Look, it was just as difficult finding the greatest rock songwriters of all time as it was researching the greatest guitar players, drummers etc. Everyone's list is different. Forget the order except, no one argues that Lennon and McCartney are number 1. I finally found a list that sort of hits the mark at http://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com. I had to stop the list at 33 because then it starts to lose credibility. Blatantly missing is Robert Plant/Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin. The one thing I will agree on is that these 33 definitely belong in the mix as the greatest 100 rock songwriters. Please let me know who are your greatest rock songwriters of all time? - Kenny Leibow
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| 1. John Lennon & Paul McCartney - The Beatles, Solo, 1960s, ("A Day In The Life", "Hey Jude", "Yesterday", "Let It Be", "Imagine") 2. Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller 1950s, ("Jailhouse Rock", "Hound Dog", "Stand By Me", "Love Potion No. 9", "Kansas City") 3. Chuck Berry 1950s, ("Johnny B. Goode", "Maybellene", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Sweet Little Sixteen") 4. Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland 1960s, ("Where Did Our Love Go", "Please Mr. Postman", "Baby Love", "You Keep Me Hangin' On") 5. Brian Wilson - The Beach Boys, Solo, 1960s, ("Good Vibrations", "God Only Knows", "California Girls," "Wouldn't It Be Nice,") 6. Bob Dylan 1960s, ("Like A Rolling Stone", "Blowin' In The Wind", "Mr. Tambourine Man", "Knockin' on Heaven's Door") 7. Smokey Robinson - The Miracles, Solo, 1960s, ("Tracks Of My Tears", "My Girl", "You've Really Got A Hold On Me", "Shop Around") 8. Stevie Wonder 1970s, ("Superstition", "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life", "Signed, Sealed Delivered I'm Yours") 9. Mick Jagger & Keith Richards - The Rolling Stones, 1960s, ("(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", "Sympathy For The Devil", "Paint It, Black", "Jumpin' Jack Flash") 10. James Brown 1960s, ("Papa's Got A Brand New Bag", "I Got You (I Feel Good)", "Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud") 11. Carole King & Gerry Goffin 1960s, ("You've Got A Friend", "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman", "One Fine Day") 12. Fats Domino & Dave Bartholomew 1950s, ("The Fat Man", "Ain't That A Shame", "I'm in Love Again", "Blue Monday", "I'm Walkin'") 13. Buddy Holly 1950s, ("Not Fade Away", "True Love Ways", "Peggy Sue", "That'll Be The Day") 14. Elton John & Bernie Taupin 1970s, ("Candle In The Wind", "Your Song", "Tiny Dancer", "Crocodile Rock", "Bennie and the Jets") 15. Bruce Springsteen 1970s, ("Born To Run", "Thunder Road", "Born In The USA") 16. Pete Townshend - The Who, 1960s, ("My Generation", "Won't Get Fooled Again", "Baba O'Riley") 17. Jerome "Doc" Pomus & Mort Shuman 1950s, ("This Magic Moment", ""His Latest Flame", "Viva Las Vegas", "Save The Last Dance For Me") 18. Prince 1980s, ("When Doves Cry", "Purple Rain", "Nothing Compares 2 U", "Kiss") 19. Joni Mitchell 1970s, ("A Case Of You", "Both Sides Now", "Chelsea Morning", "Big Yellow Taxi") 20. Otis Blackwell 1950s, ("Don't Be Cruel", "Great Balls Of Fire", "Fever") 21. Sam Cooke 1960s, ("A Change Is Gonna Come", "You Send Me", "Bring It On Home To Me", "Chain Gang") 22. Paul Simon - Simon & Garfunkel, Solo, 1960s, ("Bridge Over Troubled Water'", "The Sounds Of Silence", "Mrs. Robinson") 23. Ray Davies - The Kinks, 1960s, ("You Really Got Me", "Waterloo Sunset") 24. Curtis Mayfield - The Impressions, Solo, 1970s, ("People Get Ready", "Superfly") 25. Jeff Barry & Ellie Greenwich 1960s, ("Be My Baby", "Baby I Love You", "River Deep, Mountain High") 26. Van Morrison - Them, Solo, 1970s, ("Brown Eyed Girl", "Gloria", "Have I Told You Lately") 27. Felice Bryant & Boudleaux Bryant 1950s, ("Bye Bye Love", "Wake Up Little Susie", "All I Have To Do Is Dream") 28. David Bowie 1970s, ("Life On Mars", "Space Oddity", "Ziggy Stardust", "The Man Who Sold The World") 29. Neil Young 1970s, ("Heart of Gold", "Rockin' In The Free World", "Southern Man") 30. Bob Marley 1970s, ("No Woman No Cry", "One Love/People Get Ready", "Redemption Song") 31. Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff 1970s, ("If You Don't Know Me By Now", "When Will I See You Again", "Me And Mrs. Jones", "Love Train") 32. Little Richard 1950s, ("Tutti Frutti", "Lucille") 33. Bono & The Edge - U2, 1980s, ("With Or Without You", "One", "Sunday Bloody Sunday") | |
