Greatest living rock artist?

[newtrix1]

Even people like Brian Eno and David Bowie and Lou Reed had enormous influence on the course of rock music.

For a guy who's got a reputaion as being so influential, Bowie sure does ride the wave of whatever style is popular at the time. Maybe his earlier stuff was innovative, but since the 80's & on he just seems to latch onto the current trend of music and put his own twist on it. He usually does it well, and I still like his stuff, but to be honest, you can't label the guy as "innovative" any longer. He strikes me more like a chameleon than a trendsetter.

[BradH]

...but to be honest, you can't label the guy as "innovative" any longer.

I didn't label any of them as being innovative any longer. I said he HAD enormous influence. Everyone I mentioned is past their prime (except Jack White). But they're living. That was the question: who's the Greatest Living Rock Artist? Not "Who's Doing The Greatest Stuff Today".

Jay, I think you're right about putting "butts in seats" but I don't see any stadium fillers with one whit of innovation about them and I think innovation is highly central to "greatness".

[Troy]

For a guy who's got a reputaion as being so influential, Bowie sure does ride the wave of whatever style is popular at the time. Maybe his earlier stuff was innovative, but since the 80's & on he just seems to latch onto the current trend of music and put his own twist on it. He usually does it well, and I still like his stuff, but to be honest, you can't label the guy as "innovative" any longer. He strikes me more like a chameleon than a trendsetter.

See, I disagree. The thing about Bowie is that he is always there, finger on the pulse of where rock music is right now and where it's going to go next year. Besides, I don't remember seeing "Innovative" in your original question . . .

Jack White . . . he's been making albums for what, 5 years? To be considered "Greatest living" you have to have a long and storied career.

Eno? Eh, no.

Jagger/Richard? Crapton? Much as I dislike these corporate pricks, their hats need to be in the ring.

Townshend? As far as "Rocking" goes, he can eat Dylan for breakfast. Dark Horse at best.

McCartney. *shudder*

I'm really in a "kill rock stars" headspace these days.

[BradH]

Besides, I don't remember seeing "Innovative" in your original question . . .

Jack White . . . he's been making albums for what, 5 years? To be considered "Greatest living" you have to have a long and storied career.

I brought up the issue of innovation. But this is the whole question, isn't it? How do you want to measure these things? Newtrix, you threw Bowie into the mix on the first post so I didn't assume it was because of his current work. And Neil Young to boot! So, obviously we're including past glories here. If not, then sure, we can include Jack White as currently viable. Otherwise we gotta hop in the Wayback Machine and look at huge, long term changes that some artists brought about. And, yeah, I'll include Eno in that anytime, anyday.

[bacchanal]

The thing about Bowie is that he is always there, finger on the pulse of where rock music is right now and where it's going to go next year.

Totally agree. Bowie gave SRV his big break. He knows music through and through.

Young and Bowie are definitely up there in my book because they are always changing and imho they've maintained an honesty and a legitimacy throughout their careers, as opposed to many others who try to keep pretending they're in their 20's.

My current fave as far as hard rock on an arena scale would be Josh Homme. He's got a cool and a poise about him and he does a lot of cool stuff. He's like a Jim Morrison without the high roller/pretty boy routine, and he's got Mark Lanegan on his side.

Speaking of Mark Lanegan...

John Frusciante is also up there for me because he is a cool person and I like his outlook on music and art in general.