Greatest Band Round #3 the Top-Ten

[MikeA]

Elvis and the Stones are tied for top honors right now.

I don't know if I'd be much better off voting for my "favorites". I guess I have a more technical ear for music. I mean, I not only listen to what just sounds good, but also listen deeper for things that really are different...an odd timing, a strange chord progression, maybe changing times within a song. Techniques of guitarists and drummers particularly catch my attention.

But so do harmonies and lyrical content. That's what made it so difficult for me in considering a lot of the bands and groups. Like Joni Mitchell. Love her lyrics. Same thing with CSNY. On the other hand, Hendrix: Loved his technique but couldn't much get into some of his lyrics and especially not his vocal quality.

I think that's why I've always loved the Blues. There is continuity to it. A "formula" if you will. But also liked a lot of the lyrics because in so many cases, the story or themes were personal to me.

It's for all those reasons that I can't be disappointed in ANY of the artists we've considered but go insane when I have to eliminate someone from my list. They ALL had a LOT going for them but how do you say "THIS one contributed more to Music Culture than THAT one?" It's both a win-win and a lose-lose!

[MikeA]

Latest running tally:

Elvis Presley 8
Rolling Stones 8

Bob Dylan 7
Jimi Hendrix 7
Led Zeppelin 7

Beach Boys 6
Chuck Berry 6
Michael Jackson 6

Aretha Franklin 4
Buddy Holly 4
Byrds 4
CSNY 4
*******************cut line******************************
Janis Joplin 3
WHO 3

Pink Floyd 2

BB King 1
Bob Marley 1
Bruce Springsteen 1
CCR 1
Doors 1
Eric Clapton 1
Fleetwood Mac 1
Joni Mitchell 1
Queen 1
Queen 1
Supremes 1

[MikeA]

Skip reading this if you don't want to hear me wander around trying to figure out what I'm trying to say!

It is my opinion that the 60's were unique in history...not just Music History. The social situation in America was unique. So was the Political situation.

Those of us growing up in the 60's (ages 12 or 13 to 20 or 21) came from families whose heritage was the Great Depression of the Thirties and World War II in the Forties and then the Korean War. Comparratively, the 50's (our formative years) was a decade of figuratively "catching their breaths". They were conservative for the most part...religious with a faith that was their only recourse while spouses were over-seas fighting and dying. In the Fifties, they were content to exist in relative calmness, content just to exist!

That was our parents! Their children were "stifled"..smothered in boredom. Maybe that is an exaggeration, but it seems a close enough description. Then the Sixties came around and JFK took the Presidency. He was "different" (LOL). I remember the adults whispering about him being the first Catholic President in US history and they were worried ABOUT THAT!

The Cold War was in full swing and everyone (teens included) were horrified of nuclear war and had it rubbed in our faces with the Bay of Pigs! Bomb shelters being the thoughts in everyones minds. Not exactly a secure feeling.

Viet Nam becomes a huge drain on the youth with the Draft pulling every young man over 18 years of age into a minimum of 3 years of service with the likely tour of duty Viet Nam and the chances of every coming home alive at around 75%....less than that if you were a grad at a ROTC college and graduated a a 2nd Lieutenant. Their survival rate was considerably less than the rest of the cannon fodder!

Folks, it was a VERY depressing time. Youth had the attitude of Eat Drink and Be Merry for Tomorrow You Die! I'm serious! And we took things serious too! Racial problems, The War, anything conservative we protested because it was conservative and everything radical, we protested because it was radical. We wanted something different. It didn't matter that we didn't know what that was, but we knew we wanted it. In short, we were scared to death!

The one common denominator though was music. Any kind of music. And the bands we liked...they were usually the bands that the previous generation marked as heathen...unworthy...proclaiming that their music was anti-christian, anti-morale, anti-everything. But that just insure that the kids would love it! And the groups forming back then were just as Anti-Establishment as we were. They were disgruntled too. And they poured all of their creativity into trying to find something that would communicate with the younger generation like nothing else ever had.

All of these factors came together in the 60's and I would stick my neck out and say that they will never come together like that again...I hope they don't. But that does explain the attitudes that inspired the innovation, evolution, creativity....everything about the scene of the day. Yes, it explains the drug use and abuse as well. We just freakin' didn't care! We were pissed off and we weren't gonna take it any more <LOL> Most of us grew up and straightened out and flew right, but we came away from it (those who survived) with some BEAUTIFUL MUSIC!

[Fan_For_Life]

I have taken everything everyone has mentioned here into consideration. Each musician that made the list from the beginning to even the many, many without the mention has contributed some way to music as it is today. I've basically been going on what I've heard, read and seen over the last 30ys of music listening.

Aretha Franklin
BB King
Bob Marley
Chuck Berry
Elvis Presley
Led Zepplin
Michael Jackson
Queen
Rolling Stones
Who

[Freypower]

I have to say I hope the votes for Michael Jackson aren't just sentimental based on his death. I feel that if he were still alive he would not be attracting this kind of support.

There was a comment that people were voting with their heads rather than their hearts or words to that effect. Let me assure you that in my case, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin are all at the top of my personal favourites list. But regarding Chuck Berry I don't own ONE song by him.

I think the votes for the Beach Boys are somewhat sentimental too because they were not influential for very long and became a parody of themselves once Brian Wilson 'lost it'. I have never understood the hype regarding the Pet Sounds album. It's OK and has about four really good songs on it. That's all.

[EagleLady]

That is harsh FP, Michael Broke the racial barriers by becoming the first black artist played on MTV, and how can you say he wasn't influential?

[TimothyBFan]

I have to say I hope the votes for Michael Jackson aren't just sentimental based on his death. I feel that if he were still alive he would not be attracting this kind of support.

I feel a wee bit insulted here. I truly do believe that this man broke down barriers and is one of the most talented artist there has ever been--whether he is dead or alive. How can anyone dispute the records that he sat with Thriller and the accomplishments that he made as a youngster with the Jacksons and later as a solo artists. Yes, he became somewhat of a "freak" the last 10-15 years but that in no way diminishes the accomplishments that he has made as a musician.

There was a comment that people were voting with their heads rather than their hearts or words to that effect. Let me assure you that in my case, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin are all at the top of my personal favourites list. But regarding Chuck Berry I don't own ONE song by him.

Are you saying that someone said this about you? This is all about using our heads and not letting our hearts and our favorites get in the way. BTW-ltlh--love your idea of a vote for our favorites after this one is all said and done. I have gone on record as saying I want Zep to win and they are indeed also one of my favorites but that is about as far as it goes. Other than that, most of them on my list are not my favorites in any way. Don't own a Chuck Berry album, don't care for Dylan, really don't like Elvis and like the Stones but not one of my faves but I will never dispute that all of them were very influential in the music industry.

I think the votes for the Beach Boys are somewhat sentimental too because they were not influential for very long and became a parody of themselves once Brian Wilson 'lost it'. I have never understood the hype regarding the Pet Sounds album. It's OK and has about four really good songs on it. That's all.

They are on my list but sure not for sentimental reasons. I truly don't care much for them but here in America they were/are known as the All American Band, and for a very good reason. I refuse to believe they weren't influential to several bands that followed especially in their harmonies. Brian Wilson "lost it" because of some pretty bad circumstances, some he could of controlled and some beyond his control. The same could be said of Syd Barrett of Floyd, but that sure doesn't diminish their talents or their influences in the music world.

I gotta admit, you kinda offended me here and that isn't easy. I somehow feel that you think you may know more than most when it comes to music and maybe indeed you do. But I'm no slouch in that department either. I pride myself on my music knowledge, all genres, some more than others. I love music and music has been a EXTREMELY HUGE part of my life for many many decades and always will be. I can't imagine my life without it. It has been with me thru thick and thin and is probably the one thing that has always been a constant and never let me down in my whole life. Corny? Yes but that is how I feel. I guess what I'm trying to say is I really don't quite know where you are going with this post but I fear you may have offended some here and I truly hope you did not intend to. Our little "experiment", as Mike calls it, is a lot of fun and some what of a learning experience for a lot of us. I hope no one is discouraged because they might not feel as if they know as much as someone else and be encouraged not to play because of it.

FP--if I misunderstood your post---I'm sorry for my ramblings here! Please forgive me!

[eaglesvet]

I can assure you, FP, that neither of my votes for MJ and the Beach Boys was based on sentimentality. I feel that each of them has contributed to the music scene in their own unique way, and thus deserved of my vote in this competition. (Believe it or not, I have managed to avoid ALL TV coverage of MJ's death, save for about 10 minutes of the Staples Center tribute on YouTube.)

Of those bands currently in the top ten, I own albums by Led Zep, the Beach Boys, and CSNY...none of which I ever play anymore. In fact, I don't even think I played the Zeppelin ones when I first got them...I just don't care for their music, and basically just succumbed to peer pressure when I bought 1 or 2 of their albums years ago. However, I do recognize their sizeable contribution to the music scene as well!

[Freypower]

OK, if I offended anyone I am sorry, but I honestly don't see how a voice of dissent about Michael Jackson and the Beach Boys which is only my personal opinion can have done that. Unfortunately I think the comment I made about Jackson was valid, if cynical. I did not say he wasn't influential. He was. I said 'I HOPE the votes aren't based on sentiment'.

Regarding the Beach Boys, because I am not American they never affected me in the way they probably affect Americans. I see nothing wrong with pointing this out. But again, if I offended anyone by saying this I am sorry. I am not saying these votes are not valid.

Also, I will have no problem AT ALL if either Jackson or the Beach Boys end up winning this game.

All I am saying here is that dissent is as important as agreement.

I did not say that someone said I was voting with my head and not my heart. TBF,it was you who said something about 'are we in the minority and voting for these acts because we think we should and don't actually care for their music'. What I said was that if others have done that (which was the idea), I have not in the case of Dylan, the Stones and Zeppelin. Those three acts are amongst my personal favourites. To me I was lucky enough to be able to vote with both head and heart here.

It was not me who suggested doing a vote based on favourites after we have finished this (it was LTL), but I am in favour of it.

[Fan_For_Life]

I can understand FP's statement as not being offensive because it would be easy to include him since he passed only a few weeks ago. Michael Jackson is the only artist on my list of whom came of age when I was coming of age. I do feel him to be as influential as Elvis in that he captivated an entire decade or more with his musical style and grace. I do feel confident enough in my musical endeavors to choose fairly among who is who and who is not. Which is why it was a must to include a female on the list. The folks I listed I own only a Bob Marley and a Led Zepplin cd. Not voting just with head but also with heart.