greatest living musical legend?

What about Neil Diamond? Throw him in there too.

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Anyone who would add Neil Diamond to this category should be shot. Anyone who would do it BEFORE offering Barry Manilow should just be shamed.

I'm still confused by exactly what Springsteen did which would elevate him above McCartney... or even Phil Collins for that matter.
 
It's Michael Jackson or Bono, and possibly McCartney.

All the other dudes you have listed while critically important in America and/or England, don't even come close to touching the global phenomenon that is Jackson or Bono. They are embraced world-f'ing-wide as if they are each countries own.

Now I'll leave it to you to debate which of those two is bigger.
 
I know this is likely to earn me a tl;dr or two, but:

She's not the greatest living, but I feel that I must make mention of Yoko Kanno.

She is a Japanese Jazz and Electronic Music composer. It may seem odd, but I believe most Jazz listeners (with perhaps the exception of experimental jazz fans
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) will be quite taken with her treatment and handling of the Jazz genre and particularly her vocals and original lyrics (largely in English, some in Japanese, some in a language she's made up). She also incorporates some elements of Rap, Ambient Electronic Music, Bluegrass, Country/Western, Orchestral and even Rennaissance Polyphony into her music where appropriate in the production she's writing for, but they are all appropriate and well done in their own ways.

She is best known for her work in anime, especially Cowboy Bebop and Ghost in the Shell, however her independent portfolio and work with her band, The Seatbelts, are quite good too.
 
I believe Pinertop Perkins (of Austin, Texas) is the oldest living Grammy award winner. That should count for something.

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All the ones I'd have listed have been mentioned, but Quincy Jones could be also.

I'd list Paul Simon too.

And Prince.

And for seminal and sentimental reasons, The Everly Brothers.

I think Paul McCartney is number one because of his songwriting, overall musical talent, collaboration, past and continuing performance skills, career longevity and influence.

I'd list Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and Michael Jackson as worthy living musical legends of the first order, but rank them behind Sir Paul.

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If we're talking about musical legends, you have to include:
Burt Bacharach
Dave Brubeck
Joan Baez
Tony Bennett
Fats Domino
Johnny Mathis
Itzhak Perlman
Barbara Streisand
 
Great list by Darius ("musical legends" not necessarily rock, country, blues legends). I would like to add Mr. Ravi Shankar, the "Godfather of World Music."
 
I still don't see anyone that can beat McCartney when you look at record sales, awards, influence, and phenomenon created.
 
Elton John:
Huge influence in music since early 70's
Writes all his own music to go with Taupin's lyrics
Written music for movies
Written music for Broadway
Written his own Broadway play.
Paul McCartney is second but he is not even close.
 
Elton did just come through Buenos Aires about 2 months ago. I was in Mar del Plata or I could have gone for free. Maybe even with a photographer's press pass. I wasn't in town, I didn't go.

A 23 year old Brit who is over-educated and whose favorite band is Radiohead wasn't sure if he should go. I told him to go. Elton's a true showman. He'll love it. He went and loved it. He told me "You're right. He's a true showman."

That being said, I really think the influence that Paul has had puts him above Elton. But if you choose Elton, I'm not going to say you're wrong.

That ******* Tiny Dancer is in my heh-heeee--aaaaddddd.
 
A couple years ago I made a musical pilgrimage to New York to see Levon Helm at his home/studio. At the time, he was about to do a few big concerts in Manhattan, so we got to see him do more Band hits than he normally does at those shows. He plays with some fantastic studio aces. Was a great show.

I went back to the city on Sunday night, and on Monday I saw Les Paul doing his normal gig at the Iridium.

Two living legends in 48 hours-- both performing in rooms not much bigger than Cactus Cafe. And neither of them is a spring chicken, so if you want to do that trip, book it now!
 
Some of you have a really odd defintion of "greatest". Personally, I don't see how Dylan isn't the answer, but I can understand the support for McCartney. Beyond that, I'm stretching to buy Springsteen, Aretha, Willie, and Chuck Berry.

Bono? Seriously? Sting? Seriously? Elton John? Seriously?

Love their music, but come on.
 
Jimmy Buffett.

He music may fall into its own genre and he might be too much in a class by himself to be mentioned among all these others. But you can not deny the success he has had for nearly four decades now.

Glad to see so many nods for Elton John.
 
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