Top-50 All-time (Rough Draft) (electronic, funk, metal, rock, genre)

Son of JayJamJah · 07-19-2007, 09:00 PM

This list and all those that follow on the thread are part of a work in progress. My hope is that people will point out flaws they find and offer solutions and reasoning so that I can make the best possible list following the Criteria I have set in advance.

#1 Popular Opinion - How is the band viewed both by the public as a whole and amongst their peers. Are they a common top 100 choice on similar lists?
#2 Commercial Successes - Albums sold. The Cut is 100,000,000 records sold
#3 Longevity - How has the band or artist stood the test of time? Is their music still popular? Are they still relevant and respected?
#4 Technical Ability – Are they regarded as great musicians by their peers, fans and critics?
#5 Showmanship - How are their live shows, TV appearances, interviews etc.?
#6 Groundbreakings - What was their impact on culture as a whole, the music world and their genre?
#7 Personal Opinion - It's my list it will in part reflect that naturally. I have an eclectic musical taste but am of course as prone to bias as anyone. My reasoning for yes or no: Did you make the I-pod cut?

Do they meet each criterion…?

Updated List
1. Led Zeppelin
2. The Beatles
3. The Rolling Stones
4. Jimi Hendrix
5. The Who
6. Bob Dylan
7. Eric Clapton
8. Stevie Wonder
9. Elvis Presley
10. The Beach Boys
11. Pink Floyd
12. Queen
13. David Bowie
14. Johnny Cash
15. Van Morrison
16. Pearl Jam
17. Metallica
18. The Allman Brothers Band
19. The Grateful Dead
20. Nirvana
21. Bob Marley
22. Chuck Berry
23. Velvet Underground
24. Janis Joplin
25. Creedence Clearwater Revival
26. Elvis Costello
27. The Doors
28. Ray Charles
29. Michael Jackson
30. CSNY
31. Red Hot Chili Peppers
32. Black Sabbath
33. Aretha Franklin
34. Green Day
35. B.B. King
36. Roy Orbison
37. Rage Against the Machine
38. Elton John
39. The Police
40. Rakim
41. Incubus
42. The Clash
43. Marvin ***e
44. Simon and Garfunkel
45. The Eagles
46. The Ramones
47. Tupac
48. Yes
49. Otis Redding
50. Sublime

Original List

Criteria Checklist
1. Led Zeppelin
2. The Beatles
3. The Rolling Stones
4. The Who
5. Jimi Hendrix
6. Bob Dylan
7. Eric Clapton
8. Elvis Pressley
9. Stevie Wonder
10. Van Morrison
11. Queen
12. Janis Joplin
13. Green Day
14. Rage Against the Machine
15. Mettalica
16. Nirvana
17. Pink Floyd
18. Credence Clearwater Revival
19. System of a Down
20. The Grateful Dead
21. The Doors
22. The Beach Boys
23. The Allman Brothers Band
24. Bob Marley
25. Chuck Berry
26. Incubus
27. CSNY
28. Lynrd Skynard
29. The Eagles
30. The Police
31. 311
32. Jack Johnson
33. Elvis Costello
34. Aretha Franklin
35. Genesis
36. The Clash
37. Ben Harper
38. Boston
39. Black Sabbath
40. Bad Company
41. Red Hot Chili Peppers
42. Aerosmith
43. Pearl Jam
44. The Guess Who
45. Styx
46. James Brown
47. Buddy Holly
48. Ray Charles
49. Tu-Pac
50. David Bowie

Larkrise · 07-19-2007, 09:36 PM

whaaaat? Bowie at 50??? Oh my eyes, my eyes! lol I would have placed him much much higher.

MHDTV · 07-19-2007, 09:39 PM

A few just appear out of place, such as:
Green Day
Jack Johnson
311
Nirvana

Many others I would disagree with, but they don't jump out.

Son of JayJamJah · 07-19-2007, 09:50 PM

MHDTV:

Green Day- Has been a relevant headline act for over 10 years. Five Huge selling albums, two Grammy winners, and a top notch live act on the scale of the Who. To me a no-brainer for the top 50 and maybe the best, most successful band of the decade.

Jack Johnson- A personal favorite and admittedly out of place, however I think longevity could eventually put him on a James Taylor type level which would make him a candidate.

311- They have eight excellent albums and have steadily gained popularity for 15 years. Their concerts are outstanding and their fans are extremely loyal to a deadheadesque level. My personal taste elevates them to a sure thing on my list.

Nirvana- The face of Grunge music. "Teen spirit" is the anthem for flannel 90's rock. I can't remember a top 50 list without them.

MHDTV · 07-19-2007, 09:57 PM

Green Day: Not exactly great musicians, and many of their songs sound the same. I find Nirvana to be pretty bland overall. Definetaly top 100, but 14th? I guess you already explained JJ. 311 is a good band but I just feel like I've heard it before. I really don't like the sub-electronica side of their music.

MyWorld · 07-19-2007, 10:04 PM

Here's the ones you should change the spelling of:

Elvis Presley
Metallica
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Lynyrd Skynyrd

You spelled Elvis Presley and Metallica wrong on that other thread too. Not trying to be picky but I thought you might like to know how they're spelled. Anyway nice list, lots of good bands and artists.

Son of JayJamJah · 07-19-2007, 10:08 PM

Thanks JerK!
No really though I always misspell Metallica, and CCR was a victim of automatic spell check, even the band can't spell Skynyrd correctly and just an oops on Elvis.

Thanks for the corrections and comments.

sleepy jack · 07-19-2007, 10:12 PM

This list is so cliche its not even funny, and theres many more important folk artists than Dylan. Why he is always placed on lists so highly and Guthrie and Seeger get no mention will never make sense to me. Also, Green Day and not the Ramones? I expected upon reading the first top 10 that they'd get mention over Green Day.

MHDTV · 07-19-2007, 10:15 PM

Bob Dylan is the most famous folk artist of all time. That's why.

Son of JayJamJah · 07-19-2007, 10:20 PM

I think there is a reason that many of "cliche" greats have become so. They are more widely relevant and influential.

I know your opinion on Dylan is one that is widely shared by folk fans, however Dylan transcended folk and wrote amazing rock songs as well which is an almost unanimous contention among popular opinion in the music world. Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie while perhaps expressing their music more articulately and skillfully did so on a much smaller level and therefore rarely garner the type of attention that would put them on similar lists.

I resent your contention that the list is cliche and would be delighted to argue it point by point on occasion if the thread keeps your interest.

07-19-2007, 09:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
Son of JayJamJah Occams Razor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: End of the Earth Posts: 2,472	Top-50 All-time (Rough Draft) This list and all those that follow on the thread are part of a work in progress. My hope is that people will point out flaws they find and offer solutions and reasoning so that I can make the best possible list following the Criteria I have set in advance. #1 Popular Opinion - How is the band viewed both by the public as a whole and amongst their peers. Are they a common top 100 choice on similar lists? #2 Commercial Successes - Albums sold. The Cut is 100,000,000 records sold #3 Longevity - How has the band or artist stood the test of time? Is their music still popular? Are they still relevant and respected? #4 Technical Ability – Are they regarded as great musicians by their peers, fans and critics? #5 Showmanship - How are their live shows, TV appearances, interviews etc.? #6 Groundbreakings - What was their impact on culture as a whole, the music world and their genre? #7 Personal Opinion - It's my list it will in part reflect that naturally. I have an eclectic musical taste but am of course as prone to bias as anyone. My reasoning for yes or no: Did you make the I-pod cut? Do they meet each criterion…? Updated List 1. Led Zeppelin 2. The Beatles 3. The Rolling Stones 4. Jimi Hendrix 5. The Who 6. Bob Dylan 7. Eric Clapton 8. Stevie Wonder 9. Elvis Presley 10. The Beach Boys 11. Pink Floyd 12. Queen 13. David Bowie 14. Johnny Cash 15. Van Morrison 16. Pearl Jam 17. Metallica 18. The Allman Brothers Band 19. The Grateful Dead 20. Nirvana 21. Bob Marley 22. Chuck Berry 23. Velvet Underground 24. Janis Joplin 25. Creedence Clearwater Revival 26. Elvis Costello 27. The Doors 28. Ray Charles 29. Michael Jackson 30. CSNY 31. Red Hot Chili Peppers 32. Black Sabbath 33. Aretha Franklin 34. Green Day 35. B.B. King 36. Roy Orbison 37. Rage Against the Machine 38. Elton John 39. The Police 40. Rakim 41. Incubus 42. The Clash 43. Marvin *e 44. Simon and Garfunkel 45. The Eagles 46. The Ramones 47. Tupac 48. Yes 49. Otis Redding 50. Sublime Original List** Criteria Checklist 1. Led Zeppelin 2. The Beatles 3. The Rolling Stones 4. The Who 5. Jimi Hendrix 6. Bob Dylan 7. Eric Clapton 8. Elvis Pressley 9. Stevie Wonder 10. Van Morrison 11. Queen 12. Janis Joplin 13. Green Day 14. Rage Against the Machine 15. Mettalica 16. Nirvana 17. Pink Floyd 18. Credence Clearwater Revival 19. System of a Down 20. The Grateful Dead 21. The Doors 22. The Beach Boys 23. The Allman Brothers Band 24. Bob Marley 25. Chuck Berry 26. Incubus 27. CSNY 28. Lynrd Skynard 29. The Eagles 30. The Police 31. 311 32. Jack Johnson 33. Elvis Costello 34. Aretha Franklin 35. Genesis 36. The Clash 37. Ben Harper 38. Boston 39. Black Sabbath 40. Bad Company 41. Red Hot Chili Peppers 42. Aerosmith 43. Pearl Jam 44. The Guess Who 45. Styx 46. James Brown 47. Buddy Holly 48. Ray Charles 49. Tu-Pac 50. David Bowie Last edited by Son of JayJamJah; 08-08-2007 at 11:01 AM. Reason: Updating List \ Criteria

07-19-2007, 09:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Larkrise Music Addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 56	whaaaat? Bowie at 50??? Oh my eyes, my eyes! lol I would have placed him much much higher. __________________ I am all woman!

07-19-2007, 09:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
MHDTV Music Addict Join Date: May 2007 Location: Berkeley, California Posts: 697	A few just appear out of place, such as: Green Day Jack Johnson 311 Nirvana Many others I would disagree with, but they don't jump out.

07-19-2007, 09:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Son of JayJamJah Occams Razor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: End of the Earth Posts: 2,472	MHDTV: Green Day- Has been a relevant headline act for over 10 years. Five Huge selling albums, two Grammy winners, and a top notch live act on the scale of the Who. To me a no-brainer for the top 50 and maybe the best, most successful band of the decade. Jack Johnson- A personal favorite and admittedly out of place, however I think longevity could eventually put him on a James Taylor type level which would make him a candidate. 311- They have eight excellent albums and have steadily gained popularity for 15 years. Their concerts are outstanding and their fans are extremely loyal to a deadheadesque level. My personal taste elevates them to a sure thing on my list. Nirvana- The face of Grunge music. "Teen spirit" is the anthem for flannel 90's rock. I can't remember a top 50 list without them.

07-19-2007, 09:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
MHDTV Music Addict Join Date: May 2007 Location: Berkeley, California Posts: 697	Green Day: Not exactly great musicians, and many of their songs sound the same. I find Nirvana to be pretty bland overall. Definetaly top 100, but 14th? I guess you already explained JJ. 311 is a good band but I just feel like I've heard it before. I really don't like the sub-electronica side of their music.

07-19-2007, 10:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
MyWorld Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 57	Here's the ones you should change the spelling of: Elvis Presley Metallica Creedence Clearwater Revival Lynyrd Skynyrd You spelled Elvis Presley and Metallica wrong on that other thread too. Not trying to be picky but I thought you might like to know how they're spelled. Anyway nice list, lots of good bands and artists.

07-19-2007, 10:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
Son of JayJamJah Occams Razor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: End of the Earth Posts: 2,472	Thanks JerK! No really though I always misspell Metallica, and CCR was a victim of automatic spell check, even the band can't spell Skynyrd correctly and just an oops on Elvis. Thanks for the corrections and comments.

07-19-2007, 10:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
MHDTV Music Addict Join Date: May 2007 Location: Berkeley, California Posts: 697	Bob Dylan is the most famous folk artist of all time. That's why.

07-19-2007, 10:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Son of JayJamJah Occams Razor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: End of the Earth Posts: 2,472	I think there is a reason that many of "cliche" greats have become so. They are more widely relevant and influential. I know your opinion on Dylan is one that is widely shared by folk fans, however Dylan transcended folk and wrote amazing rock songs as well which is an almost unanimous contention among popular opinion in the music world. Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie while perhaps expressing their music more articulately and skillfully did so on a much smaller level and therefore rarely garner the type of attention that would put them on similar lists. I resent your contention that the list is cliche and would be delighted to argue it point by point on occasion if the thread keeps your interest.