Greatest ALL-AROUND musician

[Led_Zep_Bonham]

Who do you guys think is the best all-around musician of all time.

My choices would have to be Paul McCartney, John Paul Jones and ummmmmm......I don't know, I can't think straight right now.

Just say what you think, like guys that can write well sing well and so on.

[fooman]

i dunno many guys that can do it all
but DAVE GROHL is my answer.
He has a cd, that built a huge fanbase, he wrote by himself and recorded on his own to prove it. Im sure others have done the same, but Dave is my idol. Hes just a cool guy who does it all.

[guitarisgood]

for me, thom yorke. he can play guitar and piano(nto a great feat but it helps out songwriting). he's just a great singer/songwriter, radiohoead is just top of the line music all around as far as i'm concerned.

[ikikdababy]

Moby is a multi-talented guy... Apparently he plays all the instruments on his albums...

[Biohazard]

Axl Rose is pretty talented. He plays piano on certain songs, guitar on certain songs (or so i've heard), and hes an awesome singer.

[rvd7692]

Originally posted by ikikdababy
Moby is a multi-talented guy... Apparently he plays all the instruments on his albums...
So does Kid Rock. I don tlike him but i got to give props to him for that one.

[iamsuperdan]

Moby - he can do it all. Techno, Speed Metal, Rock, Trance, sheer brilliance!
Nuno Bettencourt - multi talented. He can sing, play the guitar, piano, conduct orchestras. Awesome.

[fufanu_boy]

James hetfield, did you see him on the live **** binge and purge vidoes? hes and awesome drummer! and guitarst.





just kidding about the drums part, but it was really cool and funny when he was playing drums with lars up there.

[coypu]

Sean Reinert on drums, he can play everything from technical death to smooth jazz.

[kieran]

yeah dave grohl

*great drummer
*awesome singer
*cool guitarist
*fantastic songwriter

http://www.foofighters.com/blackbox/1999/12_11_99_anaheim/images/KROQDave.jpg

[BehMershal]

Originally posted by fufanu_boy
James hetfield, did you see him on the live **** binge and purge vidoes? hes and awesome drummer! and guitarst.

hahaha.....that little drum battle was heaps funny :lol:

Lars - "I don't think James can keep up with me"

James - "oh yeah..."

[The Trooper]

Originally posted by fufanu_boy
James hetfield, did you see him on the live **** binge and purge vidoes? hes and awesome drummer! and guitarst.





just kidding about the drums part, but it was really cool and funny when he was playing drums with lars up there.

he plays piano too :D

[The_Shredder]

I can't believe no one has named TRENT REZNOR, or Steve Vai.

Their composition skillz are unmatched by ANYONE mentioned thus far..

And Conisdering Trent plays (and no, it's not just synths), produces and writes everything on his albums.. I can't think of anyone else (in rock) that touches him.

[The_Shredder]

But seeing as to how you said "Greatest of all time", my (official) vote is Beethoven.

[Britney Diva]

Originally posted by Biohazard
Axl Rose is pretty talented. He plays piano on certain songs, guitar on certain songs (or so i've heard), and hes an awesome singer.

He played rhtym on one song and played piano sometimes. Dizzy handled most keyboard duties. He has written great tunes though.

I reckon:

Prince
Noel Gallagher
John Paul Jones
Rory Gallagher
Matt Bellamy

[Hababi]

Billy Corgan and Dave Grohl immediatly come to mind. Billy is a great drummer, guitarist and songwriter (he did all 3 on most of one of their own album). Dave Grohl is a powerhouse drummer, a good guitarist and capable of writing golden songs. I don't know if anyone has switched instruments with the amount of success he did. He's one of the few rock superstars still around.

John Fusciante of the Chili Peppers too. He can do all the instruments. One lesser known artist is Lincoln Brewster, who's quite a guitarist, along with being a bass player, keyboardist and songwriter. Rich Mullins too...

[Britney Diva]

Slash went from bass -> guitar with a bit of success it would seem

[Led_Zep_Bonham]

Jimi Hendrix - When they(his band) were recording in the studio's he would have the guys in the band go up-stairs and work out what he wanted them to play and then have the guys come back in to show 'em.

[Schermy]

Stevie Wonder, Phil Collins, and Ben Folds

[Jimbo Page]

Originally posted by fooman
i dunno many guys that can do it all
but DAVE GROHL is my answer.
He has a cd, that built a huge fanbase, he wrote by himself and recorded on his own to prove it. Im sure others have done the same, but Dave is my idol. Hes just a cool guy who does it all.

I hope your joking seriously. Anyway I think Jack Bruce or John Paul Jones are the two most multi-talented rockers. Jack Bruce is the champ though. In Cream he played: bass guitar, organ, acoustic guitar, piano, harmonica, cello and sang lead vocals.

[InfinitelySad]

Billy is a great drummer, guitarist and songwriter (he did all 3 on most of one of their own album)
Billy actually hates the drums, wont play them unless absolutely necessary

But Billy still gets my vote and Paul Leary of the butthole surfers

[fooman]

Originally posted by Jimbo Page


I hope your joking seriously. Anyway I think Jack Bruce or John Paul Jones are the two most multi-talented rockers. Jack Bruce is the champ though. In Cream he played: bass guitar, organ, acoustic guitar, piano, harmonica, cello and sang lead vocals.

yes i am joking. I love wasting my time puttin up jokes.

[Snow]

Billy Corgan also plays bass btw

to be truly multi-talented imo you should excel at more than one instrument rather than just be able to play a few... soooo... i would go with Eddie Van Halen who is superb at both guitar and piano/keyboard, and can also play drums and bass i believe. And of course he wrote some good songs

[Jayer]

i say Reznor or Corgan...Billy is one super duper guy (I have not heard any of Zwan, the new band... I hope its good)

[Papa Lemming]

Dave Grohl is a good all-around musician. He's a kick *** drummer, a good guitarist, a fairly good songwriter and he plays bass sometimes, and he can play multiple roles in music videos to shorten the budget (hehe)... And he was in Nirvana... and now he is in Foo Fighters.

Yeah, he gets my vote.

[Papa Lemming]

And yeah... Moby is very talented. I like his music and yeah, he plays all instruments in his albums.

[HauntedHated]

Phil Anselmo is a pretty bad a§§ all around musician. He is currently in 10 different bands. He sings for Pantera and Superjoint Ritual, plays guitar for Eibon, Body And Blood, Christ Inversion, Enoch, Necrophagia, Amicuss, and Viking Crown. He also plays bass and drums for Viking Crown. Plus, on the first Viking Crown album he did everything himself (sang, played bass, drums, guitar, and keyboards). There's also rumors that another band he is in is about to surface, but i haven't heard anything about it yet.

So Phil Anselmo gets my vote.

[jjcozz]

for guitar i would have to go with:
1. Jimmy Page (duh)
2. Kirk Hammet
3. Jimi Hendrix

For Bass:
1. Cliff Burton (RIP)
2. Jason Newsted

[jjcozz]

Originally posted by jjcozz
for guitar i would have to go with:
1. Jimmy Page (duh)
2. Kirk Hammet
3. Jimi Hendrix

For Bass:
1. Cliff Burton (RIP)
2. Jason Newsted

sorry guys i thought i was in a different forum,

[jjcozz]

for the best all around musician i would pick Cliff Burton, he could write awesome solos and he kicked *** on the bass

[Orestes Mantra]

Billy Howerdel!

On Mer De Noms he:

-Wrote ALL the music
-Wrote some of the lyrics with Maynards help
-Played almost all the guitar
-Played alot of bass
-Played keyboard
-Sang backup on all tracks and one track all by himself
-Recorded and produced the album all by himself
-Did the album art

He's the man!

[KIDDIE2]

For me Matt Bellamy of Muse is a great musician. Although he doesn't show how tlaented he is on either muse album when i went to see muse he was great on guitar and piano. He played really awsom fills n stuff on both instruments and on guitar he was finger tapping and doing all the fast solo techniques.

[simplephotographinthesun]

rivers cuomo
john paul jones
moby
dave grohl
brian wilson

[666DiMe666]

OZZZY OSBOURNE!!! he can sing AANNDDD play harmonica...

You think after being in the businnes for thirty years he would have picked up a guitar or something...

[Chicken Soda]

I intend to eventually become fluent in every single instrument. Right now, I'm limited to clarinet, guitar, and piano. I want to learn either the saxaphone or trumpet next...

I'd say that most composers would be the greatest all-around musicians, since they have to understand every single instrument in their compositions in order to make good music.

[bwbw]

For me Matt Bellamy of Muse is a great musician. Although he doesn't show how tlaented he is on either muse album when i went to see muse he was great on guitar and piano. He played really awsom fills n stuff on both instruments and on guitar he was finger tapping and doing all the fast solo techniques. - kiddie2

this guys absoloutly right - matt is very talented
anyone heard the piano solo from newborn single? plug in baby guitaring (better live when hes jumping around whilst playing) and check out his singing, not to mention the fact that he has created all the music including lyrics (with the exception of a couple of tracks) of course there are other talented musicians but this guy stands out. :)

[KIDDIE2]

ive heard that piano thing on the new born single its good isnt it.
i went to muse in leicester what about you.

Did you buy the hoodie of that tour

[RandyfromPennywise]

Fat Mike

[KIDDIE2]

What do u mean by Fat Mike

[RandyfromPennywise]

What i mean by a post saying 'Fat Mike' in a thread called 'Greatest ALL-ROUND musician', well, believe it or not, that means i think Fat Mike is the greatest ALL-ROUND musician.

[disposable_teen]

ozzy osbourne, one of the only guys that made it big w/ a band, and solo

[MilamsCreed]

Eric Clapton.... i would say hands down. He writes beautiful music, great lyrics, and has some of the most famous solos/riffs on a guitar ever. Through Cream, Derrick and the Dominoes, and just him being him, he has surpassed all greatness!

Dave Grohl is very talented, but I wouldnt say he is the greatest EVER. another 5-10 years and he might have a shot. hes only been around for 10 years... come on people

[bwbw]

kiddie i saw muse in doncaster, it rocked. then we met them afterwards which was cool cause everyone had left by then so we got to chat to them. i couldnt get the hoody, they had sold out so i got a t-shirt and poster instead.

[destro]

Trent Reznor by far in my opinion...

[KIDDIE2]

I saw them in leicester and I managed to get the hoodie. I didnt meet them though that must of been awsome i did meet the singer of Hundred Reasons though.

[Zappa]

Incredible Guitarist (buy "Shut Up 'n' Play Yer Guitar" if you don't believe me)

Great lead singer

sings bass harmony

plays organ

plays piano

conducts

composes for 80 piece orchestras

composes for 4 member rock bands

creates compositions on the synclavier (buy "Jazz From Hell" while you're buying "Shut Up...")

[Scorpio von KS]

Dana Carvey (As funny as that sounds, he's pretty good at guitar, piano & drums)

Some others are...
James Hetfield
John Paul Jones
Moby
Ben Folds
Dave Grohl
Sammy Hagar (decent guitarist)
Trent Reznor

[rift2001]

I would say Zappa is up there, along with Trey Anatasio. Trey can do alot, and he is always expanding his musical horizons (writing music for his nine piece band, composing, etc.)

[RatPac03]

He's incredible. I think when it comes to pure musicianship he's the absolute best. Billy Corgan and Jon Crosby come in at about a tie for second.

[arbron_09]

gotta be mike oldfield, tubular bells was a great album...even it was only 2 songs...so yeah

[pennywise punk]

Dave mustaine. He can play every instrument and did on one song on the new cd. He can sing and play fast speed metal at the same time which is hard. HEs great

[OrbDragon]

Originally posted by The_Shredder


And Conisdering Trent plays (and no, it's not just synths), produces and writes everything on his albums.. I can't think of anyone else (in rock) that touches him.


So true. Trent can't be touched....knowing the fact that he constructed all NIN albums/songs by playing all the instruments/vocals himself, plus writing lyrics and producing/owning his record label. He's an excellent producer.

He's prolly the best allround musician the past decade. He's also fanatasic live.


Other than Trent, I'd say Phil Collins, Moby, Tori Amos, Radiohead, The Eagles and Ben Folds...but none of them can touch Trent. Zappa is up there too...Mustaine too. But Trent is definately up there.

[Masamune]

Best all-time musician would have to be W.A. Mozart or Ludwig Von Beethoven. Mozart started playing Bach's crazy *** keyboard stuff when he was learning to walk. Beethoven revolutionized Western harmony.

Also in the running are Prince, he plays how many instruments now? Guitar, Saxophone, Piano... and lord knows what else. John Paul Jones, the unsung hero of Led Zeppelin, a real all purpose musician. Roy Clark, maybe you remember him form Hee-Haw:D He's an amazing at guitar, banjo and fiddle.

[Britney Diva]

Originally posted by disposable_teen
ozzy osbourne, one of the only guys that made it big w/ a band, and solo

Yeah, but how does that make him a great all round musician? And theres been plenty whove made it with a band and solo. Hundreds.

[enjoyincubus69]

lenny kravitz definiely -he plays almost everything in each of his tunes [he even plays the sitar!]

[Sigbjorn]

Originally posted by bwbw
- kiddie2

this guys absoloutly right - matt is very talented
anyone heard the piano solo from newborn single? plug in baby guitaring (better live when hes jumping around whilst playing) and check out his singing, not to mention the fact that he has created all the music including lyrics (with the exception of a couple of tracks) of course there are other talented musicians but this guy stands out. :)

that Plug in baby lead riff isn't that hard to play as a riff (single note, one pull-off , 1 hammer-on and on half step up bend). I haven't seen Muse live, but jumping whilst playing it is impressive though. He voice has a wide range (he can get really high pitch, don't know howw low ....) though - kind of reminds me of the '80s: a-ha with Take on me....etc .

Greg Graffin of Bad Religion made a solo album where he played all instruments, I haven't heard it so I don't know whether it's good or not, but.....

[bwbw]

kiddie i also met the guys from hundred reasons, there cool arnt they?

matt bellamy is self taught which is pretty
amazing considering how good he is

[I love Muse]

Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!
Matt Bellamy!

Yeah...

[trev913]

Holy Crap Batman...never woulda guessed...

But anyway, yeah...I think Steve Vai's very good. He plays all instruments on several songs, not to mention that his main instrument, guitar is quite prodigal.

[greendaybassist0]

Originally posted by fufanu_boy
James hetfield, did you see him on the live **** binge and purge vidoes? hes and awesome drummer! and guitarst.





just kidding about the drums part, but it was really cool and funny when he was playing drums with lars up there.

****KICKS HIM FOR MENTIONING METALLICA****

Billie Joe is a good guitarist//pianist//drummer//bassist//mandolinist(word?)//sax player

Dave Grhol is good

The Red Hot Chili Peppers as a whole are very musical

[scottyboy]

hmm....good question...mayb lennon/mcartney...tom yorke is pretty good (like da other guy sed), pete townsend wrote sum classic stuff...

[zeppelin_rules_62]

John Paul Jones. If only he wasn't such a gimp.

[Jamie]

i think the same as many other people, dave grohl.

[d0ped0g]

Dave Grohl is good
but James Hetfield is better than him in every way

i'm not exactly an expert
i'd say:
James Hetfield
Moby
Steve Vai

[Lost_time]

I'd say matt bellamy.
and he looks funny. bonus

[milano_10]

in no particular order:

Bob Dylan (did neone mention him?)

Jonny Greenwood

BB King

Skip James

Robert Smith

[enydrummerboy]

the late Jeff Buckley(had the potential of being the god of music)
R.I.P

John Lennon and Maynard when it comes to songwriting and social meaning

Changing the face of music- Jimi Hendrix, Cobain and the beatles

Skillfully the best at music- Hendrix, Clapton, Kirk Hammet,
umm yeah me (i do rock)

Chris Martin is IT though

[john_decon]

a very good question, i dont really have a fav but probably QUEEN because they were so diffrent,LENNON/MCARTNEY wrote some great stuff, THE WHO and LED ZEPPLIN because they r rock and roll

[pretty vacant]

Eddie Vedder-singer/songwriter/guitar/ukelele/harmonica

also anyone seen the photograph mosaic on no code? its quite impressive

[Badmoon]

i think this question is obivious, think about it George Harrison. He played 46 instruments and if you had any clue of who he was you would know that he is probably great at all of them.

[Third_Man]

Originally posted by simplephotographinthesun
rivers cuomo
john paul jones
moby
dave grohl
brian wilson

Thank you! Somebody mentioned Rivers Cuomo! He rules. John Paul Jones is great, so is Dave Bazan of Pedro the Lion. He did al of the music for the album "Winners Never Quit" and also (I think) "Control." He is a very solid and versaitle musician. Paul McCartney probably gets my vote though. He rules.

[jimi clapton]

Originally posted by MilamsCreed
Eric Clapton.... i would say hands down. He writes beautiful music, great lyrics, and has some of the most famous solos/riffs on a guitar ever. Through Cream, Derrick and the Dominoes, and just him being him, he has surpassed all greatness!



i'm pretty sure that jack bruce wrote most of the cream stuff...although i'm not saying clapton isnt a brilliant singer/songwriter/guitarist himself.....
keith richards has better riffs though:D

i would say that brian jones of the early rolling stones was one of the best all round musicians....you see him with a huge range of different instruments, and everything i've read or heard said about him says that he could just pick up an instrument and play straight away...

...even marraccas....

[neal_672]

I'm not experienced with this sorta thing really but here are afew people who i admire for their musical prowess:

Dave Grohl
Bob Dylan
Moby
and i know none of you will agree with this considering he does **** all apart from sing and play guitar, but i really like Chris Cornell (soundgarden/audioslave)

[Ecu]

Billy Howerdel
Matt Bellamy
Iggy Pop (Hey, don't forget him guys, he was a drummer, and then went to the guitar and the keyboards... and started singins, of course. He also wrote songs from very bad to extraordinary.)
Alex (A friend of mine, he plays great the guitars, bass, drums, percussions, piano/keyboards, clarinet, didjeridoo, indian flute... I'm sure I forget some, and he's a pretty good songwriter)

[ent604]

Axl Rose is pretty talented. He plays piano on certain songs, guitar on certain songs (or so i've heard), and hes an awesome singer.

yeh its a shame he's a ablsolute t!t

[IMH_Drummer]

John Lennon, Ringo Starr, everyone in Led Zeppelin, Dave Grohl and Phil Collins.

[stargazer]

gotta be mike oldfield, tubular bells was a great album...even it was only 2 songs...so yeah

Yea.......definitely oldfield. He can play the guitar, bass, piano, glockenspiel (wtf!!! who plays that anyway??!?!?!) and tubular bells was awesome!

[chumpradio]

Dave Grohl in my opinion.

[Seafroggys]

If you're talking about someone who can play a lot of instruments, I'd have to say Paul McCartney. He did his self-titled solo debut and Ram all on his own (and does a pretty tight job on every single instrument).

[shadedlife]

steve wilson from porcupine tree.

[MetallicA]

I think Randy Rhoads was the best because he could read sheet music. Knew lots of scales. Was basically an accomplished guitar player, and he had friken awesome tunes.

Eddie Van Halen is very good to. He can play piano very well and knows how to read piano sheet music.

[kalpa]

james hetfield for sure

Hes the best rythym guitarist out there
hes got a top voice
he plays drums
he plays piano
he can play bass aswell lol

Also

Daniel Johns from Silverchair
He plays good guitar
Has a tops voice
and plays piano and harpischord

[Merkaba]

Chris Cornell eats DAve for breakfast and shlts him out in the afternoon. Sorry.

I know Chris might not be the best, but he's up there.
Fvck...Prince is better, forgot about him.

[Merkaba]

Silverchair and metallica?? come on Kalpa.

[Merkaba]

If you're talking about someone who can play a lot of instruments, I'd have to say Paul McCartney. He did his self-titled solo debut and Ram all on his own (and does a pretty tight job on every single instrument).

Stevie wonder can play just about any instrument.

NO...I'm serious!

[kalpa]

Silverchair and metallica?? come on Kalpa.
Whats wrong with Metallica or silverchair Merkaba?

[Merkaba]

Whats wrong with Metallica or silverchair Merkaba?
" Greatest all around musician"

James or silverchair just doesnt seem to pop up in my mind when you say greatest musician.

Oh well, nothing like a forum. :smoke:

[IbanezAxer]

yea, it isnt hard to read it, but i agree that Randy Rhoads was the best

[KKKKKocaine]

Dave Grohl

However, what with all the guest posters?
This isn't right..

[bickleback]

1. Frank Zappa
2. Daniel Johns (Silverchair - all self-respecting musicians MUST listen to Silverchair's "Diorama" album! Wow.)
3. Stevie Wonder
4. Brian Wilson (Beach Boys)
5. Trent Reznor (NIN)
6. Don Henley
7. Lenny Kravitz
8. Prince
9. Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
10. Matt Bellamy (Muse)
11. Phil Collins (Genesis)
12. John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)
13. Freddy Mercury (Queen)
14. Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters)
15. Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins)
16. Steve Wilson (Porcupine Tree)
17. Tori Amos
18. Terence Trent D'Arby
19. Rivers Cuomo (Weezer)
20. Moby
21. Jack Bruce (Cream)
22. Steve Vai
23. Nuno Bettencourt
24. Eddie Van Halen
25. Phil Anselmo

Honorable Mention: Thom Yorke, Axl Rose, Dave Mustaine, James Hetfield.

That's all, folks!

[BassMan182]

for me, thom yorke. he can play guitar and piano(nto a great feat but it helps out songwriting). he's just a great singer/songwriter, radiohoead is just top of the line music all around as far as i'm concerned.

i agree

[LTJ386]

Maybe not the best all-around of all-time, but Andrew W.K. plays all the instruments and sings on his albums.

[Blink_Fan315]

David Grohl - Outstanding Drum player, pretty good guitar player and singer...

i guess lenny kravitz writes every part to his song, guitar, bass and drums, idk if its true but thats pretty talented, even though i dont like his music

[Malakian Worshipper]

john lennon and eric clapton

[Shadows Rise]

Geddy Lee. He plays bass and keyboard during songs. As well as singing. Probably one of the most inovative bassists of all time.

[moaner]

my god, this thread is so old even guests have posted in this. 11-16-2001 OMFG.

shadows, why on earth did you bump this?

[Permanent Solution]

This thread hasn't been moved to archives? Wow.

[megan bacon]

john frusciante, what can i say! who else has released 6 substantial albums in just 6 months. its not as if theres just the odd good song, and the rest filler. every **** song is amazing! his musical knowledge, and songwriting ability is awesome. he plays bass, guitar, piano, programmes some drumtracks. lyrically he is a genius to! he is a suprisingly good vocalsit, so why the chili peppers have stuck with kiedis i don't know! actually, i take that back, AK is a legend.
anyway, jf gets my vote. i'm struggling to find other people who share my point of view about this man!

[megan bacon]

1. john frusciante
2. omar rodriguez lopez (mars volta guitarist/songwriter)
3. jeff Buckley
4. flea (chilis bassist)
5. jimi hendrix

suppose i'v listed my favourite 5, not the best 5, but hey!

["5150"]

Nuno Bettencourt
Eddie Van Halen
Dave Grohl