Who do you think is the greatest music artist of the 20th Century? + band

Unknown said:

Does greatness mean it has to be recognised by the many? Where does originality come into it and the impact on wider society? Is the impact felt less now by contemporary music because accessibility and originality is more diluted? What about inspiration? Some of the bands mentioned already existed within a boom in culture arts etc. The fact humans "express" themselves online these days - does this mean, such things (as political discontent for example) don't get expressed? What's the inspiration for musicians today?

That's a lot of questions.

Elvis  

He's definitely in my top 5.

If best selling is a factor (which I think it is) in greatness, then here's some info from Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists

I think one measure of greatness is whether or not people continue to listen to their music years and decades after their prime time.

By that measure, bands like the Beetles, Led Zeppelin, Queen etc could all be considered great. 

At the risk of talking into thin air, I think there are a variety of factors which determine "greatness". Taking into account external factors and that music doesn't exist in isolation -it sits within a specific time it was made and is both influenced by society at the time, and influences society. Does greatness mean it has to be recognised by the many? Where does originality come into it and the impact on wider society? Is the impact felt less now by contemporary music because accessibility and originality is more diluted? What about inspiration? Some of the bands mentioned already existed within a boom in culture arts etc. The fact humans "express" themselves online these days - does this mean, such things (as political discontent for example) don't get expressed? What's the inspiration for musicians today?

Pink Floyd were genius.

Lotus said:

he wrote so many great songs.

Heal the World is one of my faves but I liked so many.

Sorry, I don't agree that a band that sang the inane "we all live in a yellow submarine" is the greatest ( I hate that song)  I'm glad they're not your favourite!  

Michael would be my second choice for artist - he wrote so many great songs.

A preposterous question but we are fortunate to live in the time we do for music!!

I would be interested to see people's reasons for their choices?

I'd also be interested in if anyone thinks we have passed the peak of musical greatness? Or does the future behold further greatness?

Deleted User said:

David Bowie - a genius 

The Beatles for the greatest band for me (even though they aren't my favourite).

Artist: David Bowie - a genius 

Band: Pink Floyd. Comfortably Numb is one of the greatest songs ever (and *the* greatest guitar solo).

youtu.be/LTseTg48568

I love Roxy Music, I got my first cd they did earlier this year.

Artist: Michael Jackson. Nearly chose David Bowie but I'm a die hard fan of Michael Jackson and have always thought his music is on another level

Band: Queen.

Lotus said:

Artist - Bowie, obviously!

Artist - Bowie, obviously!

Band - hm, much more difficult. I think probably Pet Shop Boys.

Although there are so many other great bands I like, including Queen, The Clash, Human League, Japan, Psychedelic Furs, U2, Roxy Music, Eurythmics, Duran Duran & Kraftwerk.