THE LIST (91-100)
15 repliesHere is my attempt at ranking the top hundred rock and roll artists of all time. I compiled the list in a relatively short amount of time so the order could change with further contemplation.
The process – I copied and pasted several lists which ranked the top two hundred in each decade from the forties to present day. I immediately cut any group that I had never heard as well as any non-rock artist found on the list. Thus, no Michael Jackson type people on the list. For the actual ranking, I considered the five C’s – Creativity, Catalogue, Career, Concert, and Charisma. That will make sense as we proceed thru each fan post. Here we go –
#100 – George Harrison
#99 – Paul McCartney
#98 – John Lennon
#97 – The Yardbirds
#96 – Jeff Buckley
#95 – Stevie Ray Vaughan
#94 – Santana
#93 – The Doobie Brothers
#92 – The Allmann Brothers
#91 – Black Oak Arkansas
Commentary: Harrison, McCartney, and Lennon – in that order. I could opine that their single work is overrated – enhanced by their Beatle status – that could apply to everything but Imagine. The Yardbirds – three all time guitar masters – but quick name three of their songs. Some guitar legends follow – Jeff Buckley knocks Jeff Beck off the list – I want to believe that God called Jeff Buckley home after hearing Hallelujah. Finish these ten with three highly underrated groups – my only thought is Go Jim Dandy, Go Jim Dandy….So what do you think, is this a decent start?
Lennon outside of the Beatles produced nothing of any note. Imagine was a pop solipsism….and Steely Dan’s response, Only a Fool Would Say That, is accurate…
Ringo and George both produced better rock music as solo acts than Paul or John.
I find it hard to believe Micheal Jackson is not considered rock
He rocked more than some on the.list…
Every time I ever saw a Michael Jackson live performance, he “sang” to a prerecorded track. I have a hard time considering someone rock, that doesn’t perform with a live band.
did not know that
Nor did I – I found it embarrassing some of the jackrabbits listed under Greatest Rock and Roll Artists – Justin Bieber to mention another.
One of my criteria – Concert – takes into account how good their live show tended to be. Many groups with small popular catalogues but on much more dynamic shows than those with dozens of hit records.
put on not but on
The Allman Brothers live with Duane was probably Top 20…as for creativity, they were a blues group that incorporated jazz into rock and roll. Here is Duane working a tribute to King Curtis into You Dont Love Me with the band following….from 6 to 11 minutes is pure Duane Allman
Hard to call the Allmans underrated, and probabaly should be higher up the list. Their influence on “southern” rock is deep and wide, and the death of Duane Allman was a true tragedy. He had lots of great stuff still in him. BOA is about in the right place, another really influential band. The Doobies it sorta depends on which version–the pre- Michael McDonald band was awesome, after he joined they lost their edge.
Strangely enough, its actually Ringo that had some of the the bigger hits as a solo artist
I am not saying that it was bad material – just does not match up well with The Beatles catalogue – needless to say.
The hard thing – moving someone up has another great artist moving down – the last thirty were some real hard decisions.
I would probably reverse the order 94 to 91
Am I to assume that the Beatles as a group will be rated higher?
And did Joe Walsh already get cut?
Very few made it as a band and individuals..