Sadly there are no “articulate” Black or Women musicians…

Actually, when it comes to guitar players, I lean more toward Doc Watson. But that's just me.
And he didn't write his own songs.

 

For some reason when I try to remember Marvin Gaye, I get him confused with Sam Cooke ("You Send Me"), though they're probably not much alike.

I guess I just never really listened to Gaye. It's been decades since the last time I bought a pop album. I think the last one I bought was probably either Melba Moore or Nancy Wilson. That's how far back.

 

I think everyone's list would be their favorites from their teenage years.

Just off the top of my head, I think Les Claypool is the master bassist, Nuno Bettencourt the master guitar player, Kurk Cobain the master songwriter, Jane Addiction in their prime -- which didn't last long -- the best overall band ...

I also don't get the hate for Bono. He's a got like a 4-decade span of being relevant and lots of hits. To me, Jerry Garcia on the list seems out of place. I never thought they were that great.

 

Was it Curtis Mayfield who sang "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay"? I always thought that was a good way to get abducted by aliens. (As happened in Pascagoula, I think.)

 

Never got into him. The 70’s was peak music.

 

this whole thing is great, but at the 10 min mark they bust out Doc's Guitar.

 

I love it when a thread goes in a completely different direction than what the OP intends. Not really a music guy but def some stuff on this thread sounds interesting.