The 50 Greats: 30-26

30. R. Kelly

The Pied Piper
Genre: R&B
Years Active: 1993-Present
Key Songs: “World’s Greatest”, “I Believe I Can Fly”, “Step in the Name of Love”

R. Kelly takes me back to my high school days driving in my Ford Escort, singing at the top of my lungs. Or to my college freshmen days with Sergio, singing and dancing in the dorms. There was always something about his upbeat rap and rhythm that just always put me in a good mood. He has amazing vocals, and always sang the most inspirational songs. Although he has begun to hit rock bottom since the Child Pornography case, one cannot judge his music for it. Many of the musicians on this list have gone through some serious controversy, yet I have always felt that it should not reflect upon on their music. You just can’t deny such uplifting songs like “Happy People” or “Step in the Name of Love” where you just want to get up and start grooving.

29. The Eagles

Californian Easy Rock
Genre: Classic Rock
Active Years: 1970-Present
Key Songs: “Hotel California”, “Witchy Woman”, “Desperado”

I remember I was introduced to The Eagles by Nick Rager in my early college years, before I really entered my classic rock phase. The only problem was he accidently gave me an Aerosmith CD instead of an Eagles CD. After much hype from others I was eager to hear and listen to the real Eagles myself. I quickly realized as I began listening to the group that I already knew and enjoyed many of their songs. Songs like “Hotel California”, or “Life in the Fast Lane” or “Tequila Sunrise”. They brought a Californian style to rock and roll, with a country sound similar to Lynyrd Skynyrd, good vocals and many hit singles. Now I think of them as perfect music for an outdoor summer party.

28. The Cranberries

Inspirational Meditation
Genre: Celtic Rock
Years Active: 1990-2003
Key Songs: “Dreams”, “No Need to Argue”, “Linger”

The Cranberries brought a unique blend of heavy gothic rock mixed with soft meditational rock. On one side was their gothic heavy rock style with songs like “Zombie” or “Salvation. On the other side, was their more peaceful relaxing songs like “Dreams”, “Just My Imagination”, “Dreaming my Dreams”. All of it just seemed to work thanks to the amazing Irish vocals of Dolores O’Riordan. I can mostly attribute the Cranberries to calming me in high school before a big soccer match or track meet. I still always enjoy listening to them during times of stress or change.

27. Vivaldi

Beauty of the Violin
Genre: Classical
Years Active: 1700s
Key Songs: “Four Seasons”, “Andante”, “Sicilano”

When one says Vivaldi what else can one think besides beautiful music of the violin? He brings a peaceful flowing sound, smooth notes without any pauses, unbreakable! His work is the essence of Italian beauty and art, and I think he belongs at the top of the classical musicians, far above Beethoven, Brahms, or Bach. His true masterpiece is the “Four Seasons”, which is a violin concerto that is broken up into four parts each being named after the four seasons. I always thought there was something incredible about each piece of the “Four Seasons” that somehow managed to really capture the general mood of that season. Vivaldi was a true artist who could truly define life with music.

26. Rokysopp

The Epitome of Soccer
Genre: Electronic
Years Active: 1998-Present
Key Songs: “Follow My Ruin”, “What Else is There”, “Remind Me”

This Norwegian electronic group always reminds me of soccer. They bring a real modern sound to techno music, with good trance and good beats. I first heard of them in my Fifa Soccer game, and they were hands down my favorite track on the game. It was during the 2006 World Cup that I went through a huge soccer phase, right along with a huge Rokysopp phase. They’re music has this really cool foreign European sound to it, that always puts me in the mood to watch or play some soccer!

The 50 Greats: 35-31

35. Beach Boys

Summertime Music
Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active: 1960-Present
Key Songs: “Do it Again”, “In My Room”, “Pet Sounds”

The Beach Boys brought a wide range of music to the rock and roll era. Sure they are probably best known for their popish high voiced songs, like “Good Vibrations” or “Wouldn’t it Be Nice”, but they’re sound went beyond that. Although I would be lying to say I didn’t enjoy the early Beach Boys, my true appreciation for the band came with their 1966 psychedelic album “Pet Sounds”, which is one of my favorite albums of all time, perhaps maybe behind Dark Side of the Moon. Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys not only had impeccable good voices, yet they were also very inventive and experimental.

34. Chopin

Music of Romance
Genre: Classical
Years Active: 1800s
Key Songs: "Minute Waltz", "Fantasise Impromptu", "Grande Valse Brilliante"

This Polish Pianist and Composer was a master of the Classical piano and romantic music. Dating back to the 1800s during the period of enlightenment, Chopin provided a harmonic melody to his music that was unlike the heavy strong forceful notes of Beethoven or Bach. His music is peaceful, relaxing, and very expressive. It is piano at its fullest, with many scales and notes, complex and masterful, yet still easy and enjoyable to listen to.

33. Fleetwood Mac

Flying with the Albatross
Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active: 1967-Present
Key Songs: “Albatross”, “Landslide”, “Never Going Back Again”

Fleetwood Mac is a tricky band to analyze since they’ve gone through so many changes and so many different sounds, yet I feel that their glory years were during the mid 1970s with the amazing vocals of Stevie Nicks. Their album “Rumors” was the defining sound of the band with classic hits like “Go Your Own Way”, and “Don’t Stop”. Their sound generally has a simple bluesy-acoustic rock to it. One of my favorite Fleetwood songs is “Albatross” which is an instrumental composition, and is one of the most stimulating songs I know.

32. Ray Charles

The Genius of Rhythm and Blues
Genre: Blues
Years Active: 1947-2004
Key Songs: “Georgia”, “I’ve Got a Woman”, “Baby It’s Cold Outside”

Ray Charles is no doubt a master of the blues, and is even more incredible having been blind throughout his entire success. There aren’t many as gifted and skilled at music as he was. I always knew of him, yet didn’t really understand his genius until the movie “Ray” came to theatres. Afterwards, I began a new admiration for his deep bluesy voice, and his upbeat rhythmic style. He sings with great soul and passion, most notably in the songs “Georgia” or “Baby its Cold Outside”.

31. Doobie Brothers

Jesus is Just Alright
Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active: 1970-Present
Key Songs: “Jesus is Just Alright with Me”, “Listen to the Music”, “Black Water”

Doobie Brothers were a band similar to Fleetwood Mac, in that they went through several changes throughout the years. Their music has a vast sound to it that mixes a rhythmic country, boogie, and rock and roll. I consider their sound to be very similar to Three Dog Night in a way. Their defining song to me is “Jesus is Just Alright with Me”, which just always puts me in a good mood when I hear. They have uplifting music with some good jam sessions.

The 50 Greats: 40-36

40. Tiesto

The Foremost DJ of Heavy Trance
Genre: Trance
Years Active: 1985-Present
Key Songs: “10 Seconds Before Sunrise”, “Morning Star”, “Adagio for Strings”

Tiesto was introduced to me by Peter Troitter in Chicago, as his favorite techno artist. He is regarded as the greatest DJ in the business, yet I myself have put several others above him. He has an upbeat trance style, with strong bass, and lots of complexity. Tiesto’s music is ideal to run or work out to, but not necessarily ideal for relaxing. I think of it as heavy upbeat trance, good for dancing or just getting pumped up.

39. Wilco

Easy Living in Chicago
Genre: Rock
Years Active: 1994-Present
Key Songs: “Impossible Germany”, “Handshake Drugs”, “Jesus Etc”

The music of Wilco will always remind me of my year in Chicago, most notably my spring and summer days. Being from Chicago themselves, I always consider Wilco as the Ultimate Chicago Rock Band. Their music is that easy-going soft-rock style that I love, that often mixes some good jamming and some good psychedelic. Their song “Impossible Germany”, is quite possibly one of my favorite songs all together, and has a guitar solo unlike any other. Their music is ideal for some good chilling and good listening.

38. Donovan

Imaginative Psychedelic Folk
Genre: Classic Rock
Years Active: 1965-Present
Key Songs: “Catch the Wind”, “Atlantis”, “Colours”

Donovan was Britain’s answer to Bob Dylan in the mid 1960s during the peak of the hippy flower-power movement. His style is similar to Dylan, yet he sings with a much softer, smoother, and clearer voice. His music is simple easy-going acoustic folk, and some of his lyrics are very creative like, songs such as “Atlantis” that tell of extreme fairy tales and imaginary worlds. I think Donovan has a gentle sound to his music that is perfect for a long road trip.

37. Enigma

Ambient Relaxation
Genre: Ambience
Years Active: 1980-Present
Key Songs: "Celtic Dream", "Deep Forest Meditation", "Return to Innocence"

The music of Enigma is a blend of Ambience and Electronic Beat. The founder Michael Cretu succeeded in creating his own authentic sound, which has become an essential to pure relaxation and meditation. The music is always ideal in the evening perhaps before or even during sleep. It is also nice to wake up to.

36. Jack Johnson

Hawaiian Mellow Music
Genre: Rock
Years Active: 2001-present
Key Songs: “Dark Water and Stars”, “Traffic in the Sky”, “Upside Down”

Jack Johnson takes me back to my college days, cruising around in EJ’s Honda or getting wasted at the Bluebird. His music is generally a mellow Hawaiian acoustic style, yet he still produces some more upbeat songs. I think his music is always best to listen to during the summertime, especially because it has that gentle Hawaiian sound to it. Some of his songs are also pretty transcending, like “Dark Water & Stars”, where he just kind of takes you on a trip. It’s a very versatile music, that goes well when chilling or goes well partying.

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.