Simple. If there was a list of musical legends in history and how they ranked on how important they are in music, where would P fall in your eyes. Well the first 5 would be pretty easy if you ask me.
1. Elvis Presley
2. The Beatles
3. James Brown
4. The Rolling Stones
5. Ray Charles
That I think most critics and you alike would have the first 5. So where would Prince fall in this. I'm composing the list in my head and I think he would fall at 15. If you want to see my entire list and see why P would be at 15, I'll compose it later after seeing your responses.

If we are talking impact artists then it will differ from pure talent.

On an "Impact" scale relative to the time as well as longevity then maybe Prince would scrape into the Top 20 (in no particular order):

Prince
The Beatles
Elvis Presley
The Rolling Stones
Jimi Hendrix
Bob Dylan
Queen/Freddie Mercury
Michael Jackson
Madonna
U2
James Brown
Aretha Franklin
Ray Charles
Bob Marley
The Who
Pink Floyd
Led Zeppelin
Stevie Wonder
Marvin Gaye
Elton John
David Bowie


But if we were to order the above list when talking about pure unadulterated talent, then he would peak MUCH MUCH higher, and we might discount groups as it should be ranked on an indivdual basis. With that in mind maybe Mozart would be ahead of Prince, and that's about it!! (IMO)

Prince would be no. 1 on my list, I just don't think anyone can compare to Prince and his vast creativity and ability, I just don't!

He'd b #1 on my list as well.No 1 compares 2 Prince.I just didn't wanna b the 1st 2 say it.

Prince is first on my list!

wlcm2thdwn said:

I AGREE...

I see most of you have Prince at no.1. Which is fine and dandy but in reality, most critics wouldn't have P as no.1 as the biggest impact in music history. And we are talking a long history. I think you letting your hearts get in the way with your brain. Remember, no matter who you talk to as far as so called critics, they always have Beatles, James, and Elvis, not necessarily in that order, as the biggest impacts and they place in music. Their names would always be mentioned first. Before Little Richard, before Stevie, before Jimi, before Michael, and yes before Prince. Now Prince would be top 20 maybe top 10 without a doubt. But I'm talking about legends according to their impact in music. Here's my list and you'll see what I'm talking about.
1. Elvis Presley
2. The Beatles
3. James Brown
4. The Rolling Stones
5. Ray Charles
6. Aretha Franklin
7. Jimi Hendrix
8. Little Richard
9. Stevie Wonder
10. Bob Dylan
11. Chuck Berry
12. The Supremes
13. The Temptations
14. Prince
15. Michael Jackson
Michael or Prince could go either way to be honest. But as you can see you really can't argue the fact. Yes, other than Stevie Wonder on this list Prince is the most versatile artist ever. But Prince's impact in music didn't come until the late 70's and a lot of these artist(including James, Richard, and Stevie who he all loves) paved the way for him. So he possibly couldn't jump over the ones who paved the way for him as far as impact on music history. Talent wise there's no comparison so don't confuse the 2.

I think he's totally awesome...so of course I'd want to put him in the #1 slot on my personal list.

However, to be fair to those who came before him, the list would go like this.

The Beatles
Prince
The Beach Boys
Elvis Presley

The Beatles made a HUGE impact on the music industry, so of course I put them at #1... and why no Rolling Stones?

I can't stand them, end of story

My Top 20 Would be

Prince
Bruce Springsteen
David Bowie
Stevie Wonder
Jimi Hendrix
George Clinton and The P Funk Mob
The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
Sly Stone
Kraftwerk
Roxy Music
Van Morrison
Radiohead
U2
Neil Finn (For his work With Spilt Enz, Crowded House and His Solo Stuff)
Brian Eno
Giorgio Moroder
Badly Drawn Boy
Bob Dylan
Beck

Well, I have to agree with an earlier post. You have to differenciate talent and impact. If we're talking impact, I think prince makes the top ten. If we're talking talent, creativity, musical greatness, then I think that he is number one and the rest of the list changes to include the likes of Ellingtion, Miles Davis, probably composers from other countries, etc.
Also the fact that the critics never put prince that high has to do with the fact that they don't put most black artists high. Most of these lists are very white biased. I.E. how could prince be completely left off the greatest guitar player list and relegated to the most underrated player list. Silly.
Also I truly believe that the impact of Prince's music will be felt more and more over time. The fact is that it's still ahead of its time. It still blows the minds of our latest trend setters and it's still influencing them. There isn't much to study about the Beatles music. It's just good quality song writing and heartfelt performances, but Prince is a true innovator musically and people will be studying him as they study Mozart and Bach.

Probably somewhere near the top.

That is, if I ever went thru the trouble of taking the extensive amount of thought & time that is required to a compile such a list (a list with intregrity at least).

And that's time that could be spent here, commiserating on the org.



With all you good people.

//
[Edited 10/11/07 15:22pm]

Prince
Michael Jackson( Yeah I said Michael )
Elvis Presley
The Temptations
Marvin Gaye
The Beatles
Ray Charles
Jimi Hendrix
Stevie Wonder
Quincy Jones
Aretha Franklin
Elton John
Commodores (Lionel Richie)

Let's ignore anyone before 1900:

The Beatles
Robert Johnson--this is questionable, but I don't know his contemporaries' music very well
Ray Charles
Chuck Berry
James Brown
Bob Dylan
Jimi Hendrix
Louis Armstrong
Miles Davis
Duke Ellington
Elvis Presley
Prince

odd that only 1 mention of madonna has been made so far, considering she has made the biggest impact on the industry (entertainment (music)) in the last 25 yrs, strangely also missing is Bob Marley, The doors, Nirvana etc, and least I not forget The Sex pistols.

however, as far as modern music and entertainment is concerned (anything since 1900), only one has it all and i doubt very much there will be another like him.

Elton John

Whitnail said:

ooh yeh, Bob Marley is missing !

Whitnail said:

opps, to clear up any mis understandings, I only mention Elton John as I am not sure what he is doing on any list regarding legends
[Edited 10/11/07 16:27pm]

I'd put Prince along side of Elvis, as far as impact goes....Musicians I don't like to say one was better than the other, because it's just nice to know that all of this wonderful music is around us.

1-Jimi Hendrix
2-Stevie wonder
3-Sly Stone
4-James Brown
5-Prince

wlcm2thdwn said:

That's the way for me to say it.

I would put him near the top of all the legends, that came before him.
He is definitely the #1 legend of our time, at least imo.
There is nobody alive and kicking, that would come anywhere near Prince.
With the exception of maybe, the Stones or Elton John. They both belong into the legend-category as well, imo.

Prince ( In terms of music writting and hits scored)
Freddy Mercury
Steve Wonder
James Brown
Billy Corgan

Sam 8)