Most Influential American Musician of All Time?


Who do you regard as the most influential (i.e., musically, not necessarily commercially) American musician of all time across all genres?

The more I learn about Louis Armstrong, the more I am persuaded that he deserves that honor.
jeffreybowman2k
my original post contemplated both composers and performers in the definition of "musician." frankly, i am not sure how you could separately categorize the two since, as a practical matter, so many musicians wear both hats (britney spears being a notable exception, for example).

tvad: i believe your earlier posts nominated Robert Johnson and Bob Dylan for the honor of most influential. How would you propose to categorize either/both of these as between composer and performer? To attempt to do so would diminish both by suggesting that it is not the combination of their songwriting AND performing (singing and playing and instrument) that makes them worthy of that title.
Post removed 
Tvad, Yes David Cassidy is right up there with Bobby Sherman and Frankie Avalon.

All of which, I am sure, broke Annette's heart.....
WAKE UP! Les Paul and Leo Fender. I am surprised nobody here voted on Les Paul and Leo Fender. Hard to imagine rock music without both. Les turned 92 this year and created the most copied sound. No Les; No Jimmy Page or Keith Richards. No Leo; No Hendrix or Clapton.
Bongofury, I didn't know Jimmy Page, Keith Richards and Clapton are American musicians.
:)