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- Bob Dylan. 578 votes. A legend in the folk music scene, Bob Dylan has been a prominent figure for over five decades. With his distinctive voice and poetic lyrics, he has captured the hearts and minds of generations.
- Woody Guthrie. 337 votes. Woody Guthrie is often regarded as the founding father of modern American folk music, with his influence felt through generations of artists who came after him.
- Joni Mitchell. 394 votes. An artist whose immense talent transcends genre constraints, Joni Mitchell is a folk icon who has continually reinvented herself throughout her career.
- Gordon Lightfoot. 354 votes. With his warm baritone voice and storytelling prowess, Gordon Lightfoot has been captivating audiences since the 1960s. Hailing from Canada, Lightfoot's songs are deeply rooted in the experiences of his homeland, with tracks like "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" painting vivid pictures of life up north.
- The Alamanac Singers. The Almanacs were really the first folk music supergroup and spun off into rather successful careers for Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Josh White, Burl Ives, and various other folks who made up the core of the group or who joined them on occasion.
- Ani DiFranco. Ani DiFranco is probably the most prominent Gen-X folksinger. Since the release of her self-titled debut in 1990, DiFranco has built an excessively loyal fanbase around the world, as well as a rather successful independent record label out of her hometown in Buffalo, NY.
- Ben Harper. It's still remarkable that Ben Harper hasn't blown up any bigger than he is. He's managed to maintain a sort of cult following, bringing his soulful folk stylings to rather biting protest songs and incantations about justice and the human experience.
- Bob Dylan. What list of folk music greats would be complete without a nod to Mr. Bob Dylan? He almost doesn't warrant an explanation as to how and why he deserves to be on this list, but I'll give one, anyway.
- Bob Dylan
- Pete Seeger
- Leonard Cohen
- Simon & Garfunkel
- Cat Stevens
- John Prine
- Steeleye Span
- Neil Young
- Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young
- John Denver
Bob Dylan just had to be in here, didn’t he? The best folk music artist of all time literally needs no introduction. If you have never listened to him, where have you been in life? Next: The best folk songs in music history (our complete list)
Pete Seeger is right up there with Bob Dylan for inspirational folk musicians, and for a good reason. He has written some of the all-time classics, and he led so many other musicians into the industry and was a source of inspiration.
Known for his dark and almost spiritual lyrics, Leonard Cohenhas had his music covered by so many artists. That alone lets you see how important an artist he is. However, do expect to have to think about his lyrics to get the most out of his music. Next: The true meaning behind the song “Hallelujah”
Huge stars in the 60s and 70s, this duo produced a series of classic tracks with their easy to listen to melodies and thoughtful lyrics. From upbeat to deep and meaningful, they had everything. For a time, they were one of the biggest music acts in the world, and some of their songs still mean so much to people today. Next: The best musicians from ...
A huge star in the 70s, he blended contemporary folk music with parts of pop, but his overwhelming approach was to promote peace through his music. I feel his laid-back approach will take you to a stress-free place, and what a cool thing to achieve. Next: The top musicians from the 1970s decade
I love John Prine because he injected some real fun into his songs while still talking about serious issues. That contrast makes his music stand out, and his social commentary in his music made people sit up and take notice. Even though he was relevant decades ago, you can still appreciate the quality of his music and the message he wanted to put a...
This British folk rock band was formed in 1969, and they pushed the British folk revival that happened in 1970. I appreciate how they focus on traditional folk music and don’t believe in jazzing anything up. When you listen to their music, it’s back-to-basic stuff, but it’s still great music to listen to.
Known for his folk-rock music, Neil Young was a folk music superstar. I love how he combined more hard rock with folk styles in what became his own particular blend. If you are looking for someone who was highly influential, then he must be on your list. At times, you may not even feel as if you are listening to folk music.
This folk supergroup influenced American culture with their songs, and they were a real force to be reckoned with. I love just how intricate their vocal harmonies can become, and they were also amazing instrumentalists at the same time. They were a voice for change, and you still get that feeling when you listen to them now.
Known for his acoustic approach, John Denver started off life as more of a traditional folk singer. His songs focused on nature and hatred of city life, and he took you on a more peaceful journey than so many other folk artists. I just love how he voiced his opinions but did it in such a tuneful way. To say he was melodic would be something of an u...
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Nov 21, 2004 · A list of 100 folk music artists ranked by their impact, influence, popularity, and songwriting creativity in traditional and contemporary folk music. The list includes Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Odetta, Pete Seeger, Leadbelly, and more. See criteria, honerable mentions, and important non-performers.
Joni Mitchell. Tracy Chapman. Zach Bryan. Jimmy Buffett. June Carter Cash. Woody Guthrie. A collection of the most influential folk musicians in the genre.
Mar 13, 2024 · The typical 21st-century conception of folk music comes from beliefs about the nature of music and musical life in the village cultures of Europe from the 18th into the 19th century; but this traditional folk music culture was affected greatly by the rise of industrial society and of cities, as well as by nationalist movements beginning in the 19th century.
Jan 28, 2019 · Kater stopped by the Paste Studio in early January to play three of the best tunes from the record, “Meridian Ground,” “Canyonland” and “Everly.”. 5. Lula Wiles. In 2018, a folk trio ...
