The best artist who ever lived?

[OKCATHY1]

I would like to hear your guys opinion. Who was the greatest and best artist there ever lived?. I think, that the best artist who ever lived, was the King of Rock and roll. Elvis Aaron Presley. - Simply the most talented man there ever lived.

Who do you think deserve this title.

[aalina387]

I think you are right one and only one talented man Elvis Aaron Presley...Really deserves this title.

[Tiggi]

I'm going to disagree strongly here.

Elvis profitted from music pioneered by the likes of Chuck Berry, & Little Richard, who didn't achieve the same levels of success because their skin was the wrong colour. For a while he was certainly a brilliant performer, but for me didn't do much of worth after his spell in the US army.

Lots of dodgy decisions about his participation in trashy movies did nothing to help, and he wrote little or none of his own material.

He did have an amazing voice though...

For me it would have to be Bob Dylan. Although he's also had his rubbish phases, he revolutionised what a popular musician could achieve. It's all in the song-writing for me.

[Jerome]

Don't think there is such a thing as a best individual artist - too broad a statement to say one single person is better than the rest. I will pass on this one.

[gryphon]

In his short tragic way..................I think Nick Drake had it all ..............one of the most moving song writers...........a wonderful guitar player ............and such a fragile human being................he was like a great poet or painter and sadly snuffed out without ever knowing that he was loved !

[Music Head]

damn!

[bjgeiger]

Woody Guthrie would in the running for this title.

[CRAZY-HORSE]

I'm going to disagree strongly here.

Elvis profitted from music pioneered by the likes of Chuck Berry, & Little Richard, who didn't achieve the same levels of success because their skin was the wrong colour. For a while he was certainly a brilliant performer, but for me didn't do much of worth after his spell in the US army.

Lots of dodgy decisions about his participation in trashy movies did nothing to help, and he wrote little or none of his own material.

He did have an amazing voice though...

i agree with most of what you have written Tiggi,
however Elvis grew up with "black" music and it was part of him from a very early age as was the growing up in extreme peverty, IMO his early music helped pave the way for "black" artists to get recognised.
also, he had an "olive complexion" due to the fact that he was of mixed race...he was part american Indian,part Scottish.

and Yes!,
there were some aweful decisions made for him by Tom Parker for whom he was a slave to, the only time he stood up to Parker was around 1968ish when he told him he would not be appearing in any more movies when his contract expired...as he just married Priscilla at the time my guess is she encouraged him to say and do what he wanted(very astute is Priscilla!)

from memory he only co-wrote a handful of tracks..including Love Me Tender and All Shook Up.

now, my opinion on Elvis being the 'best individual artist'....the answer is "NO", although he played piano and guitar he was primarily a vocalist and that discounts him IMO.

[CRAZY-HORSE]

i think Jerome hit it on the head...its such a broad statement to make.

however,
Stevie Wonder comes straight to mind as a very talented artist, he sings,writes,plays just about any instrument,produces and engineers music...
it dont come more 'complete' than that.

[SteveO]

I hate the word "BEST " when applied to music or the arts in general for that matter. It is a subjective choice and I have many favorite music makers !!!

In the early sixties James Paul of Liverpool and his mate John Winston ignited a then stale rock n' roll music scene with originality, endearing pop songs, unique rock songs and tender ballads ! The duo wrote some of the greatest songs of the twentieth century ! James Paul and John Winston parted ways in 1970 to embark on solo careers. James Paul continued song writing and performing his own material as well as the songs he wrote as a Beatle...Yesterday for example, is definitely a solo ballad by Paul without the other three lads.
He plays the bass guitar, electric/acoustic guitar and piano proficiently. His live concerts are a memorable three hour journey into the anthology of the greatest popular music group in history ! ( in this case popular refers to the fact that their music is globally recognized by the general populus.... thus it's "popular"). He continues to write music today, both pop, rock and classical music compositions. His recording career has spanned nearly 50 years !!!!!

However having said that, Bobby Zimmerman from Hibbing, Minnesota...an introverted little shy Jewish boy....fell in love with Woody Guthrie and set off for Greenwich Village. He exploded the world into a frenzy with protest songs, songs that sung out human injustices, a rebel in the truest sense!!!

In order to qualify for the "best" , the following criteria should be acheved:

1. Originality
2. Song writing
3. Playing an instrument decently
4. Singing your own songs
5. Longevity
6. Memorable live performances for the FANS !!!!! ..the ones who put money in their pocket !!!!

What music artist,if any, passes the grade on these six points ???? Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Paul Weller, etc.????....my nominee is Sir James Paul McCartney ... but tomorrow it may be Bob Dylan as music is a personal choice !!!!

I have seen Macca and Dylan in concert and Macca wins hands down !!!... I'll use this fact as a so called tie breaker.