The 50 Greats: 45-41

45. The Smashing Pumpkins

Alternative Psychedelic Rock
Genre: Alternative Rock
Years Active: 1988-Present
Key Songs: “Tonight, Tonight”, “Killer in Me”, “1979”

The first time I experienced the music of the Smashing Pumpkins I was too young to appreciate their psychedelic style. I remember watching a very trippy video and thought they were just nuts. Yet years later, after I had gained an appreciation for psychedelic classic bands like Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, and The Doors I realized Smashing Pumpkins was a modern offshoot of that style, with a mid 90s alternative sound to it. With the abstract lead vocals of Billy Corgan, and some good trippy jamming, Smashing Pumpkins offer a blend of chilled yet sometimes heavy alternative rock music, and are probably my only alternative band that I really enjoy.

44. Sting

Bringing in the New Wave
Genre: New Wave
Years Active: 1974-present
Key Songs: “Desert Rose”, “Fields of Gold”, “Englishman in New York”

Sting along with his Police, introduced a new more modern sound to Rock n Roll. It’s a sound they call New Wave, which basically moved away from the traditional rock and roll sound and mixed different styles together. They blend good vocals, with a jazzy, reggae rhythm and an ambient background and somehow make good rocking music out of it. I generally like to think of Sting as a very relaxing, easy listening artist, but often he’s got some more upbeat songs that still seem to work!

43. Van Morrison

Van the Man
Genre: Folk Rock
Years Active: 1958-Present
Key Songs: “Into the Mystic”, “Dancing in the Moonlight”, “Wild Nights”

I remember the first Van Morrison song that I was really moved by was “Into the Mystic” in the movie “American Wedding”. After that I began a new appreciation for this deep voiced folksy rock artist. He brings a wide array of sound, yet I mostly think of his music as chill, soothing, and just good easy listening, that is attributed to his raspy deep voice.

42. BB King

The King of Blues
Genre: Blues
Years Active: 1947-Present
Key Songs: “There is Something on your Mind”, “The Thrill is Gone”, “Lucille”

When it comes to the Blues, there is nobody who better represents the genre then BB King. He sings with a strong voice, and jams with incredible improvisation. One thing I’ve always liked about his music is that it’s got an unrehearsed sound to it. Like it’s all just free flow jamming. Another thing I’ve recently noticed is that he often tells a story in his music. Like in “Lucille”, which pretty much is a whole song of him just raving about his guitar. He’s got that ideal bluesy voice, and can somehow make howling and ranting, into soulful, passionate, and flat-out good music!

41. Tom Petty

Heartbreaking Midwest Music
Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active: 1971-Present
Key Songs: “Free Falling”, “Won’t Back Down”, “Something in the Air”

Tom Petty brings a unique blend of folksy rock with some vibrant energy. He has a very distinctive raspy voice that is the trademark of his style. I can’t help but think of him along with his Heartbreakers as the defining music of the Midwest… I remember him as a kid, watching his music videos, most notably the hit song, “Free Falling”. I remember the first time I gained an appreciation for his music was when he referenced the state of Indiana in his song, “Last Dance with Mary Jane”… As a kid I thought that was the coolest thing ever. I still have continued to gain an appreciation for his music, and hope to see him in concert sometime soon.

The 50 Greats: 50-46

50. Radiohead

Trippy Sounds in Chicago
Genre: Rock
Years Active: 1993-present
Key Songs: "High and Dry", "Fake Plastic Trees", "The Drugs Don't Work"

Radiohead has a nice chilled soft-rock sound to it, with a hint of psychedelic. Their music always reminds me of Chicago for some reason. Riding the CTA, Grant Park, Chilling with Lauren... Thom Yorke pretty much highlights the band with his trippy vocals and lyrics, which I think are a pretty similar sound to Coldplay.



49. U2

The Ultimate Activist Band
Genre: Rock
Active Years: 1976-present
Key Songs: "City of Blinding Lights", "Beautiful Day", "Stuck in a Moment"

Bono pretty much makes the band with his passionate lead vocals, his activist approach towards helping humanity, and of course he always has the sweetest shades. the Edge is also a pretty stellar guitar player!



48. Three Dog Night


Bringing Joy to the World
Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active:1968-Present
Key Songs: "Shambala", "Joy to the World", "Mama Told me not to Come"

When I think of Three Dog Night, I think of Forrest Gump, "Jeremiah was a Bullfrog!" and countless jamming songs. They're the type of lively rock music that you can get up and just let loose. With a swampy-bluesy sound to it, Three Dog Night mixes rock with some soul and just makes it work!



47. Marvin Gaye

The King of Motown
Genre: Soul
Years Active: 1958-1984
Key Songs: "Star-Spangled Banner", "What's going On", "Let's get it On"

Marvin had such an amazing voice... you just can't help but like his smooth soulful music. I've always appreciated his sound, but had never considered him a great until I saw a video of him singing the National Anthem at an NBA Basketball game. It was unlike any version I'd ever seen before, full of heart, good rhythm, and impeccable originality. Never had I seen such a unique interpretation of the song, perhaps maybe Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock. I also think of Marvin Gaye, as well as Aretha Franklin, as important key voices in the Civil Rights Movement. His music was Original, Soulful, and so very Passionate!

46. Neil Young

Squeaky Voiced Hippy
Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active: 1960-present
Key Songs: "Cortez the Killer", "Ohio", "Heart of Gold"

I first was amazed by Neil Young's unique style in his early hippy days with Crosby, Stills, and Nash. That band had some of the most amazing acoustic harmony I'd ever heard. Then he broke off on his own, and continue to amaze with his album "After the Gold Rush". His squeaky voice is what makes his music most unique. Many may say it is a terrible sound, but I think of it as an innovative sound. When I think of Neil Young, i think of good lyrics, and good classic jamming.

My Top 50 Favorite Musicians

A while back i created a well-thought-out list of my favorite musicians from all varieties of genres. I created the list back in the summertime, and have hardly had to make any modifications to it. Over the next few days I will be posting this list, from 50 down until 1. These are my 5o Greats! The 50 Immortals, as the Rolling Stone Magazine put it. Even as i continue to experiment with new types of music, these 50 will probably always be at the top!

New Horizon Approaching

~Ive been standing at this fork in the road for some time now, and I think i may have finally made my decision! I've yet to really talk it over with anyone, so its not official yet, but i've definetely been putting a lot of thought into it! some big things have been happening in my life, and i think now is the time I act!

we once wrote a song in the summertime at the Cabin of Muskegon... it was me, my dad, and jenfox and as always my dad was taking the lead and we were just jamming with him... and after lots of improv, we began to form a song with a refrain... "The New Horizon"!

Basically the song was about changing for the better... a new dawn approaching! A new lifestyle... I always liked to think of the song as a reference to Obama, being the usher of the New Horizon... yet i think it goes deeper than that...I feel it applies to my life in general...

That Change is just around the Corner!

Recap of Week with Pablo

~Feeling pretty good right now!

I'm testing out this new Pandora thing and really liking it... Its a cool website where u can create radio stations. I'm listening to a Simon & Garfunkel styled station. Philip and Lauren both suggested it to me..!

Me and Prod had quite a crazy week this past few days... Drinking Tequila at the Mix, blacking out afterwards, scarfing down pizza, taking the wrong train home, lots of smoking, lots of Fifa, a visit to "El Barrio", drinking at a Chinese Bar, WrigleyVille bars, full of older people... Some good Taco Bell... some good movies (Training Day, Wedding Crashers, Apocalpyto, and The Illusionist), good eats, freezing cold weather, good drinnks, Jerry Springer show, Michigan Ave, the Water-tower, good smoke, good discussions, and good times... its been a good high week... with lots of good memories, and things to reflect on...


I feel there is still so much to think about yet... I won't make anything official until Februray, and as of now I am leaning towards staying Chicago... yet My future is still very fuzzy!