Top ten American composers/songwriters


Foster
Sousa
Joplin
Gershwin 
Copland
Jimmie Rodgers
Ellington
Richard Rodgers
Dylan
Porter

I constantly revisit this topic listening and reading. Thoughts?

jpwarren58
@pgaulke60, Willie Dixon wasn't forgotten (see 04/04 at 5:50 AM), Good call on Big Bill Broonzy, and let's add Leadbelly and Mississippi John Hurt (a huge influence of Lucinda Williams and Peter Case).
Einstein died in NJ but I don’t think we can call him an American scientist.

Einstein died as an American citizen, but prior to that he held citizenship of several countries including Prussia, Austria, Switzerland and Germany and several kingdoms that no longer exist.

If we must be more nuanced, calling him German-American will be appropriate and respectful of his heritage as well as his chosen country at the time of his death.

Best,

Erik