NUMBER 97: The Velvet Underground

Lou Reed, John Cale, and Nico are some of the more popular members of The Velvet Underground, a band who never made it huge commercially, yet were one of the most influential bands ever. They were considered a big influence to the punk rock and alternative rock genres. Their debut album, The Velvet Underground and Nico (1967), and their fourth studio album Loaded (1970) are two classics by this band, where their most famous songs have come from. From their debut, "Heroin" was their most popular song, and then from Loaded, "Sweet Jane" and "Rock & Roll" are two classics.
For me, I didn't really know about The Velvet Underground until I started listening to Lou Reed, who went on to a very popular solo career (although not good enough to make my top 100, sorry). Lou Reed has done one of my favorite songs ever, his live version of "Dirty Blvd." Check that out, but this isn't about Lou, this is about his first big band. The Velvet Underground were so groundbreaking for their time. They strayed from the psychedelic rock of the mid-60's, and created music that could have actually been written today by a number of alternative rock and indie rock bands. A band way before their time, The Velvet Underground will stand as one of the most influential bands ever. Next up, number 96.

NUMBER 98: The Ramones

At number 98 is a band that is considered to have created the punk rock genre of music. Founded by Joey, Johnny, and Dee Dee Ramone (not their real last names) in 1974, the Ramones first got on the airwaves when they signed with Sire Records in 1975, after having performed around 100 times at clubs such as CBGB, which is famous for producing such bands as Talking Heads (who will be on this list at some point) and Blondie (sorry, Blondie), along with many other punk bands. Their first album, Ramones, did not get major success, although it did produce what is now probably their most well-known track, "Blitzkrieg Bop." Other songs of theirs which I could listen to over and over again are "I Wanna Be Sedated," "The KKK Took My Baby Away," and "Sheena is a Punk Rocker." While they never gained major success in terms of album sales, there is no doubt that this band had a major influence on music. Their simple, but hard, punk rock style has been copied by many. The Ramones are the number 98 best artist of all time. Next up, number 97.

NUMBER 99: Squeeze

Yes, folks. Squeeze makes the cut for the top 100. A band who is known as a "one-hit wonder," with their hit being "Tempted." Other songs such as "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)," "Up the Junction," and "Annie Get Your Gun" are up there as my favorite songs by Squeeze. The two primary members of this band, who formed in 1974 and broke up in 1982, were Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook. If you have not heard any Squeeze check them out. They are definitely an acquired taste, with their New Wave sound, however the unique-to-Squeeze sound of two vocals, one high, one low, has been an influence on many bands. So take a listen to a little known New Wave artist who might just be what you're looking for. If not, there are still 98 artists to go on the countdown of the top 100 artists of all time.

NUMBER 100: The Byrds

I have neglected this blog, and I feel bad. People "follow" it, and they have gotten two shitty posts since the end of March. So now I'm going to try to keep up and write a lot, and here's how to motivate myself. Recently, I made a list of my top 100 artists (musicians), and to make it a less worthless list, I'm going to write 100 blogposts about these 100 artists, from 100 to number 1. Starting it off, at the number 100 greatest artist of all time (of course, this list is my opinion) are The Byrds.

The Byrds are one of those bands who do not get enough credit in today's world. I don't think I have ever given them enough credit myself. But when I was making my top 100 list, I told myself that this band had to be in there, even if it was at the number 100 spot. The Byrds were a band compared to The Beatles, sometimes said to be The "American Beatles." I would not go that far, however. First off, The Byrds never got nearly as big as The Beatles (then again, name five bands who have). Second, The Byrds were a very folk-based band, as opposed to the Beatles strict pop/rock combo. In fact, when the first members of The Byrds got together, they were strictly a folk band, and had never played rock 'n roll before. They had to learn how to be a good rock band, and they were very successful. The members of the band led pretty successful musical careers as well; their most successful were David Crosby (Crosby, Stills, and Nash/and Young), who was a part of the early version of The Byrds, and Roger McGuinn, who was a part of the last few versions of The Byrds, before they split.
Their most popular songs were not fully written by themselves: "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "My Back Pages", both written by Bob Dylan, are two of their more popular songs. "Turn Turn Turn" takes its lyrics from the bible, and the music to it was originally written by Pete Seeger. However, there are many other songs this band did, and it's unfortunate that they get lost in all that's played on the radio today. Rarely do you hear this band on the radio, and when you do, it's the three songs mentioned above. My personal favorite song of theirs is "So You Wanna Be a Rock 'n Roll Star," but certainly they had plenty of great songs. I personally like their version of Jackson Browne's "Jamaica Say You Will," which is on their Live At Royal Albert Hall 1971.
I hope you go out and listen to The Byrds. An influential, early folk-rock band that found great success in the 1960's. The Byrds are the number 100 greatest artist of all time.
Next up, number 99
(Please feel free to complain about my list)