20th century music

[slimjim]

Who were the five most important people in 20th century music? My list is rather populist but would be Elvis, Maria Callas, Louis Armstrong, Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney. But I would like to hear the views of you people who have greater knowledge of the world of music. What about people who influenced things without being musicians themselves? Should we include whoever founded Fender for example? Malcolm McLaren? Pete Waterman?!?

[Bob...]

In no particular order. Elvis, Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson and Bob Dylan.

Pete Waterman?!? ahwww .... for fcuk sake !!!

[andy hughes]

What ever your opinion on Pete Waterman's TV personna Bob, he has had a hand in composition and production of well in excess of 100 top twenty chart hits, Stock Aitken and Waterman were the Holland Dozier Holland of their generation, you may not appreciate what they did, but that should not diminish their, and indeed PW's contribution to popular music. My faves would be Elvis, Brian Wilson, Les Paul, Alan Freed, and Chuck Berry.

[bobbobley]

wasn't it Dave Dee, Dosey, Beaky, Mick and Titch ?!

[sft42]

Leo Fender.....Les Paul......Norrie Paramour......The Beatles/George Martin.....and Mitch Miller.

[Bob...]

a h I am fully aware of Pete Waterman's contribution to the music business and I was not taking into account his TV persona, but anyone who can inflict the likes of Sonia onto the general public has automatically taken himself out of the running. I have not just picked people I like because if that was the case, I would never have picked Elvis.

[andy hughes]

For every Sonia, there's a Kylie ... case rests.

[chrisbailey]

I would say Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Lee Latchford Evans, Lisa Scott-Lee and H.

[keith54]

Bach, Shostakovitch, Satie, Beethoven and Liberace (or maybe Mrs Mills?)

[dimebag_fan]

the beatles...jimi hendrix...black sabbath...pantera...metallica

[magicbeatle]

There's only two.

Elvis Presley  and The Beatles

There are other great artists, but they are insignificant compared to these two.