Normblog and Rock and Roll

Norm over at, what else, Normblog asked for readers to write in with "your all-time favourite rock stars (individuals or groups)."

I did so with the following ten (not in any order):

Beatles
Elvis Costello
Warren Zevon
Steely Dan
Rainmakers
Natalie Merchant
Jimmy Buffett
Jackson Browne
They Might Be Giants
Was (Not Was)

He published the results and the Beatles topped the list. I'm not surprised. I know I'll be an old fossil when some band finally tops them in a similar poll.

Norm mentions in his write-up "The Beach Boys don't make the top 10? I mean, puh-leeze." and another blogger writes in: "Jeez, what do these people think Rock and Roll is? More than half the bands listed routinely use four or more chords in a song." I'll take the latter comment as tongue-in-cheek, but it strikes a point: What is Rock and Roll?

I can't answer that myself. I'm like the Supreme Court. I can't define rock and roll, but I know it when I hear it. I do think some might have voted for "Most Influential Artists" instead of "Favorite." I know I'm not in the norm of the voters though. Only four of my ten made the list.

And Norm, sorry about the Beach Boys, but I had the same reaction when I saw Warren Zevon didn't get five votes.

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Comments

This reminds me of a quote about The Velvet Undergound. I can't remember who said it or the exact words, but it goes something like this: "The Velvet Underground only sold 1,000 copies of their first record, but every one of those people went out and started their own band."

This list is deinitely comprised of most influential. I think rock has been around long enough now that a list of 10 isn't long enough. Probably should be a top 50 if for no other reason than the fact the Stones, Zeppelin, Who, etc. will always populate the top of any list.

# Posted by: David at July 19, 2004 04:47 PM

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