Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Bree · 07-07-2003, 12:40 PM

Who, in your opinion, has made the biggest musical contribution during the 20th century? I was having this discussion on another discussion board, and the unanimous decision was "Bob Dylan" - in my opinion, just because he is the most covered songwriter doesn't mean he's made the biggest dent in the industry. My mother, ever the child of the 60s, said The Beatles, because after they came out "music was changed" (quote/unquote) however, she couldn't exactly say how the music changed.

Thoughts?

braces_for_impact · 07-07-2003, 12:42 PM

Only that I can't stand Bob Dylan.

beastmaster · 07-07-2003, 01:01 PM

#1 -- Igor Stravinsky
#2 -- Miles Davis
#3 -- Duke Ellington
#4 -- Elvis Presley

Bob Dylan's main achievement is lyrical, not musical. In any event, he is way way way down the list.

Mageth · 07-07-2003, 01:31 PM

Are we talking about contributions in writing original music, or to influence on music in general? I agree with beastmaster's list (Elvis Presley would have to be way up there, but not for his songwriting, obviously).

Some other names to consider for a list:

Chuck Berry
Leo Fender (for technical innovation)
Woody Guthrie
Benny Goodman
Cole Porter
Frank Zappa

nogods4me · 07-07-2003, 01:31 PM

Les Paul, the invention of the electric guitar changed music forever.

Mageth · 07-07-2003, 01:40 PM

The question is - did Les Paul invent the Electric Guitar?

I'm asking because the history of its invention seems to be a bit muddled, involving many "innovators" and inventors, and it seems that Paul may or may not deserve sole credit (more than likely not).

In any case, Fender produced the first commercial solid-body electric guitars, a few years before Gibson came out with its competitive "Les Paul" model, and introduced the bass guitar in 1951.

missus_gumby · 07-07-2003, 01:50 PM

Stravinsky. No contest.

His contribution at the beginning of the 20th century helped pave the way for many of the other, later genres. The shock of his influence is still reverberating through to today.

Martin

JerryM · 07-07-2003, 02:10 PM

Interesting question.

As a technical achievement, you probably have to go back to Edison, because without the development of recording, music wouldn't be what it is today. (Although, was the phonograph invented before the 20th century?) And I'd also include Marconi, because radio broadcasting also was a huge influence on music and society.

In terms of musicians, I'd say George Gershwin, who showed jazz could be a serious musical art form. Jerome Kern more or less invented the modern musical. And Elvis Presley and the Beatles, who legitimized rock and roll.

Mageth · 07-07-2003, 02:23 PM

In terms of musicians, I'd say George Gershwin, who showed jazz could be a serious musical art form.

Damn, I knew there was someone I left out!

Shadowy Man · 07-07-2003, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JerryM
And I'd also include Marconi, because radio broadcasting also was a huge influence on music and society.

You misspelled Tesla.

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07-07-2003, 12:40 PM	#1
Bree Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Twin Cities, USA Posts: 3,197	Biggest musical contribution, 20th century? Who, in your opinion, has made the biggest musical contribution during the 20th century? I was having this discussion on another discussion board, and the unanimous decision was "Bob Dylan" - in my opinion, just because he is the most covered songwriter doesn't mean he's made the biggest dent in the industry. My mother, ever the child of the 60s, said The Beatles, because after they came out "music was changed" (quote/unquote) however, she couldn't exactly say how the music changed. Thoughts?

07-07-2003, 12:42 PM	#2
braces_for_impact Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In a nondescript, black helicopter. Posts: 6,637	Only that I can't stand Bob Dylan.

07-07-2003, 01:01 PM	#3
beastmaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Madrid / I am a: Lifelong atheist Posts: 885	#1 -- Igor Stravinsky #2 -- Miles Davis #3 -- Duke Ellington #4 -- Elvis Presley Bob Dylan's main achievement is lyrical, not musical. In any event, he is way way way down the list.

07-07-2003, 01:31 PM	#4
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Are we talking about contributions in writing original music, or to influence on music in general? I agree with beastmaster's list (Elvis Presley would have to be way up there, but not for his songwriting, obviously). Some other names to consider for a list: Chuck Berry Leo Fender (for technical innovation) Woody Guthrie Benny Goodman Cole Porter Frank Zappa

07-07-2003, 01:31 PM	#5
nogods4me Contributor Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 17,432	Les Paul, the invention of the electric guitar changed music forever.

07-07-2003, 01:40 PM	#6
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	The question is - did Les Paul invent the Electric Guitar? I'm asking because the history of its invention seems to be a bit muddled, involving many "innovators" and inventors, and it seems that Paul may or may not deserve sole credit (more than likely not). In any case, Fender produced the first commercial solid-body electric guitars, a few years before Gibson came out with its competitive "Les Paul" model, and introduced the bass guitar in 1951.

07-07-2003, 01:50 PM	#7
missus_gumby Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: UK Posts: 1,898	Stravinsky. No contest. His contribution at the beginning of the 20th century helped pave the way for many of the other, later genres. The shock of his influence is still reverberating through to today. Martin

07-07-2003, 02:10 PM	#8
JerryM Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: St. Louis, MO. Posts: 1,100	Interesting question. As a technical achievement, you probably have to go back to Edison, because without the development of recording, music wouldn't be what it is today. (Although, was the phonograph invented before the 20th century?) And I'd also include Marconi, because radio broadcasting also was a huge influence on music and society. In terms of musicians, I'd say George Gershwin, who showed jazz could be a serious musical art form. Jerome Kern more or less invented the modern musical. And Elvis Presley and the Beatles, who legitimized rock and roll.

07-07-2003, 02:23 PM	#9
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	In terms of musicians, I'd say George Gershwin, who showed jazz could be a serious musical art form. Damn, I knew there was someone I left out!

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