Greatest living rock artist?

[newtrix1]

Obviously ludicrous to try and answer, I'm more curious just to see a list of nominees. Last week I was listening to Neil Young's Decade and this week David Bowies greatest hits package. So these two would be my entries to get the rock rolling…..

[Troy]

Ask Bono, he knows.

[kexodusc]

Ronnie
James
Dio


(or at least the artist that does his album covers).

[ForeverAutumn]

Ask Bono, he knows.

LMAO!

[newtrix1]

Ask Bono, he knows.

I'm sure your sarcasm detector was pegged when you posted Bono, but in reality he's a better choice than my noms. I can't imagine another band (worldwide) that could fill a stadium or sell out a show quicker than U2. I'd wager to say that they're the most popular current band in the world, and Mr. Bono is by far the most notable member.

[MasterCylinder]

Sir McCartney..................without question.

[nobody]

Interesting question from the standpoint that the greatest living and the current greatest rock start are not likely the same.

For greatest living, I may be inclined to go with someone like Jerry Lee Lewis...still alive, although pretty much out of the picture (although I've heard rumors of a new record in the works for a couple years now). He's one of rock's founding fathers and had enough attitude and style for forty rock stars to share, all rolled up into one fella. The Killer was the original rock and roll wild man, making even early Elvis Presley look tame.

Unfortunately, most of the really big names are either on the decline by now or off the maps. I mean, while U2 may be the most popular rock band right now, they're hardly at the peak of their powers in my estimation. And, maybe your town is different, but I rarely see a rock band that is popular enough to come through and play the really big venues anymore unless as part of a festival or if they're one of the older past-their-prime acts like the Rolling Stones or something similar. (U2s at the crossroads to me - same with Springsteen) Practically all current rock bands, even those hitting their prime, play small to mid-sized venues, so I can't really place too great value on popularity, although obscurity and rock star aren't exactly complimentary terms.

I might have to say someone like Jack White. He's a highly visable front man for one of the more popular rock bands out there today. The White Stripes are arguably still at or at least not far removed from their creative peak. To me, they have been pretty much setting the standard for modern rock music the past several years. He's a creative force both instrumentally and vocally, as well as the band's songwriter and has showed enourmous range in writing and producing work for others as well, including the fantastic return-to-the-spotlight album from Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose.

If I stretch the definition of rock and go into hip hop or electronic music, maybe I come up with some competition. But, if I'm looking for someone who fits no label other than a rock star, is still performing at his best, has at least enough popularity to garner a decent amount of recognition, isn't on the last legs of a fading career, has consistiently produced quality music, and can just flat out bring the noise...I gotta go with Jack White.

[3-LockBox]

Sting

(aka Dr. Zaccary Smith)

[Resident Loser]

...on your criteria but, Mick Jagger comes to mind...

jimHJJ(...of course, everything is debatable on some level...)

[Bernd]

For me it has to be "Mike Scott". He can lead a band, can pull it off solo, writes outstanding music and lyrics, plays blistering guitar and great piano, sings with a great voice and on top of that is a genuine nice guy. But most of all he loves making music and he follows his believes.

Peace

Bernd

[bobsticks]

I tend to agree with good sir nobody's take on things. Proper rock music, be it based in blues or goth or heavy metal or rap, is defined by a certain level of angst. Certainly all mentioned ( Stones, Bowie, Bono, et al.) have achieved a certain iconic world status. That said, I think we see them because they have become tradition--the norm. From the standpoint of emotional content few remain relevant. Where's Axl? It's hard to write about squalor and despair when you're sitting in the lap of luxury. There is a certain difficulty in scribing the next Welcome to the Jungle and have it come off when your entourage is plying you full of mai- tais. Most of the big acts have become lapdogs for the record labels.

[PAT.P]

Although not on this earth Freddie Mercury "Lives" none so far could replace him and probably never! The man ,the voice ,the entertainer, the greatest!

[musicman1999]

How about Van Morrison,Carlos Santana,and David Gilmour.

bill

[MindGoneHaywire]

Brad puts things in perspective, but I think on a question like this there has to be another factor, whether we like it or not, and that's putting butts in the seats, too.

I say Dylan.

[-Jar-]

What this means to me is an artist who has had a relatively long career and who has consistently been innovative, never resting on their past.

Sir Paul... sure, he did a lot, and yes, he's still alive, but he's been riding that wave since the Mid-70's. I suspect if Lennon had lived, he would have consistently made challenging, innovative music.

Stones.. again, they were amazing early in their career, made a lot of fans, and have been living off those fans ever since. They would get my vote above McCartney.

Brian Wilson? If only he'd not gone "insane" then maybe I'd be able to consider him more. As it stands, he would be close to the top of the list.

Neil Young. I like him for the top spot. I really liked how he's always reaching out to the younger generation (like in the early 90's during his "noise" phase).. And the guy does keep producing quality music.

Bowie. I agree he should be at the top of any list. But, on the other hand, what has he done that's truely innovative since the early 80's? It just seems to me that he's bee more about echoing the trends (ie: his "industrial" phase) than creating the trends..

Peter Gabriel? I'll give it to him that he's managed to make interesting music without being a complete pop sellout.. I'm just not a huge fan so I don't have a great overview of his output.

Sting? Like McCartney, great early phase and a solo phase that's lapsed into easy pop and lounge jazz..

Jimmy Page/Robert Plant. Neither of them have done anything important since Led Zep. Popular, maybe, but not important.

Black Sabbath. Great inventors, poor innovators. Ozzy was extremely important in giving metal a kick up to the next level in the early 80's, but, he wasn't innovative at all after Randy died. I respect the work of Tony Iomi, but really, hasn't he been turning out the same album now for 20some years?

AC/DC - great band, haven't been innovative since the late 70's/early 80's.

I wouldn't arge with the vote for Dylan, even though I'm not a huge fan.

Waters/Gilmour? I dunno.. Floyd were so awesomely good in their early years that it's really hard to think about their careers after. The Gilmour version of Floyd was decent, but not groundbreaking. Waters would be up there on my list.

I guess I'd have to throw my vote to either Dylan or Neil Young. They've remained more relevant than pretty much anyone else that was making music since the 60's.

-jar

[musicman1999]

I would not put a lot of importance to putting butts in seats.Hillary Duff sold out her local show,while Van Morrison may have done 2/3 at best.

bill

[Whooptee]

Neil Young. His new album "Living With War" seals it for me.

John

[shokhead]

McCartney and Dylan just for there song writing but i'd vote for Clapton. He's as good as he ever was.

[rob7]

Hasn't been around as long as some of the previously mentioned artists, but Chris Cornell would at least be an honorable mention. Wasn't into Soundgarden in the early 90s, but I picked up his solo album a few years back, and I thought it was awesome. It wasn't like SG at all, but I thought it was very well written. Then I picked up the Temple of the Dog disc and was very impressed with that as well. Although the last Audioslave disc was not as dynamic (IMO) as the first, his music and writing is always interesting and never stale (IMO).

[J*E*Cole]

I think I'm only the 2nd person to say so, but David Gilmour I think is underestimated as a musician and when you consider all that he's done for rock music, and guitarmanship, if you will, I think he's a standout, whether you like PF or not, also:

Bono, if he does say so himself,
Roger Waters, copy Gilmour,
but here's where I may get into trouble by nominating
TOOL artist Maynard James Keenan, though relative newcomer compared to the above, turns out some of the most amazing music on the planet, along with his little side project, A Perfect Circle, whom I like even better than TOOL, though in many respects sound alot alike. With another studio album from TOOL due out this month, and no sign of slowing down, I can imagine their future impact and longevity in the biz, and history will prove this to be true.

Happy listening...

[3db]

Three greatest living: Wow,, Thats a toughy

a.) Alice Cooper.... Everything that came up after him was a weak clone.
b.) Jon Anderson from Yes. need to say no more on that.
c.) Peter Gabriel