Musicians Who Suck

[gmichael]

Who's idea was it to brush the cobwebs off this old klunker?

 

[stratman]

Heeeey HH greetings from the cave,

Yeah Billy is the man, so was SRV, love the Texas blues based rock. But like I always point out there are so many facets to being a musician that when somebody says: "oh this guy sucks because his solos are lame or this guy is good 'cause he can play a gazillion notes per second", you've got to know these people never studied music and see it from a fan's point of view (heck, you find this in any sport) so their passion and lack of knowledge show, sure everyone's entitled to like what they like, but time is the indicator of how a song will be perceived as genius or has-been, by now you know I don't like to ascribe genius to anyone who puts out a catchy tune, far from it, and I don't believe pop is the vehicle that will demonstrate an artist's genius potential, pop is not complex enough to represent the challenge required to be labeled genius. Distill rock and you'll get the blues, keep filtering and you'll arrive at the delta blues, keep distilling you'll get to hymns and gospel sang in churches right after slavery was abolished. Pick up a Robert Johnson CD, and you'll realize where Page copped his chops.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Is Phill Collins as good a drummer as Lenny White, Billy Cobham or even Ansley Dunbar ? i think not, his style was different but his style did not mean he was not capable of some pretty complicated beats.

Anyone who does not think Phil Collins is a great drummer is probably basing that opinion on his relatively recent material. If they listen to the early Genesis albums (especially The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway), their view is likely to change.

 

[mech]

Heeeey HH greetings from the cave,

Yeah Billy is the man, so was SRV, love the Texas blues based rock. But like I always point out there are so many facets to being a musician that when somebody says: "oh this guy sucks because his solos are lame or this guy is good 'cause he can play a gazillion notes per second", you've got to know these people never studied music and see it from a fan's point of view (heck, you find this in any sport) so their passion and lack of knowledge show, sure everyone's entitled to like what they like, but time is the indicator of how a song will be perceived as genius or has-been, by now you know I don't like to ascribe genius to anyone who puts out a catchy tune, far from it, and I don't believe pop is the vehicle that will demonstrate an artist's genius potential, pop is not complex enough to represent the challenge required to be labeled genius. Distill rock and you'll get the blues, keep filtering and you'll arrive at the delta blues, keep distilling you'll get to hymns and gospel sang in churches right after slavery was abolished. Pick up a Robert Johnson CD, and you'll realize where Page copped his chops.

Spoken like a true guitar player! I totally agree with your statement about the gazillion notes per second. For example Steve Vai is a total and complete shredder, if you were to ask me one famous riff that he came up with, I could not tell you. Now if you asked me any famous riffs that Paige, Angus, or Keith Richards have came up with, I could sit and tell you all day long. Does that mean the Steve Vai sucks? Heck no! Does that mean that I think Keith was a pretty damn sloppy player? Yes, indeed he is and was! But what is a true measure of greatness? To me, the most important talent comes back to catchy riffs and song writting ability.

One other thing that I wanted to comment on is the whole thing that people say about old blues artisits like Robert Johnson. Yes he was great, but he also copped his riffs as well. Blues is an off shoot of old world folk, gospel and country, but you don't hear many people say it. There was not much blues happening in Africa. It's like I have always said, "everything has already been played before, it's how you play it."

 

[stratman]

Spoken like a true guitar player! I totally agree with your statement about the gazillion notes per second. For example Steve Vai is a total and complete shredder, if you were to ask me one famous riff that he came up with, I could not tell you. Now if you asked me any famous riffs that Paige, Angus, or Keith Richards have came up with, I could sit and tell you all day long. Does that mean the Steve Vai sucks? Heck no! Does that mean that I think Keith was a pretty damn sloppy player? Yes, indeed he is and was! But what is a true measure of greatness? To me, the most important talent comes back to catchy riffs and song writting ability.

One other thing that I wanted to comment on is the whole thing that people say about old blues artisits like Robert Johnson. Yes he was great, but he also copped his riffs as well. Blues is an off shoot of old world folk, gospel and country, but you don't hear many people say it. There was not much blues happening in Africa. It's like I have always said, "everything has already been played before, it's how you play it."

You my friend are correct, it all boils down some dusty old bar or some old down-south church where it all began for us here. If you take modern music and start dissecting and de-evolving it, eventually you will get to African tribal rhytms. Which the Zulu were some of the best. (again with the best arguement! )

 

[Geno]

They All Suck Sometimes

I've been following this thread with a lot of gnashing of teeth (some of my favorites are on the OP's list) We've all got our pet performers - personal taste is the final arbiter of who's great and who sucks, IMHO. Every one of my favorites has put out something that I thought stunk, but overall, I like their style and substance. Even the deified Eric Clapton has put out a few oinkers in his time, but he's beein one of my must-haves for decades.
I don't think any artist in the rock/pop/jazz/classical genres has any claim to 100% first-rate product.

Of course, that's just my opinion...I could be wrong

 

[Loxxa]

this thread is pretty pointless

 

[stratman]

this thread is pretty pointless

It depends on how you look at it. The reason AV exists is because of Audio and Video, the hardware is just a means to the end. The persons (artists) subjected to critique comprise part of the AV community, such as you would critique a film, director, writer and so forth. The original poster had some misgivings that led to the civil but somewhat arguable account of so- called "sucky" musicians.

 

[Loxxa]

lol i suppose i mean to say that on a site like this... tastes probably vary hugely. And I don't know if you're as arrogant as me when it comes to music, but anyone telling me a musician I like "sucks" is going to get nothing but laughter from my side! haha

 

[naisphoo]

<font color='#000000'>Have you ever noticed that a lot of the musicians who suck seem to work and stick together? Musicians like Sting (a.k.a. Stink), John Melloncamp, Billy Joel, Elton John, Bruce Springstink, Rod Stewart, Phil Collins, Paul McCartney, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Eric Clapton, Don Henley, Brian Adams, etc. You may have noticed some of these artists touring and collaborating together. They also love to do live aid type stuff to show how much they &quot;care&quot; and because it's a great photo op. Anyone remember &quot;We Are The World&quot; and stuff like that? Those were the biggest conglomerations of sucky musicians that ever gathered in one place. When you think about it, there was enough money between them all to end hunger in a Large portion of Africa for years, if they REALLY cared. From what I seen it didn't happen. Have you ever noticed that really good, serious musicians don't have anything to do with these people?

</font>

I guess nobody really cares to ask the Op about...who those "really good and serious musician" are?
Yes those musicians that you mentioned are the "We Are The World" ones...but then you, yes YOU, what have you done lately to better this world that you are living in. It's so easy to be critical of others when you sit there doing nothing. Make no mistake people, this thread is not about bad musicians. The guy just hate good hearted musicians!!!

 

[genesis471]

Anyone who does not think Phil Collins is a great drummer is probably basing that opinion on his relatively recent material. If they listen to the early Genesis albums (especially The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway), their view is likely to change.

No doubt correct - He played some amazingly difficult stuff back then. For those who think he sucks, you need to do your homework!

Mike

 

[Sheep]

I think Genesis sucks...

SheepStar

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I think Genesis sucks...

SheepStar

Now you are just being intentionally provocative.

 

[blowinch]

I think its good that you slated those musicians. Apart from paul macca as he was a badass at one point, before he stopped taking drugs or what ever. he does suck now though. elton john, and dion, godfathers of crap. its not just their music, its the way they get in your face all day. its not all about opinion, its about taste too. my suck list:
bono
muse
tool
brian adams gets another shout
garth brooks ha ha
queen- all of them
good charlotte
oasis
these guys should all colabrorate on an album together and give the money to world peace or something. it should be there last album. im sorry if i missed anyone out.