Your Musical Mt. Rushmore

[Kurt]

If you were assigned the task of creating another Mt. Rushmore for musical talent of the 1900's, who would it be?

Your goals are NOT to add your own favorites, but those you feel have had the most impact on the World from a musical point of view. In this case, popularity is a very big issue. Your mission is to try to preserve the images of the people/bands with the greatest impact for future generations and not to enshrine your own favorties.

For those that don't know, Mt. Rushmore is a statue of 4 American presidents carved out of the side of a mountain.

So what four, no more/no less would make up your musical Mt. Rushmore?

Mine:
Frank Sinatra
Elvis
The Beatles
Micheal Jackson

Each of these four above had audiences that loved them and where moved by them in a way I don't feel any others could match.

Your turn...

[Steven Wagenheim]

Kurt. I totally agree with Elvis, The Beatles and Michael Jackson.

I'd have Les Paul on my list because, without him, there would be a lot of
things that we wouldn't have had. And yes, maybe as far as popularity he
wasn't up there, but for somebody who understands what he meant to an
industry, I feel you just can't leave him off.

[TimPhelan]

Miles Davis
Bob Dylan
Bob Marley
Louis Armstrong

[tomw]

As well as many of the great suggestions...in chronological order:

Scott Joplin
Charlie Parker
Berry Gordy
John Lennon (musical *and* social/cultural achievements)
Bowie
Van Halen
Bob Geldof (ok more cultural/geopolitical - but his impact on using music to engender change is unrivalled)
Grandmaster Flash
Peter Gabriel
Madonna
Nirvana
Simon Cowell

Tom

[Michael Motley]

KISS
Ted Nugent
David Lee Roth
Boston.

Kiss because they are THE group that set the standards for a live show. Nobody does it bigger or better than kiss.

Ted Nugent because, well he's ted nugent.

David lee roth embodies what a rock front man should be. Good looking, (in his day) killer voice and a trail of half naked barely legal girls in his wake

And Boston. To me, Boston is the quintessential American rock band. When someone says 'give me an example of a rock song'. the first songs that come to mind are 'Smokin' and 'Long Time'

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Kurt. I totally agree with Elvis, The Beatles and Michael Jackson.

I'd have Les Paul on my list because, without him, there would be a lot of
things that we wouldn't have had. And yes, maybe as far as popularity he
wasn't up there, but for somebody who understands what he meant to an
industry, I feel you just can't leave him off.

Hey Steven...

I agree with the Big 3. Sinatra was the hardest for me to add.

Judging by the other responses, I really didn't ask the question correctly...It should have been PERFORMERS that had the biggest impact on the most fans.

There's no doubt Les Paul had a huge impact, but not really as a performer.

If "contributions" was the criteria, I'd have WC Handy on the list. WC was a black man with a heigh level of education. He went to the deep South and was the first to try to transpose the music of the deep South into written music sheets. At that time, there were no recorders.

If we go on the impact of other musicians, instead of their fans, my list may be:
WC Handy - Considered the "father of the blues", the root of all American music. He was to American music as George Washington was to US history.
Scott Joplin - Helped develope "rag", which later became jazz.
The Carter Family - Generations of pioneers of C/W, hillbilly and bluegrass
Muddy Waters Band - First major band to go electric, the "bridge" between old and new.

I'd have Les Paul #5, just missing out.

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by Kurt

Hey Steven...

I agree with the Big 3. Sinatra was the hardest for me to add.

Judging by the other responses, I really didn't ask the question correctly...It should have been PERFORMERS that had the biggest impact on the most fans.

There's no doubt Les Paul had a huge impact, but not really as a performer.

If "contributions" was the criteria, I'd have WC Handy on the list. WC was a black man with a heigh level of education. He went to the deep South and was the first to try to transpose the music of the deep South into written music sheets. At that time, there were no recorders.

If we go on the impact of other musicians, instead of their fans, my list may be:
WC Handy - Considered the "father of the blues", the root of all American music. He was to American music as George Washington was to US history.
Scott Joplin - Helped develope "rag", which later became jazz.
The Carter Family - Generations of pioneers of C/W, hillbilly and bluegrass
Muddy Waters Band - First major band to go electric, the "bridge" between old and new.

I'd have Les Paul #5, just missing out.

Interesting "contributions" list. It's not something I've given much
thought to on this level. Only reason I even thought of Les Paul was
because without him rock and roll, at least as we know it, wouldn't exist.

That's a hard thing to pass by.

But your list is a tough act to follow indeed. I don't know if they're in
any order but I'd put Muddy Waters just slightly ahead of The Carter
Family...but not by much.

This is like the all stars of American music.

Where would you put Tiny Tim on this list? (only kidding)

[tomw]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Only reason I even thought of Les Paul wasbecause without him rock and roll, at least as we know it, wouldn't exist.

That's a hard thing to pass by.

Hey Steve,

Obviously, I knew about the guitar shape and make, but I didn't realise his impact. Your post lead me to investigate the guy further. Wow! Thanks for pointing me in his direction.

Also, it was fun to see that you brought out one of the old videos. I remember them the first time around. Any plans to do anymore? No joke - I think you're a seriously fascinating character and that, actually, a Wagenheim reality show would be compulsive viewing.

I've been away from the forum a while and you know, without throwing an over-used quote from a Joni Mitchell song at you, in a strange way I've kind of missed the daily doses of all things Wagenheim.



Tom

[Michael Oksa]

I believe in his day, Les Paul WAS known as a performer, and a very POPULAR one at that. It's just that in retrospect he is given more attention for his contributions than his performance. But, he definitely had an impact on audiences, too.

For future generations?

Hmm...

Bob Dylan
The Beatles
Lieber and Stoller - I know they weren't performers, but they go on my Mt. Rushmore. Why? Because I culdn't choose ONE early rock and roller and Mike and Jerry wrote a LOT of early rock and roll hits for many different artists. If it wouldn't be Lieber and Stoller, then I would have list 2 dozen or more artists individually.
Sex Pistols
Maybe Nirvana

My reasoning is that these artists changed EVERYTHING that came AFTER. They CHANGED music. You can listen to just about any song by any artists and tell if it came before or after the people on the list.

Rock on!
Michael

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by tomw

Hey Steve,

Obviously, I knew about the guitar shape and make, but I didn't realise his impact. Your post lead me to investigate the guy further. Wow! Thanks for pointing me in his direction.

Also, it was fun to see that you brought out one of the old videos. I remember them the first time around. Any plans to do anymore? No joke - I think you're a seriously fascinating character and that, actually, a Wagenheim reality show would be compulsive viewing.

I've been away from the forum a while and you know, without throwing an over-used quote from a Joni Mitchell song at you, in a strange way I've kind of missed the daily doses of all things Wagenheim.



Tom

Tom, it's good to have you back. I've mellowed quite a bit since the
old days. I spend most of my time in OT now talking music and stuff.

The daily doses of all things Wagenheim have taken a well deserved break

Permanently.

[Frank Donovan]

If we're talking about musical performers who had the biggest popular impact in the 20th century, I'd nominate:

Sinatra
Elvis
The Beatles
Bob Dylan

A second tier might include:

Michael Jackson
Stevie Wonder
The Rolling Stones
Madonna



Frank

[TimPhelan]

Two great selections there! I almost put Bird in my top four.

Originally Posted by tomw

As well as many of the great suggestions...in chronological order:

Scott Joplin
Charlie Parker

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

I believe in his day, Les Paul WAS known as a performer, and a very POPULAR one at that. It's just that in retrospect he is given more attention for his contributions than his performance. But, he definitely had an impact on audiences, too.

For future generations?

Hmm...

Bob Dylan
The Beatles
Lieber and Stoller - I know they weren't performers, but they go on my Mt. Rushmore. Why? Because I culdn't choose ONE early rock and roller and Mike and Jerry wrote a LOT of early rock and roll hits for many different artists. If it wouldn't be Lieber and Stoller, then I would have list 2 dozen or more artists individually.
Sex Pistols
Maybe Nirvana

My reasoning is that these artists changed EVERYTHING that came AFTER. They CHANGED music. You can listen to just about any song by any artists and tell if it came before or after the people on the list.

Rock on!
Michael

Yep, Les Paul was a great performer and popular. But to say he was as popular a performer as Sinatra, Elvis, The Beatles or Michael is a looooong stretch, or that his fans reacted to him in the same way as my four, I disagree. It's not even close.

And your list only includes "rock", although none of them are pure rock, like a Chuck Berry.

What about jazz, swing, rag, blues, c/w, pop? No other genre of American music belongs on an American Music "Mt. Rushmore?"

[Kurt]

Hey Steven (and All)...

After Les Paul, I'd probably have Ray Charles. To me, American music is all about expression and I believe Ray had the most expressive voice of all time. Ray is one of the very few people that can sing rock, blues, soul, jazz, pop and country...Think about how many artists have crossed over from jazz to country and done both well.

But, his fans never had the fervor of my original 4, which was my original question.

[Michael Oksa]

Originally Posted by Kurt

Yep, Les Paul was a great performer and popular. But to say he was as popular a performer as Sinatra, Elvis, The Beatles or Michael is a looooong stretch, or that his fans reacted to him in the same way as my four, I disagree. It's not even close.

I thought you wanted OUR "Musical Mt. Rushmore". My comments about Paul were to show that he was popular for his recordings. His other contributions were important, so much so that we often forget that he sold lots of records. Tell me...where the heck did I say he was as popular as anyone?

And your list only includes "rock", although none of them are pure rock, like a Chuck Berry.

What about jazz, swing, rag, blues, c/w, pop? No other genre of American music belongs on an American Music "Mt. Rushmore?"

You know, you often start these threads, and then when someone deosn't follow your "rules" you jump all over them - instead of looking at their contribution.

If I knew you were going to CRITICIZE MY answers, I never would have wasted my time answering with my PERSONAL opinion. After all, it's very clear you already have a clear-cut answer in mind.

Sorry for wasting your time.

You asked who would be on MY Musical Mt. Rushmore. I stick by my answers. Like it or not.

I'm sure my response will rub you the wrong way, the truth can do that.

All the,
Michael

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by Michael Motley

KISS

That's it right there. With makeup, of course.

I'm sure Gene is already trying to figure out where they can do this and how big a gift shop they can have.

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

I thought you wanted OUR "Musical Mt. Rushmore". My comments about Paul were to show that he was popular for his recordings. His other contributions were important, so much so that we often forget that he sold lots of records. Tell me...where the heck did I say he was as popular as anyone?

You know, you often start these threads, and then when someone deosn't follow your "rules" you jump all over them - instead of looking at their contribution.

If I knew you were going to CRITICIZE MY answers, I never would have wasted my time answering with my PERSONAL opinion. After all, it's very clear you already have a clear-cut answer in mind.

Sorry for wasting your time.

You asked who would be on MY Musical Mt. Rushmore. I stick by my answers. Like it or not.

I'm sure my response will rub you the wrong way, the truth can do that.

All the,
Michael

Thanks telling me Les Paul was popular and that he sold records. I have a few of them...I even wrote a review on one of these threads that his last album is the best album I've purchased in the last 6-7 years. How about you?

Yes, the starter of the thread gets to set the "rules". If you don't like the rules, don't participate. And I did set basic parameters for the responses. I didn't ask for YOUR favorites, that's too easy. But I didn't word it too well, and said so in a post to Steven.

I didn't comment on you getting it wrong and accepted your choice to continue the conversation:

Try reading my response again, the only thing I "critisized" of your picks were they were all rock and roll:
"And your list only includes "rock", although none of them are pure rock, like a Chuck Berry. What about jazz, swing, rag, blues, c/w, pop? No other genre of American music belongs on an American Music "Mt. Rushmore?"

This isn't a legit question worthy of a friendly discussion? No other genre deserves mention on a Mt. Rushmore of American music? Really?

You have a serious habit of getting personal if anyone even seems to disagree with your opinions. My comments were about your choices, not YOU. You start responding about ME. Note the difference.

I suggest you stop getting personal. This is rule #1 of this forum.

[Michael Oksa]

Well, you are singling me out for mentioning rock and roll only. But look at another post where the selection is even MORE narrow.

I expalined why I chose the artists I chose, and they are not all my favorites, nor did I say they were.

For whatever reason, you feel the need to micromanage every thread you start.

I thought I WAS following your rules.

And I will particiapte in ANY thread I want.

Do I take things too personally? Yeah, sometimes I do. Too much, even for me.

Do you like to argue? Obivously.

Where did I say it wasn't worthy of FRIENDLY discussion? Seriously, where?

Les Paul wasn't even one of my choices, but you were quick to jump on somebody for choosing him. My point was to explain YOUR reasoning was flawed for NOT letting someone else choose him.

Hint: If you really want a friendly discussion, let one develop before you start shooting everyone down.

Maybe I'm the only one who sees it, or maybe I'm the only one who's willing to call you out on it.

Anyway, musical discussions are one of my favorites.

All the best,
Michael

[Kurt]

Michael,

Thanks for keeping the discussion all about me. And I didn't "jump" on any one for mentioning Les Paul. I merely explained why he wasn't on my list, even though he is one of my favorites. And the reason was, he didn't qualify because of the original criteria I set.

I did have him #5 on the other list of mine, geez how critical could I have possibly been for someone else choosing him?

And sometimes ideas are NOT expressly written. Obviously, you would rather get personal about me than discuss why you don't have any other genres on your list. Often, what people do is more important that what they type. You had a choice to change the conversation or continue on getting personal and telling me what's wrong with me. The choice you made is obvious.

I picked you intentionally to see if you were capable of having a legit, decent discussion about music because we had just disagreed on another thead. Asking about other genres was merely an attempt at conversation.

Hey Steven and Anyone who wants to talk about music instead of me...Answer this:

You have to write 4 songs to get into Heaven and they have to be your best effort, revealing as much of your heart and soul as you can. You have to write one of each:
rock
jazz
country
pop

And you can only pick one singer to sing all the songs for you...Who would that singer be?

[HeySal]

The OP said 1900's and I have yet to see any listings from the big band era and I think if you slide back in time a bit that big band era swing had a lot to do with the evolution toward rock and roll. I'm thinking that some of the old greats such as the Dorsey Brothers probably had a major impact on some of the real early rockers.

But then - other than dancing, I'm kind of a moron in this genre, so I could be wrong....just sayin'

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by HeySal

The OP said 1900's and I have yet to see any listings from the big band era and I think if you slide back in time a bit that big band era swing had a lot to do with the evolution toward rock and roll. I'm thinking that some of the old greats such as the Dorsey Brothers probably had a major impact on some of the real early rockers.

But then - other than dancing, I'm kind of a moron in this genre, so I could be wrong....just sayin'

Hi Sal,

I have Sinatra, who I feel could be the singer for Big Band/Swing.

And I agree, the earliest rock, like "Rock around the Clock" was a mixture of blues and Big Band/Swing, with a touch of country (called "hillbilly" back then).

Personally, I like Glenn Miller, Cab Calloway and Benny Goodman.

YouTube - Bill Haley - Rock Around The Clock...

[Patrician]

I would agree with many who said Bob Dylan
I would agree with Nirvana
I would agree Sex Pistols

I would add Jimi Hendrix
I would add John Coltraine
I would add Billie Holliday

Beatles are obvious
Michael Jackson obvious (not my type of music)

Ramones - nobody here would agree with me but I don't care (gabba gabba hay)

Innovators Pink Floyd

Is that 4 yet?



(rules are made to be broken but only if you can get away with it)

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by Kurt

And you can only pick one singer to sing all the songs for you...Who would that singer be?

Alice Cooper.

I mean, come on. Alice Cooper didn't just do "Welcome to my Nightmare," he also covered the "Ubangi Stomp" and "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" - he's a versatile guy, and hardly ever gets credit.

[garyv]

Though some may not like it - You'd have to add Barbra Streisand - the only performer or group to ever have a number one album in 5 seperate decades.

[Michael Oksa]

Alice was one I was thinking of, too, but thought he was too much of a personal favorite to put on the list.

It's scandalous that he's not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

You mention "Ubangi Stomp" from the Lace and Whiskey album...I always got a kick out of "No More Love At Your Convenience", about as close to disco as Alice ever got.

All of his stuff is good, even the commercial flops like Dada, Special Forces, and Zipper Catches Skin. He's got 31 of his CDs in my collection (more than any other artist).

@Kurt - I just thought of two really good ones...

Bill Monroe
Hank Williams

I like them both, and think they are worthy additions to the list.

In general, early rock came from two sources, Western Swing (Bill Haley) and R&B (Little Richard, who I also considered but went with Lieber & Stoller).

Rock on!
Michael

[Patrician]

You have to write 4 songs to get into Heaven and they have to be your best effort, revealing as much of your heart and soul as you can. You have to write one of each:
rock
jazz
country
pop

And you can only pick one singer to sing all the songs for you...Who would that singer be?

I don't think you actually expect me to 'write one of each' and the question is what singer(?)

Dylan

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

Alice was one I was thinking of, too, but thought he was too much of a personal favorite to put on the list.

It's scandalous that he's not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

You mention "Ubangi Stomp" from the Lace and Whiskey album...I always got a kick out of "No More Love At Your Convenience", about as close to disco as Alice ever got.

All of his stuff is good, even the commercial flops like Dada, Special Forces, and Zipper Catches Skin. He's got 31 of his CDs in my collection (more than any other artist).

@Kurt - I just thought of two really good ones...

Bill Monroe
Hank Williams

I like them both, and think they are worthy additions to the list.

In general, early rock came from two sources, Western Swing (Bill Haley) and R&B (Little Richard, who I also considered but went with Lieber & Stoller).

Rock on!
Michael

I strongly considered Hank Williams on my most "influential" list. But I would have chosen Jimmy Rogers, simply because he came first. I ended up really cheating by picking the Carter family, because there's so many of them, but they had a huge impact on that style of music, for a very long time.

As far as rock's roots, "rock" and "roll" are blues terms..."Rockin' and Rollin" is a song written in 1950 by LiL Son Jackson. It's the same song as BB King's later "Rock Me Baby".

Rock and Roll to me is really all of America's music coming together...For the purpose of dancing and getting rid of the blues.

I believe Lieber & Stoller's first major hit was a blues hit, with Big Mama Thorton.

YouTube - HOUND DOG - Willie Mae " BIG MAMA"...

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by Patrician

I don't think you actually expect me to 'write one of each' and the question is what singer(?)

Dylan

No...The question is really for Steven who's a song writer. I left it open if someone else wanted to answer.

My answer would be Ray Charles, followed by Elvis. But there's no way I could write 4 songs, let alone one of each genre.

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

I always got a kick out of "No More Love At Your Convenience", about as close to disco as Alice ever got.

You're forgetting "Gotta Dance" from the Goes to Hell album. That's disco if I ever heard it.

All of his stuff is good, even the commercial flops like Dada, Special Forces, and Zipper Catches Skin. He's got 31 of his CDs in my collection (more than any other artist).

Awesome! I have a few more than that... had 29 when I bought The Last Temptation, and I've bought a few since then: Fistful of Alice, Life and Crimes, Eyes of Alice Cooper, Along Came a Spider... probably a couple more. He covered Jimi Hendrix "Fire" on one of them, can't remember which one though.

I've been known to sit around listening to "Make That Money (Scrooge's Song)" repeatedly when working on IM stuff. And his early work was great... very different, especially the stuff on Easy Action, and "Fields of Regret" has always been a personal favourite.

[madison_avenue]

The Beatles - No1 record sales of all time , still selling . Huge impact worldwide including the USSR: sign of dissidence? A Beatle haircut, a precursor to a cultural revolution in that country.

Frank Sinatra - Greatest singer .

Ali Faker Toure -Greatest blues guitarist of all time. Where it all began, the blues that is. You want to relax? listen to: Niafunke, Red and Green.

Judy Garland - America's biggest world level star, Judy Garland was Americana for millions around the world. If there was singles market available at the time, may have been the biggest seller ever, released 24 albums. who was Michael Jackson's idol ? Yes you've guessed it, can't you see the influence?. Hits include: Over The Rainbow, Americana, enough said.

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by Kurt

Hey Steven and Anyone who wants to talk about music instead of me...Answer this:

You have to write 4 songs to get into Heaven and they have to be your best effort, revealing as much of your heart and soul as you can. You have to write one of each:
rock
jazz
country
pop

And you can only pick one singer to sing all the songs for you...Who would that singer be?

Almost an impossible question to answer because as somebody who has
been writing songs, seriously, for over 25 years and also knowing my
own strengths and weaknesses as a writer, I don't think there is one person
living or dead who I'd trust with me getting into heaven.

You mentioned Ray Charles being so versatile, and he is, but for country,
I'd pick so many who could do country better than Ray. He wasn't the
best singer for each musical genre. That's the problem with trying to
answer this. Nobody is so good, IMO, that they can do it all better than
anybody else. I think even you'd agree with that.

So in this case, I'd probably throw my arms up in the air, pick up the
hotline to hell and ask Lucifer if he has room for one more.

But...to keep in the spirit with the question and do my best to answer it,
knowing I'd probably go to hell anyway, I'd pick Billy Joel.

He truly has done it all. His New York State Of Mind was a Ray Charles
imitation the likes I've never heard. So he's got Jazz nailed.

Rock? We all know Billy can rock "It's Still Rock and Roll To Me" "Captain
Jack" etc.

Country? "Uptown Girl" had a kind of country feel to it. Certainly as
versatile as Billy's voice is, I'd bet he could pull it off.

Pop? Well, that same "Uptown Girl" was certainly pop too. So was his
"Piano Man". Actually, that's probably more Adult Contemporary.

Anyway, Billy Joel would be my choice.

Now, if I could pick one singer for each genre, here would be my choices.

Jazz - Ray Charles
Rock - Freddie Mercury
Country - Johnny Cash
Pop - Paul McCartney

Those 4 people would get me into heaven for sure.

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

But...to keep in the spirit with the question and do my best to answer it, knowing I'd probably go to hell anyway, I'd pick Billy Joel.

Not a bad choice at all; another largely-underrated musician. Hell, the entire album The Stranger was incredible, and 52nd Street has some of my all-time favourites on it.

[Kurt]

My choices would be:

1 Ray Charles

2 Elvis - In his death he's become a cartoon. But in reality, he had a great voice and crossed over into many types of music, pop, rock, country, gospel, blues.

I'd feel comfortable with either singing me into Heaven...It would be my songs I would worry about.

[Michael Oksa]

Originally Posted by CDarklock

You're forgetting "Gotta Dance" from the Goes to Hell album. That's disco if I ever heard it.

Good call. Very disco-ish, with a tinge of funk to it as well.

"Go To Hell" and "I'm The Greatest" from that album are two prime examples of Alice's delicious sense of humor. Of course there are many, many more examples.

Awesome! I have a few more than that... had 29 when I bought The Last Temptation, and I've bought a few since then: Fistful of Alice, Life and Crimes, Eyes of Alice Cooper, Along Came a Spider... probably a couple more. He covered Jimi Hendrix "Fire" on one of them, can't remember which one though.

When I got The Last Temptation, I also picked up the three companion comic books. Life and Crimes is an incredible box set. As far as I know "Fire" was released as a single (A- or B-side) in the UK, and first appeared in the US on Classicks.

I've been known to sit around listening to "Make That Money (Scrooge's Song)" repeatedly when working on IM stuff. And his early work was great... very different, especially the stuff on Easy Action, and "Fields of Regret" has always been a personal favourite.

My all-time favorites by Alice are "Today Muller" and "Sing Low Sweet Cheerio" from Pretties For You. The early stuff is excellent, but not for every taste. I love the syncopation in "Make That Money (Scrooge's Song)", and "Zorro's Ascent" is another good one.

I could go on, and on, and on, and...

He is a very underrated, well-spoken, down-to-earth, golf monster kind of guy.

Sorry, Kurt for the temporary highjacking of the thread.

Rock on!
Michael

[Steven Wagenheim]

To take Kurt's question of who I'd like to sing my songs, if I got into other
genres and sub genres, I'd choose these folks for more specific classifications.

Reggae - Bob Marley
Adult Contemporary Ballad - Celine Dion
Progressive Rock - Greg Lake
Power Pop - John Waite
R&B - Barry White
Heavy Metal - Ozzy Osborne
Disco - Barry Gibb
Gothic Rock - Sharon den Adel (from Within Temptation)
Power Metal - ZP Theart (from Dragonforce)
EMO - Gerard Way (from My Chemical Romance)
Folk Rock - Graham Nash (From Hollies, CSN&Y)
Glam Rock - Brian Connelly (from The Sweet)
New Wave - Benjamin Orr (from The Cars)
Psychedelic Rock - Greg Munford (interesting story behind him)
Rap Rock - The Beastie Boys (who else?)
Punk Rock - Johnny Rotten (from the Sex Pistols)
Southern Rock - Ronnie Van Zant (from Lynyrd Skynyrd)

There's probably more I could think of but this should do for now.

There is a point to the above list. Everybody has their specialty. Some
people just do certain things better than anybody else. And while you
may not agree with the particular picks above for each sub genre, it
would be hard to argue that an all around singer like a Ray Charles could
pull off singing Glam Rock like Brian Connelly of The Sweet could. He just
didn't have the right voice. For generic crossovers such as rock, pop,
jazz and country, sure, Ray could do it all. But when you start digging into
the sub genres that become very, very specialized, you need special
voices.

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

To take Kurt's question of who I'd like to sing my songs, if I got into other
genres and sub genres, I'd choose these folks for more specific classifications.

Reggae - Bob Marley
Adult Contemporary Ballad - Celine Dion
Progressive Rock - Greg Lake
Power Pop - John Waite
R&B - Barry White
Heavy Metal - Ozzy Osborne
Disco - Barry Gibb
Gothic Rock - Sharon den Adel (from Within Temptation)
Power Metal - ZP Theart (from Dragonforce)
EMO - Gerard Way (from My Chemical Romance)
Folk Rock - Graham Nash (From Hollies, CSN&Y)
Glam Rock - Brian Connelly (from The Sweet)
New Wave - Benjamin Orr (from The Cars)
Psychedelic Rock - Greg Munford (interesting story behind him)
Rap Rock - The Beastie Boys (who else?)
Punk Rock - Johnny Rotten (from the Sex Pistols)
Southern Rock - Ronnie Van Zant (from Lynyrd Skynyrd)

There's probably more I could think of but this should do for now.

There is a point to the above list. Everybody has their specialty. Some
people just do certain things better than anybody else. And while you
may not agree with the particular picks above for each sub genre, it
would be hard to argue that an all around singer like a Ray Charles could
pull off singing Glam Rock like Brian Connelly of The Sweet could. He just
didn't have the right voice. For generic crossovers such as rock, pop,
jazz and country, sure, Ray could do it all. But when you start digging into
the sub genres that become very, very specialized, you need special
voices.

I think Elvis could sing virtually all of the above rock niches. I also think Etta James could come close. Tom Jones could also come close.

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by Kurt

I think Elvis could sing virtually all of the above rock niches. I also think Etta James could come close. Tom Jones could also come close.

Sadly, since Elvis is long gone, and since he wasn't even around when
some of these genres came into being, we'll never know for sure.

Yes, he had quite a versatile voice, but one that was easily recognizable.

Would a current day audience "accept" him trying to sing something like.
"You Gotta Fight For Your Right To Party?"

For that matter, I don't think Elvis would even consider doing something so,
um, crude?

It certainly would have been an interesting thing to see where his career
would have gone had he lived. His "Suspicious Minds" is still one of my
favorite songs of all time.

[KimW]

I saw Alice during his Love It To Death Tour. He was definitely a Pioneer back then.

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Sadly, since Elvis is long gone, and since he wasn't even around when
some of these genres came into being, we'll never know for sure.

Yes, he had quite a versatile voice, but one that was easily recognizable.

Would a current day audience "accept" him trying to sing something like.
"You Gotta Fight For Your Right To Party?"

For that matter, I don't think Elvis would even consider doing something so,
um, crude?

It certainly would have been an interesting thing to see where his career
would have gone had he lived. His "Suspicious Minds" is still one of my
favorite songs of all time.

Hey Steven,

I went to a 4th of July party at a friend's house. Trent Carlini was there and we talked about web promo, etc. Trent may be the best Elvis impersonator alive. He won ABC's "The Next Big Thing".

trent carlini elvis impersonator - Google Search

Trent loves all types of music and I believe he could easily sing Beastie Boys, although that's more yelling than singing. Granted, Trent grew up with this music and Elvis didn't.

As far as being accepted - Read the comments from this video:

YouTube - METAL ELVIS - Burning Love / Paranoid -...

YouTube - Metal Elvis - All Shook Up

YouTube - METAL ELVIS - Little Sister / Whom The...

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by Kurt

Hey Steven,

I went to a 4th of July party at a friend's house. Trent Carlini was there and we talked about web promo, etc. Trent may be the best Elvis impersonator alive. He won ABC's "The Next Big Thing".

trent carlini elvis impersonator - Google Search

Trent loves all types of music and I believe he could easily sing Beastie Boys, although that's more yelling than singing. Granted, Trent grew up with this music and Elvis didn't.

As far as being accepted - Read the comments from this video:
YouTube - METAL ELVIS - Burning Love / Paranoid - 2005

YouTube - Metal Elvis - All Shook Up


YouTube - METAL ELVIS - Little Sister / Whom The Bell / Munsters

Okay, I have to admit...that was great. Especially Little Sister. Actually
gave me an idea for a song "Halloween Horror Show".

Yeah, Elvis probably could have done a lot of things he didn't do, but
maybe not in the era when he grew up. Again, this stuff just didn't
exist. It's sad he died so young. I would have loved to have heard him
recording in the 90s. He would have been in his 60s by then but heck, look
at Paul McCartney and Jagger. They're still at it.

Elvis was special.

There aren't a lot of them around..

[John Rogers]

Originally Posted by Patrician

Innovators Pink Floyd

Finally. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one that would include them.

Following Kurt's criteria, I would probably go with his list, but would swap Sinatra for Floyd.

John

[jgand]

Elvis
Chuck Berry
BB King
James Brown

Basically because many people have copied their music or have been greatly influenced by them.

[ConcordeWarrior]

How about Edward Elgar and Erik Satie?