Top 50(Rough Draft, no order)
 

Here are my candidates(No order), with the following criteria.
Note: This is intended to be a community effort so I am fully open to suggestions. Especially with rap and hip-hop.

Talent: Instrumental and songwriting ability.
Innovation: Introduction of new techniques orr methods.
Diversity: Having a large range of genres under their belt.
Showmanship: Live shows/music videos
The Beatles
Pink Floyd
The Who
Eric Clapton
Simon and Garfunkel
Paul Simon
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Stevie Wonder
The Rolling Stones
Rush
Van Halen
*Jimi Hendrix
Steely Dan
Queen
Neutral Milk Hotel
Genesis
Yes
Led Zeppelin
King Crimson
Ray Charles
Supertramp
The Doors
Cream
Bob Dylan
The Police
The Beach Boys
Nirvana
The Clash
Biggie
The Eagles
Michael Jackson
Aerosmith
Radiohead
Marvin ***e
Bob Marley
Neil Young
Bowie
Chuck Berry
Johnny Cash
Aretha Franklin
Black Sabbath
Metallica
Prince
James Brown
The Byrds
Tupac
B.B. King
The Allman Brothers Band
Robert Johnson
Jackson Browne
Sublime
Madonna
Elvis Costello
The Grateful Dead
Frank Zappa
Public Enemy
Massive Attack
Hawkind
Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band

I like Boston (well their first album anyway), but top 50 is pushing it.

Gotcha

Also I hope Death Cab for Cutie are only in their as a joke. Replace them with Frank Zappa.

Thats an order.

Hell, no. Hey, I said personal preference was part of it. I'll add Frank Zappa though.

Aerosmith? I really rate their early stuff (ROCKS/TOYS IN THE ATTIC) but they borrowed so much from The Stones and any band that produces the godawful Cryin' deserves to drop down any list.

Massive Attack-add them now!
Public Enemy-ditto
Hawkwind-ditto

^ Urban's gonna love you.

I'd choose Aretha Franklin over all on that list put together.

I'm serious.

Bar Bowie.

I put Aretha Franklin. Right away Jackhammer. Remember I'm just putting down canidates, this isn't supposed to be exactly 50.

And The Stones borrowed from everybody. Who cares?

The Stones borrowed yes , but they still sound like the Stones.

Aerosmith borrowed ... and they sound like the Stones.

Although i've never actually heard Aerosmith do a Stones cover even though they've done several Beatles covers. Too close to home maybe?