Is Bob Dylan the greatest and most influential musician of the last 100 years?

Question

Many people believe that he wrote incredible things in his songs..

Answer 1

Perhaps.

Music is broad, and Bob Dylan covers only a few genres. I would not place him in the same category musically or level-wise as Stravinsky or Duke Ellington.

However, in the categories of folk music, rock music, and popular music, he undoubtedly ranks very high. In spite of this, Woody Guthrie is arguably a more important folk musician, and The Beatles were undoubtedly more important rock and pop musicians.

I am speaking as someone who loves Dylan, and has since 1964.

Answer 2

Call me a heretic, but I think Bob Dylan is highly overrated. His voice grates on my ears. It sounds like mails on a chalkboard.

There is only one song by Dylan that I like that he actually sings, and that is "Knocking on Heaven's Door."

All Along The Watchtower was done best by Jimi Hendrix.

But to say that Dylan was the most influential for the entire century leaves out the Early to mid 1900's. That leaves out Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Hampton, Gershwin, Cole Porter, Scott Joplin.

What about Robert Johnson? Rock and Roll was derived from the Blues, and Robert Johnson was the most influential Blues musician. His impact is still being felt.

Answer 3

no.. he's not.. you got to remember the guys from the 50s... then the 60s was so packed with so much music and people... dylan wasn't just it... dylan sure did pack a punch to the folk crowd... wasn't he boooed for his doings of electrifying folk music?
you got to remember elvis, holly, beatles... don't forget the song writers.
it's such a vast array of talent in the last 100 and i've not even talked about those before popular music took off and shifted to something that was considered contemporary.... so on.
so much information, so little time.

oh and check out this information.. not all links are about music or musicians but it you pick through it (i'm sure you don't need cookies) you'll laugh.. some say tupac was the most influential!

lmfao...

if this doesn't work:


http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=most+influential+musicians+of+the+last+100+years


then key in: most influential musicians of the last 100 years.

:D

it's a fun search, i can't believe what i'm seeing... almost embarrassing proportions of opinion.

Answer 4

in the Englisg speaking international....Chuck Berry, The grateful lifeless, Cream, The Who, The doorways, The Ramones, The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The conflict, intercourse Pistols, Queen, pink Floyd, The Stooges, Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, The Police, BB King, Ozzy Osbourn, Joplin, Radiohead, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Nirvana, David Bowie, The treatment, Velvet Underground, Pearl Jam, Depeche Mode, Smashing Pumpkins, The White Stripes.....

Answer 5

I would have to say Buddy Holly is the greatest and most influential musician of the last 100 years.

Answer 6

Possibly, although for many more years people will still believe that Elvis was the most influential, because more people cite him as their main musical influence, everything from rock and pop to punk singers.

Answer 7

I'd say Robert Johnson. Rock n'roll is bigger than folk music in America. He influenced all of the blues musicians and the British bands like Cream, Led Zeppelin, etc.

Answer 8

I wouldn't even put him in the top 10.
John Lennon would be at the top of my list.
I'd rank Stevie Wonder higher than Dylan.

Answer 9

The man is always moaning about something. I stopped listening to him years ago!

Answer 10

i'll say he's in the top ten, he was good, but theres 5 others ahead of him