Cash, Hendrix, King, Clapton, Dylan, Morrison, Lennon, Mercury, Jagger, Joplin, Vedder all come immediately to mind. I’m sure I’m missing some other legendary ones.
Now I’m wondering what the criteria is for judging. Clapton is a great musician but doesn’t necessarily have the charisma I was judging by. Nor does Dylan. And with The Beatles, how would you call one of them a front man?
@rebbel In terms of choosing “the greatest” – personally I can’t nor do I want to make such an arbitrary decision.
David Lee Roth’s pants? Lol!
I find it pretty telling that no one has chosen anyone from the last 3 or so decades.
Also, in Freddie Mercury’s case, he had the charisma, charm, looks, and the clothes. The total package.
As I said, once the issue becomes a matter of showmanship, “the greatest” is an impossible determination. The best that can be said is that there is a class at the top, and we can generally agree who belongs there. From my era, the lightning struck from such a diverse variety of true masters that the mind reels at the prospect of choosing. I mean people like James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Michael fronting the Jackson 5. The stack of BMFs IS select but nevertheless immense.