Top 100 of All Time: 21-30

John Hartford

I was lucky to have discovered JH back in the late 70's. I remembered him from the Smothers Brothers show and the Glen Campbell Good Time Hour, not to mention Hee-Haw, but only figured out what he was really all about after hearing a friend's vinyl copy of Mark Twang. Aside from having written the greatest country song ever, "Gentle on My Mind," his records and live performances were celebrations of music and tradition and fun.

My favorite: Nobody Knows What You Do (1976).

Eric Clapton

He isn't really God, and his latest output borders on lame, but nobody was a greater rock guitarist from 1965 to 1985. Yardbirds. Cream (Wheels of Fire, 1968). Derek & the Dominos (Layla, 1970). Blind Faith (Blind Faith, 1969). Early solo stuff (Eric Clapton, 1970; 461 Ocean Boulevard, 1974).

Joni Mitchell

The songs, the voice, the guitar. I bought Court and Spark because of "Help Me," but I had no idea what it would lead to. That was a great record, and it led me to her magnificent catalog. Never seen her live. That's on my bucket list. Oh please go on tour, Joni!

Another must-hear: Hejira (1978).

The Beach Boys/Brian Wilson

I never would have put the Beach Boys on this list if I had been making it 10 or 15 years ago. But I have listened, I have heard, and I have realized what a tremendous oversight that would have been, "Kokomo" notwithstanding.

Just gotta hear Pet Sounds (1966), Holland (1973)

Heart

If anyone bothers to read any of this, I'd probably get flamed for putting this band so high on the list, but I don't care. I can't live without 'em.

As if you haven't already guessed: Dreamboat Annie (1976).

Talking Heads

Regarded as an 80's or New Wave band, but that doesn't scratch the surface. One of the greatest live shows I've ever seen.

I'm still partial to: More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978).

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Can you imagine "Classic Rock" without these guys?

I still dig Bayou Country (1969).

Linda Ronstadt

The greatest female voice in pop/rock. Period.

No one could choose just one, so: Heart Like a Wheel (1974), Prisoner in Disguise (1975).

The Byrds

Created "jangle rock," spawned a hundred bands, made Dylan safe for the masses (JK).

Always and forever my fave: (Untitled) (1970).

Jefferson Airplane

Probably the most important band to emerge from the San Francisco scene in the 60's, next to the Grateful Dead. Raw beautiful harmonies, trippy guitars, fantastic songs. Their spawn, Jefferson Starship, deserves at least a mention, too, at least for their work up to and including Red Octopus.

In the studio, After Bathing at Baxter's (1967); live, Bless Its Pointed Little Head (1969).

Top 100 of All Time: 31-40

Lou Reed/The Velvet Underground

Godfathers/mothers of Punk. They probably should be higher, simply because of the fact that so much of what we've heard over the past 30-40 years would have been impossible without their influence.

Where it all began: The Velvet Underground and Nico (1967)

Graham Parker

Transcends the "pub rock" label that has stuck to him and many others. Undoubtedly one of the best songwriters to emerge from the late 70's.

Arguably his best: Squeezing Out Sparks (1979)

Merle Haggard

The Hag, the Fugitive, the Okie from Muskogee. This is real country, baby! Pioneered the Bakersfield sound with Buck Owens & others.  Wrote so many great songs, it's hard to count them all.

Citing a box set may be a cheap move, but the timelessness and breadth of his work demands it: Down Every Road (1996)

Rickie Lee Jones

Sadly under-appreciated. Everyone knows "Chuck E.'s In Love," but that doesn't even scratch the surface of what she has achieved artistically. One of the few, in my opinion, who's never made a bad record.

Too many great ones to choose from, so I'll go with the brilliant first two: Rickie Lee Jones (1979); Pirates (1981)

Tom Waits

Pure coincidence that Tom Waits follows up his sister-in-spirit Rickie Lee Jones. From his bohemian beret-topped piano days to his current incarnation as the gravelly-voiced blues growler and critics' darling, Tom has one of the widest-ranging catalogs you'll find. 

For me, it all started with Nighthawks at the Diner (1975), and later, Swordfishtrombones (1983).

Phish

Grabbed the jam band mantle from the Grateful Dead, and ran with it. Took a break but returned stronger than ever. Few bands have more faithful tour followers, and deservedly so.

The studio records are OK, but any true measure of this band is in the live recordings. Live Phish Downloads.

Ry Cooder

Slide guitarist, ethnomusicologist, paid assassin. Just kidding about the assassin part, but he was asked to join the Rolling Stones at one point. It's funny to think about how that might have changed music history, but I'm not unhappy that Ry chose his own path. 

Stone cold funky classic: Paradise and Lunch (1974)

Willie Nelson

No explanation necessary.The man is an American legend, treasure, and hero.

No excuses, you must have Red Headed Stranger (1975)

Patti Smith

Among the few rockers who deserve the title of poet. So much more, though. The songs, the voice, the passion are astounding. Her later ouevre is uneven but not without brilliant moments. Early works are stark and beautiful.

Listen: Horses (1975), Radio Ethiopia (1976)

Pearl Jam

These guys made me love hard rock again. They emerged from the Seattle "grunge" scene but outgrew it quickly. Yeah, they became huge, but I don't hold it against them.

Sometimes you cant resist going with the awesome debut: Ten (1991)