrated than Stevie Ray Vaughn

LOL. Okay.

 

[NAOS]

Lead Belly