PopsMy buddy FastnBulbous had a poll recently asking MOGger's who they thought were the greatest American bands / artists ever. The criteria were subjective. He was more interested in who's provided the most hours of enjoyment or who had a significant emotional impact. I noticed there weren't many women listed in the responses (mine included) ...mostly white guys but it was a poll about rock.Anyway, on lark I posed the same question to my dad over a couple of beers. I opened it up and didn't stipulate that the artists be American or restrict it to Rock. I just wanted to know the top 10 bands / musicians that have had the most influence on him as a person. His list was much more comprehensive than mine even though he's not regularly exposed to as much variety or volume of music.My Daddy's List:*1.)* The ubiquitous Mr. Bob Zimmerman - nuff said*2.)* Mahalia Jackson*3.)* Joan Baez*4.)* Neil Young (and all his incarnations)*5.)* Frank Sinatra and/or Jerry and the Pace Makers - it was a tie for the middle*6.)* Beatles*7.)* Judy Collins*8.)* Talking Heads - He's always been a huge fan of Byrne.*9.)* Barbara Streisand - Huh? Dad and Babs? WTF! Then he explained “about 1970 in Vietnam I freaked out a bunch of cats. We were smoking dope and she had this song 'Keep off the Grass' that I played for them...." hrm…Okay.*10.)* BeBe King.Honorable mention goes to Hank Williams Sr. "I remember standing on a step stool to reach the telephone when I was 6. My mom would help me call the radio station to request 'Your Cheatin Heart."
Kate says
I dug your dad's list! My dad was also in Vietnam in 1970. He got drafted and as a result had to give away his Woodstock tickets 'cause he shipped out the day of the festival. I'm sure our dads would have a lot to talk about...
wassonii says
Even though I'm a Beatles fan, since we were discussing american music, maybe we could fudge a little and swap for Hank? Dad's are cool. My stepdad remembers when he was a wee lad and Hank Sr coming by to visit some family (stepdad's).
Yet one of the many things that makes me glad to be from the south:) Tell your dad thanks!
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