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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
safebelayer
66 posts
 
Was Jim Morrison not mentioned?

Also, was the OP speaking of all genres or just rock/pop? If all, then maybe top 10 for each of the major genres: jazz, blues, pop, rock, classical...and each of these have distinctive sub groups. 
jpwarren58 OP
671 posts
 
All genres. I would consider Morrison more on the performer side ie. Elvis, Sinatra, Armstrong. 
schubert
7,386 posts
 
 Barber is Universal !
Nobody would think  Appalachian Spring  and  much of his work as  American without the titles . Copland  never did .


Barbers Ädagio is the unofficial National Anthem  in times of grief ..Should be playing right now .
jpwarren58 OP
671 posts
 
To say Copland's music doesn't capture the American spirit...he incorporates our folk music, energy level, optimism.  And nothing against Barber. Just very hard to make choices. Some day someone will. The big question will be them referencing this thread. Lol. 
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,816 posts
 

Oops, Nick Lowe, like Tillbrook & Difford, is English. He was married to Carlene Carter for awhile (who hasn't been?), if that counts.

By the way, Brian Wilson's favorite American (and perhaps universal) composer is Gershwin. He recorded a tribute album to him, which I haven't gotten up the nerve to listen to.

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