Most Overrated Dead Musician

FirePower

As we all know when a musician dies their reputation skyrockets and they are put on a pedestal that they were never on when they were alive.
Its not their fault, they're not the ones overrating themselves, after all they're dead.
But who does everyone reckon is the most overrated musician due to an early death.

John "pretty much the best human ever" Lennon
Jimi "best guitarist ever" Hendrix
Dimebag "best guitarist ever" Darrell
Duane "best guitarist ever" Allman
Brian "more talent than Jagger and Richards combined" Jones
Jim "Shakespeare" Morrison
John "best drummer ever" Bonham
Keith "best drummer ever" Moon
Bon "best frontman ever" Scott
Freddie "best frontman ever" Mercury
Ian "visionary" Curtis
Kurt "inventor of grunge, voice of a generation" Cobain
Layne "personification of grunge, voice of a generation" Staley
Cliff "best bassist ever, spiritual guardian of thrash metal" Burton

Basically judge it on who most fits the criteria that if it wasn't for an early death, they wouldn't be held in such a high esteem as they are.

SilverScreen

You left out Elliott "best songwriter ever" Smith.

leincar

Okay thats it, who voted for Freddie Mercury. Come on, own up. That is the most dastardly of dastardly deeds.

By the way he isn't in the list but I vote for Elvis.

karaokeman

Two votes for Kurt Cobain?

Come on people, have a look at some critical reviews of Nevermind from 1991, not what some random wrote about Nirvana post-1994.

Also Elliott is underrated not overrated.

SilverScreen

karaokeman wrote: »

Also Elliott is underrated not overrated.

I wouldn't be so sure about that, he's quite overrated in indie circles. I mean I still like his music but his albums seem underwhelming in context with the sheer amount of worshipping he gets.

Daniel S

Kurt, Lennon, Hendrix aren't overrated IMO. Elvis on the other hand...

jam_mac_jam

I wanted to say lennon but then I said no just because you dont like him... can I say none there

SilverScreen

Also lol at people who think Nirvana invented grunge...

Daniel S

Zero1986 wrote: »

Also lol at people who think Nirvana invented grunge...

They didn't, they just perfected it!

hidinginthebush

Whoa! Who voted for Hendrix? :mad:

I think none on your list are overrated tbf.

They were all highly regarded before their death. I'd put Mr. Moanyhole himself, Jeff Buckley, up there ahead of them all!

PaulieBoy

Curt Cobain FTW! Vastly overrated. A couple of good tracks, some mediocre ones and the rest was poor quality filler material. Everyone else on that list has tons more decent quality material to their name.

The Pontiac

Zero1986 wrote: »

I wouldn't be so sure about that, he's quite overrated in indie circles. I mean I still like his music but his albums seem underwhelming in context with the sheer amount of worshipping he gets.

Couldn't disagree more.

mathepac

<Ollie> wrote: »

Couldn't disagree more.

Which still makes you wrong BTW

I can't believe some stupid dip-sh1ts voted for Lennon. Their musical taste and knowledge is up their h0le.

You must remember that the older guys were of their time and the newer / younger they are, the greater the expectation of them as they had all the others to learn from. Thus Hendrix, Lennon, Morrison, Elvis etc were innovators the rest were pretty much just imitators / plagiarists.

The Pontiac

mathepac wrote: »

Which still makes you wrong BTW

Why is that then?

Malice

It's a pity this poll isn't public so bans could be handed out for the three people who voted for Dimebag Darrell and Cliff Burton.

mike65

Layne Staley is new to me. Voted Cobain cos of the hype.

Godge

The Big Bopper or Richie Valens? Miami Showband? Karen Carpenter?

cloptrop

Donatello , if he hadnt of been a turtle he wouldnt have sold anything.

Kurt in all fairness, few good songs , great unplugged album , God status , undeserved.

mathepac

<Ollie> wrote: »

Why is that then?

I said so

The Pontiac

mathepac wrote: »

I said so

<Snip>

Attack the post, not the poster. - rcaz

SilverScreen

<Ollie> wrote: »

Couldn't disagree more.

Expand. Don't leave me hanging. I'm looking forward to your in-depth analysis of why you think Elliott Smith isn't overrated.

mathepac

<Ollie> wrote: »

<snip>

Yawn. Your command of the language has me awe-struck. Wake me if you and your thanks buddy have an original thought to share.

mikom

Hear that?

John Lennon
Jimi Hendrix
Dimebag Darrell
Duane Allman
Jim Morrison
John Bonham
Keith Moon
Brian Jones
Bon Scott
Freddie Mercury
Ian Curtis
Kurt Cobain
Layne Staley
Cliff Burton

All in the afterlife..... laughing at a piss higher competition on boards.ie > Music > Music

Sinfonia

mathepac wrote: »

I can't believe some stupid dip-sh1ts voted for Lennon. Their musical taste and knowledge is up their h0le.

You must remember that the older guys were of their time and the newer / younger they are, the greater the expectation of them as they had all the others to learn from. Thus Hendrix, Lennon, Morrison, Elvis etc were innovators the rest were pretty much just imitators / plagiarists.

Because of course there was no music before the '50s, and Hendrix, Lennon, Morrison and Elvis didn't draw heavily on their predecessors.

losthorizon

I voted Jim Morrison. I used to think they were brilliant. That was until I actually bought some of their CDS. Annoying, just annoying plus they've aged a lot - that cant be said of all the other perspective candidates.

mosstin

mathepac wrote: »

Which still makes you wrong BTW

I can't believe some stupid dip-sh1ts voted for Lennon. Their musical taste and knowledge is up their h0le.

You must remember that the older guys were of their time and the newer / younger they are, the greater the expectation of them as they had all the others to learn from. Thus Hendrix, Lennon, Morrison, Elvis etc were innovators the rest were pretty much just imitators / plagiarists.

Horse****. They're all plagiarists, just that some much better at it than others.

Da Shins Kelly

I think they're all talented people, but if I had to choose I'd go with Kurt Cobain. Great vocalist, good song-writer and guitar player, but all this 'voice of a generation', idolising, God-like status bullsh*t? Please.

cloptrop

John Lennon was a genius , and probably one of the most deserving artists on any best artist list , he was at the top of his game and the music business for 20 years , he didnt just muddle along with uncharting albums , he wrote some of the greatest songs of all time with the beatles and solo , he was hilariously funny , and a great frontman/spokesperson . He shouldnt be getting any votes here.

Da Shins Kelly

mathepac wrote: »

Which still makes you wrong BTW

I can't believe some stupid dip-sh1ts voted for Lennon. Their musical taste and knowledge is up their h0le.

You must remember that the older guys were of their time and the newer / younger they are, the greater the expectation of them as they had all the others to learn from. Thus Hendrix, Lennon, Morrison, Elvis etc were innovators the rest were pretty much just imitators / plagiarists.

Elvis was one of the biggest plagiarists out there, he practically admitted it himself. A great artist nonetheless, but let's not be under any illusions.

cloptrop

Da Shins Kelly wrote: »

Elvis was one of the biggest plagiarists out there, he practically admitted it himself. A great artist nonetheless, but let's not be under any illusions.

I dont think elvis wrote any of his songs , he wasnt a plagiarist just a singer of other peoples songs

mathepac

Da Shins Kelly wrote: »

Elvis was one of the biggest plagiarists out there, he practically admitted it himself. A great artist nonetheless, but let's not be under any illusions.

As per cloptrop above. This is my concern here. A fairly random group of names gets thrown together and 'compared' or 'assessed' by posters, some of whom don't seem to understand what or who to compare to whom or assess. Elvis was a creator, unique, a first - a white kid with the moves and the voice of a black man, a white gospel singer who brought rock-a-billy and country to new audiences and black music to a white audience. He sang what he heard growing up with his own interpretation of the material and a style uniquely his own. At his beast he was glorious. Although he got song-writing credits on some of his records, this was probably just a way of getting a few extra quid out his record contract with writers royalties, and I doubt he wrote as much as a note or a word. Elvis was no plagiarist, he had a really unique talent as a singer and performer.

mosstin

mathepac wrote: »

As per cloptrop above. This is my concern here. A fairly random group of names gets thrown together and 'compared' or 'assessed' by posters, some of whom don't seem to understand what or who to compare to whom or assess. Elvis was a creator, unique, a first - a white kid with the moves and the voice of a black man, a white gospel singer who brought rock-a-billy and country to new audiences and black music to a white audience. He sang what he heard growing up with his own interpretation of the material and a style uniquely his own. At his beast he was glorious. Although he got song-writing credits on some of his records, this was probably just a way of getting a few extra quid out his record contract with writers royalties, and I doubt he wrote as much as a note or a word. Elvis was no plagiarist, he had a really unique talent as a singer and performer.

All art is quite useless according to Oscar Wilde.

icarus86

:eek: Cant believe somebody actually voted for Freddy Mercury, best frontman ever

Turtyturd

Kurt Cobain for me, it's amazing what suicide can do to prolong fame. I wonder how he would be thought of today if the band were still going. I reckon they would still be making the same album repeatedly over the last 20 years, and probably be doing well to sell out the Olympia with most people only there to hear Smells like Teen Spirit.

mathepac

mosstin wrote: »

All art is quite useless according to Oscar Wilde.

D'accord mon ami but that's its value.

nxbyveromdwjpg

Turtyturd wrote: »

Kurt Cobain for me, it's amazing what suicide can do to prolong fame. I wonder how he would be thought of today if the band were still going. I reckon they would still be making the same album repeatedly over the last 20 years, and probably be doing well to sell out the Olympia with most people only there to hear Smells like Teen Spirit.

None of his living albums were the same, what are you basing that bizarre prediction on?

clappyhappy

He isn't on the list but, I can't understand what the hype is about Bob Marley . I can't stand his music, will probably get shot down for saying this.

mikom

clappyhappy wrote: »

I can't understand what the hype is about Bob Marley . I can't stand his music, will probably get shot down for saying this.

Depends.
Are you a sheriff?

Da Shins Kelly

mathepac wrote: »

As per cloptrop above. This is my concern here. A fairly random group of names gets thrown together and 'compared' or 'assessed' by posters, some of whom don't seem to understand what or who to compare to whom or assess. Elvis was a creator, unique, a first - a white kid with the moves and the voice of a black man, a white gospel singer who brought rock-a-billy and country to new audiences and black music to a white audience. He sang what he heard growing up with his own interpretation of the material and a style uniquely his own. At his beast he was glorious. Although he got song-writing credits on some of his records, this was probably just a way of getting a few extra quid out his record contract with writers royalties, and I doubt he wrote as much as a note or a word. Elvis was no plagiarist, he had a really unique talent as a singer and performer.

A white man singing black music doesn't automatically make them unique. I understand the significance of Elvis, and I actually love a lot of his music, but to call him a 'creator' is a bit much, I think. He didn't create anything, he just reinterpreted it, and he admitted as much himself. Little Richard was doing what Elvis was doing before him.

biko

Janis Joplin.

Malice

Now seven people have voted for Dimebag Darrell and Cliff Burton. Are any of the seven brave enough to admit it publicly?

walshb

leincar wrote: »

Okay thats it, who voted for Freddie Mercury. Come on, own up. That is the most dastardly of dastardly deeds.

By the way he isn't in the list but I vote for Elvis.

Voting for Elvis would be every bit as bad as voting for Freddie. As performers/singers go, them two are the best of the best. As fro pure musiciaons, well, thnat is another discussion.

mathepac

Da Shins Kelly wrote: »

... Little Richard was doing what Elvis was doing before him.

I guess you've missed the obvious point, as well as much else. Little Richard was black, unlike Elvis, and he cut his teeth performing to black audiences, again unlike Elvis.

Together he and Elvis pretty much created rock n' roll and influenced popular musicians through to this day, including the Beatles who toured with Little Richard as his backing band at one stage. The shouts and yelps featured in Beatles records are based entirely on Little Richard's famous "little holler".

mosstin

Malice wrote: »

Now seven people have voted for Dimebag Darrell and Cliff Burton. Are any of the seven brave enough to admit it publicly?

Your surname isn't McCarthy perchance?

hidinginthebush

Three for jimi Hendrix?!?! FFS!

Malice

mosstin wrote: »

Your surname isn't McCarthy perchance?

What has that got to do with what you highlighted?

nxbyveromdwjpg

FirePower wrote: »

As we all know when a musician dies their reputation skyrockets and they are put on a pedestal that they were never on when they were alive.
Its not their fault, they're not the ones overrating themselves, after all they're dead.
But who does everyone reckon is the most overrated musician due to an early death.

Basically judge it on who most fits the criteria that if it wasn't for an early death, they wouldn't be held in such a high esteem as they are.

Kurt Cobain does not fit this at all, not even in the slightest. He was at the height of his fame and already on the highest pedestal when he died. 29 young voters in that poll I can only assume.

Nirvana were the biggest band in the world at that time and if it wasn't for already being on perched so highly on this pedestal you speak of (for the most part against his will), he would probably still be alive now.

CajunOnTour

nm wrote: »

Nirvana were the biggest band in the world at that time and if it wasn't for already being on perched so highly on this pedestal you speak of (for the most part against his will), he would probably still be alive now.

Their music was still pretty mundane.

raindog.promo

Only person that comes to mind for me is Gram Parsons. I didn't like the music, couldn't seem to get it together throughout his whole career and seems to be mostly known for dying young and the whole cremation by his mates mythology.

Or the ones that the press have a ****storm about and people you've never heard of come out of the woodwork to comment on. Whitney Houston?

Seems to me that there's lots of argument with your list because in general over rated dead musicians tend to be forgotten pretty quickly unless they're famous for something else while happening to be musicians. Sid Vicious would be an example, Although I do like his version of "My Way".

Will Michael Hutchence be remembered for his music (of which, certainly one or two great tunes) or the whole killing himself through mastrubation story?


Kinda related but funny nonetheless....

Kold

Ian Curtis.