Most Influential American Musician of All Time?

The original punk, Hank Williams Sr: Writer, performer, drunk.

How many musicians can honestly claim to ever approach Zappa's ability? By the same token the ridiculous guitar solos of the 80's "wee wee, weeeeee" went by the wayside and have been replaced with thoughtful and capable efforts by many fine guitarists. Say what you will but the two best guitar solos in the last 25 years that were considered to be commercial successes were Marillion's "Heart of Loriam" on the Misplaced Childhood album, and Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" from The Wall. I would argue both of these pieces were infleunced by Frank Zappa. I can point to specific tracks if need be, suffice to say Zappa was one of the most innovative musicians ever. For your own good, listen to "Yo Mama" on the Sheik Yerbouti album, absolutely unbelievable. How about Black Napkins, Inca Road, or The Torture Never Stops? With all due respect Zappa paved the way and set an incredibly high standard for all to aspire to. Thankfully many have tried...

I would agree with Pawlowski that, aside from maybe Danny Elfman, nobody was influenced by Zappa (which does NOT diminish his greatness).

Far more people have been influenced by John Fogerty, who ranks high on my list.

I would nominate 1) Dylan, 2) Ellington, 3) Copland

Cheers

Dunno about all time...but how many rock guitarists (conciously or not) haven't absorbed Jimi Hendrix.

Thelonious Monk may not be a household commodity but he added alot of vocabulary and his influence on some of todays great players runs deep.

I hear Brian Wilson/Beach Boys in much of today's music.