WHo has been farthest ahead of their time...?

Question

Elvis, Mike Oldfield, Pink Floyd, Queen, Radiohead ... or your choice...
and why..

Answer 1

Jimi Hendrix. He was making sounds with his guitar that had never been heard, and are still used in music to this day.

Answer 2

Has to be Dylan. His early sixties albums completely altered people's perceptions of what songs could convey, they opened up a whole myriad of possibilities that people hadn't even conceived of. It's easy to be complacent about songs such as "Like a Rolling Stone" today but at the time it was incredible. There had been nothing like that before. One could argue for The Beatles but their most influential period (1966 onwards) was due in large part to Dylan's influence and the impact his songs had on The Beatles, particularly Lennon. All of the other answers given so far (with the exception of Hendrix who I may be persuaded to consider) list acts that, while great in their own way, were all natural progressions of acts that had gone before. For instance there is a lot of Pink Floyd in Radiohead. That is why Dylan is probably the only genius in popular music, he could go from A to D without the need to travel through B or C.

He should maybe stop singing though, his voice is shot to f*ck. He should stick to writing now.

Answer 3

I'd say Pink Floyd. They mastered the recording studio 20 years before any one else. They recorded things on 4 & 8 tracks with quality that you would struggle to get in modern studios.

Also Miles Davis. He changed a music scene so many times in his life and the people he worked with and mentored all went out to influence music throughout the 70's. He was always that one step ahead.

Answer 4

I'd say Louis and Bebe Barron pioneered (with some help from Pierre Schaeffer et al) electronics in music long before it became even accepted. Like most true innovators, their contribution has been sorely understated. The Forbidden Planet soundtrack they done may sound tame by todays standards, but was a big step at the time.

Answer 5

I love Elvis and Pink Floyd is great too but as far as being ahead of their time, I got to go with Jimi Hendrix!

Answer 6

Nostradamus

Answer 7

Kurt Cobain - taught tolernace through a new style

Answer 8

I pick Elvis, though he's certainly not my favourite musician, but he essentially redefined rock n roll by defying industry standards with his "sexy" hip-swinging and tawdry lyrics. He was, for his time, shocking and his style and subjects were strictly taboo.

Answer 9

Chicago...........They were the first band to combine a horn section with the traditional rock band of guitars, and drums . It was a unique sound and became my favorite music.

Answer 10

Bob Dylan..its in the lyrics