Miles Davis
Arguably the greatest figure in Jazz, with no disrespect intended to so many jazz greats.
Essential: Kind of Blue (1959), Bitches Brew (1970)
Allman Brothers Band
Invented Southern Rock. Still showin' 'em how it's done.
Hope you like jammin': At the Fillmore East (1970)
Dire Straits
Defined guitar rock and virtuosity in the late 70's-early 80's Commercial success was the beginning of their end, unfortunately.
One of the truly great debut albums by any band: Dire Straits (1978)
Chuck Berry
You don't want your daughter dating him, but his contribution to the evolution of rock guitar cannot be underestimated.
If you have just one CB compilation, it should be The Great Twenty-Eight (1982)
Emmylou Harris
Perhaps the purest female country voice ever. A true treasure.
Where to begin? So hard to decide. Elite Hotel (1975), Wrecking Ball (1995)
Sandy Denny
If Emmylou is the purest country voice ever, Sandy is the purest folk/rock voice ever. Throw in songwriting chops that rival nearly anyone, and it's abundantly clear that losing Sandy was one of the most significant tragedies in music ever. Her stuff with Fairport Convention, her solo records...we are fortunate to have so much to remember her by, but the thought of what could have been...
Must-haves: Liege & Lief (Fairport Convention, 1969), The North Star Grassman and the Ravens (1971)
Muddy Waters
From the Delta to Chicago and beyond, many discussions of blues begin and end with the great Muddy Waters.
Gotta have: Folk Singer (1964), Hard Again (1977)
Steely Dan
A true American original. Becker and Fagen masterminded this unique amalgam of rock, jazz, R & B, & pop that has no equal. The guitar talents of Jeff "Skunk" Baxter were an essential ingredient. Ever listen to the solo in "Rikki Don't Lose That Number"?
Get it: Countdown to Ecstasy (1973)
John Prine
Of all the "new Dylans" to emerge from the 70's, John Prine was maybe the most deserving of the title, even if he was never that Dylanesque. Funny, sad, wry, and twenty other adjectives.
The album that put me on the road to fandom: Sweet Revenge (1973)
Fleetwood Mac
In all of their incarnations, they're deserving of a place in this list. Brit-blues scions transformed into pop/rock icons. Things dragged a bit in the middle, but that's only a minor inconvenience. For me, at least.
One masterpiece from each era: Then Play On (1969), Mystery to Me (1973), Rumours (1978)
An argument can be made that he is the greatest ever on his instrument. His Latin roots brought a quality previously unseen in rock. The musical ethos of the Bay Area in the late 60's, early 70's were perfect for his (their) rise to greatness.
My personal faves: Abraxas (1970), Caravanserai (1972)
