The Best Bands and Artists of the Rock Era 1954-2008

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when rock music began. Some people think that Ike Turner's Rocket 88 released in 1951 marks the first rock record. Although, the majority of people appear to favour the release of Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and the Comets released in April 1954 as rock music's first record. This was followed shortly after in July by That's Alright My Mama by Elvis. Bill Haley may have had the first rock record but Elvis was rock's first star.

At 54 years rock music is a comparatively young art form but it has been one of the world's most successful generating huge revenues and success for its participants Perhaps only the film industry has had an equivalent impact but it is almost twice as old. However, alone amongst all the arts rock music has not only reflected social changes but has initiated them.

But like all art forms, rock music has had artists who have bad, good and amazingly exceptional. Classical music has its Mozart, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky but who are the equivalents in rock music? Such attempts have commonly led to many an argument and it must be admitted never ever be finalized. However, the list given below is a personal attempt, amongst many, to determine the best bands and artists of the rock era 1954-2008. There is no reference to a particular top ten or with regard to some limiting number it's just the best of the best.

The basic criteria for choosing an artist or band was originality (obviously), brilliant superb music (obviously) but most of all with a minimum of four classic albums. However, this rather begs the question as to what constitutes a classic album and who decides? A classic album can be said to be a very high quality album but this then becomes a tautology as a very high quality album is a classic album. But a classic album also has a defining quality to it and the band or artist often becomes synonymous with the album, for example Sgt. Peppers and The Beatles, Harvest and Neil Young, Ziggy Stardust and Dave Bowie, Dark Side of the Moon and Pink Floyd and so on. Greatest hits are usually not defining albums and are rarely regarded as classic. Many artists will release several compilation albums in their career and I'm sure The Rolling Stones and The Who have forgotten exactly how many greatest hits albums they have actually released. Live albums are often not defining albums either and therefore not classic although exceptions to this would include Live/Dead and The Who Live at Leeds. Live albums are also often excuses to release a greatest hits album but in a different form or are sometime holding operations keeping the band in the public eye before the next release or even becomes the bands only release. The Who have now released more live albums than studio ones and in the bleak years of 1980 and 2006 where they released no new studio material the live album became their only source of released material.

Overall the main aspect of a classic album is the overwhelming gravitas of the music. It is possible to recognize a classic album but without the ability to fully define it. It is likely that with a modicum of listening skills and some knowledge of rock's history to distinguish between the ordinary and the special.

It is not possible to measure artistic merit but all the arts have a vague consensus opinion. For example, Mozart is probably regarded as the greatest ever classical composer whilst a man called Bert who lived across the road from him and who remains unheard is most definitely not. Further to this if someone was to say that not only is Mozart no good but that Bert was classical music's greatest composer than it would be apparent that this person's sanity may be suspect or that may be he knows nothing about classical music. The same consensus viewpoint also exists in rock music. For example the overwhelming consensus view is that Bob Dylan is a better songwriter than John Denver and that Joni Mitchell made better albums than Madonna and that it might just be possible that Pink Floyd are better than Duran Duran.

The consensus viewpoint also exists with regard to an artists own work. No one has ever suggested that Bob Dylan's 1970 album Self Portrait is his best and for most people this album represents a definite drop in quality control. Whilst the consensus viewpoint does view Blonde on Blonde as probably his best work. Also, Who's Next is always regarded more highly than Face Dances, the later is probably being the worst album The Who ever released except perhaps it's follow up, It's Hard. This is the same for all artists. There is a generalized agreement over what an artists' best work is and what is just plain rubbish.

Every few years there appears a new crop of bands some of whom sell a few albums, do a few successful tours and are generally talked about. Then they break up shortly afterwards and are usually forgotten. It is highly unlikely that Razorlight, for example, will ever be remembered in 20 years time or that anyone will ever congregate in some rainy field in some distant future time to watch some pointless reunion. This once again is the consensus viewpoint in action. There is a rule of thumb here in that good music is passed around, its recognized and most of all it is remembered. This is why bands like The Rolling Stones can tour make a fortune and play to several million people without having released a semi-decent album in over 20 years. It's their early work with songs now over 30 years old for which they are most remembered and what people pay to hear. In the end in 20 year's time who will remember The Snow Patrol?

The main criterion of this list, based on four classic albums, is expedient for the simple reason that it is harder to make four classic albums than one. It takes more talent, more ability and more focus to make four great albums than one which therefore makes these artists the best. However, there are many artists who have made only the one classic album and these could include Carole King (Tapestry), Meatloaf (Bat Out of Hell), John Martyn ( Solid Air), Laura Nyro (Christmas and the Beads of Sweat), Love (Forever Changes), U2 (Joshua Tree), Prince (Sign O'the Times) and The Beach Boys (Pet Sounds). To make four classic albums and not just one requires an extra layer of talent that perhaps these commendable artists do not possess.

It must also be remembered that when rock first emerged albums were not the complete artistic statements that we know and love today. They were mainly just collections of a few 'A' sides with lots of filler. The first true albums were probably Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963) and With the Beatles (1963). Albums as proper albums did not regularly appear until 1965 and it wasn't until 1969 that albums sold more than singles. Also, bands such as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd (1968-1979) publicly rejected singles and focused on albums only. Although, what is more likely is that these bands lacked the specific talent to write a good single.

Quite clearly Bob Dylan and the Beatles qualify for this list as both produced classic albums in excess of the minimum requirement of four. Although interestingly the Rolling Stones only produced four classic albums but these are of such high quality combined with 30 or so classic songs that their position is second only to Dylan and The Beatles.

Here is the list below, the first three are in order the rest are not:

Bob Dylan

The Beatles

The Rolling Stones

The Who

Pink Floyd

Dave Bowie

Paul Simon

Joni Mitchell

Elvis

Chuck Berry

Led Zeppelin

The Doors

CCR

Neil Young

Rod Stewart

Roy Harper

The Grateful Dead

Cat Stevens

Leonard Cohen

What is perhaps of interest is who do not qualify for inclusion. John Lennon was the founding member of The Beatles and often regarded as the most original talent in the band. However, as a solo artist his output was often erratic and poor. He made nine solo albums, but only two could be said to be classic, a further two can be described as reasonable but the rest range from the banal to the plain awful. Then there is his erstwhile ex-partner Paul McCartney, whose solo output has perhaps been wrongly dismissed and ridiculed. In the last ten years he has had something of a reemergence with all five of his last albums being excellent. Then there were five very good albums from the 1970's, an Unplugged and various singles etc, this is quite a cannon of work. But are any of them classic? Actually probably not, may be he forget to press the kudos/meaningful button on the mixing desk.

Another artist in a similar vein to McCartney is Van Morrison. With a career spanning over 40 years he has produced a whole host of excellent albums, but once again very few can be regarded as classic with may be only Astral Weeks qualifying. Therefore, he can not be included on the list. It must also be commented on that many artists and bands have made a very good living and have not produced a single classic album; these could include such luminaries as Elton John, Queen, Genesis and The Kinks.

What is interesting concerning this list is the complete absence of artists and bands from the 1980's onwards. Rocks golden heyday was most likely from 1966 to 1975, whilst some people put rock's artistic ending later some place it earlier but most certainly by the 1980's it was all over. There were of course many fine bands from the 1980's such as U2, REM, Nirvana and Prince. Whilst they produced quality albums none made over four that could be called classic. Oasis, who arrived in the 1990's, produced two great albums but that was it and sadly as soon as they found fame and glory their creative well dried.

However, there are two artists on the list not limited to the four album rule; Elvis and Chuck Berry. Elvis never really made a proper album until the late 1960's, but his overall cannon of classic work runs to more than four albums worth. His early work is especially good with great stirring strident songs nicely produced with a good sound, especially the way the piano tracks the bass, and of course those brilliant peerless vocals. Elvis was a great singer it was like he could sing anything even opera. He may even be rock's greatest singer. When John Lennon met Elvis in the 1960's he told him "Before you there was nothing" and he was right. But Elvis ate himself to death in a form of slow suicide, he wasn't rock's first casualty but he was rock's first star who became a casualty. Elvis had a lot of money and power in his life but not the sort of power that could give him peace. I think he had a sad life.

First there was Elvis then there was Chuck Berry. Also, he didn't do proper albums either and only made about 20 superb songs but what brilliant songs they were, the absolute combination of great tunes with brilliant lyrics and brilliant original guitar playing. He was the first rock poet and presaged what was to come with artists writing all their own material. Elvis may have been rock's first star but Chuck Berry was rock's first artist. All bands and artists owe Chuck Berry him a huge debt. He has to be included.

However, for some Rod Stewart may be a strange choice and some people love him and some people loath him. But he's done a whole host of great albums, probably 16 high quality albums with at least six being classics. Also, he's had a career for 40 years and it is impossible to have a career for that length of time if you are no good. Some bands and artists can get away with a career for 3-4 years with clever marketing but not for 40 years. His first six solo albums are brilliant. Of these his first two albums show his more folky side with plenty of mandolins, acoustic guitars, pianos, double basses and the odd violin, really quite wonderful stuff. The use of such instruments continued in some form or other for his next more rocky albums. One of Rod Stewarts hallmarks has been his very tasteful arrangement of songs. What's often also forgotten is what a great songwriter he is with credits on over 30 brilliant songs. However, by 1978 it was all over and he slid into the 1980's making a whole series of dreadful albums. The 1980's was not only a graveyard for many a career but for the whole of rock music in general and it hasn't really recovered since. Although, in the 1990's he produced four very good albums but I suppose we can't expect any more from him.

Leonard Cohen is interesting in many different ways, for example he is probably the only major artist never to produce a bad album. Usually all you have to do is wait and your most fave rave artists will produce a real stinker. The creative well is only so deep. In 1984 he went to see the head of CBS prior to the release of his Various Positions album and the man said; "Leonard, we know you are great, but are you any good?" Anyway the boss of CBS limited the said album to a European release only. But he has to be on this list he is so good, so strong, so real and he says it as it is.

However, Cat Stevens must be the strangest choice here. He had a pop career from 66-67 with big arrangement sounding songs that were actually very good. Then he contracted TB and was ill for about 18 months after which he returned with this wonderful paired down sound and some lovely gentle elegant songs. He made four classic brilliant albums and then descended into making hotel lobby music. But those four albums ensure he makes the list.

The Beatles never made hotel lift music but they did produce three weak albums and perhaps it is pertinent to briefly assess their work. They had a recording career of little over six years in which they produced 11 studio albums. But that isn't quite right, the Beatles Double album has 30 songs on it and therefore in some ways it is a triple album, then there are there are the 16 A side's not on albums, and the 20 or so B sides EPs etc. In the end the Beatles made more like 14-15 albums in their very brief recording career and of such amazing high quality. This is a stunning collection of work and made in such a short period of time. Their three weak albums are to be found in the first five albums that they made between 1963 and 1965. This is five albums in slightly over 2 years, a huge work rate, how many bands do that today?

Of these first five albums two can be regarded as classic; With the Beatles and a Hard Days Night. The last one was completely self penned the first of its kind, there were so many first's with the Beatles. The remaining three of this era were the weak albums previously referred to; Please Please Me, Beatles for Sale and Help. But even so these albums still contained classic songs e.g. Yesterday, Help, Twist and Shout, Baby Its You and No Reply. It's just that such songs were surrounded by weaker material. However, if the band had only released two albums in the first two years of their career then no one could have claimed they had been short changed. These three albums, although weak, can be perhaps regarded as extra. There will never be a band like The Beatles again that's for sure.

Artists and bands that didn't quite make the list could include Joan Baez, Roxy Music, Free and Fairport Convention. However, as aside just look at the two guitarists of the last two bands here: Paul Kossof and Richard Thompson, two of the absolute greats of the guitar, magnificent players. The only brilliant guitarist to emerge in the last 10-15 years has been Slash, it's a shame that he has not had a band equivalent to his most amazing talents. However, to be fair excellent players from the 1980's must include Prince, Johnny Marr and The Edge.

The instrument of rock music is the electric guitar and the amalgamation of electronic amplification and the guitar was essential for rock music to occur. Rock music was therefore not only a cultural development but a technological one as well. But just look at the superb guitar players found in the bands and artists on my list, they include in no special order; George Harrison, Paul McCartney (he played many stunning leads on several Beatle songs), Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Chuck Berry, John Fogerty, Neil Young, Robbie Kreiger, Jimmy Page, Dave Gilmore, Jerry Garcia, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Pete Townsend, Roy Harper and of course the wonderful Scotty Moore. Keith Richard once said "At school everyone wanted to be Elvis, I wanted to be Scotty Moore", that says it all really.

The link below is a good enough guide for possible other bands and artists to be included in this very personal list. There you have it yet another rock n'roll list amongst so many, may be the Arctic Monkeys or the Kaiser Chiefs should have been included after all.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_Greatest_Artists_of_Rock_N%27_Roll