Favorite Musician?

**Slick** · 07-19-2008, 02:36 AM

Who is your favorite musician? And why?

I read through the forums and couldn't find the topic quite like this. Yeah, theres a favorite band, some others favorite, but I mean by favorite musician.

I think people take the musicians themself for granted, whether it's the vocals, or the instrumentals, but I think the kids nowadays just knows the names of the bands and not the people who go through years and years of composing to get where there at.

To the topic...
My favorite artist/musician is Amy Lee. Alot of people don't know, but her first song she ever made public was "Eternity of the Remorse" and she made this when she was only eleven. Alot of people say her music is too dark, but you got to remember that it is in the dark where you can see all of the light. She is so talented when it comes to music, I think alot of people forget that. If Evanescence were to make an album without the help of Amy Lee, it wouldn't go far. She carries the band really. She designs her own clothes which brings out her personality. She does her music the way she wants it, not the media. You don't know what to expect from her, but it is always good.

A few others I would like to say is Chris Cornell, Chris Volz, Tom DeLonge, Jonathan Davis, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Busta Rhymes, Alicia Keys, Fred Durst, M. Shadows, Aaron Lewis, Jerry Cantrell, Jay-Z, Joe Hahn, Jack Black, and a heck of lot more.

A note to this, this could be said as your favorite artist, but it is about who you feel is the most talented musician to your thoughts. This even includes Nobuo Uematsu from the FF series.

**Nekoness** · 07-19-2008, 04:25 AM

my favorite musician is Tarja Tournen.
I like her style and her vocal performances are simply divine. Nothing more to say.

**Lilium** · 07-30-2008, 03:39 PM

I can't decide between Conor Oberst and Elliott Smith.

With Conor Oberst, a lot of his songs are pretty creative and emotional, and have a little bit of a raw feeling. He can do many different types of sounds (within the electronica, rock, folk, and country genres, anyway), and has some pretty good lyrics, even if some are cheesy, or sound like they're coming from an emotional teenage boy.
His earlier stuff is definitely the best, since his later work sounds much more polished goes in a more political direction (shown in Cassadaga), instead of using more emotion like he did in albums like Letting Off The Happiness and Fevers & Mirrors.
His music sounds like it's just a group of friends getting together and making some music, and I really like that about his sound. I like that clean studio sound, but I'd much prefer either a raw sound or a live sound. That's just me, though. His sound gets much more studio overtime, but he still delivers greatly.
In his song 'First Day of My Life', if you were to create some tabs for it, you would be able to tell that he really knows his music theory quite well. I got my guitar teacher almost a year ago to translate the guitar in it, and he noticed this. Some of his songs are more experimental, but overall, this guy really knows his way around a guitar.

With Elliott Smith, his lyrics are also very emotional, but they are much more subtle, and are much, much more creative and written better. His lyrics are simply beautiful (shown in his song 'Coming Up Roses' and 'Clementine'). He has so many B-sides and unreleased material, that it's crazy. If only they could find some recordings of a lot of them...
His voice is just beautiful, and his guitar playing is very unique. For many of his songs, you have to tune your guitar down either a half-step, a full-step, or even two full-steps (like in 'Between the Bars'. One of his best songs). He has some brilliant music theory, as well.
He does all of the instruments in his recordings, and has some songs with either just guitar or just piano. He is very gifted when it comes to music.
He was ****ed-up in the head, but he was brilliant and gifted when it came to writing and creating music.

I can't say too much for him, so check him out either on YouTube or on Wikipedia. Look up both of them, actually.

**Confession** · 08-03-2008, 05:52 AM

MIKE PATTON MIKE PATTON MIKE PATTON!

I am sure that James will be in here soon talking about him.

Okay well Mike Patton is a Songwriter, vocalist, drummer, works the synths, is a human beatbox and has his own record company.

He was the lead singer for my fave band Faith No More, for there most acclaimed albums.
He has also been in various other bands such as Fantomas, (along with Dave Lombardo from slayer) Dillinger Escape Plan, Mr. Bungle (One of the best and original Avant-Garde bands, becides from Zappa) and countless others.
Many people incuding Rolling Stone has said he was the most talented and most diverse vocalist ever.

I am a massive fanboy, I will stop here because I could go on forever, here is his wiki page.

OMGOSH MIKE PATTON

**Polk** · 08-03-2008, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by Spiral Architect

MIKE PATTON MIKE PATTON MIKE PATTON!

I am sure that James will be in here soon talking about him.

Okay well Mike Patton is a Songwriter, vocalist, drummer, works the synths, is a human beatbox and has his own record company.

He was the lead singer for my fave band Faith No More, for there most acclaimed albums.
He has also been in various other bands such as Fantomas, (along with Dave Lombardo from slayer) Dillinger Escape Plan, Mr. Bungle (One of the best and original Avant-Garde bands, becides from Zappa) and countless others.
Many people incuding Rolling Stone has said he was the most talented and most diverse vocalist ever.

I am a massive fanboy, I will stop here because I could go on forever, here is his wiki page.

OMGOSH MIKE PATTON

OMG GET OUT OF MY HEAD.

Yeah, we'll get to Mike Patton. What's that? You want me to run down my top 5 favorite musicians? Oh jeez that could take a long time OKAY I'LL DO IT.

5. Trevor Dunn- An amazing bass player who's also one of the founding members of Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, and Trevor Dunn's Trio Convulsant. He's also played with John Zorn in his Electric Masada, and many of his composition pieces along with Mike Patton.

4. Joe Preston- Joe Preston is another fantastic bass player. In his career, he's played with Earth, The Melvins, Sunn O))), High on Fire, and Harvey Milk. He's also started his own solo project, Thrones. Also, he's hairy like a bear.

3. John Zorn- A brilliant saxophonist and Avant Garde composer. His most famous work is with Naked City, Hemophiliac, Painkiller, Electric Masada, and his solo work/compositions. He's also worked with Mr. Bungle, producing their self-titled album and playing saxophone on the song Travolta. Look at his discography.

John Zorn discography - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2. Les Claypool- Oh, jeez. Another bass player? My God. What is wrong with me? Anyway, he's most famous for his work with Primus, but has also been the founder of such acts as Colonel Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie's Brains, Les Claypool and the Holy Mackerel, Blind Illusion, Sausage, and not to mention solo stuff.

1. Mike ****ing Patton- I don't need to even say anything. It's Mike Patton.

Mike
****ing
Patton.

Also worth a mention: Skerik
Buckethead
And Nickelback. Oh yeah.

**bosola** · 08-04-2008, 06:32 AM

Marilyn Manson. He writes almost all his own stuff (that is, all the stuff Twiggy Ramirez or (*grumble*) Tim Skold didn't), he has deceptively intelligent political arguments in his lyrics, he can play instruments and sing amazingly live, and he can get away with wearing a fluffy-trimmed body stocking and make-up in public. Yes, he's not to everyone's taste, and yes, he's sometimes a bit too arrogant for his own good, but...

I just like his stuff, okay?

***Priscilla*** · 08-04-2008, 07:50 PM

I have to go with Emilie Autumn, she is a truely amazing and wonderful girl. Her music is really meaningful and it feels like she wrote every song for a reason. Unlike a lot of mainstream music >.<.

I love all of her songs and her in general. She is beautiful.
I also love the violin and she plays it so well. She is inspiration to me. Because well I am not so good xD

I would love to meet her in person <3

**Clint** · 08-05-2008, 10:09 AM

John Petrucci from Dream Theater is arguably the greatest guitarist who's ever lived. He, and the rest of Dream Theater write amazingly progressive songs, but the difference between Petrucci to the rest of the band is, his improvisation during live shows is unbelievable. The rest of the guys in the band use improvisation, but not one of them can make the added parts to the songs fit as well as Petrucci can.

**Dimi** · 08-06-2008, 06:55 AM

Mikael Åkerfeldt: This man is awesome. I've gotten into Opeth not long ago and he has one of the best vocals I have ever heard. What I find even more fascinating about him is how he's able to use clean and growling vocals in their songs amazingly. And his songwriting is raw yet he's able to showcase his emotion through his vocals which is a rare thing to have.

David Draiman: Again, David has one of the most unique vocals in mainstream rock today. I find Disturbed's music really good and even though David has gone through a lot in his past, I find it admirable on how he's able to put it in a song and show how he overcame these hard obstacles in his life he faced.

Emilie Autumn: SHE'S HOT!!!! What can I say? And she owns a Cannibal Corpse G-string.

Seriously though, she has talent. She's a phenomenal poet. One hell of a violin player. And I like how she was able to incorperate other styles of music with a mix of personal style and created something awesome.

**Lithium** · 08-08-2008, 02:09 PM

I am in a fight between Miyavi and Nightmare.

Yes I realize that I put Nightmare and not just and individual member. The reason for that is because the singer, Yomi (Jun Chiba) is not just the only contributing person, in Nightmare there is also Sakito (Takahiro Sakaguchi) the Lead Guitarist, Hitsugi (Mitsuo Ikari) the following Guitarist, Ni~ya (Yuuji Baba) the Bassist, and Ruka (Satoru Karino) the Drummer. I listed all of them because each of them comtribute to the band, whether it be Hitsugi's styles, Yomi, Sakito, and Ruka's songwriting, or Ni~Ya's increadable bass playing. Each of them have their roles, which is why they are in my top musicians. And there music is just my type. People think they are just another Visual Kei, Gothic and Emo band, but they are much much more.

Now Miyavi is in the run because his music is also my style and he is my idol, influence, and role model. Again people think he is just a another singer who is down right bad and unappealing, again he is so much more. And being a soloist is why he is in my running.

They are both very good, and they both speak to me in different ways. -Sigh- Well I guess I could just say that they are both my heros and I will always respect them for the ways their music has influenced me.

**Dragon_Jiriki** · 08-08-2008, 03:37 PM

I'm a fan of country/western music in general. I have dozens of country music CDs and I listen to them from time to time.

I'd have to say my favorite artists are Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Bering Strait, Montgomery Gentry, in no particular order. I like songs that I can sing along to. Probably I am a little out of the way with regard to music tastes here. But that's just me.

**Blackbird VIII** · 08-09-2008, 05:29 PM

Well i have several my most favorite would have to be Aaron Lewis.My second most would be Chester Bennington.The last would be Chris Cornell all the way.

**shinra_32** · 08-09-2008, 07:12 PM

I guess I have a few favorites. It all depends on my mood. I love Gackt, Blue October, Rikki, Marilyn Manson and Danzig. These are the main discs in my car. I shift through these on a weekly basis. Right now I'm leaning toward Marilyn Manson being my favorite. I'm in one of those brooding moods.

**EthanElephants** · 08-10-2008, 12:10 AM

i like jon radtke from kill hannah, you can easily pick out his songs from the songs that matt devine plays, they are so mellow and calm and relaxing. my favorate song he wrote was statues without eyes.

**ZantetsukeN** · 08-10-2008, 08:07 AM

I think mine would be Ville Valo. I love how diverse is voice is. Second would probably be Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein (Misfits), because without him, I probably wouldn't be playing guitar right now.

Angelo Omarr · 08-17-2008, 12:46 AM

Anton Newcombe.

No matter how ****ed up he is he has an amazing visionary perspective of music, and megalomania aside manages to consistently create music of an excellent standard. (Newcombe is the leading man for the Brian Jonestown Massacre if your wondering)

As a lyricist though I'd have to say Daniel Johnston is probably my favourite.

And also worthy of a mention is the collective of Sigur Ros, beautiful music. Kevin Shields also rates highly (my bloody valentine).

There are just so many!..

**diaryofjane** · 09-26-2008, 10:19 PM

David Murray-who is a jazz artist. Beause he is a bass clarinet jazz artist and I play that instrument, and his sound and all is awsome.

**Yesha** · 10-09-2008, 07:01 PM

I reaLLy hook to this musicians:

*Whitney Houston
*Mariah carey
*Diana Ross
*CeLine Dion
*WestLife
*Leona Lewis
*ALy and Aj
*ELLiot Yamin
*Utada Hikaru (Japanese singer)

Maridia · 10-11-2008, 10:57 PM

If I HAD to pick one it would be Pete Townshend. If you listen to his music, from The Who all the way up to his solo stuff, which all together ranges from 60's-now then you'd see how much progression and growth there is. Always traces of showing it's him but a growth in lyrics and music. And with age came much better playing, and real solo's which are rarely his thing. For overall themes it went from being young rebbelion type to and overview of feelings speaking from cultural class, love, and finally exceptance of age. Still if you appreciate classic rock or just rock in general I think you need to at least recognize him as a symbol and staple for the classic era of rock music, and how it evolved.

**Asectic** · 10-18-2008, 10:29 AM

Mine is a Korean singer that ppl here probably wouldn't know. Or maybe they would.

Hyo Ri Lee - The singer to a bunch of songs that are heard now everyday and even though she cant sing "well" but in looks she's awsome. I listen to most of her songs. Especially "Punky Punky Party" and "U Go Girl"

**Angantyr** · 10-21-2008, 08:33 PM

Quorthon, the man, the hero the legend.

R.I.P!

**britney** · 10-22-2008, 06:43 AM

I say Mariah Carey because she is the one that inspired me to sing in public.

**Ulteka Mako** · 10-22-2008, 11:31 PM

My favorite musicians would have to be guys in Avenged Sevenfold/A7X. I have always liked them. There first CD Waking The Fallen is my favorite, in which came out in 2003. But all their stuff is good in my opinion.

**zodiark12** · 12-07-2008, 04:16 PM

The best musician in my opinion would have to be Manaryd from Tool and A perfect circle because he is very talented going with two bands i heard about another one but don't know for sure and he owns his own vineyard.

**Taco-Calamitous** · 12-07-2008, 05:24 PM

A couple people mentioned Mike Patton, who I also think is pretty awesome; great voice. He can do a lot with it. He is not my favorite, though.

When it comes down to it, my favorite single musical artist is probably Danny Elfman, the composer of such famous scores as the one to the Tim Burton Batman movie, and the front man to the band Oingo Boingo. He has a good voice, too; he sang Jack Skellington's parts in "A Nightmare Before Christmas," and some of his singing work in Oingo Boingo is very impressive, like the end of "Goodbye, Goodbye." Even if he has expressed anti-christian sentiments in his music (the song "Insanity" in particular) the music is still cool, so I can forgive him for that.

Runners up would be: Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins; James Dewees of Reggie and the Full Effect, The Get Up Kids, etc.; either of the Johns of They Might Be Giants; and Reese Roper of Five Iron Frenzy and Brave Saint Saturn. Anyhoo...

Wuv, Yer Mom

**Sean** · 12-08-2008, 11:51 PM

Current? Tom Morello.

He's pretty much amazing. His work in Rage, his work in Audioslave, his solo stuff as The Night Watchman, not to mention the duo he did on stage with Bruce Springsteen of The Ghost of Tom Joad is probably the greatest thing I've heard recently.

Originally Posted by zodiark12

The best musician in my opinion would have to be Manaryd from Tool and A perfect circle because he is very talented going with two bands i heard about another one but don't know for sure and he owns his own vineyard.

Maynard James Keenan is good, but meh. A Perfect Circle was not his band, he just laid down the vocals for it. That was all Billy Howerdell, and they are done. Maynard's current side project would be Pucifer, which is more or less hit or miss. He's a weird ****ing guy.

**SailorCallie** · 12-11-2008, 01:26 PM

I have two personal favorites:

G.E. Smith

And...

Shawn Pelton

**impureangel** · 12-19-2008, 08:54 AM

im gonna have to go with billy corgan
no one can write a song quite like he can

Duderman · 01-01-2009, 03:04 PM

There are so many... so i'll pick 5 in no particular order. XD

- Ian Curtis of Joy Division
- Joe Satriani
- Jimi Hendrix (R.I.P) of The Jimi Hendrix Experience
- Buckethead
- Jeff Beck