Most talented musicians of the modern era
- Thread starter tlwwake_
- Start date
A couple of questions to clarify:
- How are you defining "modern era"?
- Are you talking about players of musical instruments solely? Or vocalists too? Songwriters?
Nether Adele or Justin Timberlake are what I'd consider accomplished musicians. Adele has a great voice and Timberlake is a great all around performer and entertainer.
And 2000 to present is pretty limited. Just my .02
And 2000 to present is pretty limited. Just my .02
I'll throw out Jeff Tweedy, as singer/songwriter/live performer and all around promoter of all things good in music today.
And Nels Cline is as good as any guitar player going today.
Dave Grohl has to get a mention as well.
And Nels Cline is as good as any guitar player going today.
Dave Grohl has to get a mention as well.
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Prince, Paul McCartney.
Both multi instrumentalists, performers and composers.
Both multi instrumentalists, performers and composers.
Pre-2000s:
Prince
Todd Rundgren
Frank Zappa
Bruce Springsteen
Bob Dylan
Freddie Mercury
Brian Wilson
Post-2000s:
Thom Yorke
Billy Joe Armstrong (not much of a fan)
Dave Grohl
Jason Isbell
Chris Cornell
Can't really think of anyone else.
Prince
Todd Rundgren
Frank Zappa
Bruce Springsteen
Bob Dylan
Freddie Mercury
Brian Wilson
Post-2000s:
Thom Yorke
Billy Joe Armstrong (not much of a fan)
Dave Grohl
Jason Isbell
Chris Cornell
Can't really think of anyone else.
His music may not be your cup of tea but Kid Rock can wail on just about every instrument you hand him. He's got some chops.
Given Kevin Parker played every instrument and was sole writer of the last 2 Tame Impala records, I'm thinking he has to be up there. Father John Misty is also coming on strong.
Trying to think a little outside of the box. A lot of other bands come to mind that consistently put out great records (e.g. The National and Vampire Weekend) but I think those are really more collaborative efforts so Ezra Koenig and Matt Berninger probably don't belong on this list. James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem is a bit of a tweener. I most associate that band's music with him and his writing skills but it's hard to know for sure.
Trying to think a little outside of the box. A lot of other bands come to mind that consistently put out great records (e.g. The National and Vampire Weekend) but I think those are really more collaborative efforts so Ezra Koenig and Matt Berninger probably don't belong on this list. James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem is a bit of a tweener. I most associate that band's music with him and his writing skills but it's hard to know for sure.
I like some of the ones listed. I have one many people wouldn't think of.
Richard Marx.
Not only did he do his own stuff but before he was popular he wrote #1s for Kenny Rogers (Crazy), Kenny/Kim Carnes/James Ingram (What About Me), Olivia Newton-John (Best of Me) and a few more. He was also doing backup vocals for Lionel Richie (You Are, Running With the Night, All Night Long) ,Chicago 16 and 17, Whitney Houston's debut (All at Once , Greatest Love of All, Saving All My Love) and a couple Madonna albums.
After he was famous, he wrote tons of stuff, including Vixen (Edge of a Broken Heart), Ann Wilson/Robin Zander (Surrender to Me), N Snyc (This I Promise You), several Keith Urban songs (Better Life, Everybody, Long Hot Summer), plus songs for Barbra Streisand, Vince Gill, Luther Vandross, SheDaisy, Josh Groban, Kenny Loggins, and tons more.
He has written a #1 song in 4 decades. He plays everything.
Richard Marx.
Not only did he do his own stuff but before he was popular he wrote #1s for Kenny Rogers (Crazy), Kenny/Kim Carnes/James Ingram (What About Me), Olivia Newton-John (Best of Me) and a few more. He was also doing backup vocals for Lionel Richie (You Are, Running With the Night, All Night Long) ,Chicago 16 and 17, Whitney Houston's debut (All at Once , Greatest Love of All, Saving All My Love) and a couple Madonna albums.
After he was famous, he wrote tons of stuff, including Vixen (Edge of a Broken Heart), Ann Wilson/Robin Zander (Surrender to Me), N Snyc (This I Promise You), several Keith Urban songs (Better Life, Everybody, Long Hot Summer), plus songs for Barbra Streisand, Vince Gill, Luther Vandross, SheDaisy, Josh Groban, Kenny Loggins, and tons more.
He has written a #1 song in 4 decades. He plays everything.
If someone is listing Springsteen or Rundgren, you could easily put Marx's singing/songwriting/playing up against them.
Additionally I think Stewart Copeland may be one of the more talented guys anywhere. Aside from the Police, he's done movie soundtracks (Wall Street, Talk Radio, etc) TV shows (Equalizer, Baby 5, etc), video game scores, orchestras and other pop songs.
Additionally I think Stewart Copeland may be one of the more talented guys anywhere. Aside from the Police, he's done movie soundtracks (Wall Street, Talk Radio, etc) TV shows (Equalizer, Baby 5, etc), video game scores, orchestras and other pop songs.
Certainly not everyone's taste in music, but if anyone has watched Ricky Skaggs it's pretty amazing, even if you aren't a bluegrass fan. Saw him play like 4 instruments in one song with Emmylou Harris years ago.
Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) would be my pick.
Another nominee: Lady Gaga. I'm not a fan of her music, but I'll admit that she has an immense amount of talent.
Another nominee: Lady Gaga. I'm not a fan of her music, but I'll admit that she has an immense amount of talent.