I have to disagree on BB. While he might be third on my list of the Kings, he's still extremely talented in his own right and hugely influential to his genre. I'd bet every blues guitarist on the planet incorporates a lick or two from him, not unlike rock guys with Jimi.

 

I also think Billy Gibbons is an underrated guitarist. He does some quirky things that are a little out of the box, and he makes everything just sound so cool.

 

You're doing a better job of saying what I wanted to say.

 

To me, King's prominence is due to him being an accomplished guitarist and his dedication to his genre. I agree with you that there probably aren't a lot of bluesmen out there who don't throw out a King lick at some point. I was merely trying to state that he was more influential and popular than he was talented; not that he is not talented, but that his influence is the greater piece.

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I'm trying to make myself more informed and less opinionated.

Stop saying whatever stupid thing you're talking about and pay attention to all the interesting things I have to say!

This is what I'm talking about NYC! Interesting insight... is a chromatic harmonica a "regular" harmonica? Never knew there was different types.

Ever notice guys switching harmonicas on stage?  Or wearing one of those ammo-belt thingys with several harps tucked in?  They are all pitched in specific keys.  (diatonic)

 

The chromatic harmonica can play in all keys and is much, much more difficult to master.  (There are hybrids out there as well - diatonic harmonicas with extended range and ability to play some non-diatonic notes)

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So much talent, so much idiocy..

 

In football terms, he's the "effort guy."

 

He can't even play drums well.

 

He just throws so much crap at the wall, some of the ideas actually stick.  He's unconventional because he never learned convention.  That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is what it is.

 

bass drum chops on "one" - accidental brilliance

open snare on St Anger - lazy, yet typical of the bottom end of his attempted "innovations"

 

What he was best at, is psychologically badgering his bandmates (Hetfield specifically who he bullies, if you've seen their documentary) into giving him choreography credits and probably a majority control of the band.  His dad was loaded and had brought him to the USA in hopes of making Lars a pro tennis player.  His obsessiveness is what has driven the band for better and worse.

 

He's like a much less talented Eddie Van Halen.  I credit Hetfield and Hammett for keeping it together this long.  They sure have put up with their share.  If Lars had a brother in the band, he'd have enough bullly power to have turned them into Van Halen.  One could argue he already has, but maybe it's just lucky they were able to find laid back guys (Hammett, Trujillo) who can put up with Lars drama.

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"You do your own thing in your own time. You should be proud."

Ever notice guys switching harmonicas on stage?  Or wearing one of those ammo-belt thingys with several harps tucked in?  They are all pitched in specific keys.  (diatonic)

 

The chromatic harmonica can play in all keys and is much, much more difficult to master.  (There are hybrids out there as well - diatonic harmonicas with extended range and ability to play some non-diatonic notes)

 

This was the only type of harmonica I was aware of. I have one in G that I play very very badly haha. 

 

Thanks for the info, I might have to check out some chromatic harmonica playing. Can you tell a difference just casually listening?

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You're doing a better job of saying what I wanted to say.

 

To me, King's prominence is due to him being an accomplished guitarist and his dedication to his genre. I agree with you that there probably aren't a lot of bluesmen out there who don't throw out a King lick at some point. I was merely trying to state that he was more influential and popular than he was talented; not that he is not talented, but that his influence is the greater piece.

 

I think we're in agreement here.

 

To put it in a football perspective, he doesn't beat you with speed or great technical skill, he wins with phrasing and feel.

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In football terms, he's the "effort guy."

 

He can't even play drums well.

 

He just throws so much crap at the wall, some of the ideas actually stick.  He's unconventional because he never learned convention.  That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is what it is.

 

bass drum chops on "one" - accidental brilliance

open snare on St Anger - lazy, yet typical of the bottom end of his attempted "innovations"

 

What he was best at, is psychologically badgering his bandmates (Hetfield specifically who he bullies, if you've seen their documentary) into giving him choreography credits and probably a majority control of the band.  His dad was loaded and had brought him to the USA in hopes of making Lars a pro tennis player.  His obsessiveness is what has driven the band for better and worse.

 

He's like a much less talented Eddie Van Halen.  I credit Hetfield and Hammett for keeping it together this long.  They sure have put up with their share.  If Lars had a brother in the band, he'd have enough bullly power to have turned them into Van Halen.  One could argue he already has, but maybe it's just lucky they were able to find laid back guys (Hammett, Trujillo) who can put up with Lars drama.

 

Good info. Kinda funny when you think about the drummer being "that" guy.

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Johnny Cash was an absolutely amazing talent.  Listen to the stuff he did toward the end of his life, and the guy never let up.  I watched an biographic on him a couple of months ago.  After June Carter Cash passed away, he gave it about a week of mourning before getting back into the studio. 

 

The stuff he did with Rick Rubin was incredible.  I remember being skeptical about that collaboration when it was publicized, but Rubin got more out of Cash than anyone else before him.

 

his end of life stuff was the best, the way he did Nine Inch Nails "Hurt" and then "Gods gonna cut you down" I can just listen to those on loop over and over again.

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I think we're in agreement here.

 

To put it in a football perspective, he doesn't beat you with speed or great technical skill, he wins with phrasing and feel.

 

I like that a lot!

 

As for Gibbons, I feel like the rank and file music listeners aren't all that aware of just how good of a guitarist Gibbons is. It seems like there is this perception that ZZ Top is that red Ford, chicks in short-shorts and wacky videos. He's so much more than that, but straight blues guitarin' ain't gonna get you diamond records.

 

Gibbons is really, really good at what he does but he's willing to get all showy if it will pay the bills.

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I'm trying to make myself more informed and less opinionated.

Stop saying whatever stupid thing you're talking about and pay attention to all the interesting things I have to say!

Oh, lol, Ooops. Thought it was just top 10, just saw where you said American.... 

 

Sorry. 

 

 

Elvis still doesn't belong!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT a musician!!!!

 

Maybe OP meant Top 10 American musical entertainers of all time including those who only sing songs, including songs written by other song writers or performers.

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I survived the Gus Bradley Error.

This was the only type of harmonica I was aware of. I have one in G that I play very very badly haha. 

 

Thanks for the info, I might have to check out some chromatic harmonica playing. Can you tell a difference just casually listening?

Check out stevie here playing Bacharach's theme from Alfie as if he were playing violin, trumpet, saxophone etc.... (instruments that can play 12 distinct  tones in each octave - a diatonic harp cannot)  Starts at 1:27ish

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZyB8PPDDAA

 

 

 

Playing a melody like that on a diatonic harp would require 4 or 5 harps and sometimes a switch in mid phrase and back again.  It's a radically different discipline IMO. 

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I think we're in agreement here.

 

To put it in a football perspective, he doesn't beat you with speed or great technical skill, he wins with phrasing and feel.

 

Theres lots of examples like that though.....and its not a bad thing, either. 

 

Similar stuff is said about Slash. 

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I'd highly doubt that. 

 

Geoff Tate of Queensryche actually has (or had) that sort of range and Mr monotone Presley sounds like he's nothing close to capable of that. 

 

You are hilarious. You obviously know very little about Elvis Presley, especially his musicianship. He was indeed an accomplished pianist and a singer with a wide vocal range. And yet, here you are, spewing nonsense as if you were an expert. Keep it up, the deeper the hole you dig for yourself, the more entertaining it is for the rest of us.

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If something can corrupt you, you're corrupted already.
- Bob Marley


 

You are hilarious. You obviously know very little about Elvis Presley, especially his musicianship. He was indeed an accomplished pianist and a singer with a wide vocal range. And yet, here you are, spewing nonsense as if you were an expert. Keep it up, the deeper the hole you dig for yourself, the more entertaining it is for the rest of us.

Entertaining? It stopped being entertaining a while ago.

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I'm trying to make myself more informed and less opinionated.

Stop saying whatever stupid thing you're talking about and pay attention to all the interesting things I have to say!

Entertaining? It stopped being entertaining a while ago.

 

I live alone in the middle of nowhere. I'll take my chuckles any way I can get them.

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If something can corrupt you, you're corrupted already.
- Bob Marley


 

 

<div> 
Thats because Metallica are overrated. Musically speaking, of course. 
 
James Hetfield, top 10 frontman in rock history? Hmmm, I dunno about that. 
 
Morrison
Plant
Tyler
Mick Jagger
Bon Jovi (love him or hate him, great front man)
Roger Daltrey
McCartney/ Lennon (choose 1, both better frontmen than Hetfield) 
David Lee Roth
Ozzy
Freddie Mercury
 
 
Theres 10 better right off the drop of a hat
 
 
Hell,  KIp Winger and Bret Michaels are better frontmen than Hetfield, Michaels' having very little musical talent. 

 

I'd also list Chris Cornell of Soundgarden above Hetfield. Cobain too. 

 

</div>

 

All a matter of opinion and as usual, yours is wrong.

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Since this list is dependent upon personal tastes I think the true measure of how good a MUSICIAN is can best be gauged by how many of his/her works were recorded by peers. If people in the industry are so impressed by a creation that they want to record it too and send royalties to the original songwriter then it's a good endorsement of the quality.

 

Regards...............the Chiefjag

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I live alone in the middle of nowhere. I'll take my chuckles any way I can get them.

I get that... I guess, but there are better ways for me to spend my time.

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I'm trying to make myself more informed and less opinionated.

Stop saying whatever stupid thing you're talking about and pay attention to all the interesting things I have to say!

Grateful Dead

Crosby Stills Nash and Young

Buffalo Springfield

Jimi Hendrix

Jefferson Airplane

 

OK, I can only name 5, so what.........

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You are hilarious. You obviously know very little about Elvis Presley, especially his musicianship. He was indeed an accomplished pianist and a singer with a wide vocal range. And yet, here you are, spewing nonsense as if you were an expert. Keep it up, the deeper the hole you dig for yourself, the more entertaining it is for the rest of us.

 

If it 'ain't Jersey, it sucks.

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"You do your own thing in your own time. You should be proud."

Check out stevie here playing Bacharach's theme from Alfie as if he were playing violin, trumpet, saxophone etc.... (instruments that can play 12 distinct  tones in each octave - a diatonic harp cannot)  Starts at 1:27ish

 

Playing a melody like that on a diatonic harp would require 4 or 5 harps and sometimes a switch in mid phrase and back again.  It's a radically different discipline IMO. 

 

Thanks NYC, I learned something new. I'll have to give it a listen later -- I'm not allowed sound in the office. 

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