Greatest American Rock Musicians

[John A Arkansawyer]

I got to thinking about this a little earlier. It's easy for me to make my list of the credible candidates for greatest American rock band--The Beach Boys, The Band, Talking Heads, R.E.M., Hüsker Dü. No sweat.

But the greatest American rock musicians--people known primarily for themselves, whether solo or in a band--that's a lot harder. Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Patti Smith, Chuck Berry, Bruce Springsteen, Carlos Santana, Frank Zappa, Jonathan Richman, Lou Reed, Prince--it's all words or guitars when I add it up.

I'm being really picky here and leaving out arguable edge cases like Dr. John, Randy Newman, and Stevie Wonder, who rock like fuck but aren't rock. But maybe Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard, so some keyboards.

I'm pretty sure there are gaps in what I know and love--that's your cue to say "Duane Allman, motherfucker!", who I'm getting to know better and actually left off just to jerk your chain if you'd left it dangling--but I'm also wondering if that isn't just how rock and roll is, words and guitars, and some other stuff for flavor.

[Sober1]

If you look at most influential over time, Elvis would be hard to beat.

[beantownbubba]

I believe that the official ruling was that the Band is Canadian.

Unless you want to say that the rhythm comes from the guitars, which is partly true but still a stretch, I don't know how one can say that rock can be separated from the rhythm and the rhythm makers are primarily bassists and drummers.

I think your exclusions of Dr. John, R. Newman & Stevie Wonder are pretty arbitrary. It also leaves you in a bind now that we've "established" (IOW now that I've said) that bass and drums have to count 'cause what are you gonna do about James Jamerson?

[John A Arkansawyer]

Unless you want to say that the rhythm comes from the guitars, which is partly true but still a stretch, I don't know how one can say that rock can be separated from the rhythm and the rhythm makers are primarily bassists and drummers.

I think your exclusions of Dr. John, R. Newman & Stevie Wonder are pretty arbitrary. It also leaves you in a bind now that we've "established" (IOW now that I've said) that bass and drums have to count 'cause what are you gonna do about James Jamerson?

Speaking as a bassist, I couldn't agree with you more. As soon as I think of an American rock bassist that's in a class with (say) Prince or Patti Smith, I'll put them in my list.

I can only think of two that are close: Jaco Pastorius (who really just is everything) and James Jamerson. Great musicians and personal idols--a model, in Jamerson's case, whereas I can't even touch the books Jaco read--but not rock musicians. Jamerson only became known on his own terms after his career was essentially over. Maybe Larry Graham. Maybe. Probably not. Graham Central Station wasn't that big a band. But maybe.

It seems to me that greatness in rock bands has less to do with celebrity than greatness in rock musicians does.

[John A Arkansawyer]

If you look at most influential over time, Elvis would be hard to beat.

I left Elvis off mostly because I'm off him lately, and because I am trying to get it together to let go of the one nice collectible record of his I've got.

[Flea]

Unless you want to say that the rhythm comes from the guitars, which is partly true but still a stretch, I don't know how one can say that rock can be separated from the rhythm and the rhythm makers are primarily bassists and drummers.

I think your exclusions of Dr. John, R. Newman & Stevie Wonder are pretty arbitrary. It also leaves you in a bind now that we've "established" (IOW now that I've said) that bass and drums have to count 'cause what are you gonna do about James Jamerson?

Speaking as a bassist, I couldn't agree with you more. As soon as I think of an American rock bassist that's in a class with (say) Prince or Patti Smith, I'll put them in my list.

I can only think of two that are close: Jaco Pastorius (who really just is everything) and James Jamerson. Great musicians and personal idols--a model, in Jamerson's case, whereas I can't even touch the books Jaco read--but not rock musicians. Jamerson only became known on his own terms after his career was essentially over. Maybe Larry Graham. Maybe. Probably not. Graham Central Station wasn't that big a band. But maybe.

It seems to me that greatness in rock bands has less to do with celebrity than greatness in rock musicians does.

I verged on suggesting Les Claypool, but your qualifications are SO restrictive...

[scotto]

Not sure if we're talking about "actual" rock (& roll) as opposed to the rockin' precursors, excluding T-Bone Walker and John (later Johnny Guitar) Watson and such, and "greatest" meaning technical virtuosity or most influential.
Either way, my list starts with this guy:

[John A Arkansawyer]

Not sure if we're talking about "actual" rock (& roll) as opposed to the rockin' precursors, excluding T-Bone Walker and John (later Johnny Guitar) Watson and such, and "greatest" meaning technical virtuosity or most influential.
Either way, my list starts with this guy:

It's less about the list than about how we think about the list.

That said, any such list is deficient without Buddy Holly on it.

[pearlbeer]

Pretty long potential list, and the terms 'Greatest' and 'Rock' are too debatable. Hell, as with The Band, 'American' would be debatable too. I'll argue if you have to add their last name, they shouldn't make the list.

Buddy
Jimi
Bruce
Tom
Prince
Aretha
Janis
Kurt
Willie
Elvis
Stevie
Otis
Lou
Ray
Chuck

[John A Arkansawyer]

Pretty long potential list, and the terms 'Greatest' and 'Rock' are too debatable. Hell, as with The Band, 'American' would be debatable too. I'll argue if you have to add their last name, they shouldn't make the list.

I had to ask myself "Who?" about only one of them. Again, words and guitars, plus three keyboard players, none of whom are rock musicians (Stevie, Aretha, and Ray).

ETA: And just after trying to post that, I came up with a near-exception (which also describes Prince): Todd. Duh. He's most known as a guitarist, like Prince; also like Prince, he plays everything. Between them, that's at least one Piano Man equivalent. Maybe one and a half.

(Billy--yes or no? If so, why not Bette and Neil? The mind boggles.) (And in a different context, are the Pretenders enough her band that Chrissie counts? And the exception that proves the rule: Captain Beefheart.)

[cortez the killer]

Bryan Adams
Eddie Money
Billy Squier
Steve Perry
Donnie Van Zant
Tom Scholz/Brad Delp
Rick Springfield
Huey Lewis
Michael McDonald
Kenny Loggins

Need to find an American "beast on flute" and I'm pretty satisfied with this list.

[John A Arkansawyer]

Bryan Adams
Eddie Money
Billy Squier
Steve Perry
Donnie Van Zant
Tom Scholz/Brad Delp
Rick Springfield
Huey Lewis
Michael McDonald
Kenny Loggins

Need to find an American "beast on flute" and I'm pretty satisfied with this list.

To quote a Great Man, "That's what I'm talkin' about! That's what I'm talkin' about! That's what I'm talkin' about! But I will say this..."

[Iowan]

Bryan Adams
Eddie Money
Billy Squier
Steve Perry
Donnie Van Zant
Tom Scholz/Brad Delp
Rick Springfield
Huey Lewis
Michael McDonald
Kenny Loggins

Need to find an American "beast on flute" and I'm pretty satisfied with this list.

I think you're probably a missing a shoe-string Van Zant in there somewhere.

[cortez the killer]

Bryan Adams
Eddie Money
Billy Squier
Steve Perry
Donnie Van Zant
Tom Scholz/Brad Delp
Rick Springfield
Huey Lewis
Michael McDonald
Kenny Loggins

Need to find an American "beast on flute" and I'm pretty satisfied with this list.

I think you're probably a missing a shoe-string Van Zant in there somewhere.

If he satisfies the flute criteria, he’s in.

[cortez the killer]

Also, add Stevie Nicks to sing all duets/harmonize & supply the booger shugga.

[John A Arkansawyer]

Bryan Adams
Eddie Money
Billy Squier
Steve Perry
Donnie Van Zant
Tom Scholz/Brad Delp
Rick Springfield
Huey Lewis
Michael McDonald
Kenny Loggins

Need to find an American "beast on flute" and I'm pretty satisfied with this list.

I think you're probably a missing a shoe-string Van Zant in there somewhere.

If he satisfies the flute criteria, he’s in.

I'm pretty sure this guy sat in a tree and cut the soles out of his shoes before he learned to play the flute:

[pearlbeer]

Bryan Adams
Eddie Money
Billy Squier
Steve Perry
Donnie Van Zant
Tom Scholz/Brad Delp
Rick Springfield
Huey Lewis
Michael McDonald
Kenny Loggins

Need to find an American "beast on flute" and I'm pretty satisfied with this list.

Bryan Adams would clearly be the Greatest American Rock Musician by a long shot. Alas, he is Canadian.
Huey Lewis. That is awesome. I'm going to listen to 'Sports' right now.

[scotto]

Bryan Adams
Eddie Money
Billy Squier
Steve Perry
Donnie Van Zant
Tom Scholz/Brad Delp
Rick Springfield
Huey Lewis
Michael McDonald
Kenny Loggins

Need to find an American "beast on flute" and I'm pretty satisfied with this list.

I think you're probably a missing a shoe-string Van Zant in there somewhere.

If he satisfies the flute criteria, he’s in.

Who's the dude who played flute on those Canned Heat tunes? Man he fuckin' kicked ass.

[pearlbeer]

Who's the dude who played flute on those Canned Heat tunes? Man he fuckin' kicked ass.

Blind Owl or The Mole, I believe. Either way, kick ass names.

[Flea]

Bryan Adams
Eddie Money
Billy Squier
Steve Perry
Donnie Van Zant
Tom Scholz/Brad Delp
Rick Springfield
Huey Lewis
Michael McDonald
Kenny Loggins

Need to find an American "beast on flute" and I'm pretty satisfied with this list.

Jerry Eubanks, Marshall Tucker Band

[John A Arkansawyer]

Bryan Adams
Eddie Money
Billy Squier
Steve Perry
Donnie Van Zant
Tom Scholz/Brad Delp
Rick Springfield
Huey Lewis
Michael McDonald
Kenny Loggins

Need to find an American "beast on flute" and I'm pretty satisfied with this list.

Bryan Adams would clearly be the Greatest American Rock Musician by a long shot. Alas, he is Canadian.
Huey Lewis. That is awesome. I'm going to listen to 'Sports' right now.

I don't care what anyone says. "Love Comes In Sports" is one of the great sex and baseball songs ever.

[cortez the killer]

RE: American beast on flute

3DD delivers again.

[Smitty]

RE: American beast on flute

3DD delivers again.

Still restrained to western blues-based music I see. Tsk tsk.

[cortez the killer]

RE: American beast on flute

3DD delivers again.

Still restrained to western blues-based music I see. Tsk tsk.

Guilty as charged.

[Zip City]

RE: American beast on flute

3DD delivers again.

Still restrained to western blues-based music I see. Tsk tsk.

Focus is a Dutch band, not American

[dime in the gutter]

RE: American beast on flute

3DD delivers again.

Still restrained to western blues-based music I see. Tsk tsk.

Focus is a Dutch band, not American

lj back in the house. symmetry and all that shit. emoticon and everything. it's too perfect. did you intend that?

[4sooner]

How the hell have we gone all this time w/o John Fogerty being mentioned???

[cortez the killer]

How the hell have we gone all this time w/o John Fogerty being mentioned???

Now that Bryan Adams has been exposed as a Canadian, on the strength of the incredible Centerfield record, you can add Old Man Fogerty to my list.

[beantownbubba]

How the hell have we gone all this time w/o John Fogerty being mentioned???

Now that Bryan Adams has been exposed as a Canadian, on the strength of the incredible Centerfield record, you can add Old Man Fogerty to my list.

Doesn't Fogerty get most (all?) of the credit for CCR?

[cortez the killer]

How the hell have we gone all this time w/o John Fogerty being mentioned???

Now that Bryan Adams has been exposed as a Canadian, on the strength of the incredible Centerfield record, you can add Old Man Fogerty to my list.

Doesn't Fogerty get most (all?) of the credit for CCR?

No. It's more Cody Canada's outfit.