RF Generation Message Board

Who is the greatest rock 'n roller ever? I believe in America you call everything rock 'n roll, but I mean old school rock 'n roll.

Elvis Presley
(http://www.rfgeneration.com/yabbattach/elvis_old.jpg)
The case for: Viva Las Vegas, Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel, Jailhouse Rock, shocked parents across the world.
The case against: Didn't write his own music, Got old, started making boring music and died.

Chuck Berry
(http://www.rfgeneration.com/yabbattach/cschuck.jpg)
The case for: Brown eyed handsome man, Johnny B Goode, Maybelline, Roll over Beethoven, Sweet little sixteen, Rock and roll music, School days, wrote his own music, great guitar player, memphis Tennessee.
The case against: Is old now and gives lackluster performances.

Carl Perkins
(http://www.rfgeneration.com/yabbattach/Carl_Perkins_JPG.jpg)
The case for: much better version of Blue Suede Shoes, Matchbox, Honey Don't, everybody's trying to be my baby, wrote pretty much all of his own songs.
The case against: dead

Buddy Holly
(http://www.rfgeneration.com/yabbattach/holly_buddy1p.jpg)
The case for: Not fade away, Peggy Sue, That'll be the day, rave on, everyday, wrote his own music, dorky glasses.
the case against: A bit of a wuss, died only 18 months after his break through.

Jerry Lee Lewis
(http://www.rfgeneration.com/yabbattach/LewisPiano.jpg)
The case for: High school confidential, Whole lotta shakin going on, great balls of fire, batshit insane.
The case against: Started making country music and still gives lackluster performances.

Bill Haley
(http://www.rfgeneration.com/yabbattach/Bill-Haley--C10101563.jpeg)
The case for: Rock Around the Clock, Shake Rattle and roll, started it all.
The case against: Ridiculous haircut, didn't write his own music, Dead.

Little Richard
(http://www.rfgeneration.com/yabbattach/lr2003.jpg)
The case for: Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally, Good Golly Miss Molly, Lucille.
The case against: Has clearly gone mad, didn't write most of his own music.

From this list  I would say Chuck Berry. But I voted other.

This is a tough one.  All of the above are pretty darn good.  The only one I really dislike is Little Richard.  Some of the others sucked in later years (i.e. Elvis), but they still had good stuff earlier.

My vote went to Buddy Holly, though it was a VERY close call between him and Chuck Berry.  Both were fantastic when they were in their prime.

So who do you think is the greatest?

I voted Chuck Berry. I think my somewhat biased introduction is enough explenation for that.

I have no idea.

Les Claypool kicks a lot os ass in my book. Same with Darrell Abbott RIP  :-[

But they're hardly old school ;)

True. I really have no idea. I like the old but I can't name a favorite.  :-/

As far as most influential, I would have to go with Elvis.  Seeing as EVERYONE knows Elvis, and could pick him out of a line up.  The man IS rock cliché.  Hell, I don't have to mention his last name and everyone knows who is being referred to.  His music, eh.  Not a big fan of any of their stuff.  But Elvis was the best entertainer.

Chuck Berry all the way.

Chuck berry easily.