Favorite Musicians of All Time

[Okita-Kun]

Who are your favorite musicians of all time?

My favorite are (in no particular order)...

Maynard James Keenan (Vocalist for Tool/A Perfect Circle): Excellent songwriter as well as an amazing voice.

Adam Jones (Guitar for Tool): A very lyrically unique guitarist who played some pretty complicated riffs.

Zakk Wylde (Guitar for the Ozzy Osbourne band, Guitar/vocals for Black Label Society, Pride and Glory, as well as his solo albums): As far as I'm concerned, there is only one guitarist that has ever surpassed Zakk Wylde as a guitar player (Jimi Hendrix). Every riff this guy has ever written, from his heaviest riffs (like Hellraiser) to his lighter songs (like Mawma I'm Coming Home) has been no less than amazing. However, it was discovered until more recently that he is also an excellent singer, songwriter, and a decent pianist.

Dave Gilmour (Guitar/Vocalist for Pink Floyd): Another extremelly lyrical guitarist. So much thought goes into everything he plays.

Jimmy Page (Guitar for Led Zeppelin): Very talented guitar player. But my favorite thing about Jimmy Page is when he messes up on an album, he doesn't record over it. He leaves it there. You can hear every mistake Jimmy Page makes.

Amy Lee (Singer/Pianist for Evanescence): An excellent singer and excellent songwriter. Very talented woman. Much more talented than most other musicians these days.

John Bonham (Drums for Led Zeppelin): Wrote the book on rock n' roll drums. Until John came along, no one played as fast or as intracate as he did.

Geezer Butler (Bass for Black Sabbath): Great bass player. Unlike 90% of other rock n' roll/metal bands out there, you can actually hear Geezer's drumming very clearly and it always sounds good. To me, Geezer is the most under rated musician of all time. When you think of Black Sabbath, I bet you always think either Ozzy or Tony (not that I don't love both of them. I love Ozzy more than anyone else in the world), yet the truth is, Geezer laid the foundation for Black Sabbath. A typical Sabbath composition was created by having Geezer write some lyrics and then play some bass licks and everyone else joined in. Not enough people realize this.

Jimi Hendrix (The Jimi Hendrix Experience/Band of Gypsies): Best guitarist ever. This guy turned the entire world upside down with his guitar. I can't think of anyone who can even touch Jimi. Pure genious.

[Masali]

As far as I'm concerned, there is only one guitarist that has ever surpassed Zakk Wylde as a guitar player (Jimi Hendrix).

No, no no no no no no no NO! I am in so much disagreement with this statement it's not even funny. Zakk Wylde is one of the most boring guitar players to listen to. He is in absolute love with the penatonic scale, and he plays little else. He is good at writing heavy riffs, but as far as solo writing is concerned, he lacks flare or anything that sets him apart from a run of the mill wannabe shredder.

John Bonham (Drums for Led Zeppelin): Wrote the book on rock n' roll drums. Until John came along, no one played as fast or as intracate as he did.

Ginger Baker had a very similar style, and came before led Zep really hit the mainstream.

My favorite musicians are as follows:

John Frusciante (Guitar, backup vocals for Red Hot Chili Peppers): Such an inspiring guitar player. After years and years of playing with RHCP he still maintains his unique, and inspiring style. I love listening to him. His chord manipulations, his solos, his harmonics. It's all awesome

Steve Vai (Tons of bands, Solo): When I think to myself "I've never heard that sound made on guitar before!" I think "Steve Vai". Steve Vai can manipulate every part of the guitar to make a unique sound. Coupled with his intricate, complicated and layerd style and the fact that he can write some phrases and riffs that I would've never thought of.

Randy Rhoads (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne): Contrary to popular belief, Eddy Van Halen did not invent or revolutionize shred guitar. Randy Rhoads is, in my opinion, the best 80's shredder. He did so much in 2 short years. Writing TONS of Ozzy Hits ("Crazy Train", "Mr Crowley", "Suicide Solution", "No Bone Movies", "Revelation Mother Earth", "I Don't Know", "Goodbye To Romance", "Believer" and "Diary of a Madman")

Neal Schon (Child Prodigy Guitarist of Santana at 15 years old, Journey): Not only are Journey one of my favorite bands, but they have one of my favorite guitarists. Whether he's Rocking out with Journey, or Shredding it up solo, he's flipping awesome either way.

[Faceless111]

Eric Clapton, how come no one mentions him anymore?

James Maynard Keenan, unique singer and I'm impressed. Did anyone see the video where a fan climbed on stage and Keenan completely took him down?

Gnarls Barkley stands out of modern day musicians because, well, he's not a crappy teenaged "rock" band and he's not a stupid rapper that raps about how "balla" he is.

[Fragile.Dreams]

I'll add Daniel Johns to this list.
He is a music God.
Writes beautiful music.
He's just awesome.
Long live Silverchair.

[Okita-Kun]

Randy Rhoads (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne): Contrary to popular belief, Eddy Van Halen did not invent or revolutionize shred guitar. Randy Rhoads is, in my opinion, the best 80's shredder. He did so much in 2 short years. Writing TONS of Ozzy Hits ("Crazy Train", "Mr Crowley", "Suicide Solution", "No Bone Movies", "Revelation Mother Earth", "I Don't Know", "Goodbye To Romance", "Believer" and "Diary of a Madman

Oh god, I forgot to mention Randy Rhodes. Badself. Incredible guitarist. And I totally agree. Randy pwns Eddie.

No, no no no no no no no NO! I am in so much disagreement with this statement it's not even funny. Zakk Wylde is one of the most boring guitar players to listen to. He is in absolute love with the penatonic scale, and he plays little else. He is good at writing heavy riffs, but as far as solo writing is concerned, he lacks flare or anything that sets him apart from a run of the mill wannabe shredder

Yeah, he does like the pentatonic scale. Most guitarists have a scale that they play more than any others (most of the time it's the blues scale).

Eric Clapton, how come no one mentions him anymore?

Eric Clapton is a good guitarist but I find him to be highly over rated. I think there are thousands of guitarists out there that are just as good if not better. He's good, but not the best in my opinion.

[Daenerys]

His name is James Keenan, Maynard isn't legally his name. :O


Anyway, Social Distortion, The Clash, Circle Jerks, Dead Kennedys.... just to name a few.

[Ami~chan]

Erm...

Yoko Kanno - I have never found a piece of music that she's created that I disliked. I own nearly every cd that has her name on it, and I never tire of listening to them.

John Lennon - It really sucks that he's dead. All the music that was still yet to be made! Well, all the songs he did complete are great. I love both his solo career and his run with the Beatles.

[Okita-Kun]

Anyway, Social Distortion, The Clash, Circle Jerks, Dead Kennedys.... just to name a few

This is a thread for listing your favorite musicians. Not bands.

John Lennon - It really sucks that he's dead. All the music that was still yet to be made! Well, all the songs he did complete are great. I love both his solo career and his run with the Beatles.

Yes. John Lennon is a very talented musician. He is a very good singer, amazing songwriter, guitarist, and pianist. Also, I suggest taking a look at a band called The Diry Mac. They are really good and you'll most likely recognize a great majority if not all musicians that make up the band.

John Lennon (The Beatles/Solo): Rhythm guitar, Vocals
Eric Clapton (Cream/Solo): Lead guitar
Mitch Mitchells (The Jimi Hendrix Experience): Drums
Keith Ricards (The Rolling Stones): Bass
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LAjdRHzH4M8

[Eris]

Anyway, Social Distortion, The Clash, Circle Jerks, Dead Kennedys.... just to name a few.

Dead Kennedys! Yay!

Okita-Kun: Though, bands are groups of musicians.

But if you want to be obstinate, Jello Biafra. This guy is a bleeding genius.

[Aulos]

Vivaldi is my favorite musician. I absolutely love the style of music... and you can't beat The Four Seasons.

[Scarlet Wings]

Everybody from Dream Theater
Frank Zappa
Beethoven
Freddie Mercury

[KG442]

Amy Lee (Singer/Pianist for Evanescence): An excellent singer and excellent songwriter. Very talented woman. Much more talented than most other musicians these days.

Hmmm, methinks you should think about what you type before you post.

*refrains from scolding Okita-Kun*

It's not your fault you're only shown commercial music nowadays... although your ignorance surely shines through there...

Ever tried more underground sounds, such as the likes of Michael Angelo Batio or Tenhi? They both clearly display more talent and thought into writing and playing their music than the singer of Evanescence ever could, very carefully constructed indeed...

If you want better female vocalists, just listen to Doro or the sopranos in Therion and you'll hopefully understand...

[Ichiro Matsuchani]

John Bonham (Drums for Led Zeppelin): Wrote the book on rock n' roll drums. Until John came along, no one played as fast or as intracate as he did.

Wrong.The unknown and numerous drummers for James Brown did that. John Bonham was the one who introduced the "Loud and Fast" concept of drumset playing, which is not a very good way to play. Try looking more into Dave Weckle, Antonio Sanchez; the best drummers still alive.

[-Batman-]

Vanilla Ice
MC Hammer
Eazy-E

Just kidding...Or am I?
Yeah, I am...Or am I?
Yeah...Or...?

But in all seriousness, I don't have a favorite musician, as I'm not very Militant when it comes to music. I just listen to stuff I think is good...Or funny.

[LoneWolf Texan]

Johnny Cash has everyone beat. His range of music and diversity of songs are amazing. He will definently be missed.

[Ryth]

I'm lazy and sleep deprived so I'm going into why I think these guys are great, but here you go.


Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse/Ugly Casanova)
Ian Curtis (Joy Division)
Everyone From Rush
Frank Zappa (Captain Beefheart, The Mothers Of Invention)
Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon/Ambeon/Star One/Stream Of Passion)
Joe Strummer (The 101ers/The Clash/The Mescalaros)
Eric Clapton (....many bands)
Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys, among others)
Everyone from Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (The Mars Volta/At The Drive-In)
Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel and more)
Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
David Grohl (Nirvana)
Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth)
Dimebag Darrel (Pantera, Damageplan)
Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Cricle)
Roger Waters (Pink Floyd)
David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
Rick Wakemen (Yes)
Keith Emerson (Emerson, Lake, And Palmer)
Tonny Iomi (Black Sabbath)
Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
Freddie Mercury (Queen)
John Lennon (The Beatles)
Jimi Hendrix (Various Projects)


Bleh. A lot I know.

[Eris]

Vanilla Ice
MC Hammer
Eazy-E

Just kidding...Or am I?
Yeah, I am...Or am I?
Yeah...Or...?

But in all seriousness, I don't have a favorite musician, as I'm not very Militant when it comes to music. I just listen to stuff I think is good...Or funny.

Music from the early 90's made baby jesus cry.

[Okita-Kun]

Hmmm, methinks you should think about what you type before you post.

*refrains from scolding Okita-Kun*

It's not your fault you're only shown commercial music nowadays... although your ignorance surely shines through there...

Ever tried more underground sounds, such as the likes of Michael Angelo Batio or Tenhi? They both clearly display more talent and thought into writing and playing their music than the singer of Evanescence ever could, very carefully constructed indeed...

If you want better female vocalists, just listen to Doro or the sopranos in Therion and you'll hopefully understand...

I love the way you just assume that I do not know much about the underground because I like Evanescence. I bet my life that I could out debate you in a debate about music any day of the week. By the way, Evanescence is one of the few commerical bands that I listen to since 2000. The fact that you call me ignorant simply because I think Amy Lee is a very talented musician only shows your ignorance.

It's good to be exposed to the underground. I'm a fan of Therion myself. However, saying that something is not good simply because it is mainstream is pathetic. You should be open to any form of music, whether it is new, old, mainstream, underground, rock, country, blues, bluegrass etc.

Just so you guys know, I'm getting a little tired of people telling me I'm wrong for the musicians that are included on my list. It's okay to present me with your opinion but telling me I'm wrong is a sure fire way to piss me off.