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Greatest Musician of All Time
- Thread starter The Pope
- Start date
Yeah, my wife always says he was the most well rounded and innovative musician of the "big names". He did everything at a high level and had no weak spots.
Modern day I might go with Stevie Wonder.
I'd throw Joni Mitchell in for consideration as well.
Clockwork5
Member
Beethoven took the technical and theoretical proficiency of Mozart and Bach and brought in the emotion that defined the romantic era of music.
For me he is untouched and possibly untouchable.
For me he is untouched and possibly untouchable.
Walter White Walker
Member
Paul McCartney.
Napalm_Frank
Member
Kim Jong-il?
Ed Sheeran?
Prince Nelson Rodgers. Put some respect on that name.
BOATY THE GOD
Honestly Stevie Wonder is more impressive in that regard.
Nah
Prince had a run of fantastic albums more than Stevie. From his first album till the mid 90s. The man was not held back by a single genre, he just did music.
Funyarinpa
Member
Can't imagine a greater insult to any art than to claim that one person could top it.
edit: but for my uneducated ass the current (random) favorite is Ronnie James Dio, if it had to be one person. Have you ever listened to Catch The Rainbow, Temple of the King and Rainbow Eyes back to back? Goddamn.
edit: but for my uneducated ass the current (random) favorite is Ronnie James Dio, if it had to be one person. Have you ever listened to Catch The Rainbow, Temple of the King and Rainbow Eyes back to back? Goddamn.
Music of My Mind to Hotter Than July, one of the best runs ever
And Innervisions is top 5 best albums ever made tbh. Prince aint in the top 10 YO
beato_angelico
Member
Very banal but I have to say Miles Davis. Changed the course of jazz "four or five times". His discography has something for everyone. Clearly the one I listen to the most, there's something for almost every mood.
Yeah generally speaking I can't really answer questions like this. I can't even answer what my favorite artist is ever. Favorite in the moment sure.
capitalCORN
Member
Scott may have laid the carpet, but Reich's sampling methods and sequencing are more indicative of the modern world than any other.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
Did OP really suggest Billy Joel, Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra as some of the greatest musicians of all time?
TheOohChild
Member
If I had to pick one favorite, I would go with Sly Stone. That dude was amazing.
close to the edge
Member
Yeah. That's been my gut answer for a while now. Schubert hasn't been mentioned yet, so I'll do it. He's one of those composers that died young (31) but somehow he produced over 900 works. He was mostly recognized for his songs during his lifetime but he was gradually rediscovered over the 19th and 20th century. This is the first movement from his last piano sonata: Link
As far as contemporary-ish musicians go (late 20th century until today) I think I'd go with Prince, David Bowie, Miles Davis and maybe Kanye? This sort of thing is always really biased by what I've been listening to recently.
ErasureAcer
Banned
Andy Bell
Vince Clarke
Erasure
Vince Clarke
Erasure
kruis
Exposing the sinister cartel of retailers who allow companies to pay for advertising space.
You've got a couple of facts wrong. Mike Oldfield actually played 40 instruments on his albums according to Wikipedia. His first album release was as a duo with his sister in 1968 when he was 15. He recorded most of Tubular Bells when he was 19 years old. It became one of the best selling albums of all time. (17 million copies according to Virgin Records in 2014). Oldfield played all instruments on a number of his albums. His music spans all genres: minimalism, progressive rock, new age, folk rock, pop, dance, flamenco, new age, ambient and world music.
But you're right: it's him. Mike Oldfield.
HouseDragon
Member
It's hard to compare the 20th century geniuses like Zappa and Davis with the all time greats like Bach and Schubert. We're talking legacy and influence across centuries with them. But that aside, and being biased, I'd give it to Frank Zappa.
The guy was a uncompromising genius when composing, writing and playing music. Also, surrounded himself with amazing musicians and actually got them to follow him on his brilliant and insane journey through music. He played many genres and spoke about many things and subjects through his work. We could definitely use someone like him in this day and age, not only regarding to music, but also in regards to the current political climate.
The guy was a uncompromising genius when composing, writing and playing music. Also, surrounded himself with amazing musicians and actually got them to follow him on his brilliant and insane journey through music. He played many genres and spoke about many things and subjects through his work. We could definitely use someone like him in this day and age, not only regarding to music, but also in regards to the current political climate.
Sign O the Times, 1999, Prince, Purple Rain, all albums that could be put in a top 10 all time list.
I love Stevie, but Prince.
Secret Character
Member
This is a good post. I have no idea how Mike Oldfield skipped my mind.
Dr. Black Jack
Member
William Hung
Always-honest
Banned
The answer is Bach but nobody listens to that.
Then there are Mozart and Beethoven and then a shit-ton of other composers that almost nobody has heard of.
Then there are a whole lot of people that nobody listens to either.
A shit-ton of jazz musicians, and singer songwriters almost nobody heard of.
Being a good musician sucks ass. Because almost nobody listens to you.
Then there are Mozart and Beethoven and then a shit-ton of other composers that almost nobody has heard of.
Then there are a whole lot of people that nobody listens to either.
A shit-ton of jazz musicians, and singer songwriters almost nobody heard of.
Being a good musician sucks ass. Because almost nobody listens to you.
Technically yes. In terms of there technical ability and creative inspiration they are nowhere near the best. They are not even remotely comparable to Bach for instance. However I can listen there music a lot easier than the Brandenburg Conceto's for instance. Hence they are greats in my musical spectrum. The same could be said for Lamar.
JeTmAn81
Member
Prince was great at pretty much everything, but I don't think I've ever met a musician who said he was the greatest guitar player. He doesn't even make top ten.
Greatest musician was Mozart, BTW.
Goldenroad
Member
Depends on the day, but overall you can't go wrong with Jerry Garcia. Almost any musician that has played with him will tell you the same. Guy could play anything and make it seem effortless. Listen to his solo album Garcia where he plays every instrument except the drums and tell me it doesn't sound like a bunch of studio session musicians.
Prince, Zappa, Hendrix, Mingus, Miles, Buddy, Coltrane, are certainly all contenders for 20th century musicians for sure, but they all kind of stuck to their particular styles mostly whereas Jerry played a bit of everything, jazz, bluegrass, folk, blues, rock, soul, r&b, avante garde and excelled at all of it, so there's my argument for why Jerry's the best.
Prince, Zappa, Hendrix, Mingus, Miles, Buddy, Coltrane, are certainly all contenders for 20th century musicians for sure, but they all kind of stuck to their particular styles mostly whereas Jerry played a bit of everything, jazz, bluegrass, folk, blues, rock, soul, r&b, avante garde and excelled at all of it, so there's my argument for why Jerry's the best.
JinjoUnchained
Member
Don't forget Franz Liszt, the original rock star.
I think he'd make top 10
Jag
Member
Pete Townshend?
Puck Beaverton
Banned
Prince is definitely a top 20 guitarist, and you could argue top 10.
Always-honest
Banned
Hmn... nope. I don't think so. I do consider him to be a very good guitarist though.
apocalidiot
Banned
Miles Davis
as for personal favorites/people who I look up to
Shuggie Otis
Sly Stone
J Dilla
Ian Mackaye
as for personal favorites/people who I look up to
Shuggie Otis
Sly Stone
J Dilla
Ian Mackaye
Dixon's Jet
Banned
It's probably Bob Dylan. Nobody is truly the greatest but he's the first person that comes to mind. He's much better than Billy Joel.
Killer Queen
Banned
He very much isnt
And isnt even on most guitarists lists.
True Savior
Member
Katsuhisa Hattori
It's probably a classical composer but my knowledge in that area is super shaky. In the realm of modern music I would have to say Miles Davis and The Beatles. My personal favorite is Radiohead but I can acknowledge they're a notch below.
The best musician alive today is Actress.
Oh and since I saw it being discussed earlier I'll just say this - being a technically proficient musician does not mean you're a good musician. Making good music means you're a good musician. If you can make good music using the most basic method imaginable, you're a good musician, full stop.
Why does any of this matter. I don't care if you literally flew to the moon to get the perfect materials to invent a new instrument and then spent 30 years mastering every new instrument in an orchestra you invented and then spent 20 years composing your masterpiece and then played it for Zombie Jesus. If someone else can make a better sound in 15 minutes with their laptop, they're a better musician than you. Nothing matters except for sound. If your sound relies on context your sound probably sucks.
"Hmm I don't care too much for this song"
"Did you know they taught themselves all the instruments in it?"
"Oh nevermind, it is actually a good song"
UGGGGHGHGHG *head explodes*
The best musician alive today is Actress.
Oh and since I saw it being discussed earlier I'll just say this - being a technically proficient musician does not mean you're a good musician. Making good music means you're a good musician. If you can make good music using the most basic method imaginable, you're a good musician, full stop.
Why does any of this matter. I don't care if you literally flew to the moon to get the perfect materials to invent a new instrument and then spent 30 years mastering every new instrument in an orchestra you invented and then spent 20 years composing your masterpiece and then played it for Zombie Jesus. If someone else can make a better sound in 15 minutes with their laptop, they're a better musician than you. Nothing matters except for sound. If your sound relies on context your sound probably sucks.
"Hmm I don't care too much for this song"
"Did you know they taught themselves all the instruments in it?"
"Oh nevermind, it is actually a good song"
UGGGGHGHGHG *head explodes*
Violence Jack
Member
Prince
Puck Beaverton
Banned
Yeah I actually starting writing names of better guitarists and came up with 30 more >_>
Goldenroad
Member
You can, subjectively, say that Prince is the worst guitarist ever if you want...it doesn't make it true. It's just your opinion.
I can come up with 50 flavors of ice cream better than chocolate.
To Far Away Times
Member
Prince was a good guitarist, but he was a good guitarist in the way that if I really dedicated myself to guitar I could probably get to be about that good. (Less the fame and song writing of course.)
I could never be as good at guitar as Clapton, have the creativity and inventiveness of Paige, or have the vibe of Hendrix.
Prince was great because he was the total package. He could do everything, did it well, and did it on his terms.
I could never be as good at guitar as Clapton, have the creativity and inventiveness of Paige, or have the vibe of Hendrix.
Prince was great because he was the total package. He could do everything, did it well, and did it on his terms.