- Bob Dylan – This is a no-brainer. Dylan is one of the most-covered rock artists ever, and no wonder. With a repertoire including songs like Like a Rolling Stone, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, Tangled Up in Blue, and the ubiquitous All Along the Watchtower, Dylan has been inspiring musicians and non-musicians alike for the past 50 years.
- The Beatles, of course*. They are the fathers, the trendsetters and the rebels of the rock era, and no one has come along since that comes close to their talent or success. Love Me Do. Let it Be. Blackbird. Come Together**. Need I say more?
- Paul Simon – I am dumbfounded by his immense talent. From his Simon & Garfunkel days to his solo career, he’s written some of the most long-lived and well-loved pop songs ever, including Scarborough Fair, Cecilia, Spirit Voices and of course Mrs. Robinson.
* Yes, I know the Beatles are more than one person. But you can’t split them up. I suppose if I had to pick, I’d slim it down to the Lennon/McCartney team, but still, you really have to deal with them as a group.
** Can I just take a moment here to say how much it sucks that iTMS doesn’t have any Beatles stuff at all? Jerks.