My Top Music Picks (in response to Tharp's list)

Since my editor Mike Tharp made a list of his favorite music acts, as one of the Sun-Star's resident musicians I felt it would only be fair to make my own "tops" list.

I used pretty much the same categories as Mike -- but you will see my choices are a little different. As a bonus, for some of the categories I've added an "Honorable Mention" selection-- artists that maybe didn't make into my top five, but still have a place in my heart. I also included explanations with some of my choices.

I usually hate "top whatever" lists -- primarily because they are soooooo subjective and I am likely going to change my mind by next week. Also, each list could contain several different sub-lists (best hair band, best metal band, whatever). Also, just the term "Rock" has become such a catch-all. For example, what do you do with a group like Sly and the Family Stone? They could easily fit in the "Best of Rock" list, but they could also fit on an R & B list as well. One of these days (when I am not on deadline) I am going to make a "List to End All Lists" of music.

Until then, here are my choices -- enjoy.

Best American Rock Bands

1. Doors -- One of my favorite things is to pop in "LA Woman" while driving on the Hollywood Freeway through downtown LA.

2. Sly and the Family Stone -- "Everyday People" is the song of the human generation -- yesterday's, today's and tomorrow's.

3. Love -- The "Forever Changes" record is, song-for-song, one of the best rock albums ever made.

4. Velvet Underground -- The band that brought avante garde and art noise sensibilities to rock and roll. Were writing songs about heroin and insanity when everyone else was tripping on LSD and into blase' flower power nonesense.

5. Guns and Roses -- Hearing "Welcome To The Jungle" for the first time is like listening to Aerosmith's "Back in the Saddle" on steroids).

Honorable Mention: Funkadelic -- Just listen to the Eddie Hazel's guitar solo on "Maggot Brain" and you'll know that a prayer can be spoken with more than just words.

Best English Rock Bands

1. Beatles -- Rubber Soul, Abby Road, Revolver, The White Album, Hey Jude. Need I say more?

2. Rolling Stones -- I am of the opinion that the real Rolling Stones died with Brian Jones. But that's just me. When I was a kid, they were like the Beatles on the dark side of the force. My appreciation for "Sympathy for the Devil" still brings out my Catholic guilt complex.

3. Led Zeppelin/Pink Floyd (tie) -- "The Immigrant Song" makes me wanna don a horned helmet and do a war dance at Stonehenge. Few things, other than watching "Spinal Tap" make me wanna do that. Pink Floyd (Roger Waters) -- The Piccassos of the concept album. From Dark Side of the Moon to The Wall, there's no denying that everything they [produce is a diamond.

4. The Clash -- "This is Radio Clash" has one of the baddest bass lines ever. They made it cool to be educated about politics and rock at the same time. Also brought the worlds of reggae and rock together without being cheesy.

5. The Smiths -- Brought a new appreciation for major seventh chords combined with smart, intellectual lyrics about hating your job and the pleasure of dying in a flaming car wreck with your best friend. As annoying as lead singer Morrissey can be, he is also one of the best storytellers the rock world has ever seen.

Honorable Mention: The Sex Pistols -- God Save the Queen is probably one of the best rock anthems of all time. The Pistols have inspired countless bands like Joy Division, the Pixies and Nirvana.

Best Rock Solo Vocalist

1. Jimi Hendrix (a.k.a. "The Prophet") -- Yeah, I know, he wasn't the greatest vocalist -- but his voice was perfect for Rock N' Roll. And no matter how good you think you are at guitar, you'll never be that good -- ever. It's been more than 35 years since Hendrix died -- yet he dropped enough material in less than five years to keep us wondering "How the hell did he do that?"

2. James Brown -- Super Bad. The man was Michael Jackson before there was Michael Jackson. But unlike Jackson, he radiated pure black masculinity. To call him "The Godfather of Soul" is not enough.

3. Tina Turner -- The only living person who can sing "Let's Stay Together" better than Al Green. She is Rock and Roll personified -- and she's got the scars to prove it.

4. Ray Charles -- The first few bars on "What'd I Say" changed everything. Just ask Steve Winwood.

5. Stevie Wonder -- Instant way to romance any woman: Turn off the lights, break out the massage oil, candles, red wine and put on "Talking Book." You can thank me later.

Honorable Mention: Howlin' Wolf (and for those of ya'll that say Howlin' Wolf was just a blues singer, listen to "Killing Floor" and get back to me).

Best R & B Groups:

1. Earth, Wind and Fire
2. Temptations
3. Isley Brothers
4. Four Tops
5. The Stylistics (Betcha By Golly Wow, 'nuff said)

Honorable Mention: The Manhattans -- "Kiss and Say Goodbye" has me in tears every time I hear it. The ultimate break-up song.

Best Male Country:

1. Johnny Cash
2. Willie Nelson
3. Hank Williams
4. Charley Pride
5. Gene Autry

Best Female Country:
1. Patsy Cline
2. Bonnie Raitt
3. Loretta Lynn
4. Emmylou Harris (one of the few women old enough to be my mom, and is still hotter than hell).
5. K.D. Lang