My top ten list of the greatest bands/artists of all time is complete! Do you agree with it?

Question

My top ten list is based on the number of good songs recorded by each artist.or group. (That's the number beside each name.)

The Joe Marzen Musical Hall of Fame (JMMHF)

Top Ten List

(As of 10/16/06)

The Beatles - 313
Paul Simon - 219
Beach Boys - 88
Stevie Wonder - 74
David Bowie - 61
Bob Dylan - 58
The Rolling Stones - 44
John Lennon - 34
Elton John - 29
Jimi Hendrix - 28


(Note: The Paul Simon category includes recordings from Simon's years with Simon and Garfunkel. I did this because Garfunkel is a glorified back up singer who never contributed anything of value. Had I seperated the two Paul Simon would still retain his number two position on the chart.)

(I am also aware that other decades exist beside the 60's and 70's, but, unfortunately, no bands have relased 28 good songs since then. The closest anyone comes is Beck, who has 23 good songs, and who is in the number 14 position.)

In response to one of the answers

I am 26. My age has nothing with the list.

Nirvana only has 15 good songs by the way.

Led Zepplin only has 14 good songs

Answer 1

I agree for the most paert. Most performers of late would credit at least one of these on the list as an influence.

Answer 2

I must agree with the top 10 list (of male bands and artists). I don't dispute any of your choices nor the order they're in

Here's a list to coinside with yours

Top Female bands and artists
1. Janis Joplin

2. Tina Turner

3. Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane era- Jefferson Starship sucked)

4. Cass Elliot (The Mama's and the Papa's- powerful voice)

5. Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac)

6. Melissa Etheridge (mastered the real music to a generation that listens to crap.)

7. Joan Baez- so expressive

8. Joss Stone (has potential)

9. Aretha Franklin (gotta have soul, lol)

10. Cher (has managed to stay at top for over 40 years)


Sorry don't have time to write an in depth reason for each.
For the record I'm only 28 years old and I'm told that there are other decades too,
If I find one worth listening too I'll have to post it, LOL.

Answer 3

Not a bad start. Of course, everyone's list would be completely different. My list would stress quality over quantity. Some of the greatest artists only recorded a few songs (The La's, for one example.) I would question the inclusion of the Beach Boys. Also, Paul McCartney's solo work is as good if not better than Lennon's (especially the albums Ram and Band On The Run).

Answer 4

I would replace David Bowie with Led Zeppelin. Not even an honorable mention and they were so influential on so many people. I agree with the comment about Garfunkel, but not with Paul Simon's place on the list. 219 seems like a high number compared with the lower numbers of some of the other names you have there.

Answer 5

You forgot Queen, The Who, The Smiths, Led Zeppelin, The Cure, Nirvana, U2, Tom Petty...I don't think you've considered all the candidates. And maybe you should go for a Top 20 instead cause there's just too many influential, essential, legandary, and just wonderful groups in the history of rock and roll beyond what you have here. And I know many many more deserving ones.

Answer 6

Take out Paul Simon & Beach Boys & put in Led Zeppelin & The Who, & then maybe we'll have a fair compromise.

P.S: You obviously have not listened to Led Zeppelin enough, they have WAY more than 14 "Good" songs. The only Zep songs I really don't like are "D'yer Make'r", "Going To California", & "I'm Gonna Crawl", but that's about all.

Peace!

Answer 7

When it comes to bands whose music influenced others, I agree with you completely.

A personal favorite would also be the Eagles.

Interesting that no one in the last 10 years has made the kind of impact that bands from 30 years ago have done.

Answer 8

I think it's pretty tough to gather a list like this b/c music taste is so subjective, but you've done a terrific job of pointing to the more influential/legendary artists; they all had fantastic -- ingenious really -- song-writing skills as well as the ability to affect society and the music industry with what they were about at that moment in time. You can point to something visceral happening: the romantic Southern California "goldrush," the British Invasion, the peace movement + the exploration of east-Indian culture, the gay/bi-sexual/glamrock statement, Woodstock...I think of these moments in time as quintessentially attached to some of these personalities (though many others, of course, were also involved).

I think many would champion other favorites (like The Who, for me), but the list, at the very least, represents many enduring artists that remain relevant and popular today.

Put it this way...you hear them on a car commercial, your mind adjusts to an image of a moment in time -- something visceral. People find that sort of distasteful and "sell-out," but it really does speak to a strong influence on our culture.

Answer 9

You must have a lot of time on your hands, Joe
By the way I think Dylan's had at least 70 good songs.

Answer 10

If it's your personal list then sure, it's great for you. My own list would differ... But I hear ya - Stevie Wonder, the Beach Boys, Elton John, the Beatles, Bowie are all amzing artists.