My 125 Favorite Rock & Roll Artists, Day 1

Every few years, I like to rank my favorite artists just to see how my tastes are slowly shifting over the years. Although I am probably a CBGB punk at heart, even though I came of age during the 1975 through 1985 years, I find my favorite artists pretty much all can play six degrees of CBGB and pass that test with flying colors. As far the newer artists, they can’t pass the test, though their sounds are rooted in the 80s somewhere along the lines. Let’s face it, but would Lady Gaga, The Killers and My Morning Jacket around without the influence of my decade of music?

Obviously, I love the album format and the whole statement the art form can make in a single release. From the artwork on the sleeve to the artwork on the inner sleeve to the record itself, which today can be released in a wide array of colors and styles, the artist can use the whole packaging of an album to make a huge statement of artistic vision leaving the listener no doubt about your point. For my money, the vinyl album, 12-inches in diameter, can blow away a listener before he or she ever puts the need into the groove of the record. Therein lies its beauty, all because the artist has put care into the artwork, liner notes, vinyl style and whatever catches the fancy of said artist in order to capture as many of the potential listener’s senses. Over the years, artists have not only been appealing to the audio, optic and touch sensations of the listener, but there are times when your olfactory senses become stimulated through a strategically placed scented sticker on the cover or, if you have purchased a used album, the aroma of cannabis wafting into the air from your recently purchased used LP that had not be opened since the previous owner used it for rolling his or her joints. But for the most part, the artist seeks to stimulate three out of the five senses of the listener, and that’s where you find the excitement.

However, what makes an artist become special to you. For me, its the music. If the musics changes my attitude about something, then it tends to become special to me. But true artistic greatness must be proven time and time again over the course of the artist’s career. Then, if he/she/them can make a convincing performance of their music live in concert, that only helps their case in the heart of a listener.

My previous attempt to do this very thing was several years ago, and it lacked some actually creative input about their musical catalog. That’s why I am going down this road again, only with more details for you, the reader. An asterisk (*) after the artist’s name denotes they are a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Also, the closer we get to number, the more information I will write about the artists.

125. Kate Bush* – Best Album: Hounds of Love (1985)

                                      Best Song: “Running Up That Hill” (1985)

124. Nine Inch Nails* – Best Album: The Downward Spiral (1994)

                                       Best Song: “Head like a Hole” (1989)

123. Echo & the Bunnymen – Best Album: Ocean Rain (1984)

Best Song: “The Killing Moon” (1984)

122. Adele – Best Album: 21 (2011)

Best Song: “Rolling in the Deep” (2011)

121. Bon Jovi* – Best Album: Slippery When Wet (1986)

Best Song: “Wanted Dead or Alive” (1986)

120. Frank Zappa* – Best Album: Sheik Yerbouti (1979)

Best Song: “Bobby Brown” (1979)

119. Foreigner* – Best Album: 4 (1981)

Best Song: “Urgent” (1981)

118. Billy Idol – Best Album: Rebel Yell (1983)

Best Song: “Dancing with Myself” (1981)

117. Steve Miller Band* – Best Album: Fly like an Eagle (1976)

Best Song: “Rock’n Me” (1976)

116. Ramones* – Best Album: Road to Ruin (1978)

Best Song: “Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio?” (1980)

115. Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band* – Best Album: Stranger in Town (1978)

Best Song: “Feels like a Number” (1978)

114. Alanis Morissette – Best Album: Jagged Little Pill (1995)

Best Song: “You Oughta Know” (1995)

113. Huey Lewis & the News – Best Album: Sports (1983)

Best Song: “Do You Believe in Love” (1982)

112. Alice in Chains – Best Album: Dirt (1992)

Best Song: “Would” (1992)

111. The Stooges*/Iggy & the Stooges/Iggy Pop – Best Album: Raw Power – Iggy & the Stooges (1973)

Best Song: “Search & Destroy” – Iggy & the Stooges (1973)

110. Bryan Adams – Best Album: Reckless (1984)

Best Song: “It’s Only Love” – Bryan Adams & Tina Turner (1984)

109. Warren Zevon – Best Album: Excitable Boy (1978)

Best Song: “Keep Me in Your Heart” (2003)

108. Beastie Boys* – Best Album: Licensed to Ill (1986)

Best Song: “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)” (1986)

107. KC & the Sunshine Band – Best Album: Part Three (1976)

Best Song: “Get Down Tonight” (1974)

106. Whitney Houston* – Best Album: Whitney Houston (1985)

Best Song: “So Emotional” (1986)

105. Soundgarden – Best Album: Superunknown (1994)

Best Song: “Black Hole Sun” (1994)

104. The B-52’s – Best Album: The B-52’s (1979)

Best Song: “Love Shack” (1989)

103. Dire Straits* – Best Album: Making Movies (1980)

Best Song: “Industrial Disease” (1982)

102. Sex Pistols* – Best Album: Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977)

Best Song: “Anarchy in the U.K.” (1976)

101. Lionel Richie*/Commodores – Best Album: Can’t Slow Down (1983)

Best Song: “Easy” – Commodores (1977)

Stay tuned for the Top 100 coming soon to a blog in your town.