Since people love to make their opinions known on this board, here's something to consider. Which artist currently living is the greatest solo artist in American music? Most people would say that Elvis was the greatest solo artist in American music, but he's been dead for over 30 years. Others would say Frank Sinatra, but he's been dead for nearly 15 years. So amongst the living, who stands out?

Bob Dylan: He's considered the greatest singer-songwriter in American history, and a number of artists have covered his work and considered him as a major influence. But his vocals are grating to a lot of people and he would probably be an American Idol reject these days.

Paul McCartney: As a member of the Beatles, he was part of the greatest rock and roll band ever, but his solo work and his work with his own band Wings was uneven at best. Nevertheless, he had huge hits with "Maybe I'm Amazed", "Band on the Run", "Live and Let Die", and "Silly Love Songs".

Bruce Springsteen: He was considered the pied piper of American working-man's rock and roll, often singing about his experiences growing up in New Jersey and epitomizing the trials and tribulations of the working man. "Born To Run" was considered a masterpiece, and "Born In The USA" was his most successful commercial album to date. Plus he put on amazing marathon live concerts. But for the most part, he has eschewed chart success to focus on his own ideas.

Stevie Wonder: One of the original Motown artists, he dazzled the world as Little Stevie Wonder but grew into one of the most prolific soul artists. His "Talking Book" and "Journey Into the Secret Life of Plants" are considered classics. But as synth pop/R&B and later hip-hop became huge, his visibility diminished.

Michael Jackson: He became the King of Pop after the phenomenal sales of his albums "Thriller", "Bad", and "Dangerous", but his "HIStory" album was considered self-indulgent by a lot of critics and the albums "Blood On The Dance Floor" and "Invincible" paled in comparison sales and quality wise to his earlier albums. In addition, he became more well known for his personal life and the shocking allegations of child molestation as well as his love of plastic surgery.

Prince: Since we are on a fansite dedicated to the most famous artist from Minneapolis, much as been known and discussed about him. But is he truly the greatest living solo artist in American music?

Madonna: Much as been said about Madonna and her music, her personality, and her amazing style, but despite her hundreds of millions of albums sold, many say that her actual music is mediocre at best, and that she is only as huge as she is because she came of age during the height of the MTV era.

Mariah Carey: Some would question whether she should even be considered among the greatest living solo artists, but she has sold hundreds of millions of albums and with the release of "Touch My Body", became the solo artist with the most number one singles on the Billboard charts. So obviously a lot of people love her.

So which one of these artists can truly be considered the greatest living solo artist in American music? Or is it someone else entirely different? Discuss.

For me, there is no question. It's Dylan all the way with Prince in a close second. Can't forget Stevie either. The rest

Prince

Stevie

Prince

Prince.

Hell, we already knew who you were going to say.

vainandy said:

Who'z ur pick?

Paul McCartney

Prince
Meshell Ndegeocello
Frank McComb
Stokley
Stevie
Bootsy
Rachael Ferrell
George Duke
Marcus Miller
victor Wooten
[Edited 4/11/08 13:48pm]

Stymie said:

Maybe as a part of The Beatles, but not solo, surely.

I pick Bob Dylan, as he had the biggest influence on so many people. Prince a close second.

The Purple One

Empress said:

Co-sign

Stevie without a doubt IMO

Based on what criteria....

Latest Albums:

Then I say Springsteen and Dylan, both have had very high quality output recently.

By Sum of their work (emphasis placed on early stuff for McC, Stevie, and Prince:

McCartney, Stevie, Prince, Springsteen then Dylan

Best single living musician:
Prince, followed by Stevie, then McCartney. their number of instruments mastered plus vocals are untouchable

Living or Dead...Prince

Dylan


Prince is close already and still has years and years left though.

Imago said:

We actually agree. Wow.

HamsterHuey said:[quote]

Imago said:

I'd say Brian Wilson, for his work with the Beach Boys and his 20 + year solo career. Also, 'Pet Sounds' is virtually a BW solo album, with 'Caroline No' released as a Brian solo single in 1966.

Closely followed by Stevie Wonder (only for his '70s/ late '60s work tho, as he seems to have seriously lost it since then ), Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, BB King and, if he wasn't actually Mexican, Carlos Santana .

Prince was mostly amazing imo from 1980-90 and again from 2001-2002 but, despite his great contributions, imo needs to find his muse again bigtime and stop making these very patchy 'I want to please everybody and still prove I'm down with the kids' records of recent years, and sound like he cares about what he's doing in the studio again. I expect very high standards from that man .

Leonard Cohen
Joni Mitchell

Adding George Clinton to the list

i'm not even really a fan, but in terms of sheer achievement and tenacity:



she's like 1,000 years old and she currently has a hit album that was released on her own indie label. not too shabby.

Cinnie said:

thanks.... co sign

and Charles Aznevour - living legend!.

Stevland Morris

Prince is my personal favorite (out of the above), but he isn't near the top in relevance or influence on our culture. You need to state on what bases we should judge, Huey. Just based on relevance on modern popular culture now, Madonna by far. Especially since music doesn't really matters anymore...

Prince and Stevie
And for the girls...

That's a tough one, really.

Yeah.. Joni Mitchell possibly.. Whitney was on such a role then she got side-tracked..

Dolly is a great choice actually.
[Edited 4/11/08 16:41pm]

Anxiety said:

Far, far greater artist than Madonna or Mariah.

I hate to be a bore, but for me its Princey

Empress said:

Agree completely...gotta love the Midwest