Most important people in musical history

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JCS123

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Boy, this is a discussion that I re-visit regularly with a good friend of mine, pondering who are some of the most important people in musical history. It is so hard to narrow this down based on time frame, genre, style, historical context, and countless other facets. So let's just concentrate on who we consider some of the most important and influential people in history. The following would be on MY list. Curious about who would be on YOUR list. ***Please, let's not cut down or disparage other people's opinions. Thank you.

Louis Armstrong
Hank Williams
Bob Dylan
J.S. Bach
Jimi Hendrix
Miles Davis
Joni Mitchell
 
brad225 said:
Thank you for not including Taylor Swift.
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LOL! But I'm sure that more than a couple of people would consider her appropriate for the list. Remember, it is all about importance and influence, and she has been a marquee name in both when it comes to the music culture of late.
 
Beethoven would be my #1. The other two most most often heard members of classical music's 'big three' are Mozart and J.S. Bach. High on my list after Beethoven would be Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, and Handel.
 
GSOphile said:
Beethoven would be my #1. The other two most most often heard members of classical music's 'big three' are Mozart and J.S. Bach. High on my list after Beethoven would be Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, and Handel.
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The reason that Bach in here is not included in the top 3 is because the others had a complete repertoire, from chamber music to symphony to opera. Bach has not made an opera and no symphonies.

That having said, in implementing the counter point in his music, nobody in history did come even close to that level. And the amount of production, one cantata each week with some extra catatas at celebration days at that level is an impressive output.
 
JCS123 said:
Boy, this is a discussion that I re-visit regularly with a good friend of mine, pondering who are some of the most important people in musical history. It is so hard to narrow this down based on time frame, genre, style, historical context, and countless other facets. So let's just concentrate on who we consider some of the most important and influential people in history. The following would be on MY list. Curious about who would be on YOUR list. ***Please, let's not cut down or disparage other people's opinions. Thank you.

Louis Armstrong
Hank Williams
Bob Dylan
J.S. Bach
Jimi Hendrix
Miles Davis
Joni Mitchell
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This is a great topic. I'll stick with names that start with "B"
Bach
Beethoven
Bartok
Beatles
Bob Weir

edit/P.S. - my girlfriend would include Barbra...

But beyond the B's, I'd have to include Gesualdo, - & Stravinsky
 
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NewAlkyogre said:
In classical music, there is a discussion who is the biggest composer all time: Beethoven or Mozart? I really don’t understand why those 2 are not on the list.
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They are on the list, just added by you! But this is an informal opinion poll, not any kind of official "list". I have a ton of others who are worthy of inclusion, just wanted to get the conversation rolling.

I love how so far, some people concentrate on jazz, some classical, and one singled out the Beatles. (Because they have been such an important band for SO many music fans and for SO many reasons!)

Thanks to everyone who is contributing to the thread! One of the side benefits that I wasn't expecting is that I'm going back to some older recordings that I haven't heard in a while thanks to your suggestions. (I just put Ellington Uptown on, since you reminded me that I haven't heard any Duke in a while - thanks, Geezer!)
 
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