Over the years, I've taken several opportunities to compile a list of my favorite bands, singers, performers, actors, and stuff like that. The list has always shifted a bit, with new artists feeding the pool from time to time. Some members of this elite list however, have remained right up there at the top, and never seem to get old. Or at least their music doesn't.

First up on my list:
Led Zeppelin.
From their multi layered steel guitar, mandolin, acoustic, slide, and even banjo, pagey knew what the fuck he was doing. A truly amazing song writer, it's difficult to imagine anyone of today's crop of new artists who would even bother to try and come up with such carefully detailed, beautifully crafted compositions. Their use of odd time signatures, combined with a heady mix of delta blues, welsh countryside and middle eastern and morroccan influences, Zeppelin brought something entirely new to the listener's ear. And believe me, I was all ears. Check out the third album if you're new to these monsters.

Black Sabbath
These dudes started that whole dark, brooding and heavy feel that so many bands have learned to copy over the years. Think about it: who amongst their peers sounded anything like Sabbath? I mean, hippies were singin' about peace and love, and these guys are up there chunkin' it out with a heavy laden metal crunch that was truly ahead of their time. Ozzy continues to astound audiences, despite putting up with Iommi's condescending attitude. Start with 'Paranoid'.

Bob Dylan
Do I really need to get into this? In a lot of ways, it all starts and ends with this cat. Miles ahead of his peers, he did it his way, and he did it the best. Imagine having as your competition bands like The Beatles, The Stones, Van Morrison, Zeppelin, and Hendrix. Not to mention gigantic pop acts of the day like the Byrds, The Mamas and the Papas, and the entire Folk circuit- Joni Mitchell, CSNY, Neil Young...just about anyone you can think of that was just HUGE, and they ALL deferred to the man, Mr. Bob Dylan. He taught them (and us) an all new way of writing lyrics, and Dylan's been the single most important musical influence in my life, bar none. You can click on his 'official' website or search the internet. You'll find like 6 billion links and references on the man from Hibbing, Minnesota. Best bet: "Desire", or go back another 10 years for "Highway 61 Revisited".

Nick Drake
Still unknown to most music listeners, Nick Drake has a hauntingly beautiful, unmistakable sound that's only now being given its due. You'll hear his songs on movie soundtracks and go, "who is that guy singing?" Sadly, Nick Drake suffered from bouts of depression, and passed away in the early 70's at the young age of 26. He leaves with us a body of work that, while relatively brief, easily withstands the test of time. Check him out here.

Elvin Bishop
Elvin Bishop is one of the best entertainers I've ever had the good pleasure of seeing live, and to actually meet in person. Spanning a career over 40 years, he's managed to jam with the best of them, from his days in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, to open sessions at the Fillmore with Garcia and the Bay Area crew. You can read more about him on my stories page, or check out this site.  For a quick foray into the meat of the act, check out the truly mind boggling double live 'Raisin' Hell'.

Pete Townshend
Clearly one of the most gifted song writers of the genre.  Pete headed up perhaps the only true rock band that escaped the punk's wrath.  These guys were and are one of the best.  Best bets: The Who- Who's Next, or Pete's solo outing "Empty Glass".

Thievery Corporation
Baltimore based world music overlords.  Check out 'the cosmic game' and find out where the future of music is headed. Everything I've heard and seen of Thievery Corporation has been first rate.

Morcheeba
"Big Calm" is the album.  It all came together for them here.  I'm told they found a new lead singer, and that she's pretty good.  Stay with Big Calm.

John Coltrane
Sick, Sick, SICK.  This guy ripped up a jam session like nobody's business. He was years ahead of his time, and still is.

Pearl Jam 
Clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the so called 'grunge' bands that came out of Seattle in the early to mid 90's.  Infinitely better than their grossly overrated counterparts 'nirvana'.  In fact, I'd put them up against any rock band that's emerged over the last 15 years or so. 

Joni Mitchell (first 5 albums!)
This chick had it down pat.  Go back and check out her first and second albums.  It's just so beautiful, makes you wonder why she had to go ahead and pretend she was a jazzman.  What is she black now?  Anything after 1975, I say don't bother.

Todd Rundgren
I got to open a show for Todd back in 2001.  He's been a pioneer in music technology for decades, and always at the cutting edge of recording techniques, electronics and music production. Plus, the guy can flat out write a song.  "Back to the Bars", "A Wizard, A True Star" and "The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect" are all fine examples of a true genious at work.