Most Talented Musician?
 

Ray Manzerek here.
How many people can play Bass Organ, Organ, backup singer and sometimes Lead singer all at the same time and not make a single mistake, Ray Manzerek of The Doors is your answer.

What's yours?

Ray Manzarek`s stand ins for Jim are well documented and despite being one of the greatest musicians of his era, the two Doors albums after Jim`s death that he featured on were very poor.

I can`t think of any other similiar situtation off hand, as the Doors situation was something that was forced upon Ray. Other very talented multi-instrumental players that quickly come to mind are Dave Grohl, Quorthon, Steve Wilson and Jason Pierce to name just a few.

Geddy Lee. He is one the best bass guitarists, sings brilliantly and even plays the keyboards.

Prince (knows how to play a large amount of instruments) more than two, produced, engineered, arranged, etc.

Steve Winwood - Very underrated guitar player, known mostly for Hammond B3, produced, recorded, and engineered "Arc of A Diver."

Todd Rundgren - Lots of various instruments, arrangements, producer, engineer, etc.

Certainly a good producer but tends to piss off most of the bands that he works with in the process though.

Prince is a living genius.

but a tie between Prince and Stevie Wonder.

Ray Manzerek is an absolute beast. He is the best organ player I've ever heard but I don't know if just that and a few back-up vocals makes him the most talented musician ever.

I have alot of respect for John Fogerty as a musician. He played, he sang, he composed, he wrote. Not only just didthose things but did them all exceptionally well. With that being said, I believe you could have swapped out every other band member in Creedence Clearwater and never known the difference as long as old Johnny boy was there. A very well rounded musician.

How are we defining talent here? Is it how many instruments one plays? How well one plays them? There are other factors that I'd consider such as:
- how well the music is composed
- songwriting (lyrics and music)

We could also include other unconventional items:
- performance
- productivity

I'd probably have to say Phil Keaggy. His guitar playing is unmatched. Lyrics are beautiful and he's got a really cool voice. He is an incredible performer (doing everything live, using only his guitar...plus he's a really cool guy). And he's released over 50 albums and contributed to many more....with no end in sight. Also, he only has 9 and a half fingers.... just saying.

Ah, someone already beat me to Stevie Wonder. I'll second it, though.

you mean using both you left (bass) 'and' right (treble) hands on piano type instruments 'and' singing. gee... that's pretty much anyone who's ever played stacked keyboards with a mic in their face.

if multi-tasking is your criteria for talent then consider the late Natasha Schneider from Eleven (and a boatload of session work including Chris Cornell and QOTSA). in Eleven she would play bass guitar with one hand, keyboards with the other, and sing with an operatic voice.

How about playing the guitar blind? How do you learn it?

Or for that matter consider this woman I used to see all the time playing in the subway stations in downtown Chicago:

Jimi Hendrix
 

I agree with the above, that Prince is a very talented artist, he has mastered at least 13 or 14 different musical instruments, not counting his vocal & studio work, coryography. But the most 'talented musician' would have to be Jimi Hendrix!, I have never seen anyone play through their instrument the way Hendrix did, he became a part of the guitar, as to say.

If I could count the times you try to discredit Ray Manzerk's playing. He's one of the best rock keyboardists ever, and not because of his playing bass parts either. Though you're foolish to deny that being a lead keyboardist while simultaneously playing the sole bass parts for a band that doesn't have the aid of a real bass player (at least not until later albums) requires some skill. I'm not saying it makes him a virtuoso, but you're taking your Doors hate to great extremes if you refuse to even accept them as talented musicians.

Can you do better? I want proof.

Todd Rundgren? Yeah he's a notorious control freak, but his passion for music is undeniable.

I'm sure a lot of folks like Urban hate everything he's ever done except for the New York Dolls album. But to me I'm a fan of him for his own music.

The guy is an incredible singer, songwriter, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. And he has experimented with just about every genre you can think of, and could effortlessly pull off any of them. And Something/Anything? is a masterpiece of pop music IMO.

I have to admit though, The New Cars was not one of his better ideas. :laughing:

I actually like a lot of his stuff as producer but not his stuff as a recording artist, Yer the New Cars are pretty bad especially with his efforts in covering Ric Ocasek and especially the Benjamin Orr sung material.

Oh well, I love his early solo stuff. Utopia were also one of the better American 70s prog bands.

uhhh go wash your hair troll

How was that a troll?

I just don't like your attitude.

David Gilmour can play Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Saxophone, Lap Steel Guitar and can sing. David Bowie can play Saxophone, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Drums and can sing as well but just because someone can play a lot of instruments doesn't necessarily mean they are talented in every aspect. David Gilmour's last solo album was a general bore fest!

For my money I would go for Prince because he is utterly proficient on whatever instrument he plays, The Sign O The Times live DVD proves it too. Mike Oldfield can play a lot of instruments too but he has plenty of haters (balls to them I still love Tubular Bells!)

Phil Keaggy is a brilliant guitar player for sure!!!!!

I think Tom Scholz is my pick. A great guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, and producer!! He was the founder of the group Boston.

Steve Harris- Great Songwriter, Great Composer, and one hell of a Bass Player.
I think John Petrucci is one hell of a guitar player.

Jeff Lynne. In my honest opinion, one of the best songwriters ever. He produced great music back in the 70s and 80s, and one of few singers that will never be removed from my playlist.

Alright either have something to say other than 1-word posts or Youtube videos, or go away.

ugh i hate him

but why?

John Entwistle, Neil Peart, Jack White: my three heroes. Entwistle re-invented the bass and played it virtuostically. Peart is... yeah. Don't need to explain. And Jack White is extremely multi-talented (singer, pianist, guitarist, drummer, composer, producer, songwriter, actor) and, to top it off, is one of the best (THE best, imho) alt rock guitarist right now.

Jeff Lynne is an artist that a lot of people seem to dislike, personally I think he`s an extremely talented writer and singer, despite the fact I quickly get bored with most of his ELO material.

Defiantly a musician with masterly ability, technique, and personal style.

Virtuoso?

I understand what your trying to say by stating that "Entwistle re-invented the bass". :)

But..even so..

The first bass guitar was invented by Paul Tutmarc in the early 1930's. The modern electric bass guitar was invented by Leo Fender. However, there were at least five other prototypes resembling the well-known design of the modern bass, each created well before Fender introduced the world to the Precision bass in 1951.

When people get all hot and excited over an artist, they say all types of stuff like "He invented or re-invented...." For example, Jim Morrison re-invented singing.

That seems to happen a lot when discussing ones favorite artist.

And I don't try/mean to come across as an asshole correcting others on such trivial matters.

But I do like to think that MB, does have a certain amount of higher standards. :p:

Oh excuse me. I thought it was understood I meant the style of playing. Please, anyone who read my post and misunderstood me, I apologize for misleading you. John Alec Entwistle DID NOT invent the electric bass guitar. He merely played the instrument in a different way as his predecessors. Once again, I'm sorry for misinforming you. :|

Eddie Van Halen did re-invent the electric guitar

(well, he built one of his own, anyway)

What about Freddie Mercury?
Not that as much of instrumentalist as others you mentioned. But as a singer and stage performer i don't think anyone can be compared to him

Alice Cooper? Talent verses popularity, influence, we can just go on & on..

I agree with Stevie Wonder and Todd Rundgren, but I'd add Paul McCartney to the list.
He's a great vocalist, bass player, guitarist (that's him soloing on Tax Man, among others), also competent on piano, drums (he drums on The Ballad of John and Yoko) and ukelele. Oh yeah, and he's a pretty good songwriter as well (I believe he's had more Number 1 hits as a songwriter than any other writer).

Yes Stevie !

Jimi Hendrix and Ray Manzerik.

Paul McCartney
 

Paul McCartney should be in the discussion as well. In addition to being a virtuoso and often underrated bassist, McCartney is an excellent guitarist (check out the guitar leads on "Taxman") and decent drummer ("Back in the USSR").

Ken

Steve Vai, in terms of technical talent. If we are going to toss in things like creativity, songwriting skills, etc. I would say Frank Zappa, one of Vai's primary influences/mentors.