My Top 100 Music Artists of All Time: 91-100

OK. I have always wanted to be a music critic. I probably will never be one, either. But I can pontificate here all I want. So I will. I am going to list, in groups of, say, 10 or 20, the 100 Greatest Music Artists of All Time. One caveat only: I am limiting my choices to only music that I have in my collection. I have a lot. What's amazing is that it all fits in a box the size of a frozen Banquet Chicken Pot Pie. I get new stuff all the time. But I don't think that will affect my top 100 that much. They (and maybe 100 more) are pretty much established.

I’m going to group them by 10’s. Within each 10 there is no particular order. I’ll begin with the bottom 10.


Here are 91-100:

13^th Floor Elevators 

Texas psychedelic troubadours led by Roky Erickson. The only band that I know to feature the electric jug. The sound of it may be off-putting at first, but as one listens, it is perfect for the hallucinogenic swirl of the band's pop insanity.

Recommended Sign of the 3 Eyed Men.

Edith Piaf

I first heard "La Vie en Rose" in high school French class. The range, the depth of emotion in this woman's voice is astounding. Born in a brothel, in her time, she was a true superstar. Unfortunately, her life was tragically short.

Os Mutantes 

I had heard this band mentioned in articles and discussions of music since the 1970's, but ignored them because of their weird name and the fact they were from Brazil. Brazilians don't rock, right? Well, these ones do, and vocalist Rita Lee is the cherry on top. Wild, strange, rocking, simmering. Absolutely great.

Recommended: Hoje E O Primeiro Dia Do Resto Da Sua Vida

Gilberto Gil 

Pure coincidence that another Brazilian genius finds his way in right after Mutantes. They're buds, of course. Gil and Mutantes set the standard for Brazilian rock, classified sometimes as "Tropicalia." His later albums can drift into AOR territory, but his 60's and 70's output is sublime.

Recommended: Gilberto Gil (1969)

Jeff Beck 

One of the truly great guitar-slingers of all time, he has always been in the discussion of who's the greatest of all time. He would have been a lot higher in this list had it not been for his spotty output over the years. But the chops are not to be dismissed.

Recommended: Truth

Stevie Wonder

The late 80's and beyond have diminished his musical reputation a little, but there is no denying the impact and quality of his works from the time he was a teenage harmonica prodigy, right through Songs in the Key of Life. 

Recommended: Music of My Mind

Steeleye Span 

After Fairport Convention, the greatest of the English folk-rock bands. 

Recommended: Hark! The Village Wait

Yes  

The original Yes tops all "prog" bands with the exception of King Crimson. Once again, later in their career, too many personnel changes and weak releases hurt them, but their early catalogue is almost a how-to in the genre.

Recommended: Fragile

John Fahey 

Another life cut short, but from his folky Vanguard days, through his incarnation as Blind Joe Death and beyond, Fahey is the king of steel-string fingerstyle guitar. The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death is simply a masterpiece. 

BeBop Deluxe 

Too-little-known "glam" band of the 70's who labored in the shadows of other more famous rivals. Bill Nelson led BeBop before launching a solo career that is still going strong. Plenty of gems in their catalog.


Recommended: Sunburst Finish