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The All Time Music Makers
Overview: This page lists some of the best music makers of all time, as determined by various criteria, including chart success, induction into various Hall of Fames, and personal choices. The term “music makers” is used to refer to individual performers, groups, and duos as well as “non-performers” such as writers, producers, and others in the music industry.

Underlined links indicate that the act has a DMDB page which details the history of the act, a studio album discography, and more.

Key:

one of the top 100 acts of all time, according to the Dave Music Database

one of my personal favorite top 100 acts of all time

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (through 2006)



A B C D E F G H I J K L M N P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A
  • AC/DC Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Paul Ackerman Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Lee Adams Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Harold Adamson Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Richard Adler Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Aerosmith Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Milton Ager Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • A-ha
  • Fred Ahlert Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Harry Akst Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Alabama
  • The Allman Brothers Band Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Herb Alpert Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Louis Alter Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Tori Amos
  • Leroy Anderson Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Animals Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Paul Anka Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Harold Arlen Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Louis Armstrong Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Eddy Arnold
  • Nickolas Ashford Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Chet Atkins Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Charles Aznavour Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee

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B

  • Burt Bacharach Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Bad Company
  • David Baerwald
  • LaVern Baker Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Ernest Ball Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Hank Ballard Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Band Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Jeff Barry Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • John Barry Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Frank Barsalona Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Dave Bartholomew Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Ralph Bass Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Katharine Lee Bates Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Beach Boys Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Beatles Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Bee Gees Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Thom Bell Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Pat Benatar
  • Bennie Benjamin Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Alan Bergman Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Marilyn Bergman Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Irving Berlin Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Leonard Bernstein Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Chuck Berry Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • William Billings Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Black Sabbath Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Chris Blackwell Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Otis Blackwell Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Hal Blaine Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Bobby "Blue" Bland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • James Bland Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Ralph Blane Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Blind Faith – see Eric Clapton
  • Blondie Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Rube Bloom Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Jerry Bock Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee
  • Booker T. and the M.G.'s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Boston
  • David Bowie Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Box of Frogs – see The Yardbirds
  • Leslie Bricusse “Songwriter
  • James Brockman “Songwriter
  • Garth Brooks
  • Charles Brown Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • James Brown Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee “Songwriter
  • Lew Brown “Songwriter
  • Nacio Herb Brown “Songwriter
  • Jackson Browne Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Alfred Bryan “Songwriter
  • Boudleaux Bryant “Songwriter
  • Felice Bryant “Songwriter
  • Buffalo Springfield Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Joe Burke “Songwriter
  • Johnny Burke “Songwriter
  • Solomon Burke Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Henry Burr
  • James Burton Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Byrds Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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C

  • Glen Campbell
  • Mariah Carey
  • Johnny Cash Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Tracy Chapman
  • Ray Charles Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Leonard Chess Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Chicago
  • Charlie Christian Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Eric Clapton Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Clash Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Eddie Cochran Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Nat “King” Cole Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Phil Collins
  • Shawn Colvin
  • Perry Como
  • Sam Cooke Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Elvis Costello Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Floyd Cramer Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Cream – see Eric Clapton Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Creedence Clearwater Revival Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Bing Crosby
  • Crosby, Stills & Nash Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Sheryl Crow
  • Crowded House – see Neil Finn
  • King Curtis Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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D

  • Terence Trent D’Arby
  • Bobby Darin Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Clive Davis Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Miles Davis Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Del Amitri
  • The Dells Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Neil Diamond
  • Bo Diddley Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Chris Difford – see Squeeze
  • Dion Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Dire Straits
  • Willie Dixon Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Fats Domino Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Doors Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Steve Douglas Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Lamont Dozier Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Drifters Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Bob Dylan Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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E

  • Eagles Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Earth, Wind & Fire Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Duane Eddy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Electric Light Orchestra
  • Ahmet Ertegun Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Nesuhi Ertegun Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Melissa Etheridge
  • Eurythmics
  • The Everly Brothers Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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F

  • Faith No More
  • Leo Fender Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Neil Finn
  • Tim Finn
  • Fish
  • The Flamingos Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Fleetwood Mac Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Foreigner
  • The Four Seasons Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Four Tops Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Aretha Franklin Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Alan Freed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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G

  • Milt Gabler Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Peter Gabriel
  • Marvin Gaye Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Genesis
  • Kevin Gilbert
  • Benny Goodman
  • Giraffe – see Kevin Gilbert
  • Berry Gordy, Jr. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Graduate – see Tears for Fears
  • Bill Graham Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Grateful Dead Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Al Green Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Guns N’ Roses
  • Woody Guthrie Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Buddy Guy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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H

  • Bill Haley Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Daryl Hall & John Oates
  • John Hammond Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • George Harrison Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Isaac Hayes Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Jimi Hendrix Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Don Henley
  • Billie Holiday Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Brian Holland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Eddie Holland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Buddy Holly & The Crickets Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • John Lee Hooker Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Whitney Houston
  • Howlin' Wolf Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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I

  • Indigo Girls
  • The Impressions Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Inkspots Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • INXS
  • The Isley Brothers Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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J

  • Janet Jackson
  • Mahalia Jackson Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Michael Jackson Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Jackson Five Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • James Jamerson Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Elmore James Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Etta James Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Jefferson Airplane Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Billy Joel Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Elton John Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Little Willie John Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Johnnie Johnson Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Robert Johnson Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • George Jones
  • Janis Joplin/Big Brother & The Holding Company Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Louis Jordan Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Journey

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K

  • Kaviar – see Kevin Gilbert
  • B.B. King Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Kinks Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Gladys Knight & The Pips Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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L

  • Lead Belly Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Led Zeppelin Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Brenda Lee Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Jerry Leiber Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • John Lennon Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Huey Lewis & The News
  • Jerry Lee Lewis Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Little Richard Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Little River Band
  • Guy Lombardo
  • Lyle Lovett
  • Lovin' Spoonful Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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M

  • Madonna
  • The Mamas and the Papas Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Marillion
  • Bob Marley Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Martha & The Vandellas Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • George Martin Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Mayfield – see Tears for Fears
  • Curtis Mayfield Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Paul McCartney Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Sarah McLachlan
  • John Mellencamp
  • Metallica
  • Mike + The Mechanics
  • Joni Mitchell Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Moody Blues
  • The Moonglows Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Scotty Moore Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Van Morrison Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Jelly Roll Morton Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Jerry Moss Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Billy Murray

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N

  • Syd Nathan Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Ricky Nelson Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Willie Nelson
  • Olivia Newton-John
  • Nirvana
  • N.R.G. – see Kevin Gilbert

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O

  • Sinead O’Connor
  • The O'Jays Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Roy Orbison Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Orioles Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Roland Orzabal – see Tears for Fears
  • Mo Ostin Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Johnny Otis Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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P

  • Earl Palmer Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Parliament-Funkadelic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Alan Parsons
  • Dolly Parton
  • Les Paul Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Pearl Jam
  • Carl Perkins Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Sam Phillips Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Wilson Pickett Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Pink Floyd Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Gene Pitney Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Robert Plant
  • The Platters Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Police – see Sting Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Doc Pomus Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Elvis Presley Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Pretenders Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Lloyd Price Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Prince Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Professor Longhair Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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Q

  • Queen Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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R

  • Ma Rainey Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Rainmakers
  • Bonnie Raitt Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Ramones Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Rascals – see The Young Rascals
  • Lou Reed
  • Otis Redding Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Jimmy Reed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • R.E.M.
  • REO Speedwagon
  • Righteous Brothers Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Smokey Robinson Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Jimmie Rodgers Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Kenny Rogers
  • The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Diana Ross
  • Rick Rubin, producer
  • Rush

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S

  • Sam and Dave Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Santana Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Pete Seeger Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Sex Pistols Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Tupac (2pac) Shakur
  • Del Shannon Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • The Shirelles Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Simon & Garfunkel Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Paul Simon Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Simple Minds
  • Frank Sinatra
  • Percy Sledge Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Sly & The Family Stone Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Bessie Smith Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Curt Smith – see Tears for Fears
  • The Soul Stirrers Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Phil Spector Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Split Enz
  • Dusty Springfield Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Bruce Springsteen Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Squeeze
  • The Staple Singers Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Steely Dan Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Seymour Stein Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Jim Stewart Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Rod Stewart Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Sting
  • Mike Stoller Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • George Strait
  • Barbra Streisand
  • Styx
  • The Supremes Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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T

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U

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V

  • Ritchie Valens Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Van Halen
  • Velvet Underground – see Lou Reed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Gene Vincent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Violent Femmes

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W

  • T-Bone Walker Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Dionne Warwick
  • Dinah Washington Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Muddy Waters Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Roger Waters
  • Jerry Wexler Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Paul Whiteman
  • The Who Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Hank Williams Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Jackie Wilson Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Stevie Wonder Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • Eric Woolfson – see Alan Parsons

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X

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Y

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Z

  • Frank Zappa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
  • ZZ Top Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

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Last updated September 7, 2006.