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)
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